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eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

Istanbul and Ankara are clearly gonna suck your hard-earned lira right down the drain with rent and sec. deposit fees, NTM eating out as a non-Turk would be billed by the restaurants.

Where would you Turkey experts say gives the best bang for the buck, i.e. where those costs wouldnt suck you dry at atleast 51% right off the top of your salary?

tiptronic · Joined: 12 Nov 2009 Posts: 24

Actually, nowhere. I have never seen a person who makes extra money in education field in Turkey. Public schools are depraved. Private schools are even worse (all the money goes to the owner). There are a few places like Koc, Sabanci, Uskudar Amerikan, and Robert College where you can live well with the money they pay you but still can not save.

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

........yikes! Surprised

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

Now, wait a minute... I work at a uni, but none of those mentioned above, and I manage to save a good deal. I also live with my girlfriend and pay all of the bills and rent and living costs for the both of us, as well as give her a little bit of money when hers runs out (she's got a small salary). I'm a bit frugal, but I do go out every Friday night, and I'm a smoker (recently started again).

To help out my finances, I teach 4 hours of privates a week and do some editing/translation work on the side, but even if I didn't do that, I'd still probably be able to save like 500 TL a month.

So, I wouldn't say you can't save. I suppose if I had all the luxuries that a lot of people have (car, Iphone, big screen TV), I probably wouldn't be able to, but I don't know many foreign teachers who choose that kind of lifestyle.

big3bc · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 132 Location: Turkey

I pay quite a bit for my flat and security (described in a different thread), eat mostly at home, pay expensive monthly fees at a posh health club, and still manage to save more than $500 a month.
Anyone who says apartment costs in Istanbul, Ankara etc. are comparable to those in large cities in the US is out of his/ her mind. My flat would be at least triple the cost in Manhattan, and maybe more in SF (I lived in both places for a number of years). The health club I belong to (Hillside) which is about $1000/ 6 months would be at least double in NY. Transportation is much cheaper here. About the only thing in Istanbul which I find to be much more expensive is the price of liquor at bars.

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 11:47 am Post subject:

I bought my own place 5 years ago, saving at least 1000 ytl a month, running a car and have all those modern trappings that people seem to hanker for, oh yeah, got a town flat too!

evolving81 · Joined: 04 May 2009 Posts: 135 Location: Tampa

Coffee,

That's very encouraging news. So, perhaps it depends on the university. Can MA TESOL holders get these lucritive university jobs? Turkey seems very attractive to me but I haven't figured out where to go when I graduate.

Thanks.

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

big3bc · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 132 Location: Turkey

Eclectic- how can you expect anyone to answer the question when we have no idea what kind of lifestyle you lead?
I have been in Adana several times as I used to teach at a nearby university. It is hot and boring. Apartments there would be much cheaper than Istanbul, and probably a bit cheaper than Bursa.
You can get a crappy apartment in Sirineveler or Yenibosna for 300TL/ month. Also, there are lots and lots of furnished apartments here although you may not like what they are furnished with. Most of them are full of old Turkish furniture left by the elderly people who once lived there. If you want something more modern, you will pay a lot more.

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

OK,OK, ready?

We cook 3 m3eals a day, 6 days a week, and eat out at very inexpensive local no-frills eateries ONCE A WEEK. i.e. we' wont be going to Suleiman the Great's Blue Mosque Buffet to sit with New Yorkers or Parisiennes or Los Angeleseyans to pay $10 USD for a little plate of stuffed grape leaves.

We don't have any smoking or drinking habits, and won't be joining any health clubs, etc., as one poster mentioned paying $1,300 USD for a 6-month contract at one.

Plus we eat mostly veg, like 5 days a week and maybe a bit of chicken or mutton 1-2 times/wk.

Will be walking when possible, taking public transport and not taxis, unless the cost is about equal. (it sure as hell aint in some places!)

fishmb · Joined: 08 Jul 2009 Posts: 184 Location: Istanbul

My crystal ball says that you will save an average of $487.48 per month...

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

.......! That is some crystal ball, fish! Thank you. It'd be perfectly great to save that amount. It sure isnt the $1300 savings here 9n Korea, but then again, it sure isnt Korean society!

big3bc · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 132 Location: Turkey

Fish is probably about right. Of course, that's if you never need new clothes, have to go to the dentist, have to buy a new vacuum cleaner etc. What about laundry detergent, and basic hygiene items which can be quite expensive here?

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

well lets shave another 15-20% off, bringing us to $425/mo. Hey I got friends in NY/NJ making $1,500 a WEEK, and they can't save that.

Thx guys for all your advice and help. Once again, .... Smile

Kirkpatrick · Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 205 Location: China

Don't forget visa runs. If you are new to Turkey it can take up to six months to get one...So, That's around 700 usd down the drain.. And Yes Alcohol is way over priced.. Cheap alternative, Smoke weed.. 20 tlr 1/4 oz.. That lasts a week at least and takes care of all headaches cause by ill behaved students..