Job Discussion Forums

[Qaaolchoura]

I've been staying in the same hotel for two weeks, because once utilities are taken into account, it's probably about the same price as the cheapest flat I can find, and in a better part of Istanbul.

Part of the problem seems to be that one realtor completely dominates the listings. Nearly all the ads on Craigslist seem to come from Ki Real Estate Agency, who have like four different websites and two different phone numbers. I called both phone numbers, and was directed to go to the same address. When I called both times I was given a quote of minimum 450 euros, but when I went, they told me the cheapest was me 550 euros/month or 250/week for a studio in Taxim.

I'd rather rent by the week, so if I get a job I can move, or if I find any unanticipated apartment issues. I found one guy who over the phone told me that he had flats for 100 euros and seems to still have them available. I've called a couple times, but I can't understand the address over the phone, and he doesn't respond to my emails.

Also, I'm willing to live a ways away until I find a job, as long as it's on the tramline, but all the apartments listed seem to be in Taxim or the Old City.

The rest of the ads, aside from the two I mentioned above, all seem to be cheaper than Ki Real Estate Agency, but all want a one month's deposit.

Any really, what's a realistic price range? Both for weekly and for monthly rentals. (I'd certainly do a monthly rental if I found a place I really liked, but I had misgivings about the Ki Real Estate place.) Also possibly an estimate for utilities?

So really, my main question: any advice on apartment hunting other than Craigslist?

Thanks,
~Q

[Irish Lad]

Q, there was a thread a while back that I can't seem to locate just now. Someone posted a link to apartment listings. I have the following site saved, but I don't recall if it's the same one, or not.

http://www.sahibinden.com/en/search.php?b[search]=for_rent&c=16622

[Irish Lad]

Here's the sahibinden link and one other site recommended:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=84971

.

[Qaaolchoura]

Irish Lad, thanks. These look awesome. Actual Turkish sites, with considerably cheaper prices (unless they ask for a deposit), and rooms that look a lot nicer. Except that my Turkish skills at this point are still limited to a few basic words and formalities.

Anybody have experience renting from a non-English-speaking Turkish speaker before you've become conversant in Turkish?

Thanks,
~Q

Edit:
Wait, are these apartments furnished? The list on Sahibinden seems to not include things that can move.

Also, the other site appears to be more sale-oriented.

[coffeespoonman]

Istanbul doesn't really do furnished flats, and when they do, they're painfully expensive. Real estate agents in Turkey are perhaps the least helpful in the entire world, and most of them are lying thieves. Then again, so are most landlords. If possible, I'd recommend trying to move in as a roommate somewhere. If that's not realistic for you, you should talk to some other foreigners there who are happy with their landlord/estate agents, and see if they have other flats available.

And sahibinden.com and hurriyetemlak.com are definitely the best sites for flat hunting. Don't use Craigslist; there are lots of scams on there.

[_smaug]

Having a hard time finding a place, too.

Sent out a bunch of emails via craigslist. No responses.

[Caterinamh]

Newbies:

Please don't misunderstand this message as rude but you should keep in mind that anytime you rent a flat in a city as large as Istanbul or just about anywhere you should be ready to pay a deposit, 1st months rent and if you use a Emlak (AKA broker) a fee for that as well. I have never experienced anyplace in the world that didn't want some sort of deposit. I'd say that's a standard practice.

If you want better flats with better rates venture out near the Metro a bit away from Taksim ie. Osmanbey, Esentepe, Mec'koy, Levent. Easy access to public transport, safe, nice flats and less "yabanci fiyat".
You should expect to pay about 1000 TL for a nice flat min., furnished is rare.

[Qaaolchoura]

[delal]

Have to agree with Caterinamh
I think it depends on how long you intend to stay as to how much you should be willing to pay out initially
I once got lucky in Ankara and only had to pay one month's rent as a deposit. It had taken me months-staying in a crummy hotel- to find and was actually horrible inside and unfurnished but in a decent neighbourhood. I found it through a newspaper ad-the magic words are "sahibiden." The decent furnished places were about the same as my wages in total. Wasn't so lucky in France, Spain or the UK and ended up sharing with others and saving the exhorbitant estate agent fees and money I would have spent on furniture etc.

[cassie1211]

sahibinden is in English also. If you're looking for short-term, no deposit, no emlak fee and furnished, you're only hope is finding a room share on craigslist. Yes there are many scams, yes it's way more expensive. You could also try going on www.couchsurfing.org, there is a group called 'Istanbul flats.' When you do get a job and get an apartment I think the 1000TL for a nice flat is exaggerated. You should expect about 500TL per room, but you will have to furnish it, and put the bills in your name. It really depends where you live. I live in Cihangir and pay 700TL for my room, but you could live in somewhere just a nice, just not in Beyoglu for way less.

[_smaug]

Update: I just found a place in Beyoglu off craigslist: 600 TL/month, 300 TL deposit, no fee, utilities included -- foreign exchange students, mostly, and two English teachers. The flat�s got three bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom and laundry/shower room. The landlord/owner lives here (in the room next to mine, actually) so I reckon it won�t get too cold in the winter. It�s in an old building but it�s reasonably clean and everything works.

Also, after the initial drought, I�ve been getting replies to the emails I sent to people renting rooms on craigslist.

Really, I think craigslist is your best bet for avoiding those massive estate agent fees.

[gloomyGumi]

holy crap this whole thing is getting rather discouraging just reading through, let alone doing it with a wife and 11 year old daughter, which we are planning, up til now, to try and do. whew...... I know we have to stay in a hotel for a few weeks looking for a job, but the whole rental apartment thing after I get a job (I hope) looks daunting and vexing to say the least.

1. What would a decent place run for in Ist. in a modestly-priced area (not Taksim or Beyoglu) for a 3 person family?

2. How the hell can someone get one like that even WITH a residence permit? Seems I read earlier that you still need a sponsor to co-sign? What is that all about?

3. Can this actually be done if one is to start working a few days later? I mean, the whole finding an apartment/getting a residence visa/getting a sponsor and then the move from the hotel into an apartment with a wife and daughter?

[coffeespoonman]

1. Again, I say 1000 TL/mo. You can do it for significantly cheaper (600 or so), but you'll live in squalor. (I'm not say the above poster will be living in squalor, but he's ok with just a room, while that won't suit your needs). Or, you could move very far out of the center and live in a generally safe, generally clean area with no foreigners but an ok flat for about 800 TL/mo. But then, you'll pay your savings in transportation costs.

2. You don't need a Turk to co-sign, you just need anyone with a residence permit. This can sometimes be avoided if you rent directly from the owner. However, this will give the owner more leverage to screw you out of your deposit when you leave (just my experiences). Your school should be able to help with that signature fairly easily.

3. Sure, it can be done, but your life won't be very much fun for quite a while. Moving is TRAUMATIC in Turkey, where 95% of apartments are totally unfurnished (not even light fixtures), and queues to turn on utilities are insanely long. Expect it to take a minimum of one week before your house is even functionally livable, again, unless you rent directly from an owner who really helps you out.

Seriously, the biggest thing that would ever stop me from moving back to Turkey is actually MOVING back to Turkey.

[hellasnut]

Very droll...............

[lucia79]