9 Turkish Red Wines Worth Trying
One of the many seemingly incessant complaints I hear from other yabancılar is a disdain for Turkish wines. Navigating the wine scene in Turkey...
Guide to Houseplant Hunting in Istanbul
In a heavily built-up city such as Istanbul, green space is at a premium. When I first came here to live, I remember looking...
Buying a Home in Turkey – Finding the Right Price (Part...
So, you’ve been in Turkey for a while and decided that it might make sense to buy a home or maybe you have your...
Compulsory Earthquake Insurance in Turkey – Quick, Easy, Affordable Price Quote
If you've dealt with purchasing property at all in Turkey, it's likely you've been informed that having earthquake insurance in Turkey is compulsory. Considering...
Issues with Joint Bank Accounts in Turkey
If you have lived in Turkey for a while, you’ve probably got an account with a local bank. It is easy enough to open...
8 study spots in Beyoğlu
The end of this semester is approaching quickly. Along with it, come final projects, papers, tests, presentations, and a number of other things, which...
Updated: 1,169 Neighborhood Closures to Foreigners in Turkey
IMPORTANT NOTE: As of Friday 07 October, the Interior Ministry has made the decision to close several districts in Istanbul entirely to any new...
My Big Fat Turkish Wedding Dress: An Istanbul Guide
If I knew then what I know now:
Which neighborhood has the best, cheapest or most fashionable dresses? How much should I pay? Should I...
Appealing a Residence Permit Rejection in Turkey
The residence permit application process in Turkey is an ever-changing and often complicated process. While we stand by the belief that a thoroughly compiled...
6 Must-Have Apps for Living in Istanbul
Long ago, great explorers traversed huge bodies of water with little more than the stars to guide them. And now? Well, you just need...
Istanbul Basics: Opening a Bank Account in Turkey
There are several reasons why residents of Istanbul need a Turkish bank account - the most obvious being that it is required for most residence permit...
Obtaining a Work Permit in Turkey
The work permit process in Turkey is unclear or confusing for many people because of the bureaucracy and inconsistent manner in which information and...
Renter’s Rights in Turkey: How Much Can a Landlord Raise the...
Rent increases are an unpleasant but inevitable part of adult life. However, as rent prices have spiked by an unprecedented degree over the past...
Ten Great Podcasts For Your Istanbul Commute
We live in a great time to be stuck in traffic! Especially if you live in Istanbul, you’ve been given the greatest gifts of...
Istanblues Be Gone! A Rainy Day Guide
Unpredictable Spring showers can put a real dampener (pun intended) on one's social calendar. But even if you have exhausted the city’s museums and...
Living Abroad Blues: Coping with Loneliness
When I first moved to Istanbul in 2016, I too experienced loneliness. After all, I was a foreigner in a new country, who did...
Giving Birth in Turkey: Choosing the Right Obstetrician
You are pregnant, congratulations! This is most probably the happiest moment of your life, enjoy it for a second! But not too long, because...
A Guide to Correctly Queuing in Istanbul
A few days ago I was waiting for the bus in the ridiculously long line at Beşiktaş Square - some mornings the line turns...
The Week in Turkey’s Cinemas
On Friday 11 January, three new movies come to Cinemaximum! Bring along your loved ones, get yourself some popcorn and snacks, and enjoy a...
Hunting for Records in Istanbul, Part 1: Beyoğlu
For many commentators, the digital music revolution catalysed by iTunes over a decade ago signaled the end of all physical formats of music. With...
Renting a Flat in Istanbul: A Basic Guide to Accommodation
Renting a flat in Istanbul can be a stressful, intimidating experience - especially for first-timers. There's a lot to take into account and if...
Top 5 Bookshops in Istanbul
Istanbul sure does have a lot to offer when it comes to the world of books - there are boutique retailers, hidden stores, retail...
Seven Organic, Health Food, and Exotic Markets in Istanbul
When I first came to Turkey six years ago for a vacation, one of the first things that enamored me was the food. The...
A Guide to Istanbul Earthquake Preparedness
With all the disturbing events in the news recently, it is easy to forget the more mundane, boring threats of life: pickpockets in Taksim,...