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...
Expat Life: Having a Baby in Turkey
It’s amazing how things can change in just a few short years. Three years ago, I accepted a job in Turkey. Six months later...
The Ultimate List of European Restaurants & Cafes in Istanbul
Expat life can get dull, eating the same kind of food every single day. The lack of foreign food in a cosmopolite city like...
An Expat’s Guide to Hamams
Sometimes the grit and grime and non-stop pace of the city just get overwhelming. You need a break from the packed Metrobus and the...
Getting Married in Turkey: Frequently Asked Questions
So you’re thinking about getting married in Turkey. If you’re a foreigner, you probably have quite a few questions about the process. I’m a...
PCR (Covid-19) Testing in Istanbul: Laboratories, Prices, & Experiences
The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely changed the way we travel... if we travel at all. Most yabangees live far away from their families and...
Where to Find Istanbul’s 100% Ecological Markets
One of the great things about living in Istanbul (and Turkey more generally) is the incredible produce. Turkey benefits from more than a million...
A Guide to Adopting Street Animals in Turkey
As an animal lover, one of my favorite aspects of life in Turkey can also be one of the most challenging: seeing cats and...
Get Your Residence Permit in 10 (Somewhat) Easy Steps
Editor's Note: This piece was first published in 2015, and was most recently updated in May of 2022.
Important Note: The Covid-19 pandemic had a...
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...
A Guide to Online Shopping in Turkey
If you have a nine to five job and a lot of responsibilities to handle, you might prefer to stay in after work or...
How to Make Friends as a Foreigner in Istanbul
It hit me a few weeks after moving to Istanbul two years ago. I was stressed and confused by so many things like accommodation...
Welcome to Istanbul: An Orientation Guide for Moving to & Living...
So you've decided to move to Istanbul. Hoş geldiniz and congrats on a fantastic decision! We're confident you'll love it here just as much...
How to Get a HES Code and Link an Istanbulkart
As of 15 January 2021, an Istanbulkart (used predominantly for public transportation within the city) will need to be linked to a HES (Hayat...
Who Runs this City? – Daily Istanbul Running Activities
Who rules Istanbul? If you have been here for longer than a day, you already know the answer is obvious: CATS. They are everywhere...
Buying a House in Turkey – Finding the Right Place (Part...
So, you’ve been in Turkey for a while and decided that it might make sense to buy a house or maybe you have your...
Cheap Istanbul: 8 Things to Do for under 10 TL
Summer just won't seem to quit, and we all know how the heat tends to stifle any imagination when it comes to finding ways to...
Turkish Residence Permit: Frequently Asked Questions
Getting your residence permit can seem like a massive undertaking, especially if you're unclear of certain steps along the way or have your own...
Visiting a Tailor in Istanbul 101
Istanbul has developed in so many ways over the years, including shops of all kinds which have seen shifts in terms of services, logistics,...
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...
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...
Guide to Keto and Low-carb Dieting in Istanbul
What is a keto diet? What is a low-carb diet?
A keto (ketogenic) diet is where you are restricted to consuming a maximum of (typically)...
10 podcasts to help you beat the Istanbul commute
If you’re anything like me, or the average Istanbul resident, you probably spend a larger percentage of your life commuting than you’d like to...
Nine Tips for Biking in Istanbul
Although Istanbul is not really a bike-friendly city, nor it does have a vibrant biking culture, it is still a good idea to buy...