Istanbul Basics & Guides

It’s the kind of story that sweeps down the gossip chain, becoming so popular that it morphs into an urban legend. The tale retold whenever...

So you’ve come to Turkey and plan to stay for a while, or you already live here and have decided to save up some...

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...

All of us - single or in relationships, with or without kids - need help at home from time to time. It can be...

Expat life can get dull, eating the same kind of food every single day. The lack of foreign food in a cosmopolite city like...

For many commentators, the digital music revolution catalysed by iTunes over a decade ago signaled the end of all physical formats of music. With...

Life is a collection of rhythms, reflecting humanity’s collective love of tradition and routine. Yet for many around the world, the rhythm of the...

As of 15 January 2021, an Istanbulkart (used predominantly for public transportation within the city) will need to be linked to a HES (Hayat...

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...

Being a foreigner studying or residing in a different country and a different culture makes one tend to seek for psychological help for various...

A few days ago I was waiting for the bus in the ridiculously long line at Beşiktaş Square - some mornings the line turns...

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...

If you have a nine to five job and a lot of responsibilities to handle, you might prefer to stay in after work or...

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...

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...

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)...

One of the great things about living in Istanbul (and Turkey more generally) is the incredible produce. Turkey benefits from more than a million...

As an animal lover, one of my favorite aspects of life in Turkey can also be one of the most challenging: seeing cats and...

Editor's Note: This piece was first published in 2015, and was most recently updated in 2026 by our editor. The response to first-time applications...

There are several reasons why residents of Istanbul need a Turkish bank account - the most obvious being that it is required for most...

Istanbul has developed in so many ways over the years, including shops of all kinds which have seen shifts in terms of services, logistics,...

It hit me a few weeks after moving to Istanbul two years ago. I was stressed and confused by so many things like accommodation...

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...

Rent increases are an unpleasant but inevitable part of adult life. However, as rent prices have spiked by an unprecedented degree over the past...