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...
How to Donate Blood in Istanbul as a Yabangee
One of the simplest and easiest ways to help others is to donate blood. Back in Barcelona I was a regular blood donor, donating...
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...
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...
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...
Tips for Eating Organic & Healthy in Istanbul
While eating healthy might not normally be a top priority, if you have kids like me, that opinion will likely change as you probably...
Maintain Your Sanity Living in Istanbul: Ten Tips
Living in Istanbul is not for the faint of heart. We face a pretty hefty amount of stress on a daily basis – the hours...
Istanbul Recycling 101
When I first came to Istanbul in October of 2014, I was completely bewildered by the recycling system. I found almost nothing on the...
Guide to Using & Registering a Foreign Phone in Turkey
So you're visiting or moving to Turkey and you want to bring your foreign mobile phone with you to happily use here. Great! Let's...
Off the Beaten Track in Istanbul: Secret Food/Drink/Activity Spots
I’ve been in this crazy, lovely city for two years now, and although I cannot claim to know all its secrets, I have in...
Leaving Turkey with Pets 101
Well, hello there. Chances are you are leaving Turkey with your pet, and you’ve stumbled upon this page looking for advice. Don’t worry, we're...