moving house to turkey

Moving House to Turkey – A Guide to Istanbul

More than 30,000 British expats have made Turkey their home; and of those who have organised removals to Turkey, most live in Istanbul, which is the largest city in the country with 14 million people living there. One of the reasons why so many people from the UK have moved to Istanbul is for career advancement – the city is home to a number of British and multinational corporations – while others have chosen to retire in Istanbul or have married Turkish spouses.

It is understandable why so many thousands of Britons have organised house moves to Istanbul. The city, which part lies in Europe and Asia, is the historical, cultural and economic hub of Turkey. Seen as one of the most important cities in history, it is dotted with world famous landmarks, and its significance has made it a prime tourist hotspot, playing host to more than 11 million foreign visitors a year.

Dolphin Movers specialise in removals to Turkey, including house and office moves to Istanbul. We organise tailored removals services to all parts of the country, including other popular places for British expats to move to such as Bodrum, Fetiye, Marmaris and Didim. Whether you are settling in the capital, Ankara, or elsewhere, we will provide you with a competitively priced quotation. Contact us today to find out more about Dolphin Movers removals service to and from the UK, Europe and Asia.

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Where to Live in Istanbul

The cost of housing varies dramatically in Istanbul, although if you choose to live in a compound it is much more expensive than living in a Turkish neighbourhood. However, compound living is more popular with expats because it has supermarkets and sporting facilities such as swimming pools and tennis courts. You can pay anything from £270 a month for a three bedroom apartment in a Turkish neighbourhood, to £3,000 - £6,500 a month for the same number of bedrooms in a villa on a compound, or £2,000 for an apartment.

Some of the upmarket areas include Istinye, where Istanye Park is, Ulus, Levent, and also Nisantasi, where you will find lots of designer shops. Look around to find out about rental prices to decide on areas that you would like to settle in. Most people live on the European side, with about a third of the population on the Asian side.

Working in Istanbul

Istanbul is a big draw for professionals and business people because it is a fast growing economy. Most expats take up posts in the finance industry, sales, marketing, manufacturing, IT or managerial posts. There are also a number of people who teach English in schools, or work as nannies for wealthy families.

International Schools in Istanbul

If you are moving house to Turkey with children, there are some good international schools in Istanbul. These include the part-selective British International Schools, for children aged 2-18 years, which have an excellent reputation worldwide. Most of the students go on to study at various universities throughout the world, particularly British or American Universities. The Istanbul International School is another good educational establishment and offers schooling for pre-school to secondary level pupils.

Shopping in Istanbul

Istanbul has many upmarket stores and these can be found in areas such as Nisantasi, on the European side, and Bagdat Avenue on the Asian side. You will also find lots of shopping centres, such as Kanyon Mall at Levent. Also worth visiting are the bazaars, such as the Grand Bazaar, which is a tourist attraction in itself, although prices here are known to be very expensive.

Brief History of Istanbul

Formerly called Constantinople, Istanbul has a history that dates back to Roman times, before it was taken over by Sultan Mehmed in the mid-1400s. It then became the military hub of the Ottoman Empire, and an important trade and political centre. As a result, it had a rapidly growing population which reached 500,000 by the middle of the 16th century. The city was ruled by the allies after the Second World War, until the Republic of Turkey was founded in 1923 under Ataturk. The population has continued to grow and the city remains a major centre of finance, commerce and tourism.

Places to Visit in Istanbul

Rich in history, Istanbul has a number of museums, buildings of historical interest, and art places to visit. Among the most popular attractions is the impressive and beautiful Hagia Sophia, a former mosque turned museum which was once the largest enclosed space in the world. The Blue Mosque, with its six minarets, is another major attraction although you must follow the dress code when you visit as it remains in use as a mosque. The lavish palace – for centuries the home of the Ottomans – is another draw and appeared in the much loved Turkish soap, Muhtesem Yuzyil. In addition to the multitude of attractions, there are various English speaking walking tours that you can go on to find out more about your host city.

Food in Istanbul

Turkish cuisine is regarded among the best in the world and includes dishes such lamb stews, stuffed aubergine, stuffed peppers, kebabs, meatballs and Borek pie, which is filo pastry layered with mincemeat. If you want to splash out, head to Asitane, which specialises in food once served in the Ottoman palaces, and includes lamb dishes and main courses that include a mix of meat and fruit.

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