Lifestyle in Istanbul

The lifestyle in Istanbul exposes expats to a daily routine of organised chaos. The city moves with a distinct intensity, and most new arrivals eventually find the sheer scale of the urban sprawl charming. Life here is culturally dense.

You might spend weekends in Ottoman museums or wandering through the Grand Bazaar. Going to the Turkish baths is a distinct way to decompress. Just be prepared to get stuck in traffic on your way to a third-wave coffee shop in a hipster neighbourhood.

Shopping in Istanbul

The options for shopping in Istanbul are extensive. You can browse slick modern retail districts just as easily as you can get lost in dusty antique quarters.

The Grand Bazaar is the obvious, if overwhelming, place to start, and you have to see it at least once. For food, the Egyptian Market (Spice Bazaar) is more focused. Readers should head next door to the historic Sahaflar Çarşısı (Second-hand Book Bazaar).

For modern retail, the city has extensive malls. Istinye Park and Zorlu Centre are expat favourites, largely for their luxury brands and open-air sections. High-end jewellery and carpet dealers cluster on Nuruosmaniye Caddesi. For antiques, head to Çukurcuma Caddesi. If you have a higher budget, Abdi İpekçi Caddesi in Nişantaşı hosts the flagship stores of major international designers.

Cost of Living in Istanbul

Eating out in Istanbul

Eating out in Istanbul pulls many expats to the city. The cuisine carries heavy influences from the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Balkans. Dining is a social sport here. You will see large groups sharing meals that last for hours.

Local lokantas (tradespeople’s restaurants) have home-cooked food, and places that do not serve alcohol are often cheaper. You will pay a premium in tourist hubs like Sultanahmet compared to residential neighbourhoods.

Breakfast is a serious institution in Turkey. A traditional spread involves fresh bread, cheeses, olives, eggs, and honey. Coffee lovers should try the potent local brew. For dinner, the meyhane (tavern) culture dominates; you sit for a long evening eating meze (small plates) and drinking rakı (anise-flavoured spirit). Other staples include pide (flatbread), kebabs, and baklava.

Nightlife in Istanbul

The nightlife in Istanbul matches the city’s intensity. The Bosphorus coastline has high-end, open-air clubs like Sortie and Ruby, famous for their summer terraces. For cocktails and street crowds, head to Arnavutköy, where patrons often spill out onto the pavement. If you prefer a grittier atmosphere, cross to Kadıköy on the Asian side. You might find a traditional belly dancer at one venue and a techno DJ next door.

Arts and culture in Istanbul

Expats can easily access arts and culture in Istanbul. The city hosts a full calendar of opera and ballet. The annual Istanbul Music Festival is a highlight, often hosting concerts inside the Hagia Irene, a Byzantine church with remarkable acoustics.

International acts stop here often, and the city maintains a solid jazz scene. Nardis Jazz Club near Galata Tower is a local institution. Local culture remains prominent, including Turkish pop concerts and traditional whirling dervish ceremonies.

Cinemas are common in malls. Hollywood blockbusters usually arrive simultaneously with the US release. Foreign films are typically shown in their original language with Turkish subtitles, although children’s movies are often dubbed.

Sports and outdoor activities in Istanbul

Football is an obsession here, but there are other sports and outdoor activities in Istanbul. There's an intense rivalry between the ‘Big Three’ – Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, and Galatasaray – and if you enjoy live sports, catching a football game here is as electrifying as it is deafening.

You will find modern gyms and tennis courts across the city. If you want fresh air, the Belgrad Forest has miles of running trails away from the concrete. Cyclists head to the Caddebostan coastline on the Asian side for its seaside paths, or take the ferry to the Princes’ Islands for a car-free ride. Leisure spots like the Kemer Country Club provide golf, horse riding, and social facilities for the expat community.

Where to meet people and make friends in Istanbul

Finding where to meet people and make friends in Istanbul can be daunting, but the city is socially warm. Joining a club or a volunteer group is an effective way for new arrivals to integrate.

The International Women of Istanbul (IWI) is a major resource for women living in and around the city, offering charitable volunteer events and business networking. Parents looking to help their teens assimilate might look into Istanbul&I, a non-profit focused on community impact and youth volunteering. It currently hosts more than 2,000 volunteers from over 40 nationalities.

If you love the stage, Speech Bubbles is an active community. It started as an English through drama group and now stages full musical productions for charity. Runners can join Istanbul Expat Runners, which organises weekly trail runs in the Belgrad Forest and encourages members to find running partners locally.

Useful links

• International Women of Istanbul
• Istanbul&I
• Speech Bubbles Theatre Group
• Istanbul Expat Runners
• Meetup Istanbul