Istanbul is less one city than a collection of very different districts. The historic centre and the Bosphorus shores are dense and expensive; the newer suburbs to the west and north offer more space, residential sites with facilities and lower prices. Whichever side you choose, your daily commute will shape your life more than anything else, so think early about where you work, where the children will go to school and which metro, Metrobus or Marmaray line is close by.
What the city offers is hard to match: universities and international schools, large public and private hospitals, two international airports and a cultural life that never stops.
The western European side
Much of the city's new housing has been built here. Başakşehir is a planned district with wide roads, parks and the large City Hospital, and includes the garden suburb of Bahçeşehir, built around a pond park. Beylikdüzü has a seafront and the Metrobus, while Esenyurt offers many new apartments at lower prices, with higher density. Further north, Arnavutköy sits next to Istanbul Airport and is mainly a market for land.
Central and Asian-side districts
Şişli and Beşiktaş are close to the main business districts, with few new buildings and higher prices. On the Asian side, Kadıköy and Üsküdar combine history, ferries and neighbourhood life, Ataşehir is home to the Istanbul Finance Center, and Marmaray links the coast from Maltepe to Pendik.
Before you buy
- Istanbul lies in an earthquake zone. Ask for the building permit date, the iskân (occupancy permit) and proof that the building meets the current earthquake code.
- In older buildings, ask whether an urban renewal (kentsel dönüşüm) process has started.
- For off-plan projects, check the developer's delivered projects, the building permit and the delivery date written in the contract.
- Test the commute to work or school at rush hour before you decide.
Browse apartments in Istanbul, land in Istanbul and current projects, or read about costs and taxes when buying. Our Başakşehir branch can arrange viewings across the city.