Kadıköy is the cultural heart of Istanbul's Asian side, with ferries to the European side, the Moda waterfront, busy markets and the long shopping street of Bağdat Avenue. Homes are mostly apartments, many rebuilt through urban renewal. It suits buyers who want a lively, walkable neighbourhood with character.
BLACK SEASEA OF MARMARABosphorusAdalarAdalarArnavutköyArnavutköyAvcılarBaşakşehir4Başakşehir4BeykozBüyükçekmeceÇatalcaÇekmeköyÇekmeköyEsenlerEsenyurt1Esenyurt1Eyüpsultan1KartalMaltepeMaltepePendikŞileSilivriTuzlaÜmraniye2IST
Istanbul prices vary widely because the city is a chain of cities within a city. The most expensive are the central and Bosphorus-front neighbourhoods on both sides; the cheapest are the western and northern outskirts, where new projects are concentrated. The main price drivers: proximity to centres and the sea, access to the metro or Metrobüs, building age and quality in a high earthquake-risk city, and complex amenities. Always compare within the same neighbourhood, and see live figures on the Istanbul page.
Istanbul’s Asian side is generally calmer than the European side. It brings together historic districts such as Üsküdar and Kadıköy, a modern financial centre in Ataşehir, a long residential coastline from Maltepe to Kartal, Pendik and Tuzla, and new inland districts such as Sancaktepe. It is linked to the European side by the Marmaray line under the Bosphorus, ferries and bridges, and it is home to Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Choose your district by how close it is to a rail or metro line.
Başakşehir is a planned district on the European side of Istanbul, in the north-west of the city, known for its family residential complexes with facilities, its large city hospital, its parks and shopping centres, and a metro line linking it to Istanbul’s network. It attracts Arab families with its modernity and organisation. Before buying for residency purposes, check that the neighbourhood is not closed to registering foreigners’ addresses.
