Hi all
i would like to share with you my short story of living and working in Istanbul and hope it will help you to get a better idea if you are planning to move to Istanbul:
i came here exactly one year ago and i heard so many things about it before i come like its expensive or not safe and cant find a job without learning the language, but i didnt care about that cuz i always wanted to come here and also as being Syrian i didnt really have many options,
through this year i managed to get my own apartment, work in a stable job as head of operations in a tourism agency where i didnt need the Turkish language very much.
1- The city is safe as long as u avoid some places that are famous for its bad reputation,
2- U dont need the language to have a work if u already have good experience in a certain field, but its much better to learn the basics before u move.
3- Turkish ppl are friendly in general but for sure u wl meet unfriendly ppl anywhere u travel
4- dont talk loud with ur language in public transportation ,, they dont like that at all
5- dont apply online for jobs ,, it might work but not that much , the best way is to go search by ur self and spread ur cv's around, or try to build a good connection with local ppl around u
6- make sure u live near to ur job as public transportation is not cheap and crowded
7- work permit and resident visa are not easy at all ,, especially if u dont speak Turkish but dont deal with an Office to do it for u cuz they charge 3 times higher ,, just be calm and try to get a friend WHO speaks Turkish to help u with it
8- Taxi drivers are not honest .. in general cuz they will try to charge u more so make sure u depend more on public transportation
9- its very easy to have more friends in Istanbul from Turkish or others and they can be very helpful
10 - the city is sooooo beautiful and u wl never stop liking it either old or new part
11- u can also enjoy travelling around in Turkey like Antalya, Trabzon , Bursa so u wil never feel bored
12- the least salary that can maintain a rent, transportation and cost without saving is 1500 tl = 680 USD = 535 Euros . at least
13- working hours are kind of long as it can reach to 12 hours and in general companies dont pay salary on time unless u r working for an international organization
AT THE END i wanna say Turkey is beautiful country and in real its more beautiful, it just that u need to be very serious about finding a decent job and good friends
i hope i managed to say important things and please ask if u have any certain question.
A year in Istanbul
Number 4...that was a good one : ))
....and we dont like in public transportations when people even speak Turkish loudly 
ooh no If it was Turkish nothing happens but if any other language Turkish ppl get upset so fast
i really have no clue why is that 
Come on man, I am Turkish : )) As you've said, public transportation are pretty crowded that's why we just want peace and people who don't speak loudly...no matter which language they speak : )))
Well, I am totally OK with all languages but I don't like people who speak loudly in public places cos it's rude in my opinion as a Turk : ))
By the way. it's really nice to hear different languages in my city, Istanbul, because I like diversity
Ya thats what up i need an apt
Ahmed alomari u are right 100%
I confirm all!!!
Thanks so much for this insight. I am contemplating working in Instanbul for a year.
Well done ahmed 
I agree to all of your advices and information's exccpt two point which i think it's not totally right
Point number 2 :
you need the turkish language in order to work here , plus the experience is not enough to give a position unless* few of filed :like marketing and investments but rather than that , turkish is so so so so important to get a job .
Point number 6:
about the expensive transportion, well my friend, if we compare it to other European country its not that much , specially if your are student
All true....second year here and damn can't speak proper Turkish!
@ damora
i mentioned that im talking about Tourism field
for other fields Turkish is a must to learn
For transportation i was comparing to Dubai the place where i came from
and thanks for your notes
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