Are you thinking of moving to Istanbul? We put together the most livable neighborhoods of Istanbul, based on the education level, welfare status, several academic and social researches made by city authorities and universities.
We also put our picks based on getting around, neighborhood vibes, ease of communication, best food and drink opportunities, best entertainment and nightlife.
1.Galata
It is the best neighborhood in Istanbul to live in. It is a famous historical neighborhood in the district located in the Beyoğlu district, and it is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods of Istanbul. One of the most famous landmarks of the neighborhood is the Galata Tower, the most famous ancient tower in Istanbul, which many stories and legends have been told about.
And away from the Galata tower, you will find something new throughout the neighborhood’s streets to explore, especially in Serdar – Ekrem Street, which contains the most wonderful boutique shops and malls, as well as Galip Dede Street.
And if you need to take a short break from wandering, you can stop at the cafes scattered all over the neighborhood. It offers the most famous Turkish drinks such as tea, coffee, and other drinks, and Mavra Cafe is a very well-known cafe, where many Turkish residents of the city prefer to spend their time.
2.BAHCESEHIR
Located in European side of Istanbul, Bahcesehir is rapidly gaining traction as a perfect residential area. Social life focuses on the artificial main lake in the center of Bahcesehir, and shopping malls offer entertainment and dining venues. When expats move to Bahcesehir, there is no need to go into the city center, since everything is on your doorstep, including a well-organized and convenient transport network.
3.NISANTASI
Nisantasi is not one of the most affordable places to live because of its focus on luxury. Indeed, if expats want to discover the upstreet life in Istanbul, renting here puts them in the heart of Istanbul’s elite social circles. Its most prominent street, Abdi Ipekci, is Turkey’s most expensive shopping district, with high brand names paying thousands of dollars in rent every month. Expect to lunch out when shopping in luxury, and to see trendy shops.
4.TARABYA
To live here is to enjoy the ambiance of the coastal Bosphorus strait. It is one of the most popular places to enjoy the free time not only for foreigners but also for Turks. During summer, the area sees an increasing number of tourists flocking to enjoy its seaside restaurants and old churches, but expatriates get to enjoy this ambiance all year round. Belonging to the Sariyer district, suburbs in Tarabya don’t promote that urban feel, and settling in is easy because the neighbors are very hospitable.
5.KARAKOY
This neighborhood is considered one of the most important neighborhoods in Istanbul, as it was and is still used as an important cruise port in the city. The interest in the neighborhood began in 2012, and as a result of this interest, many world-famous restaurants, boutique hotels and cafes appeared in the neighborhood.
As well as the most well-known “Karaköy Lokantası” restaurant in the region, which is famous for serving dinner of the most famous local Turkish cuisine and international cuisine from all countries of the world.
Karakoy is crowded on holidays with local Turkish residents of Istanbul, and tourists who have heard about the beauty of Karakoy and come to enjoy and explore more fun in the neighborhood.
6.MODA
In contrast to the European side of Istanbul, which is full of life and activity, we find the Asian side of Istanbul does not get the appreciation it deserves because the type of fun and exploration in it is different. Moda has a very local character, where authentic Turkish cafes and restaurants serving local Turkish cuisine, and many shops selling Turkish goods, and shops of young entrepreneurs.
And one of the most famous streets in the neighborhood is Kadife street, which is filled with pedestrian shoppers. And the beauty of the Moda neighborhood also lies in the wonderful view of bosphorus. Especially Moda Beach is an ideal place for walking and enjoying the beauty of Istanbul. There are other neighborhoods in Istanbul that are worth visiting and exploring. And each of them has its fame, beauty, and unique advantages over other neighborhoods. You need to consider Moda as an alternative for moving in
7.ARNAVUTKOY
Arnavutköy is one of the best neighborhoods in Istanbul to live, especially famous for its nightlife. This is because of its privileged location near the Bosphorus, the most famous place in Istanbul and a destination for tourists and Turks alike. Arnavutköy district is famous for its famous fish restaurants and youth cafés, which attract young people, especially European youth, where there are many bars serving drinks and cocktails, so we find the neighborhood bustling with passersby late at night.
During the day, you can tour the Arnavutköy district and enjoy watching the elegant Ottoman houses and palaces overlooking the Bosphorus. Itis an attractive sight during the day when the Bosphorus water reflects on it.
8.BALAT
In Balat, there are many old churches, the most famous of which is the St. George Church, the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople. Fener Lycée is one of the most famous monuments in the Balat neighborhood, and it is a red brick building overlooking the entire neighborhood, so the building can be seen from anywhere in the neighborhood.
Many colorful houses in the famous neighborhood amaze tourists and attract them to come and watch it and make the best souvenir photos.
The neighborhood is full of shops and art galleries that are run by promising young entrepreneurs. It is spread in all the streets of the Balat neighborhood, especially in Yıldırım and Vodina streets.
9.CIHANGIR
A district where caricaturists, painters and actors live in Istanbul, a bohemia with its cafes, where debates take place about theater, cinema, literature, and philosophy. This is Cihangir.
The streets are vibrant, but you don’t see grumpy people hurrying in a rush and running around trying to reach a place. It looks as if this place is not a five minute walk to Taksim. It is more like an Aegean village lying by the seashore. It is so calm, peaceful and comfortable. It is as though everybody is here for their vacation. Thanks to the tables placed on the pavement, if you forget for a moment that you are in Istanbul, it is possible to feel like you’re in Paris.
10.ETILER
Nispetiye Avenue, located in the luxurious Etiler district, is often frequented by the rich people of Istanbul. From lavish hotels to exquisite and expensive dinners, Nispetiye Avenue is where Istanbul’s celebrities spend nights in clubs, dinner clubs and hotels. Many expats and executive-level people live in Etiler. There are many residential areas with sports and leisure facilities such as Alkent Residential Site.
11.BESIKTAS
The neighborhoods of Beşiktaş and Ortaköy along the Bosphorus are home to some of Istanbul’s most luxurious international hotels, boasting broad views across the famous strait. Beşiktaş itself is a busy transit hub with a youthful vibe and lots of casual bars and restaurants around its lively market area. A group of restored late-19th-century Ottoman row houses in the Akaretler part of the neighborhood, near the Naval museum, is now home to cafes and contemporary art exhibitions.
Sitting under the first Bosphorus Bridge, Ortaköy has a beautiful baroque mosque and a popular waterfront area. Both areas have ferry docks, though Beşiktaş has more connections. In between sits hilly, green Yıldız Park, the former hunting ground to the sultan, now a popular place to have a big Turkish breakfast buffet in a century-old pavilion.
12.KADIKOY
The popularity of the Kadıköy district on the Asian side of Istanbul has exploded in recent years, creating a neighborhood that’s vibrant day and night, with third-wave coffee shops, hip boutiques, small independent art galleries, restaurants, cocktail bars, pubs, and live-music venues.
While the neighborhood has a few notable sights – a museum dedicated to a beloved Turkish rock star, a 1927 opera house, a new mixed-use culturel center in a restored gasworks, a colorful Street market – the main attraction is simply soaking in the scene and admiring the spectacular sunsets from the long waterfront park’s promenade. This area has a handful of hotel options, mostly near the water, but it’s easy to hop over for the day or evening from Eminönü or Karaköy on a ferry ride – a quintessential Istanbul experience in itself.
13..GOKTURK
Expats often live in Gokturk and as a result the area also feels international, with popular chains like Starbucks in the commercial areas. There is a rich dining scene with international cuisine, kebab restaurants and fish and meze places. Pets are welcome at local cafes and for entertainment there are cinemas and places to shop. Vadi Istanbul shopping mall is a short ride away. Hospitals, gyms, banks and supermarkets and shops can also be found in the area. People who like downtown vibes without the traffic and crowds and want access to nature will love the area with Belgrad forest and its hiking trails right there combined with the draw of big city living.
14.ZEKERIYAKOY
Zekeriyakoy is one of the most districts in Istanbul where wealth and the magic of nature combines to attract real estate investors for the best experince.Zekeriyaköy district of Sariyer is an important district where real estate prices are іnсrеаѕіng. Although the district is located within the city, it gіvеѕ its inhabitants the орроrtunіtу to live in the picturesque nature, where the sea overlaps with green fоrеѕtѕ, and detached villas with private gardens spread there. This has hаd a ѕіgnіfісаnt іmрасt on their prices and rents where the prices of villas have become very high, whісh is соmmеnѕurаtе with its luxury and important роѕіtіоn in the city of Istanbul making it a place for the rісh and the еlіtе.
In gеnеrаl, Zekeriyaköy Istanbul area is dеѕіrаblе by the wеаlthу, as Turkey’s richest people often іnhаbіt it. Hоwеvеr, when it comes to villas for sale in Istanbul or real estate investment in Istanbul, one of the first areas that come to mind is Zekeriyaköy. In particular, studies and ѕtаtіѕtісѕ саrrіеd out on the activities of real estate sales in the area have рrоvеd that it is one of the most areas of Istanbul, which is wіtnеѕѕіng an іnсrеаѕе and іmрrоvеmеnt in property prices. These ѕtudіеѕ have аlѕо ѕhоwn that one of the reasons for investing in this region is the рrеdоmіnаnсе of green areas where is соnѕіdеrеd one of the most beautiful areas of Istanbul in terms of the ѕрrеаd of greenery and the beauty of its nature. In аddіtіоn, the region is wіtnеѕѕіng an improvement and rise in the prices of real estate соntіnuоuѕlу. This has made it a mаgnеt for investors, and its рrеdоmіnаntlу villa-style real estate ѕуѕtеm has increased its importance.
15.BOSTANCI
Bostancı is a neighborhood of Kadıköy district on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, on the shore of the Sea of Marmara. As the easternmost neighborhood of Kadıköy district, it borders with Suadiye and Kozyatağı (also Kadıköy’s neighborhoods) to the west, Içerenköy (a neighborhood of Ataşehir) to the north and Altintepe (a neighborhood of Maltepe) to the east.
Mainly a Residential Area, Bostancı stands on the Marmaray and has important transport links with the M4 Metro lines and ferries to the Prince Islands in the Sea of Marmara. Usually Baghdad Street is considered the starting point of the main shopping street that runs as far as Kadikoy.
Due to its location on the water, there are several fish restaurants in Bostancı. It is also popular as a place to stop for late-night fast food. Many venues serving people returning from bars and clubs on Baghdad Street remain open all night.
16.KEMER COUNTRY
Kemer Country is a residential area and social facility located in the Göktürk district of Eyüp Sultan, Istanbul, Turkey. Structures have been added to the process in this residential area, the concept of which was first created in 1986 and caters to the upper income level. It currently has a population approaching about 4,000 people. Some of the structures that make up Kemer Country are:
- Kemer Country Social Center
- Kemer Country Kemer Boy Mansions
- Kemer Country Tulip Bowl
- Luxury Mansions of Kemer Country
17.BEYKOZ
Beykoz is a district located on the Anatolian side of İstanbul. Beykoz is surrounded by the Bosphorus from the west, Şile district from the east, the Black Sea from the north and Çekmeköy, Üsküdar and Ümraniye districts from the south. Beykoz district is very close to Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge. The district is very rich in greenery and has a long Bosphorus coastline. Beykoz is also famous for its historical mansions on the Bosphorus coastline. When you come to Beykoz, you can feel like you are in an old fishing town, away from the crowd and noise of the city. On the other hand, there are many university campuses located in Beykoz district such as Marmara University and Turkish German University. There are also many historical places to visit in Beykoz like Anatolian Fortress and Hıdiv Pavilion. Besides, the district has promenade areas such as Mihrabad Grove and Abraham Pasha Grove.
18.MASLAK
Maslak region is one of the most important commercial centers in Istanbul and is one of the opportunistic real estate areas in terms of investment and high financial returns, thanks to its vitality and intermediate position between the Asian and European sides of the city. This has made it a certified trading hub for major global companies and hotels, thanks to their rich infrastructure with skyscrapers and large commercial towers, distinctive with modern and contemporary designs that facilitate business traffic for entrepreneurs. Today, it is called “The City of the Rich,” and home to the stability of traders and businessmen. Maslak is viewed as a tourist with distinction, earned by its buildings and the aesthetic of its age and gives its visitors an atmosphere of comfort and a sense of constant upliftment, with its shopping malls, cafes, markets, vibrant streets, as well as its location near famous Istanbul landmarks.
Source: Gordion Partners Investment. “Best neighborhoods to live in Istanbul for foreigners”. https://www.investment.com.tr/2022/08/02/the-best-istanbul-neighbourhoods-for-expats-to-live-in/
