Life in Istanbul

Everything you need to know about living in Istanbul as an expat — neighborhoods, costs, culture shock, and the honest reality of daily life in 2026.

Honest cost of living breakdown for Istanbul in 2026 — rent, food, transport, utilities, and real monthly budgets at every level.

A practical guide to opening a Turkish bank account as a foreigner: the best banks, required documents, common obstacles, and what to expect.