Daily Life

Istanbul is one of the world's truly great cities: 8,000 years of continuous settlement, two continents, one Bosphorus strait, and a food and culture scene that competes with Paris or Tokyo. Daily life here is dense, stimulating, and occasionally chaotic.

Turkey's geography spans Mediterranean, continental, and Black Sea climates. The right city makes a huge difference to quality of life, especially in extremes.

Istanbul's public transport is extensive — metro, tram, Marmaray rail tunnel under the Bosphorus, buses, ferries, and the iconic funicular (tünel). The Istanbulkart smart card covers all modes. Inter-city travel is primarily by domestic flight or long-distance bus.

Turkey is generally safe for expats — Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) from the US State Department, same as France. However, the LGBTQ+ situation has deteriorated significantly under current government policy and requires a frank assessment.