ExpatWomen thanks Expats Turkey for supplying the following Settling In Tips for Turkey . This is only a small summary to help you get acquainted with your new country. You can find much more detailed information, including local websites (that we have not included here) at their website http://www.expatsturkey.com/.
A visa is required for all U.S. citizens entering Turkey. U.S. citizens may obtain their visas upon entry point in Turkey or in advance from one of the Turkish Consulates around the U.S. Application for a business visa must be done ahead of time, before entering Turkey.
The tourist visa is valid for a year starting from the issue date. There are two different visa types. With a single entry visa, you can enter Turkey only once and stay up to three months. Multiple entry visa, on the other hand allows you to enter and exit the country more than once within one year period specified on your passport and you can stay in Turkey for three months each time.
Visas given at entry points are valid only for three months. Therefore, visas must be obtained in advance for visits lasting longer stays and for study, research or employment purposes.
NON-U.S. CITIZENS
Non-U.S Citizens need to have to apply for their tourist or business visas in advance BEFORE going to Turkey. Applicants should directly contact a Turkish Consulate in person, by mail or by a courier service. Please see the Jurisdiction list of the Turkish Consulates for your state.
Living costs on average is cheaper than in Europe though the rents are considerably higher, especially if you are looking for European standards. Food and vegetables are very fresh and cheaper and you can eat well for every budget.
All residential phones are connected to the Türk Telekom system which charge by the minute for all local and regional calls, though they have special tariffs for different cases. There are not many alternatives to subscribe to a specialized long distance service as of yet but this market is new and being developed. The GSM market in Turkey is very competitive with three major suppliers competing for the market, major one being Turkcell as well as now Vodafone (Telsim) and Avea.
There are many packages available from dial up services to high speed DSL.
The two alternatives are Turk Telekom (ADSL) or Cable TV system for internet.
The Turkish postal service (Postane) is reliable and it will take 2-3 days to deliver a letter to Europe. For important documents it is best to use the ?registered mail' (iadeli taahütlü) system.
You apply for the local electricity, water and gas companies for these services some of which have now been privatized depending on the area you live. The names to look for is TEDAS (for electricity) and IGDAS (for gas).
Houses and apartments are available for rent and for purchase.
The best neighborhoods in Istanbul are generally on the Bosphorus ? both European and Asian sides. The most popular areas for expatriates are in the Etiler, Ulus areas, along the Bosphorus, Kemer Golf & Country Club in Kemerburgaz, Zekeriyaköy area and Alkent 2000 in Büyükçekmece areas. There are also many alternatives for expatriates in the trendy Ni?anta?? area as well as Cihangir and Taksim.
Most expatriates choose to rent rather than purchase their home or apartment. Monthly rent can run from ?1.000 for a basic studio apartment to ?4.000- ?5.000 for a modern apartment of 3-4 bedrooms as well as ?7.000- ?10.000 for a 4-5 bedroom villa.
There are some temporary accommodation facilities for families in the central part of the city like Taksim and Ni?anta?? areas.
The currency used in Turkey is YTL, with exchange rate of Euro 1= 1.85 YTL
Notes (New Turkish Lira ): 5, 10, 20, 50, 100
Coins (New kuru?): 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 and 1 YTL in coin
The best way to exchange money is at a bank or foreign exchange office. It is important to carry some cash with you as some places do not accept credit cards. Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) are available at all major banks.
Common forms of payment:
Cash
Credit cards (Visa, Eurocard are the ones widely accepted in Turkey as well as Diners Club, American Express)
Your credit card is accepted almost everywhere in the major cities though cash will be good for paying inexpensive items such as newspapers and cigarettes, as well as items in the supermarket or bakery. It can also be used to pay for gas and parking. The four-digit PIN code is now being widely used for major credit cards. Maximum daily limit of cash withdrawal from major banks is usually YTL 1.000 and the bank will ask for an ID as well as your bank book if you would like to withdraw money from another branch.
Pre-authorized debit is an efficient way of paying gas, water, electricity and phone bills. By this method, your bills are automatically deducted from your bank account. To apply you for automatic payment you need to provide a bill of some sort in your name. The arrangements are usually made through your local bank.
All of the major banks have an Internet banking facility and some now have it also in English.
No vaccinations are required to enter the country though it is advisable to have your Hepatitis shots, Hep. A and Hep. B as it is not safe to drink the water. It is advisable to drink the bottled waters which can be bought everywhere and exercise normal caution with food in open areas.
An expat /family working for a company is best covered by their private or company health insurance. The private hospitals are very good and the health care at private hospitals is recommended. There are many doctors who speak English, German and French and it is best to find them through local contacts.
There are many Pharmacies (Eczane) and you can find all sorts of medicines as well as products. You do not need a prescription for most of the medicines.
There are 3 main international schools where English is the main language for learning (ages 3-18). There are also several very good English-medium preschools available for parents with younger children. For parents coming in and seeking French or German speaking schools there are also a few alternatives.
People drive on the right hand side. The legal driving age is 18. If you have an native driver's license, it is best to apply for an international in Turkey with this.
Istanbul has a good motorway system though not all areas have motorway access. There are toll roads on the motorways though the traffic, especially during rush hour, can be difficult.
It is quite easy for an expat to get automobile insurance in Turkey. If you have a good driving record in your most recent country of residence, you should request a copy of your record from your insurance company so that you can get a reduced rate in Turkey.
Most of the public transportation is by buses, boat or minibuses as well as a ?dolmus' which is a taxi where the fare is shared by all the persons. If you will be using the public system it is advisable to purchase an ?akbil' a card that can be loaded with credit for fares. The metro is new and perfect if you would like to avoid some of the traffic downtown in the Taksim area.
Most of the intercity travel can be done by use of buses and trains as well as airlines.
For the most part, groceries are cheaper than most of Europe and USA . Most of the products are excellent quality, fresh and there is a lot of choice. You can find almost any product that is available in Europe in the supermarkets.
Grocery Stores: Carrefour, Champion, Makro Supermarket, Migros, Dia
Household Stores: IKEA, Bauhaus, Praktiker, Koçta? and Kelebek as local brands are also recommended.
There is no specific dress code for men, women or children in Turkey though it is advisable to be respectful, i.e. covering your head and removing your shoes, when visiting religious buildings like ?mosques'. Most offices would have a smart dress policy.
Household help is readily available in Turkey mainly in the form of foreign nannies or housekeepers. The foreign nannies charge more than the local personnel as they speak English and this is what most expatriates would prefer. Gardening services are also available.
There are many organizations for expats in Turkey. Refer to www.expatsTurkeycom for a list of organizations. The largest is the International Women of Istanbul, www.iwi-tr.org
Istanbul is lively with many music and art festivals throughout the year. The dining is superb and you can find a restaurant for every taste. The Turkish cuisine is very well known and you can sample dishes at local restaurants for every budget.
The most popular sports are soccer and basketball. The Turks are soccer fanatics and enjoy going to football matches. Golf is becoming popular and there are excellent golf clubs in Istanbul and in the Belek, Antalya regions.
You can practice almost every sport as well as find quality sports centers in the large cities.
Istanbul has four seasons, the winters are not too severe though there will be a few snowy days. The spring and fall are mild and very pleasant with lots of sunshine. In the summer especially the southern resorts can be very hot during the month of August.
Expatriate Clubs
International Professional Women of Istanbul Network (IPWIN) http://www.iwi-tr.org/ipwin.htm
Launched in October 2008, IPWIN is a place where professional women in Istanbul can come and share stories and experiences, tips and information. We would like to see it as both a professional and social network.
International Women's Association of Izmir (IWAI) www.iwaizmir.com
Non-profit women's association in Izmir
International Women of Istanbul http://www.iwi-tr.org
We all know how hard it is to move to a different country. Even though some companies help us with the general problems like finding a nice house, settling the kids in an appropriate school, getting a car (and a driver) to go around, the success of an expat adaptation depends on our own personal effort as well. Sooner or later it comes to the point where getting used to the new city or feeling misplaced is completely up to us. To help in overcoming the "cultural clash" or the feeling of "missing old friends", there is nothing better than getting engaged in something.
Istanbulians.com http://www.istanbulians.com
Istanbulians is the only activity and social club for cosmopolitan Turks and expats who love Istanbul.
mymerhaba.co http://www.mymerhaba.com
A rich source for quick and accurate information and a communication gateway for the expat community in Turkey. Includes updated events calendar and yellow pages for Istanbul and Ankara. Services in English, French and German.
Nature Languages http://www.turkishcourses.com/
Offers Turkish Courses for foreign individuals and groups at all levels throughout the year. Located in Istanbul.
Immigration/Visas and Permits
Accommodation 
