Istanbul remains the most popular city for purchase of real estate in Turkey. Although Antalya occasionally surpasses it in terms of transactions with foreign buyers, but in general, the metropolis has no competition in this regard. Today, let's delve into the nuances of living in different parts of the city, the specifics of individual locations, as well as sales statistics and prices in various districts. This is especially important for those who are considering Istanbul not only as an investment, but also as a place to live.
Content:
- Two sides of the coin
- The most peaceful areas
- The most popular places in Istanbul
- Real estate statistics
- Profitability
- Foreign interest in Istanbul
Two sides of the coin
The European and Anatolian (Asian) parts of the metropolis have their advantages, depending on what the buyer is looking for. Istanbul is a magnificent city with a rich historical heritage, cultural diversity, stunning geographical location, abundant shopping, leisure and entertainment opportunities. There are excellent prospects for work and business in Istanbul, a city that never sleeps, bustling 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The European side of Istanbul is the most historic, with an abundance of architectural monuments and museums alongside business districts, skyscrapers, and shopping streets with boutiques of global brands. Here, old buildings coexist with luxurious modern residences offering fantastic views of the Bosphorus Strait, the Golden Horn Bay, exhibition centers and venues for major events.
However, the European side also has some obvious drawbacks, such as overcrowding - excessive congestion on the roads, often 24 hours a day, intense traffic and consequently traffic jams. Sometimes these jams can last for hours.
The Asian side offers a quieter and more measured life: coastal areas, beautiful parks, clean air, and numerous ultra-modern apartments in development projects in Turkey. Turks often work on the European side of the city but choose to live on the Asian side. Traffic is much quieter here, and one of Istanbul's international airports, Sabiha Gokcen, is nearby. Resorts can be reached in a few hours by car, while it can take 2-3 hours to get out of the city from the European side.
Elite, comfortable and typical residential areas are present in both parts of the city, along with good schools, hospitals, and other necessities for a comfortable life in the metropolis.
The competition between the two sides of Istanbul is essentially a choice of lifestyle. Do you want splendor and modernity, or do you dream of tranquility and living surrounded by nature? Each option has its benefits and challenges. Therefore, it is important to consider your own priorities and expectations when making a choice.
The most peaceful areas
European part of the city
- Buyukcekmece: A district on the shores of the Sea of Marmara known for its pleasant, relaxed atmosphere. It has its own lake and beach.
- Beylikduzu: The center of modern high quality residential complexes, abundant greenery and lively commercial districts. This is the place for those who seek a peaceful life with excellent shopping within walking distance.
- Silivri: Located in the west of Istanbul, the area is known for its vast agricultural lands, beaches, and extensive historical heritage.
Asian part of the city
- Beykoz: Known for its abundance of greenery, including a breathtaking park that has flooded Instagram, and views of the Bosphorus. It's an excellent choice for those who want to live in the metropolis but away from the noise and bustle of the city.
- Cekmekoy: A district with modern residential complexes surrounded by green landscapes. It offers an ideal combination of urban environment, quiet streets, and natural beauty.
- Beylerbeyi: Famous for its magnificent historical mansions and elegant atmosphere. It offers a peaceful and serene life with a touch of elitism.
The most popular places in Istanbul
Now let's explore the best places for cultural activities, entertainment, nightlife, and various activities.
- Besiktas: Located on the shores of the Bosphorus, Besiktas attracts attention with its entertainment venues, shopping streets and historical atmosphere. This area is loved by almost all residents and visitors of Istanbul, from teenagers to businessmen.
- Nisantasi: The center of modern art and shopping with boutiques of global brands, stylish cafes, and art galleries. Nisantasi is the perfect place for fashion and culture lovers.
- Kadikoy: Preferred by the younger generation, it offers a historic bazaar, an abundance of trendy cafes, art exhibitions and events.
- Levent-Maslak: A major business district where tall buildings, offices of the largest international companies and luxurious residences are concentrated.
- Sisli: A district with shopping centers, including the famous Cevahir Mall, luxurious hotels, boutiques, and ample business opportunities. It is also one of the most interesting historical areas of Istanbul.
- Bebek: An elite district on the shores of the Bosphorus with luxurious residences, villas and mansions. The local elite prefer to live in this area.
- Uskudar: Historical atmosphere, mosques, and views of the Bosphorus docks characterize Uskudar, where the city's heritage meets modernity, tradition and the most advanced trends.
Real estate statistics
According to official data published by the Turkish Statistical Institute, the highest number of real estate sales in Istanbul in October 2023 was recorded in Esenyurt: 40,545 transactions. Beylikduzu was in second place with 11,864 transactions, followed by Pendik in third place with 10,654 transactions.
The sales statistics for other districts are as follows:
- Sancaktepe: 9,890
- Kucukcekmece: 9,619
- Basaksehir: 9,044
- Umraniye: 8,882
- Kartal: 8,215
- Bahcelievler: 8,082
- Kadikoy: 7,575
- Maltepe: 7,460
- Tuzla: 7,460
- Atasehir: 6,888
- Eyup: 6,639
- Kagithane: 6,562
- Buyukcekmece: 6,214
- Sultanbeyli: 5,923
- Gaziosmanpasa: 5,701
- Cekmekoy: 5,082
- Uskudar: 4,929
- Eyup: 4,923
- Sisli: 4,432
- Fatih: 4,418
- Silivri: 4,170
- Arnavutkoy: 4,040
- Bagcilar: 3,897
- Bayrampasa: 3,656
- Bakirkoy: 3,449
- Esenler: 2,962
- Gungoren: 2,830
- Zeytinburnu: 2,804
- Besiktas: 2,701
- Sariyer: 2,540
- Beyoglu: 2,260
- Sultanbeyli: 1,092
- Sile: 747
- Catalca: 734
- Beykoz: 560
- Adalar (Princes' Islands): 324
Profitability
By the end of Fall 2023, the districts in Istanbul with the highest return on investment were:
Esenyurt:
- Average property sale price: TL 1,923,790
- Average long term monthly rent: TL 11,680
- Return on investment: 7.93% per annum
Kucukcekmece:
- Average property sale price: TL 3.122.239
- Average long term monthly rent: TL 17,657
- Return on investment: 6.92% per annum
Foreign interest in Istanbul
In the first 10 months of 2023, 9,723 of the 30,599 properties purchased by foreign investors in Turkey were in Istanbul.
However, a more revealing perspective comes from multi-year statistics. Analysts report that between June 2018 and June 2023, foreign buyers acquired 111,627 properties in Istanbul. In this 39-district megacity, a whopping 70.9 percent of these transactions took place in just eight districts. Esenyurt leads the way with 37,304 transactions, or 33.4 percent. Beylikduzu follows closely with 13,261 transactions and a share of 11.9%. Basaksehir comes in third place with 9,273 transactions and a share of 8.3%.
The year 2021 witnessed the highest number of transactions (26,443), once again dominated by Esenyurt. It emerged as the leader in real estate sales to foreigners during this period.