i want to relocate due to an excellent job offer. i would prefer to be on the Asian side, within 15-20 minutes of haydapasa dock/trainstation, going by public transportation.
My new job offer is in Besiktas. i would like to take the boat from haydarpasa/kadikoy to besiktas dock everyday as i commute. (much better than highway traffic) Any suggestions on decent places and the best possible rate for 100+ sqm apartment?
These places dont have to be ritzy...just clean and safe.

Any reason to be close to Kadıköy/Haydarpaşa? For the fastest, most enjoyable commute to Beşiktaş (not including walking, of course) try Üsküdar. Motor boats make the crossing in less than 10 minutes and leave every 5-10 minutes during peak times.

I find Uskudar much easier for commuting, especially to Besiktas. You can still get reasonable rents in the Salacak area. It's an easy walk to the Iskele from there, or dolmus for the trek back up the hill.

Erm.. I don't think that there is a ferry to Besiktas from Haydarpasa, only the Karakoy boat.

It's also an area of Istanbul that makes Mecca look like Las Vegas.

Are you talking about Salacak?

Üsküdar

Uskudar's not that bad! OK, maybe because I used to live in Karagumruk I think it's fine over here. Salacak - not a carsaf to be found.

hey i would be moving to that side of town from ....gulp....GEBZE! Right now, Mecca would look like Vegas to me!

The tip about uskudar is a pretty good idea! Never heard of salacak...and honestly dont know the areathat well, but any place that i could catch a boat to besiktas from would be pretty handy. Anybody know of a good contact in that area that might keep me from getting screwed by the emlak mafia?

Salacak is the hill above Uskudar, facing Topkapi Saray. Don't use Turyap in Uskudar, whatever you do! Bad service, rip-off prices.
What's your price range? I know 2 emlakcis here that are good and actually listen to what you want. I can get their numbers if you want.

Thanks! that would help tremendously! My price range is under 1000 ytl. As cheap as possible for a decent place. I am not looking to move right away, because i am trying out a new job. But, i would like to start researching now and talk to emlaks to be ready to jump on the first available good deal. if i know that something good will be coming up in a few months, i can wait here in Gebze and make the commute.

I'll try to get the number tomorrow of the best one. He seems to be clued in on upcoming apts - over the years he's found us 2 great flats before they were on the market.

look at kuzkuncuk (eep? spelling? just to the right of uskudar) lots of nice little places over there and a nice little artsy/villagey feel to it. close to uskudar iskele.
many of my friends have lived down by the uskudar iskele in the hills above the bosphorus.
another nice area - further up the hill - fistikaci has some nice places with nice views

and btw - uskudar is not that bad!! baglarbasi has some nice aparments (the one across from mine is for rent haha) and is 10-15 min from kadikoy and same from uskudar - its on the boozecruise dolmus ride home from taksim....

i like living on the asian side! and as much as i often consider the move, I am glad I am over here!

the emlacki we used is Serkan, cep: 0532-325-8336. He seems pretty plugged into the nicer places in Dogancilar/Salacak area.
Kuzguncuk is a good area, a 5-minute minibus or bus ride to the Uskudar iskele for the trip to Besiktas. There is a ferry that goes there, but it doesn't go often and it's easier to go Uskudar for the boats.