I've been offered a live-in English tutor position for two little girls there for the summer. I can't find much online about it. If anyone has any links or info about the area and what I could expect, please let me know. It's a 4 bedroom apartment with a balcony and a pretty garden (the mother says). The father is an ophamologist and the mother does some sort of work in the medical field and they have a Turkish live-in nanny. Thanks for any info!

Good place to live for a family with children.
quite close to everything, even though the taxi number should be on speed dial at all times.

Thanks!!

It's got a wonderful park and Gilly doesn't live there anymore.

It's very central, near to Ortakoy and Etiler. It is mostly full of big gated 'Sites' but many of these places have pools and that is kind of important in the summer.

It is actually very nice. Walking distance to Ortaköy if you live close to TRT. Quiet and it feels as if you are living outside the city.

I enjoy it and wouldnt change. Get yourself a moped and you are fine!

There are good bus connections to Akmerkez and beyond as well as to Ortaköy.

All of the above. As mentioned, if the apartment is in a complex with a pool, it's even better!

Lovely place, Ulus. Dont hesitate, just grab it!

Ulus is one of these artificial places where foreigners and better-off-Turks lock themselves into gated communities. If you like the idea of that, you will like Ulus.

Thanks for the input, everyone. I'm not much into "artificial", I'd like to experience the real Istanbul; however it sounds like a pleasant and safe place and I will only be working 2-3 hours a day! Hmmm..how much does an old used-but-reliable moped cost there?

rbnc, oh how alternative and NATIVE you are!! Which Ulus are you referring to? Ulus, 2, 3, 4....... the Koy? I really don't think those living in Ulus 'koy" would be categorized into your cute little cubby hole (although I strongly suspect that you don't even know that side of the tracks exist). As for the nicer areas, I would say that they are 50/50 gated or not as actually it is one of the few better parts of Istanbul where NOT everything is gated. At least its in town. You want really artificial, go out to one of the "ata's" (koy, sehir, kent) or for that matter one of the many "sehir's" then you'll get artificial. Personally I don't live in Ulus for a bunch of reasons, however considering the fact that all the downtrodded "real" Turks that you refer to would sell there children to live in such a neighborhood, I would think that you are really not in tune with the people of this country 9unless you are trying to say that they should all live in dirty Gececondus or something??).

Tallpony, why don´t you calm down and leave aside the personal remarks? Sadie asked for Ulus-impressions, and one needs to mention that gated communities are part of that, whether one likes them or not. It should be left to Sadie what to make of it - praising Ulus in highest tones only does not add to a balanced picture - the kind of picture you seem to miss in my post.

I think the main point, which has been made before, hence the moped idea, is that it's not central to a shopping or cafe culture. Plus it can be hilly, although you could walk down to Ortaköy in 30 minutes. Walking back maybe be a bugger though. Taxi from Ortaköy to Ulus one way - 5YTL. Also buses go there from Ahmet Saygun Cad (main road through Ulus) bus stop opposite Ulus Park (not really a park so much as a milion steps to nowhere)

The moped/scooter could be an option, however, it would be wise to have lessons and a licence first if you take that option, and considering its only for the summer- I wouldn't bother with the buy-sell thing - far too much trouble.

Definitely enjoyed my stay there too (thanks G) but agree, it's not very easy to get around without your own transport. And everything around there is expensive. No cheap supermarkets, and not many to choose from either. But for summer, it should be a good place to stay and get a suntan in your free time. Go and have a look before you agree to it, but it sounds like it could be a good place to spend a few months. Good luck.

I've been living in Ulus without own transportation for quite some time now. I never had any problems getting around. I can walk to Akmerkez, the bus goes every 5-10 minutes during daytime and at night I take a taxi. I think it is one of the better places in Istanbul as it is not too far away from the Bosphorus, nor from the metro and I feel very safe here. Unlike mentioned above there are also cheaper supermarkets such as DiaSA and GOP.