Moving to ISTANBUL - I need some "insider" information (daily life, weather/health, neighbourhood, schools )?

Question

My husband (he´s Turkish) and I are planning to move to Istanbul next year. I am Canadian, a practicing Muslim, and we currently live in Germany. I know the culture, but as far as living there with a family, I am uncertain. Any insights?

1. How is daily life (with school-age kids) different than in Europe / N. America?

2. I know the windy Ist.-weather. How does it affect the general health there (ex. do people get more migraines or asthma problems there, etc.) . Is there anyplace to get such info? Website/anything? English or Turkish is OK.

3. We would like to live on the Asian side. My husband would like to be able to hear the Azan wherever we live, meaning there are mosques around. Know any nice neighbourhoods? He likes Uskudar, I like seeing more green. Is there a compromise, not too far out?

4. We would like to send our kids to a private school, maybe an Islamic one. Any suggestions?

Has anyone done this? How did the kids adjust?
Thanks!! (you can email me too).

OK, OK, I knew many of you might not be "Muslim-friendly". Thats fine with me, just leave away those questions, and answer what you can. If you´re in this category, you probably know something about life in Istanbul, and that´s all I´m asking for.
If you find it too hard to overlook that I am a practicing Muslim, then don´t bother answering.
(If I told you I speak 4 languages, have studied at Unis in 2 countries, have travelled greatly, know Naturopathy, and that I am a teacher.... all true, you would probably like me better, right? So why concentrate on the religion here?)
You don´t have to bother with the insults. It doesn´t change my opinion, (but it makes you look bad).
Thanks for the serious answers. :-)

Answer 1

Ok, even though we definitely have different perspectives on life, let me try to help a fellow expat.

1) First off, Turks love children, but what I've heard from foreign friends/acquaintances who have kids is that it's hard to find Western-style playgrounds (a lot of those in the city are the old iron ones, which are more fun yet not quite as safe).

2) A good website for getting settled in the country is www.mymerhaba.com. One thing I can say is that the pollution can be troublesome at times. I have exercise-induced asthma and it does kick in more often than it did in the States.

3) Good compromises between Üsküdar and more greenery include Çamlıca, Çengelköy and the housing developments near Ümraniye (i.e. Dora Park, Yeşil Vadi). You will hear the ezan no matter where you live in Istanbul. In fact, it's rumored that in more liberal neighborhoods, the müezzin lets it blast even louder. Take that for what you will.

4) The Istanbul International School is in Çamlıca. It also has a section for Turkish students. I heard that mothers of students in the latter tend to wear the scarf, common in that part of town. Other than that, your main option in terms of religious schools would be an imam hatip school, but the instruction would be completely in Turkish. As another poster wrote, all students who go through the Turkish educational system have to take courses in Islam (which really irks me, especially considering that these are given in *public* schools in a *secular* country. Grr to Kenan Evren and your post-coup conservative fallout.) When in the dolmuş once I did see some building in Çamlıca for an all-girls' Koran course, though.

Answer 2

I don't know anywhere you can ESCAPE the ezan. Good muezzins are hard to find, though.

If you are a sincere Muslim, run away from any school that promises you an Islamic education. Islam in Turkey has become very political and Islamists are teaching little kids to hate anything that comes with modernity. Think of Vatican Christianity.

In my opinion, it is best to teach kids what's good about religion (if they are interested, of course, religious education shouldn't be forced), and leave them to decide what they want to believe. Generally, they show an inclination towards what their mother believes.

Though, a husband who wants to hear ezan where he lives wouldn't give his kids this much freedom, I would guess. See? I haven't insulted you, I have given good advice and also, I have expressed doubts that I have about religious people. You should be happy.

Answer 3

Hi Jenny,

Firstly, I am living in Istanbul Camlica which is Asian Side.
I recomended Camlica.
Someday, when we feel the weather, we are walking in Camlica Hill, watching Istanbul. It is so perfect so gorgeous.
You can see lots of tulip in Camlica Hill.

There is also good schools for your kids. Irmak says right.
Bilfen and Eyuboglu both of them is college degree and nice, but I must say both of them is expensive school (nearly per year 13000 or 14000 YTL)
If you say, money is not the problem, you can choose another one, maybe visiting firstly and then you can decide it.

You can see 4 season in Istanbul.

Regards

Answer 4

1. Ok, I'm a child at age 14 years old..Generally, here children love having fun.And they give importance to their friends so much..They usually listen to the lesson but when they are bored, u can't do something to save the lesson, lol =)

2. Nowadays wheather is so 'strange'.Sometimes it is sunny, sometimes it is cold..So u can be ill easly but don't be scared of important illness ;-)

3. We live in Asian side too and we live in Üsküdar, near two mosques but sorry there aren't much green areas where we live..

4. Don't send ur child to a Islamic school, please..Bilfen collage and Eyüpoğlu collage are my favourites (also they are in Asian side) ;-)

5. You can have lots of friends in ur apartment, don't worry ;-)

Answer 5

first of all you have to be aware of the fact that the only religional schools in turkey aim to educate imams;therefore there is not such schools as you want;luckly.and if you would like to live in a conservative and religious district in turkey uskudar is a good place to live...

Answer 6

Uskudar is very historical place and nice. you can hear ezan everywhere in Turkey. in Turkey we don't have religious schools but we have religion lesson in schools. if you dont want it you dont take it but if you want you can let your kids to have that leson. i am not sure about that much coz i havent been in turkey for ages. if you want really closed place Fatih is good like Bird said.in Turkey kids like in kids in europe. Turkey is a secular country and we dont have sharia rulling

Answer 7

You did not ask about nightlife and clubs??? Sorry just being silly :P I am so sorry that islam has turned you into islam freaks and hope that your hubby is actually not a kurd. If it is your own choice I have no option but respecting it. But at least try to raise liberal minded kids, don't feed them the doctrines of lowlife fools.

Answer 8

there is not any islamic schools in Turkey. hehehe. you know science has nothing to do with religon

for very religious place in istanbul i suggest you to live in Carsamba Fatih!