u/Massive_Basket_1521

Hi everyone!
I’m a 21 year old male student from Lisbon, Portugal, and I’ll be spending the Fall semester at Istanbul Bilgi University, mainly at the santralistanbul campus as an erasmus student.
I’m currently trying to figure out accommodation, and I’d really appreciate advice from current/former Bilgi students, erasmus students, or locals.
I have a few questions:
-Would you recommend a shared apartment or a student residence? What are the pros and cons of each in Istanbul?

-Which neighbourhoods would you recommend for someone studying at Santral Campus? I’d like a good balance between commuting to university and having an active social life.

-Are there any areas I should avoid, either because they’re unsafe or simply inconvenient for students?

-What are the best websites, facebook groups, WhatsApp groups, or other platforms to find reliable accommodation?

-Are there any student residences that you would particularly recommend (or avoid)?

-Is it better to book something before arriving, or stay in a hostel/Airbnb for a week and look for accommodation once I’m in Istanbul?

-How much should I realistically expect to pay for a decent room in a shared flat?

Finally, if you have any general tips for someone moving to Istanbul for erasmus (transport, scams, things you wish you had known before arriving, etc.), I’d love to hear them!
Thanks a lot in advance. Looking forward to experiencing Istanbul!

Hi everyone!
I’m a 21 year old male student from Lisbon, Portugal, and I’ll be spending the Fall semester at Istanbul Bilgi University, mainly at the santralistanbul campus as an erasmus student.
I’m currently trying to figure out accommodation, and I’d really appreciate advice from current/former Bilgi students, erasmus students, or locals.
I have a few questions:

-Would you recommend a shared apartment or a student residence? What are the pros and cons of each in Istanbul?

-Which neighbourhoods would you recommend for someone studying at Santral Campus? I’d like a good balance between commuting to university and having an active social life.

-Are there any areas I should avoid, either because they’re unsafe or simply inconvenient for students?

-What are the best websites, facebook groups, WhatsApp groups, or other platforms to find reliable accommodation?

-Are there any student residences that you would particularly recommend (or avoid)?

-Is it better to book something before arriving, or stay in a hostel/Airbnb for a week and look for accommodation once I’m in Istanbul?

-How much should I realistically expect to pay for a decent room in a shared flat?

Finally, if you have any general tips for someone moving to Istanbul for erasmus (transport, scams, things you wish you had known before arriving, etc.), I’d love to hear them!
Thanks a lot in advance. Looking forward to experiencing Istanbul!

Hi everyone!
I’m a 21 year old male student from Lisbon, Portugal, and I’ll be spending the Fall semester at Istanbul Bilgi University, mainly at the santralistanbul campus as an erasmus student.
I’m currently trying to figure out accommodation, and I’d really appreciate advice from current/former Bilgi students, erasmus students, or locals.
I have a few questions:

-Would you recommend a shared apartment or a student residence? What are the pros and cons of each in Istanbul?

-Which neighbourhoods would you recommend for someone studying at Santral Campus? I’d like a good balance between commuting to university and having an active social life.

-Are there any areas I should avoid, either because they’re unsafe or simply inconvenient for students?

-What are the best websites, facebook groups, WhatsApp groups, or other platforms to find reliable accommodation?

-Are there any student residences that you would particularly recommend (or avoid)?

-Is it better to book something before arriving, or stay in a hostel/Airbnb for a week and look for accommodation once I’m in Istanbul?

-How much should I realistically expect to pay for a decent room in a shared flat?

Finally, if you have any general tips for someone moving to Istanbul for erasmus (transport, scams, things you wish you had known before arriving, etc.), I’d love to hear them!
Thanks a lot in advance. Looking forward to experiencing Istanbul!

Hi everyone!
I’m a 21 year old male student from Lisbon Portugal, and I’ll be spending the fall semester at Istanbul Bilgi University, mainly at the santralistanbul campus as an erasmus student.
I’m currently trying to figure out accommodation and I’d really appreciate advice from current/former Bilgi students, erasmus students, or locals.
I have a few questions:

-Would you recommend a shared apartment or a student residence? What are the pros and cons of each in Istanbul?

-Which neighbourhoods would you recommend for someone studying at santral campus? I’d like a good balance between commuting to university and having an active social life.

-Are there any areas I should avoid, either because they’re unsafe or simply inconvenient for students?

-What are the best websites, facebook groups, WhatsApp groups, or other platforms to find reliable accommodation?

-Are there any student residences that you would particularly recommend (or avoid)?

-Is it better to book something before arriving, or stay in a hostel/Airbnb for a week and look for accommodation once I’m in Istanbul?

-How much should I realistically expect to pay for a decent room in a shared flat?

Finally, if you have any general tips for someone moving to Istanbul for erasmus (transport, scams, things you wish you had known before arriving, etc.), I’d love to hear them!
Thanks a lot in advance. Looking forward to experiencing Istanbul!