Istanbul base life for foreign crew, housing, neighbourhoods, transport to the new airport
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#1 For foreign joiners: THY doesn't provide housing like the Gulf carriers, you rent. I'll share what I learned in year one and welcome corrections from Turkish colleagues.
- Crew tend to cluster on the European side within reach of the airport shuttle routes; check the current crew transport pick-up points before choosing a flat.
- Rent has risen a lot; sharing with another crew member is common in the first year.
- Public transport is good and cheap; the airport is far, so the crew shuttle matters.
- Learn enough Turkish to handle a landlord and a market. It makes everything easier. -
#2 Good summary. Also: ask HR about the crew transport routes and timings before you sign a lease, some neighbourhoods have a pick-up at your door, others need a taxi at 04:00.
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#3 Rent sharing in year one seems universal outside the Gulf. Same at Frankfurt.
