Buying Property in Istanbul: Lifestyle Options Explained
Are you thinking about buying a lifestyle property in Istanbul, Turkey? I bought my own lifestyle property in Istanbul back in 2018. In this article, I’ll explain which types of properties are available in this amazing city.
All information in this article and more is also included in my YouTube video:
Overview Lifestyle Properties in Istanbul
Istanbul offers the most diverse options in Turkey real estate. There are four main types of property in Istanbul:
- Apartments
- Residence Properties
- Villa Properties
- Yalı Properties
1) Apartments
Let’s start with the most common type of real estate in Istanbul: Apartments. Over 90% of all property in Istanbul are apartments. That’s why an apartment in Istanbul is the most common choice for buyers.
Since Istanbul is very densely populated, most apartment buildings in central Istanbul are built side by side in rows. But there are also many standalone apartment buildings. Apartment buildings in Istanbul can range from just a few units to several hundred units.
2) Residence Properties
The second type of property in Istanbul is so-called residence properties. These are high-rise buildings with hotel-like amenities.
Residences in central Istanbul are often luxury properties. Many offer a gym, swimming pool, sauna, and concierge service.
There are also many residences in the outskirts of the city that are heavily marketed to foreigners. These can be fine lifestyle properties, if that is what you are looking for.
But note, residence properties in Istanbul are often not good investment properties.
3) Villa Properties
The third type of real estate in Istanbul is villa properties. Villas became very popular during the Covid years. These are concentrated in selected neighbourhoods. Most often, they are far from central Istanbul. You can also find villa properties in Istanbul in more central locations. However, these are very expensive.
Note that apartments, residences and villas can all come with different features. Some features that increase prices substantially are: Bosphorus views, Marmara Sea views, forest views, being located in a gated community, or being earthquake-resilient.
4) Yalı Properties
The fourth type of property is ‘yalı’ properties. This property class exists only in Istanbul. Yalı properties are waterfront mansions on the Bosphorus. This is the most luxurious class of real estate in Turkey. Most yali properties are located on the Asian side, but there are also some neighbourhoods on the European side.
Prices for these exclusive properties in Istanbul range from 10 million to 150 million US dollars.
Where to Buy Property in Istanbul
If you want to learn which neighbourhoods I recommend when buying property in Istanbul, then watch this full guide here.
You can explore other articles about Istanbul by clicking on one of the following categories: