HOUSE GUIDE Ankara TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Ankara Neighborhoods Housing Hunt before Traveling Type of housing Understand your Contract Finding the perfect place Student & Expat Accommodation - Free Search Platform Recommended Agencies, Residencies & Popular Platforms Hints and Tips One of the most important decisions you will have to make when coming to Ankara Turkey is deciding where and how you want to live! Probably for quite a few of you, your apartment in Ankara Turkey will be your first experience living “alone“ abroad. This can be very exciting, but also overwhelming. INTRODUCTION NEIGHBORHOODS ÇANKAYA Kızılay is the most central neighborhood in Ankara and home to Ankara's most popular meeting-point for young and old: Kızılay also marks ground Zero, meaning that all of Ankara's numbers and roads stem from this point The Kızılay AVM itself is always teeming with life as foreigners and native Turkish come together in the heart of this amazing city. Kızılay is also very central when it comes to transportation and shopping. Esat is known as the most hipster/alternative part of the city, mainly due to Tunalı Hilmi street. The narrow, colorful street is chock full of cafés, restaurants, trendy and vintage shops, and neighborhood cooperatives. You can also find interesting street art, high-end tattoo parlors, uber-trendy eateries, and experimental pop- up shops selling everything from costumes and goth clothing to home goods and cupcakes. You’ll find the streets, shops, and plazas full of a diverse mix of people at any hour of day or night. Çankaya is the central metropolitan district of the city of Ankara, the capital of Turkey, and an administrative district of Ankara Province. Kızılay & Esat ÇANKAYA These neighborhoods, are also known as the university district. Great places to live for young people and students. Ankara’s biggest universities; Ankara University, Gazi University, and Hacettepe University are very close to each other. Bahçelievler is full of bars and shops, and the main draw is 7. Cadde has all the typical stores and coffeehouses. 10-20 minutes to the City center depending on where you start. Full of university students, families, and local Turkish natives. Cebeci is much quieter compared to Bahçelievler. Bahçelievler & Cebeci ÇANKAYA These neighborhoods are considered the laid-back and more diverse areas of Ankara. During the day, they are home to fabulous restaurants, outdoor terraces, and boutiques. Gaziosmanpaşa is home to most of the Embassies in Ankara. Due to their mix of trendy and high-end nightclubs, restaurants, bars, stores, and ambiance, it’s hard not to fall in love with these neighborhoods. If you’re looking for a central location that maintains tradition and also embraces modernity while keeping some distance from the most crowded areas in the city, these neighborhoods are for you! Gaziosmanpaşa, Turan Güneş, Yıldız and Ayrancı YENIMAHALLE & KEÇIÖREN These districts in recent years have become large districts of housing for Ankara's working class. Keçiören is a well-known location for far-right nationalists. There are plenty of parks and new buildings which have huge artificial waterfalls and many other pools and fountains. Yenimahalle district mainly consists of large estates of apartment buildings and although the area is being filled up with concrete buildings there is still green space, tennis courts, and other sports areas. ANKARA IS A BIG CITY WITH QUITE A BIG RANGE OF AVAILABLE HOUSING OPTIONS FOR INTERNATIONALS. THE MOST COMMON OPTION IS RENTING A ROOM IN A SHARED APARTMENT WITH EITHER INTERNATIONALS OR TURKISH LOCALS. BESIDES THAT, YOU CAN ALSO CHOOSE TO LIVE IN ONE OF THE MANY STUDENT RESIDENCIES IN ANKARA, YOU CAN TRY TO FIND A APARTMENT/FLAT FOR YOURSELF. THESE THREE LAST OPTIONS ARE USUALLY MORE EXPENSIVE! More expensive than sharing a flat but less availability throughout the city. APARTMENTS/FLATS STUDENT RESIDENCY WHAT TO EXPECT Peaceful & Quiet Independent (your own rules) More Costly Difficult to find apartment/flat due to a number of reasons Living in a residency is more costly but puts you in contact with many likeminded peers. WHAT TO EXPECT Meal plans Social life Support Strict rules Understanding your contractual obligations & housing-related expenses is important! Before renting your room/apartment, you need to make sure you understand the details of the contract and the obligations that come along with it. Contracts, especially in a different language, can be complicated and it is crucial to understand e.g. the cancellation period of your contract, the refund conditions of your initial deposit as well as the housing-related expenses such as water, gas & electricity. UNDERSTAND YOUR CONTRACT CONTRACT Monthly rents This is the amount you will have to pay every month for living in the apartment. Check the deadline for paying it to avoid any complications. It's advisable to pay the monthly rent via money transfer Deposit & Commissions You will be asked to pay an upfront security deposit which usually is equivalent to one or two months’ rent depending on whether the apartment is furnished or not. It will be used to cover any damages that may exist when you leave the apartment at the end of your stay. The deposit will be returned latest within a week after moving out. Ask for a “damage checklist” that you can review when moving in (so you don’t get blamed for any pre-existing damages) and when moving out (again, so you don’t get blamed for any damages that might occur after you’ve left) to ensure to get back your deposit. Also, don’t hesitate to take before/after photos of your flat for extra insurance! If you rent from an agent, you will be asked to pay a commission which is equivalent to one months rent. CONTRACT Monthly rents This is the amount you will have to pay every month for living in the apartment. Check the deadline for paying it to avoid any complications. It's advisable to pay the monthly rent via money transfer Housing-related expenses/fees It is very important to check if the rental price includes all expenses (her şey dahil) such as gas, electricity, water, and monthly dues ( Aidat ). Most of the time, these costs are not included. Also confirm if electricity, gas, water, and internet subscriptions have been done or if you will need to do them yourself. Duration of the contract It is very important to state the length of your stay before signing a contract and ask what happens in case you leave the apartment before the contract ends. Usually, you have 30 days to communicate your intention to move out to your landlord. LET US MAKE YOUR MOVE AS EASY AS POSSIBLE! Dealing with language barriers Help you understand the different types of housing options available. Find the ideal location for your home. Provide you with concrete options according to your preferences that you can choose from. Review and negotiate your contract. Ensure that you avoid hidden fees & potential issues. Detecting housing scams By Finding your Home How does it work? Fill out our consultation form Get a free qoute Settle in smoothly RECOMMENDED AGENCIES, RESIDENCIES & POPULAR PLATFORMS