Istanbul
New York
Why Istanbul?
- ✔ Cheaper Rent
- ✔ Safer
- ✔ Cheaper Food
- ✔ Cheaper Alcohol
- ✔ Cheaper Coffee
- ✔ Cheaper Transport
Why New York?
- ✔ Higher Income
- ✔ Faster Internet
- ✔ More Sun
- ✔ Cleaner Air
- ✔ Better Nightlife
- ✔ Walkable
About Istanbul
Istanbul is a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait, famous for its historic monuments and vibrant culture.
About New York
New York City is the cultural, financial, and media capital of the world, defined by its iconic skyline, diverse boroughs, and non-stop energy.
Istanbul and New York can both feel like “the whole world in one city.” But for moving and long-term living, the right choice is usually less about postcard moments and more about your monthly budget, your daily commute, and the kind of routine you can actually sustain.
How to use this guide: read the sections that match your priorities, then check the “Who This City Fits” parts at the end. If you keep nodding along with one city more than the other, you’ll have your answer.
New York Snapshot 🗽
- Among the highest cost-pressure metros in the U.S.; great earning potential, but your budget needs to be sturdy.[a]
- Extremely transit-friendly in many daily routines, with tap-to-ride payments across subway and buses.[e]
- Four distinct seasons, including colder winter stretches that affect commuting and clothing choices.[h]
Side By Side Overview
| Topic | Istanbul | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Reality | Often more flexible for long-term living; pricing can shift faster, so you monitor regularly. | High and steady cost pressure; budgeting is more rigid, especially around rent. |
| Housing Feel | Many neighborhood “micro-markets,” from historic areas to newer complexes. | Apartment-first culture; building rules, broker process, and paperwork can be central. |
| Car-Free Life | Very doable in core areas with transit + ferries, but geography matters a lot. | Very doable for most daily routines; subway/bus coverage shapes how you plan your week. |
| Seasons | Milder winter averages; warm, sometimes humid summers. | Hot summers and colder winters; a classic four-season pattern. |
| Work Style | Good for region-spanning hours (Europe/Middle East overlap); strong local service economy. | Huge corporate ecosystem; salaries can be high, competition can be intense. |
| Adaptation Curve | Language and system learning can be the main “first months” task. | Speed and pace are the main task; the city expects you to keep up. |
Cost Of Living and Housing 🏠
If your decision is mostly financial, here’s the blunt truth: New York can work brilliantly if your income comfortably clears the city’s baseline costs. Otherwise, the city can feel like a treadmill. Official price-parity measures show the New York metro area tends to sit above the U.S. average on overall prices, which is another way of saying everyday life often costs more than people expect.[a]
Istanbul, in general, lets many people buy more comfort with the same monthly budget. It also has more “micro-markets” neighborhood to neighborhood, so choosing the right area can do more for your budget than shaving small expenses. For housing market movement, Turkey’s central bank publishes an official residential property price index, which is useful if you want to track the broader direction instead of guessing from listings.[d]
Practical housing expectation: both cities reward fast action, but New York is more “rules-forward” (building policies, formal application flow), while Istanbul is more “location-forward” (street-by-street differences, commute geometry). Neither approach is better; they simply demand different habits.
Rent Structure and What It Changes
New York has a large rent-stabilized stock. The city notes that almost half of rental apartments are rent stabilized, which can materially change long-term predictability if you land one of those units.[c]
For an evidence-based snapshot of New York’s housing supply and conditions, the New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey is a key reference point because it’s conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau on behalf of the city.[b]
- New York: expect application documentation, building policies, and a process that can move quickly once a unit becomes available.
- Istanbul: expect wide variety in building types and neighborhood rhythms; commute routes can matter as much as the apartment itself.
- In both cities, it’s smart to budget a buffer for setup costs (moving, basic furnishings, small repairs) even when rent is your “big number.”
Transportation and Getting Around 🚇
Daily life is shaped by your “default” mode. In New York, that default is often the subway plus walking. OMNY is the contactless fare system used across much of the region; you tap a card or device and you’re moving.[e]
Istanbul’s public transit is also built for a car-light lifestyle in many areas, but the city’s geography makes route choices more personal. Istanbulkart is positioned as the official card across public transport and payments in the city, which helps simplify transfers and daily errands.[f]
Rail matters in both places. Metro Istanbul describes a large system and very high daily passenger use, and it’s useful as a reference for the system’s central role even as network details evolve over time.[g]
Walkability and Time Planning
New York’s density can feel like a cheat code for errands: grocery, gym, café, subway—often within a short radius. Istanbul can be equally walkable in many neighborhoods, but hills, water crossings, and district-to-district layout mean you’ll want to test-walk your future routine before committing.
- If you hate driving: both cities can work, but New York is more “walk + subway by default,” while Istanbul is more “choose a transit-friendly district and build around it.”
- If you commute across water: ferries can become part of your normal week in Istanbul; in New York, rivers and bays shape some commutes but subway/bus often still dominates.
Daily Comfort and Personal Security 🙂
“Safety” is real, but in big cities it’s rarely a single citywide number that decides your experience. It’s more about where you live, how you commute, and how late your routine runs. Both Istanbul and New York are patchwork cities: block-to-block can feel different, and your comfort level will track the places you actually spend time.
New York’s building culture (doormen, controlled entry systems, and front-desk rules in many places) can add a layer of daily ease. Istanbul offers a wide range too, from older buildings with local routines to newer complexes with more formal management. In both cities, visiting your prospective neighborhood at different times of day is one of the most practical “reality checks” you can do.
A calm rule of thumb: pick the city where your everyday routine feels naturally manageable. The “best” city is the one where you can consistently live the way you want, not just visit the way you like.
Weather and Seasons 🌤️
New York is a classic four-season city. Official Central Park climate normals show distinct seasonal shifts, which translates into real lifestyle changes: winter layers, summer humidity, and a spring/fall that can feel short but energizing.[h]
Istanbul’s long-term climate statistics show milder winter averages and warm summers, plus a clear seasonal pattern in rainy days and precipitation totals. That often makes “being outside” easier across more months of the year—especially if you prefer mild weather over sharp winter cold.[i]
- If you love seasons: New York delivers variety, but you pay for it in wardrobe and weather planning.
- If you prefer milder winters: Istanbul is often the easier day-to-day fit.
Work Opportunities and Working Life 💼
New York’s upside is scale: industries, employers, networks, and a deep market for specialized roles. The trade-off is that the bar can feel high—both in competition and in how much income you need to feel comfortable month-to-month.
Istanbul’s upside is regional reach. If your work touches Europe, the Middle East, and nearby time zones, Istanbul can make coordination feel simpler. It’s also a city where local relationships and industry clusters matter; the right network can outperform a perfect résumé.
Remote Work Fit
Both cities can support remote work well, but in different ways. New York has a formal push around broadband access and infrastructure planning, which signals how central connectivity is to everyday life and work in the city.[j]
For a national benchmark view of internet adoption and digital habits in Turkey, TurkStat publishes annual results on ICT usage in households and by individuals. It’s a useful context for understanding how common online services and digital workflows are in daily life.[k]
Work Authorization and Paperwork Basics
If you’re not already authorized to work where you’re moving, that can outweigh everything else. The U.S. State Department outlines temporary employment visa categories and the general process at a high level; it’s a good starting point before you plan around a job offer.[p]
For Turkey, the official e-İkamet system is the online application pathway for residence permit processes, and it’s the most direct reference for how the application flow is structured.[q]
Education and Student Life 🎓
New York is unusually rich in education paths: public K–12, specialized programs, private options, and major university systems. For families, the NYC Public Schools enrollment system (including MySchools) is the practical hub for exploring and applying.[n]
For higher education, CUNY is a major public system spread across the city’s boroughs, serving a very large student population and offering broad program variety across campuses.[o]
Istanbul also has a large higher-education ecosystem, with public and private universities and a strong student culture in certain districts. In practice, your day-to-day student experience often hinges on language of instruction, campus location, and your commute more than the city as a whole.
- New York: enormous choice set, but applications, deadlines, and commuting time can become a project in itself.
- Istanbul: strong student neighborhoods; plan around transit lines and language fit to reduce friction.
Healthcare Access 🏥
In New York, NYC Health + Hospitals operates as the city’s public health care system, with hospitals and neighborhood health centers across the five boroughs. That footprint can matter for long-term residents who want care close to home and work.[l]
In Turkey, the Ministry of Health is the official central institution for the health system, and it’s the most reliable source for nationwide public information and official updates.[m]
The practical difference for many movers is not “which city has doctors,” but how access works for your status and insurance setup. If healthcare predictability is your top priority, treat this as a planning category—not an afterthought.
Culture, Events, and Social Life 🎭
Both cities are cultural heavyweights, but the “shape” of social life differs. New York is dense with scheduled events, ticketed performances, and neighborhood scenes that can change by subway stop. Istanbul leans into street life—cafés, promenades, markets, and a sense that the city itself is an ongoing stage.
Your best indicator is how you like to recharge. If you want planned entertainment and constant variety, New York has unmatched breadth. If you like everyday life to feel layered and scenic—without needing a reservation—Istanbul can feel more naturally social.
- New York: high-volume options, high pace, lots of “something happening tonight.”
- Istanbul: strong everyday atmosphere, long meals and walks, easy transitions between quiet and lively areas.
Internet, Infrastructure, and Remote Work 💻
Remote work success is often decided at the building level: wiring, uptime, and whether your home setup is quiet enough for long calls. At the city level, New York treats broadband as essential infrastructure; the official Internet Master Plan frames the internet as a core need and lays out an implementation approach for citywide access goals.[j]
In Turkey, official ICT usage statistics give a realistic backdrop for how normalized online services are in daily life. That matters for everything from appointments to banking to routine admin tasks when you’re settling in.[k]
- If you need ultra-stable calls: in either city, prioritize newer buildings or confirmed fiber/cable options when choosing housing.
- If you work across time zones: Istanbul can be comfortable for Europe overlap; New York can be comfortable for U.S. business hours and global corporate cycles.
Families and Long-Term Routine 👨👩👧👦
For families, the city question often becomes a routine question: school commute, parks, grocery patterns, and how much living space you can afford without stress. New York can be excellent for families who value structured programs, museums, and easy access to services—but it asks more from your budget, and sometimes from your calendar.
Istanbul can feel easier for families who want more breathing room and a slower rhythm in certain districts, while still keeping access to big-city services. Your best move is to pick your neighborhood as if you’re picking your family’s “second home,” because that’s what it becomes.
- Choose New York if your family thrives on structured options, dense services, and you can support higher fixed costs.
- Choose Istanbul if you want more flexibility in space and neighborhood feel, and you’re comfortable adapting to a different language environment.
Settling In and Adaptation 🧭
New York’s “adaptation challenge” is usually pace. The city moves fast, and you’ll feel best when you simplify: stable commute, repeatable grocery run, a few reliable places. Istanbul’s challenge is more often system learning: language, local services, and the small “how things work” details that aren’t hard, just new.
If you’re moving without a built-in support network, prioritize what reduces daily friction: a transit-friendly neighborhood, predictable housing management, and a routine that you can repeat when you’re tired. That’s how cities start feeling like home.
How The Choice Changes With Your Priorities
Here’s a simple way to decide without overthinking: identify the one thing you refuse to compromise on, and the one thing you can be flexible about. Then match that profile to the city that naturally supports it.
| If This Is Your Top Priority | Often The More Natural Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Highest earning ceiling and global corporate density | New York | Scale of employers, networks, and role variety can be unmatched. |
| More lifestyle comfort for a smaller monthly budget | Istanbul | In many areas, you can secure more space and flexibility for the same spend. |
| Car-free routine with “walk + subway” rhythm | New York | Density and transit patterns make many routines naturally car-light. |
| Daily atmosphere and slower everyday social rhythm | Istanbul | Street life and neighborhood culture can feel “built into” the day. |
| Milder winter routine | Istanbul | Long-term climate averages are generally gentler in winter months. |
| Four-season variety | New York | Seasonal shifts are distinct and shape lifestyle in a clear way. |
Istanbul Who Is It Better For?
- People who want more flexibility in housing comfort and neighborhood feel without forcing a maximum budget every month.
- Remote workers who like a location that can overlap well with Europe-adjacent schedules and still offer big-city services.
- Those who enjoy everyday street life—walks, cafés, waterfront time—and want social energy that doesn’t always require planning.
- Movers who are okay learning a new system and possibly a new language environment, especially in the first months.
New York Who Is It Better For?
- People whose career path benefits from maximum market scale: specialized roles, major networks, and dense opportunity.
- Those who prefer a structured, transit-heavy lifestyle where “walk + subway” can cover most routines.
- People who love four seasons and want constant variety in events, food, and neighborhood scenes.
- Movers who can support higher fixed costs without stress—and want the city’s pace as a feature, not a burden.
Short Conclusion
The most sensible choice depends on your financial baseline and your tolerance for pace. If you’re building around top-tier career scale and can comfortably absorb higher monthly costs, New York is hard to beat. If you want long-term livability with more budget flexibility and a neighborhood-driven lifestyle, Istanbul often makes more day-to-day sense. Your “right city” is the one that matches the routine you can repeat for years.
FAQ
Is it easier to live car-free in Istanbul or New York?
In many daily routines, New York is built for car-free living through walking and subway/bus use. Istanbul can also be very car-light in the right districts, but neighborhood choice matters more because of geography and route patterns.
Which city feels more affordable month-to-month?
In general, Istanbul offers more flexibility for many budgets. New York can still work well if your income comfortably exceeds core costs, but it usually demands tighter planning around housing and recurring expenses.
Can I work remotely from either city?
Yes. Both cities can support remote work well. The deciding factor is often your building’s internet quality and your daily environment (noise, space, and routine stability), not the city name.
Do I need Turkish to live in Istanbul long-term?
You can start without it, especially in international areas, but learning basic Turkish usually makes everyday tasks smoother over time. The more your life moves away from tourist-only zones, the more helpful it becomes.
How different is the housing search process?
New York often feels process-driven: paperwork, building rules, and fast timelines. Istanbul often feels location-driven: street-by-street differences and commute geometry can matter as much as the apartment itself.
What should I check first if I’m moving internationally?
Confirm your residence and work authorization path before you plan the rest. It can be the deciding factor even when lifestyle and budget look perfect on paper.
Sources
- [a] Regional Price Parities By State And Metro Area (BEA) – Official metro-level price parity method for comparing overall price levels across U.S. metro areas.
- [b] 2023 NYCHVS Selected Initial Findings (NYC HPD) – City housing survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau on behalf of New York City; baseline for housing conditions and trends.
- [c] Rent Stabilization In NYC (NYC.gov) – Official explanation of rent stabilization and its role in New York City’s rental landscape.
- [d] Residential Property Price Index (TCMB) – Central bank series for monitoring housing price movements; includes access via the EVDS time series system.
- [e] How OMNY Works – Official description of contactless transit payments used across New York region transit services.
- [f] İstanbulkart Official Website – Official card platform used across Istanbul public transport and related services.
- [g] Istanbul’s Rail System Lines (Metro Istanbul) – Metro Istanbul overview describing rail systems and usage context (network details can change over time).
- [h] Normals And Extremes Central Park, NY (NWS) – Official Central Park climate normals used for New York’s seasonal profile.
- [i] Official Climate Statistics For Istanbul (MGM) – Long-term monthly averages and climate statistics for Istanbul from Turkey’s national meteorological service.
- [j] New York City Internet Master Plan (NYC.gov PDF) – Official city plan framing broadband access and infrastructure strategy.
- [k] ICT Usage In Households And By Individuals 2024 (TurkStat) – Official annual statistics on internet and ICT usage patterns in Turkey.
- [l] NYC Health + Hospitals – Official site of New York City’s public hospital system and neighborhood health services.
- [m] Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health – Official national institution for public health system information and updates.
- [n] Enroll In NYC Public Schools – Official enrollment pathway for NYC public schools, including the MySchools application system.
- [o] About CUNY – Official overview of the City University of New York system and its scale across the city.
- [p] U.S. Visas: Employment (Travel.State.Gov) – Official entry point for U.S. employment visa categories and high-level process guidance.
- [q] e-İkamet Residence Permit System – Official online platform for residence permit applications in Türkiye.