Istanbul?s lively expat community welcomes new arrivals

Arriving in an unfamiliar city where you know no-one is one of the major downsides of expat relocation for many new arrivals.

The autumn season in Istanbul is traditionally the time when increased numbers of expats arrive to take up new jobs. The Turkish capital is home to a varied and vibrant expat community, giving a wide choice of activities, meet-ups and other organisations happy to welcome and support the inrush of new arrivals. Navigating the initial challenges of living in a strange land is made far easier by help and advice from new friends.

The English-language website Yabangee is a must-visit for its invaluable advice for newcomers, listings of upcoming events and reviews as well as for its own events including the Expat Spotlight monthly series of talks themed on the personal experiences of expatriates living and working in the city. Music-themed events held at Beat in Beyoglu are popular ways to while away Sunday and Thursday evenings and the monthly trivia nights are fun for all.

InterNations’ Istanbul group hosts regular meet-ups in a selection of the city’s hottest night spots as well as organising special-interest groups which meet on a regular basis. Kids’ playgroups, karaoke nights, a book club and walking and running meets give a good choice of places to get to know the local expat community. For expat females, the non-profit International Women of Istanbul hosts two important charity events annually in addition to seminars, cooking classes, brunches and art and culture tours. Istanbul and I is a volunteer youth community working with young people to assist and empower displaced and disadvantaged communities. With some 300 members form across the world, they make a social impact by holding a variety of different activities including cultural and informative talks and regular orientation sessions for new members.

The city’s English-language Toastmasters’ group hosts expat get-togethers with the aim of improving public speaking and communications skills, meeting twice weekly on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. For fun and getting to know new friends, Speech Bubbles is Istanbul’s expat performing arts school and theatre group, presenting two musicals every year as fundraisers for several local charities. Open-mike nights are very popular, with everyone welcome to perform for six full minutes, and stand-up comedy nights and quiz nights held in the city’s Irish Pub are both great places to meet like-minded souls. Another way to integrate into the community as well as beautifying the city is by joining Tidy Turkey, an environmental group intent on declaring war on litter in the streets.