Fifth Guide | Cost living in turkey

The question that always parents before students pose while making the decision to study in Turkey is about housing and cost of living during their period of study. Thus, this is the topic of today.

Housing in Turkey is divided into four types:

First, you have to know that the Turkish law bans mixed-gender dormitories. This means that male university residences and dorms are different from the female. Housing is divided into the following:

1. Student residence: It is known by "Yurt." It is the universities' official residence which lies inside it. It is only for its students.
2. Governmental student residence: It is a governmental residence that exists outside the universities and available for all students. You can apply for it after getting accepted in a Turkish university even if it is a private one.
3. Private student residence: It is called "Özel Yurt." This residence is offered by a company or an association but authorized and supervised by the presidency of the university cities and the Ministry of Education.

For these three types of residence, students pay fees for all the services which include food, beverages, electricity, internet and others.

1. Ordinary residence: Students can officially rent or buy a house in which he becomes responsible for paying the various bills of electricity, water, internet and the like.
2. Some public universities offer residence for male students different from that of female students. This residence is way cheaper than the non-university residence; however, its only problem is the shortage of places in some universities. Students may have a chance in applying for the state-residence which exists outside the gates of universities. Indeed, there is a private residence more expensive and authorized by the government.
3. Private universities rarely offer an independent student residence and when they do it is way more expensive than other.

Both public and private residences usually offer breakfast and dinner, daily cleaning services, internet, a gym and other services.

Average cost of living in some big cities in Turkey: Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir.

1. The rental price of a two-room apartment with a hall starts form 700 liras, depending on the area where you live.
2. The average cost of living for a student in Ankara in a shared housing that includes food and drink could range from 1000 or 1500 liras per month, of course, this varies according to your lifestyle and other personal expenses.
3. As for private housing, it varies from one residence to another, and of course it is dependent on the services provided, the place of residence and the type of room, whether single, marital, three or four, and sometimes it can reach 8 persons in the room, according to your financial ability.
4. The average price of single rooms in private residence in Ankara ranges between 1600 and 2200 liras per month, and the double ranges between 1000 and 1400 liras, and so on.
5. As for transportation, Ankara has four metro lines linking the whole city, a very large bus network, a cable car connecting half of the city and a streetcar, Indeed, all these means of transportation are offered at a reduced price for students.
6. As for Istanbul, it is the largest Turkish city and the actual economic capital of Turkey. It is also the most expensive cities in terms of cost of living. It is worthy mentioning that living on the Asian side is cheaper than the European side.
7. Put in your mind that Istanbul is totally different from the other Turkish cities. It is a big city whose areas are considered small cities within it, so you will not be able to completely assess the cost of living in Istanbul. You must see the area in which you will live.
8. The average cost of living for a student in a shared housing could range from 2000 to 2500 liras with food and drink. Indeed, this will vary according to your life style, your other personal expenses, outings and so on.
9. Most importantly, by being in Istanbul you’ll be in the midst of trade, industry and business. This will impose itself on your life, personality and opportunities to develop your skills.
10. As for Izmir, the rental prices of a two-room apartment start from 80 to 1500 liras per month. Prices differ from one area to another. This only applies to the area around the university.
11. The cost of living of students ranges from 1500 to 2000 liras, but this various according to your lifestyle.

In the next article, we will provide you with information about the admission requirements, costs of living, available universities and other. This series of articles will be as a comprehensive guide to students looking forward to studying in Turkey. This series was prepared in collaboration with Nafham, the biggest free online crowdsourced educational platform in Egypt and the Middle East that provides online learning and, explanation of the mandated public curriculum and support to youth and students in order to develop their life skills; and Turkey Campus Foundation for student services, a an accredited agent of many Turkish universities in the field of educational counselling. Turkey Campus can help you apply for its partner Turkish universities and guarantee you get accepted there. It also helps you get exclusive over 50% discounts on your annual tuition fees through its partnership with many distinguished universities.

Don't forget to read the rest of the series' articles, and watch our videos on this Link.

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