Istanbul day 2, morning

Last night we asked ourselves, “where do the wealthy live in Istanbul”. Beyoglu is by no means upscale, it’s more a ramshackle collection of old buildings in various states of disrepair. We’ll venture into the old city again this morning and hopefully pick up a walking tour (assuming we can find the streets by name). Targeted: the spice bazaar, Topkapi Palace, and Blue Mosque.

But I’m really curious about the uber wealthy in Istanbul. Here’s what I found on trip advisor. It looks like we will not be seeing how the rich and famous (well rich) live in Turkey. It’s not that I want to oogle the wealthy, rather it’s that living in what is considered the “nicer” section of Istanbul and finding it visually unappealing. I’m enjoying the people (warm and friendly), the food (great spices, lots of vegetables, well prepared meats), and the climate (cool to warm, with moderate humidity), but why is it not better maintained and where are properties better maintained.

From Trip Advisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293974-i368-k8013127-Where_do_Istanbul_s_wealthy_live-Istanbul.html

10027
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Where do Istanbul’s wealthy live?
Dec 22, 2014, 1:06 AM
I know that this is a rich city in a rich country. I can see the wealth at the Istanbul Modern, at SALT, when chauffeured cars disgorge fur coats at an event. But, where do they live.

 

Re: Where do Istanbul’s wealthy live?
Dec 22, 2014, 1:25 AM
You need to go up the Bosphorus to villages like Bebek,Yeniköy and Tarabya to see the über smart set 🙂 But be aware you may not be able to see much from the road as the big houses are mostly in high walled gardens and compounds.

The easiest way is to take a ferry up the Bosphorus from where on can see these huge,glamorous water side mansions,the old yali’s. When selling they usually change hands for several million dollars……

 

2. Re: Where do Istanbul’s wealthy live?
Dec 22, 2014, 1:51 AM
10027, the touristic places that visitors mostly visit are not the where the rich people of Istanbul live. The richest of the rich live at Yali’s all along the Bosphorus. “http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59dV5yUoJdc“. The price range on those yalis range from 10 to 100 million dollars. However those yali owners also have winter residences at those skyscrapers that dot the skyline of the city. If you drive through the hills of Bosphorus, you will see these gorgeous mansions. Mostly they are secured gate communities. Have a look at Beykoz Konaklari and Acarkent Villas. “http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hooxhN514MQ“. The other neighborhoods are 4th Levent, Rumelihisari hills, Bebek Hills, Tarabya, Istinye Hills, Sariyer Gated Communities, etc.

Can someone direct me to Istanbul’s poshest neighborhood neighborhood, where I can gawk at the lifestyles of the rich and, well, the rich, the way I might in Beverly Hills or Knightsbridge.

It’s just that Taksim and Istakil, while they do have upscale features like SALT and Shake Shack, are so shabby. (all cities have gentrifying and also shopworn districts, it is easy to see the places where gentrification is happening,) but I don’t want to leave without taking in an impression of the world-class posh and glitz that I know has to be here somewhere.

Headed out the door, no spell check soooooory.

R

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