(Don't miss the photos I took; At end from Esenyurt, Küçükçekmece & Başakşehir)
Before moving to Esenyurt, I lived on Istanbul’s Asian side, in Pendik, and also spent some time in the dorms of İstanbul Okan University, which was located in Tuzla—basically, up on a mountain (or at least, that’s how it felt with the steep hills!). The dorm life was interesting. I was placed with some Nigerian students who were incredibly loud. They didn’t need to raise their voices; they could be heard from the other end of the campus even without a microphone! It was so loud that I seriously considered buying a soundproof helmet. After two days, I was counting the minutes until Monday to ask the warden for a room change. When I finally moved into a room with Turkish students, it was so quiet I thought I’d walked into a library. I almost whispered "good morning" to make sure I didn’t disturb the peace!
The bazaars on the Asian side were amazing, far better than what I’ve seen in Esenyurt. The hustle, the noise, the energy—everything was at a whole different level. In Pendik, I lived in a VIP studio apartment. I have to admit, I used to think of myself as some sort of high-roller living the luxury life—until I realized that the "VIP" part just meant my apartment had a slightly larger kitchen and a view of the parking lot. But hey, at least I felt rich for a while! All jokes aside, the Asian side of Istanbul has a unique energy, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.
Esenyurt, where I’ve been living for over a year now (specifically in Güzelyurt), is quite an interesting place. Previously, I lived in Mehterçeşme, another area in this large district. Esenyurt, located on the European side of Istanbul, is one of the city's most densely populated areas, with a population of over 977,000 according to recent statistics. It has transformed significantly from being a small village to a sprawling urban hub. Despite this, it has its ups and downs. While affordable housing and diversity are its strengths, the area also faces issues like higher crime rates compared to other parts of Istanbul, especially the Asian side where tourists usually flock due to famous landmarks like Kadıköy and Üsküdar.
Esenyurt’s rapid urban development has brought modern residential complexes and bustling marketplaces, but it still retains pockets of quieter, less crowded neighborhoods like Güzelyurt. The district's diversity is a hallmark, as it’s home to a mix of locals and migrants from all over Turkey and abroad. Its affordable living options have attracted people from many walks of life.
During my time here, I worked at Asia International School and Manara International School, teaching Java & Python programming & Business Studies in other. Unfortunately, for the past two months, I’ve been out of a stable job, relying on freelance work to get by. On a brighter note, I recently completed my second master’s degree—an MBA—following my first in Computer Science. I’ve decided that’s enough studying for me; any more degrees, and I might start charging myself tuition fees!
On a serious note, my Turkish residency permit (known as a kimlik) has expired, and I’m in the process of getting it renewed. If renewal works out, I’ll continue my life here; if not, it might be time to say goodbye to Turkey. Living illegally is not an option for me, even though many do it. It’s simply not aligned with my principles, and besides, the constant fear of being caught doesn’t sound appealing.
Esenyurt, despite its challenges, has been a unique chapter in my life. Whether I stay or move on, it’s a place I’ll remember for its vibrant streets, mix of cultures, and the lessons it has taught me.
