If you are looking for a safe and central location on the Anatolian side near the Bosphorus and shopping areas, I recommend staying at this Airbnb with Mehmet and his girlfriend. They were both helpful, friendly, kind, and hospitable. Mehmet is very responsive to help with questions I had, as well as flexible on when I would check-in/check-out. The room, bathroom, kitchen, living spaces were all very clean and organized. They also provided clean sheets and towels. It really felt like my home during my short stay in Istanbul.