My wife and I had a wonderful experience in Istanbul, staying in Bilgehan's apartment for 4 weeks. Bilgehan was very friendly, communicative and helped us resolve the problems that arose. He wasn't around, but his brother and associate were.

The apartment is well-located. It's a short walk to the Tophane tram stop which makes getting around to the old city quite convenient. It is at the lower end of the Cihangir neighborhood which is colorful and convenient to the Galata/Istikal/Taksim areas.

As a number of other guests have noted, the apartment is a 6th floor walkup and Istanbul is extremely hilly to begin with. It is not suitable if you are not fit or have a stroller, etc. You will need to carry up your own water - tap water is not potable in Istanbul (although if you speak Turkish you can get people to cheaply deliver water). Also, the apartment is a distinctly bohemian experience. The furnishings are humble and the bathroom could use some improvement. The building's stairs are run-down. The layout of the apartment is totally open (the bathroom doesn't even really close), so it would be difficult to share with someone who you are not intimate with. Overall, it's a bit of a romantic garret, but it is spacious, well-lit, breezy (and the AC works well), has a cheerful ambience and has nice features like a pleasant terrace. So, it is ideal for the young or the young-at-heart.

I strongly recommend a nearby restaurant called Datli Maya. It's a bakery with takeout or upstairs seating. Try their vegetarian lejemahun! Also, there's a nice grocery store called Carrefour on Silvaselviler. I also recommend taking the ferry from Kabatas (two stops away on the tram) to Kadakoy on the Asian side of Istanbul and visiting the restaurant there called Ciya Sofrasi.

Have fun.