pros: The room is cute and comfortable & looks exactly as pictured except the wall mirror isn’t there. There’s a smaller mirror on the desk now so it’s fine. Baran was kind and greeted me very nicely. Showed me around the home, etc. The bathroom is nicer than the photos. There’s glass doors instead of a shower curtain. The neighborhood is very close to Taksim square ( shops and restaurants& train) and very convenient for walking! The local weekly Bazaar is literally right outside the front door on Sundays! (Try not to move in or out on Sunday because cars can’t drive by). There’s a grocery store really close by and the clerk is very nice.
Cons: Baran was unresponsive after the first couple of days ( but I think he works nights so I understand). He took all of the toilet paper out of the bathroom without warning. Maybe I used too much? Not a surprise I liked. His mom comes by the apartment and cooks for him frequently (with very loud banging) and doesn’t say hi when you speak to her (but maybe she’s shy). The neighborhood is a bit sketchy. Abandoned buildings etc. The windows are in the back of the home and they all face other people’s windows (they are very close so they can see everything). There’s a lot of smoke here. I coughed for like a week straight. I don’t know what the smell is. Wood burning fire places maybe? Cigarettes? I’m not sure. Smelled bad. The bed wasn’t comfy. I went to Ikea to buy my own pillow.
Overall: I was supposed to stay here for a month while looking for a long term place but I had to leave before two weeks had passed because I was choking from the smoke. I texted Baran (cohost who lives inside the apartment) to tell him I found my permanent place (I was very nice and said thank you etc) and ask how to check out & where to leave the keys & etc and never received a response. Even still I have never heard back to say goodbye or anything at all.
It’s cute and cheap. You get what you pay for.