We spend a very good week at Elif's place. The location is simply great. Especially if you are up to see the most famous touristic sites at the european side of the city. There is a nearby T1 tram going directly e.g. to the Hagia Sophia and the Ketabas ferry station allowing you to go across Bosphorus. However, prepare for climbing lots of stairs on the way to the stations :) In the neighbourhood there are plenty of places serving great turkish style breakfast (make sure you check out the Van Kahvaltı Evi!). The flat itself is simple and nice. It's shaded by lot's of trees. It's calm place with almost no traffic noise, however, at some nights we were waking up because of cats mating and fighting in the garden. We could also feel specific cat smell on the tarrace and the staircase but it wasn't too annoying too us. Elif is a great host ready to provide you with good recommendations.