Thanks a lot, Bora and Gulsha! Your hospitality is unmatched! I felt at home and enjoyed all the great conversations. Watching soccer together or joining a beer on the balcony made me feel like a local.
Bora and Gulsha's place is lovely. It has an amazing balcony with Bosporus view and is quiet, clean, spacious, and calming. Charming coffee shops and grocery stores are just around the corner. It is only a two or three minutes walk away from the lively town center (Besiktas). A Dolmuş (shared taxi) brings you to Taksim Square in around 10 to 15 minutes (for only 3 TL).
Highly recommended! I would definitely come again!