Isil was an excellent host. She welcomed us with a cup of Turkish coffee, showed us around the area including a neighborhood café and bakery, and showed us the mechanics of the bus system. It is off the beaten path but public transportation was great to get anywhere in the city. The neighborhood had a lot of character and I would highly recommend staying in this neighborhood if you really want to get a feel for what it is like to live in Istanbul. The apartment was also very clean and modern. This would definitely be my top choice if I were to revisit Istanbul.