First the cons:
The flat is very old and dirty. Dust is everywhere. The windows are broken and taped up. The couch is broken and the bed is very small. The toilet doesn’t flush and the kitchen sink doesn’t drain. The air-con barely works and does not provide enough cold air during the summer months. And the apartment is so cluttered that there is no room for your luggage. Also, the neighborhood is on the other side of the Tarlabasi Blvd and is very old, dirty and not pretty.
The pros:
Close to Taksim Square. Large refrigerator and kitchen. Nice view outside the broken window. Cheap.
Overall:
I decided to leave earlier because there were many water shortages. I would wake up in the morning to shower, cook and have breakfast and there was no water. Deniz never told me there would be so many days without water and he was unwilling to notify me in advance when there was a water shortage. He said that it happens 3-4 days a months and that I need to use a Turkish government website every day, translate it, and figure out when there will be water. I found this unacceptable because I am paying money for basic necessities, like water, and good service. He said it was very “easy” but then why can’t he do that for me? Why should I, the guest, try to understand a Turkish government website and worry about water every day?
Conclusion:
Ultimately, you get what you pay for. Deniz’s flat is one of the cheapest places in Taksim And if you are ok with a bad experience then you will save a lot of money.