I have loved my flat in Istanbul! But the time has come for me to let go and turn towards what is next.

Part of the view from the salon. Sit in Europe and look out over Asia!

Istanbul was bigger than Rome and has been around for far longer, so Old Constantinople will be here long after we are gone and current politics are forgotten. Thank God. Because I adore this city.The views, the sounds…It’s Arabian Nights.

If you are someone who has always wanted to live part or full time in Istanbul, this is a chance to purchase at a deep discount.

I’m feeling philosophical about my beloved Galata flat. If it is meant to have a new owner, one will appear. If not, I will keep it. Meanwhile, this blog post is my way of “putting it out there”.

There are gorgeous Bosphorus and Old City views from this sunny 1+ bedroom flat and it is located in Istanbul’s most exciting diverse neighborhood, just below the iconic Galata Tower. The spacious roof terrace on the floor above the flat offers a 180 degree view of mosque studded skyline, the Golden Horn, Topkapi Palace, and it’s the perfect place to entertain or to sit alone with a glass of wine.

You can walk across the Galata Bridge to the Egyptian Spice Market, up the hill to Istiklal Avenue through the modern heart of Istanbul, through hundreds of alleyways leading to antique bookstores, nargile cafes and so much more.

I have watched this neighborhood and nearby Karaokoy transform from an industrial shipping area to an up and coming hipster neighborhood chock full of cafes, restaurants, and pubs. At last count there were over 1000 restaurants and pubs in the area.The tram and the metro are a short walk away.

Your future neighborhood is just to the right and slightly downhill from the Galata Tower, pictured here.

The roof terrace above the flat has even more expansive views of Istanbul’s skyline and busy Bosphorus waterway. Eat dinner in Europe while looking out over the water at Asia or across the Golden Horn at the mosque studded skyline of Istanbul. You can see the Princes’ Islands out in the Marmara Sea on a clear day. Perfect for entertaining large groups.

So why am I leaving this beautiful city?

Three new grandsons, two adult children (who suddenly like hanging out with me), an aging mother, a brother and sister, and so many loved ones are calling me home to California. Bali is calling me back as well.

I moved to Istanbul in 2006 because it was a city located “in the middle” of what I then referred to as an undeclared war between Muslims and Westerners. I was delightfully surprised when I first arrived in Istanbul, by the graciousness and unmatched hospitality of Turks, and by then I’d lived in 12 countries. I hatched a dream that by providing a temporary home in a real Turkish neighborhood (years before Airbnb), that Westerners would leave Turkey with their fear of Muslims shifted forever. I watched it happen. Over and over again.

We’ve taken a collective step backwards my friends, but my dream of helping to create OneWorld remains intact. I will return to Turkey time and again with Westerners to share my love for this country. Turkey is in my heart.

The time has come for someone new to inhabit my Galata Terrace flat. I can’t wait to see who the lucky person will be.

Email me at [email protected] for the most quick reply if you are interested in learning more about this flat. Or fill out the form below. I’ll be in Istanbul March 11-18, 2017 and I’d love to meet you.

Two parting photos of the flat: