Osmangazi Living Costs: My Messy Budget Breakdown
so i moved to osmangazi last month and let me tell you-this place is wild. i'm living as a freelance photographer, so i need a spot with good light, cheap rent, and a vibe that doesn't make me wanna gouge my eyes out. here's how the cash flows, and trust me, it's not pretty.
*rent: 4,500 TL/month for a 1-bedroom in the city center. my landlord is a dude named mehmet who speaks zero english but loves showing me his pigeon collection.
utilities: about 600 TL/month. internet is solid, 300 Mbps, so i can upload my raw files without crying.
groceries: 1,200 TL/month if i cook. if i eat out every day? double that. kebabs are cheap, but my stomach isn't a fan of daily doner.
transportation: i walk everywhere or use the tram. 200 TL/month tops. taxis here are a scam, don't fall for it.
gear & misc: camera repairs, extra hard drives, random props-i budget 1,000 TL/month for this chaos.
total monthly: ~7,500 TL. that's about $240 USD, which sounds insane until you realize my rent alone would be $1,200 in berlin.overheard gossip from the local cafe
> "the rent's going up next year. everyone's moving to yıldırım."
> "don't trust the guy selling 'vintage' cameras by the bazaar. they're all hot."
> "the best light is at 6:47 AM in the old town. everyone knows that."safety & job market (the real talk)
osmangazi is generally safe, but like anywhere, don't flash your gear at 2 AM. the job market for creatives? brutal. everyone's a photographer or a wannabe influencer. you gotta hustle harder than a street cat fighting over fish scraps.weather & neighbors
it's april and it's already 22°C. sunny, but the wind off the sea? brutal. wears a jacket, mate. bursa's just a short drive away if you need a change of scenery. eskişehir's a quick train ride if you're feeling fancy.pro-tips for fellow photographers
- light: golden hour here is chef's kiss. shoot near the Ulu Mosque for insane textures.
- people: ask before you shoot. turks are friendly but not into being your candid subject.
- gear: always carry a rain cover. the weather here changes faster than my ex's mood.cost breakdown table
Expense Monthly Cost (TL) Rent 4,500 Utilities 600 Groceries 1,200 Transportation 200 Gear & Misc 1,000 Total 7,500 random advice from a local
"don't buy your sim card at the airport. go to the corner shop by the tram station. half the price."final thoughts
osmangazi is messy, loud, and full of life. rent's cheap, but the competition's fierce. if you're a creative, bring your A-game and a thick skin. and for the love of god, learn a few turkish phrases. it'll save you from a lot of awkward miming.
external links*:
- TripAdvisor - Osmangazi Attractions
- Reddit - Turkey Travel
- Yelp - Osmangazi Restaurants
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