Where Is Zekeriyaköy?
Zekeriyaköy is a neighborhood in Sarıyer district, on the European side of Istanbul, north of the city center. It borders Belgrad Forest to the south and Black Sea coast (Kilyos) to the north. The TEM motorway and Northern Marmara Highway connect it to the rest of the city.
Schools — The Decisive Factor for Most Expats
The school ecosystem is what brings most expat families to Zekeriyaköy:
- MEF International School — IB Diploma, American curriculum.
- Enka Schools — IB Diploma, strong sports and arts programs.
- Hisar Educational Foundation — Anglo-American curriculum, prestigious Turkish institution with international students.
- TED Sarıyer College — English-medium Turkish curriculum.
All offer dedicated school buses servicing every Zekeriyaköy sub-neighborhood. Annual tuition ranges ₺350K-1.2M+; the international IB-curriculum schools sit at the top of the range.
Healthcare
- On-site: Acıbadem Zekeriyaköy Medical Center (specialist branches, evening urgent care, weekend coverage).
- Family medicine: Vehbi Koç Foundation Family Health Center (24/7).
- Hospital backup: Acıbadem Maslak Hospital (25 min), Memorial Şişli (30 min), Sarıyer Hamidiye Etfal State Hospital (15-20 min).
- English-speaking doctors: Acıbadem and Memorial groups have established English-language services. Most senior specialists at Acıbadem Maslak speak English.
Daily Life and Lifestyle
Mornings often start with a forest walk in Belgrad Forest's marked trails — running, cycling, or weekend group walks are common. The local F&B scene includes Italian restaurants, specialty coffee shops, organic cafés, and Turkish breakfast (kahvaltı) spots. Weekly farmers' markets feature regional produce.
For weekend recreation:
- Kilyos beach — 15 minutes by car, summer destination.
- Belgrad Forest reservoirs — picnic areas, biking, running trails.
- Kemer Country Club — golf, equestrian, tennis (membership-based).
- Sariyer waterfront — fish restaurants, ferry to Asian side.
Shopping and Daily Errands
- Supermarkets in or near the neighborhood: Migros, Carrefour, Macrocenter, A101, BİM.
- Organic produce: Doğa Pazarı (organic store) and weekend village market.
- Köy AVM: small in-neighborhood shopping center for daily needs.
- Vadistanbul AVM (15 minutes by car): full-service mall, cinema, restaurants.
- İstinyePark / Akmerkez (25 minutes): premium shopping.
Commute and Transport
| Destination | Time (car) |
|---|---|
| Maslak | 25-30 min |
| Levent / Etiler | 25-30 min |
| Sariyer center | 15 min |
| Istanbul Airport (IST) | 35 min |
| Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) | 60 min |
| Asian side via 3rd Bridge | 35-45 min |
Public transit: 151 bus from Hacıosman metro to Zekeriyaköy (~25 min).
Rental vs. Buying — What Most Expats Do
A common pattern:
1. Year 1: rent furnished to test the area, school fit, and commute.
2. Year 2-3: buy if the assignment becomes long-term, often combining lifestyle with Turkish citizenship-by-investment (USD 400,000+ purchases qualify; see [Foreign Investor Guide](/blog/buying-property-zekeriyakoy-foreign-investor-guide-en)).
3. Year 5+: hold for capital appreciation (historical 18-22% nominal TRY annual growth) or convert to rental yield property if relocating.
Cost of Living Snapshot (2026)
- 1+1 apartment rent: ₺52-90K/month
- 3+1 apartment / townhouse rent: ₺85-140K
- 4+1 villa rent: ₺140-200K
- 5+1 detached villa rent: ₺200-350K
- International school: ₺350K-1.2M annual
- Acıbadem private health insurance for family of 4: ₺80-200K annual
- Domestic help (cleaner, 2x/week): ₺8-15K monthly
- Driver (full-time): ₺40-60K monthly
- Nanny / au-pair (live-in): ₺35-55K monthly
How I Help Expat Families
- English-language consultation, school-zone analysis, commute mapping.
- Rental and purchase shortlists matched to your timeline and budget.
- Coordination with international relocation companies and HR teams.
- Citizenship-by-investment process if applicable.
Contact: +90 534 887 0606 | keremaliyoruk@gmail.com | [Contact form](/contact)