New Teachers' Guide 2008-2009 - Istanbul International Community ...

New Teachers’ Guide 2008-2009 (last updated 24 Jan 08) Page 23 of 52
(Please note that the information in this booklet can be subject to change)
5. SHOPPING
5.1. SHOPPING IN B-TOWN
While the town of Bahçeşehir is a 45-60 minute drive to downtown, there are many
benefits of living there for a newcomer who is unacquainted with the language or
customs. Bahçeşehir provides an easy transition and instant convenience so that newly
arrived teachers can ‘get around’ and ‘get by’ more easily. And since you’ve now
arrived, let’s go shopping!
5.1.1. SUPERMARKETS
Just past the BP service station on the left, you will find the Bahçeşehir Migros store.
Migros is a large supermarket with just about everything you want to purchase. It isn’t a
‘cheap’ place to shop, but if you ask for (or have someone else ask for) a Migros Club
Card application, you can use the card to get small discounts on your purchases. BIM is
a cheaper alternative for ‘basic’ supplies (see below). Migros is like many large grocery
stores, with sections offering bakery goods, deli selections, produce, frozen food,
hardware, clothing, and more. There is even a fresh flower stall, camera department,
mobile phone outlet, gift shop, dry cleaner, and a Burger King right at the entrance of
the store. PM is also a recommended store. While its range is limited compared to Migros,
its vegetables are usually quite fresh. Tansaş grocery store is located in the Prestige Mall.
5.1.2. MALLS
There are three mini-malls in Bahçeşehir, with a fourth one under construction. The Ticaret
Merkezi mall (The Commerce Center), which is almost across from Migros. It contains the
pharmacy (‘eczane’). Inside the mall, there is a bookstore with stationery supplies, a
clothing store, a gift shop, appliance stores, etc. In the Galleria Mall (across the street,
facing the medical center) there is a nice clothing and footwear store, a flower shop,
cinemas, restaurants, and a bookstore. The third mall is the Atrium Mall (more commonly
referred to as Mavi Çarşı), located to the side of the Galleria. Inside Galleria there are
stores and shops similar to the other two malls. BIM is a discount grocery store located on
the first floor at the rear of Atrium Mall. Access is from the outside. PM is also located
there. Prestige Mall, located down by the lake, has Starbuck’s and Gloria Jean’s coffee
shops, a cinema, and clothing and toy stores.
5.1.3. MEGA-STORES
Carrefour and Bauhaus are both in Avcılar and are well worth a visit for furniture and
appliances (Avcılar is approximately 30 minutes from B-Town). The Carrefour complex
also contains Boyner (a department store with a good selection of quality clothing), a
food court, shoe stores, perfumeries, etc. There is a free hourly bus service from
Bahçeşehir to Carrefour that runs 11:15am to 4:15pm. A new Carrefour is currently being
constructed in B-Town as well.
5.1.4. SPECIFIC NEEDS
Most of your personal needs can be met in Bahçeşehir. You will find a variety of services,
all of which are close and convenient to where most of the new faculty will be living. In
the Atrium Mall/Mavi Çarşı, a DVD rental shop, several hair styling salons, as well as a few
other outlets. In the Ticaret Merkezi Mall, there are two men’s hairdressers (‘erkek
kuaforu’), a gift shop, a bookstore/stationery shop, small appliances stores, a pet store, a
bedding store, a tailor, an electrical supply store, a shoe repair shop, a computer
supplies store, and some clothing stores. You will find a photography shop (good for
passport photos) in the shopping center behind the German Hospital.
New Teachers’ Guide 2008-2009 (last updated 24 Jan 08) Page 23