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Who lives in Zekeriyaköy
Zekeriyaköy sits in the hills of Sarıyer, north of the business districts of Levent and Maslak and close to the Belgrad Forest. Once a village, it has grown into a sought-after residential area of gated communities and detached villas, with a calm, green, almost suburban feel that is unusual for Istanbul. It draws families who want gardens, quiet streets and easy access to international schools rather than the density of the central neighbourhoods. To see how it fits the wider city, start with our international schools in Istanbul directory.
The population is a mix of expatriate families, diplomats and well-off Turkish households, many of whom choose the area specifically for schooling and the outdoor lifestyle on the doorstep of the forest. It is residential and family-first, a place for the school run and weekend walks rather than nightlife.
Schools in and near Zekeriyaköy
Schooling is the single biggest reason families settle in Zekeriyaköy. The British International School Istanbul (BISI) runs its main Zekeriyaköy campus here for students from preschool to secondary, set beside the Belgrad Forest, and the school holds accreditation from the Council of British International Schools, the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Nearby in Sarıyer, the Istanbul International Community School (IICS), founded in 1911 and an IB World School offering all three IB programmes to foreign-passport holders, serves the same catchment of families.
For the full list of Istanbul schools with curricula, stages and admissions detail use the Istanbul schools directory. If you are weighing the British curriculum against an IB pathway, the school finder quiz will shortlist options based on your child’s needs.
Commute and catchment
Istanbul does not operate residential catchments for international schools, so admission is by application and an address in Zekeriyaköy does not reserve a place at a local school. What the area offers is short runs to the schools clustered in Sarıyer. The trade-off is the commute to the city’s business districts: Zekeriyaköy is car-dependent, and journeys to Levent or Maslak typically run 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic, with the Hacıosman metro terminus the nearest rail link a short drive away.
Most families drive or use school buses, which the international schools operate widely given the suburban layout. Plan around Istanbul’s heavy peaks on the O-2 motorway and the roads down into the city, which can lengthen journeys considerably in rush hour.
Housing and cost of living
Housing in Zekeriyaköy is dominated by detached villas in gated communities, many with gardens, pools and forest views, alongside some larger low-rise apartments. This is one of the more expensive residential areas on the European side, and rents sit at the upper end of the Istanbul market, reflecting the space, security and school access. When you add international school fees and a car to villa rent, the area is a premium choice.
Before committing, model the full picture of rent, schooling and transport with our relocation cost calculator, and read the wider relocation guide for visas, healthcare and logistics. Treat any specific rent figure as indicative, because the Istanbul market and exchange rate move, so verify current asking rents before you budget.
Family life
Family life in Zekeriyaköy is built around the outdoors and the community feel of the gated developments. The Belgrad Forest on the doorstep offers walking, cycling and weekend picnics, and the area has equestrian and sports clubs, local markets and a scattering of cafes and shops, with larger retail down towards the city. The air is noticeably cleaner and the pace slower than in central Istanbul, which is a big part of the draw for families with young children.
The flip side is that Zekeriyaköy is genuinely suburban: nightlife, cultural venues and the historic city are a drive away, and you trade the buzz of central neighbourhoods for green calm. For families focused on schooling and outdoor weekends, that is usually the point.
Budget your move to Zekeriyaköy
Model villa rent, school fees and transport together before you commit to the area.
Open the relocation cost calculatorLiving in Zekeriyaköy: FAQ
The British International School Istanbul runs its main Zekeriyaköy campus here for preschool to secondary, accredited by COBIS, the Council of International Schools and NEASC. The Istanbul International Community School, an IB World School founded in 1911 for foreign-passport holders, is nearby in Sarıyer. See the Istanbul schools directory for curricula and admissions detail.
Zekeriyaköy is one of Istanbul’s most popular areas for expat and affluent Turkish families. It is valued for gated villa living, green space beside the Belgrad Forest, clean air and direct access to international schools. The trade-off is a suburban setting with a longer commute to the city’s business and cultural districts.
In practice, yes. Zekeriyaköy is a low-density suburb where most families drive or use school buses. The nearest metro terminus at Hacıosman is a short drive away, and journeys to business districts such as Levent and Maslak typically take 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.
Zekeriyaköy sits at the upper end of the Istanbul rental market because of its gated villas, space and school access. Budget for housing, international school fees and transport together, and model the full picture with the relocation cost calculator before you commit.
Family life centres on the outdoors and the gated-community feel, with the Belgrad Forest on the doorstep for walking and cycling, plus equestrian and sports clubs, local markets and cafes. The air is cleaner and the pace slower than central Istanbul, though nightlife and the historic city are a drive away.