Other places to check: Üskudar, Kadiköy, Maltepe, and Kartal...pretty much anywhere along Bağdat street will still have a lively atmosphere, good access to transportation, and lower rents. The Asian side is actually growing faster than the European side, so while Beyoğlu is still the focus of social life in Istanbul, Bağdat Cadessi is pretty active. Also, Sabiha Gökçen Airport (on the Asian side) has a growing number of very cheap connections to destinations in the area.