Where to love living in Israel
Whether you’re looking for a holiday home or making a permanent move, when it comes to choosing where to buy a property in Israel it pays to take time to consider your options.
For many a Brit, Netanya has traditionally been top of the list. With nearly nine miles of beach, most of it unspoilt, the sea is always a short walk, bus or taxi ride away.
The huge square in the centre of town hosts yearround community events, from wine-tastings to concerts to big-screen showings of major sports matches.
As for your potential neighbours, there’s a large contingent of English-speaking immigrants from the UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, alongside those from Russia, Ethiopia and France.
The influence on the local eateries of this diverse population is particularly welcome, with plenty of options for eating out, much of it kosher. Pretty centrally located, most places you would want to visit can be reached in 90 minutes or less.
As a Brit who has lived in Netanya for over 30 years, estate agent Maxine Marks can give you an Anglo perspective on buying a property here.
While Netanya may be the obvious choice, Tel Aviv is also a popular destination for expats. The coastal city has a diverse cultural scene that includes theatre, museums, sports facilities, world class restaurants, and even a UN World Cultural Heritage Site.
In the south west of the city is Neve Tzedek, a 140-year-old neighbourhood that in recent years has become one of the most fashionable and upmarket addresses.
Quiet and charming, Neve Tzedek blends old and new with streets of quaint low-rise buildings housing artist studios, trendy cafes and bars, boutique hotels and shops. The team at Neve Tzedek Real Estate can help you find your ideal home in this neighbourhood.
If you see yourself living among the upper classes, head north east across town to the neighbourhood of Tzahala.
Established in 1951 and named after the IDF, it was opened to house IDF officers and veterans of the 1948 War. Today, Tzahala is run as a co-operative housing society, with residents paying a two-year membership fee to an elected association. Agent Itzik Daller can advise on your options here.
Yet another angle on Tel Aviv can be found at Sarona – Israel’s largest, indoor culinary market that combines a wealth of influences, from local to global, rural to urban, classic to contemporary. Developer Gindi Holdings who constructed the site in the heart of the city made sure to include sought-after living spaces in three luxury, 31-storey towers, offering high quality living and an excellent high-tech spec.
Then, of course, there’s Jerusalem which has plenty of choice when it comes to neighbourhoods, whether you want to live predominantly with Anglos or immerse yourself in authentic Israeli life, be it within a religious community or one that’s more traditional.
As well as the obvious spiritual and holy attractions, Jerusalem is very cosmopolitan, offering excellent shopping, fine dining and a varied cultural program.
Located on the shore of the Kinneret and surrounded by mountains, Tiberias draws visitors from around the country and overseas for its water sports, beaches and holy sites.
The town has around 45,000 residents with a small Anglo community of just 5% so buying here will put you on a fast-track to integrating into Israeli society. In the past 10 years, Tiberias has seen significant growth with a number of new property developments.
One of these, AGAM by Y-Group offers a fairytale lifestyle with a range of apartment sizes, spacious sun terraces and panoramic lake views. Residents have the use of an infinity pool, gym, spa, cafés and restaurants overlooking the breath-taking views of the Kinneret, Mount Hermon and the walls of the iconic old city of Tiberias.
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