East Jerusalem - Post Report Question and Answers

Housing in East Jerusalem is mostly apartments in villas or small buildings. The apartments are spacious often with high ceilings and balconies or rooftop terraces. It seems most places are unfurnished, but often tenants can reach a deal with the landlord to provide furniture. American-style furniture is available and inexpensive -- just drive down the main Beit Hanina-Shuafat road and you will see a couple places, or there is IKEA in Israel. But the cost of housing itself in East Jerusalem can be high because there is a housing shortage, and many Palestinians with Jerusalem IDs who had been living in the West Bank are trying to move back into the city for fear of losing their residency rights because of the wall. This creates a housing crunch. Many foreigners live in Beit Hanina and Shuafat areas, which are relatively suburban and middle class. Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood downtown is more urban, but also harder hit by the housing shortage, so there are few apartments available there. The commute from East Jerusalem to work is about 20 minutes by car if your office is on the west side, less if you work in the east. - May 2006