Tel Aviv, Israel Report of what it's like to live there - 03/23/16
Personal Experiences from Tel Aviv, Israel
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
It was the first time I lived in another country.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Nowadays, my home base is in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. I visit Israel regularly, as I have family and many friends there. Takes about 4.5 hours by plane.
3. How long have you lived here?
Lived here for 2 years, between 1999 and 2001.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
I came to Israel in 1991 (aged 12), with my family, in the big immigration wave from the Soviet Union, and lived there until 2003.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Depends on what one includes as Tel Aviv. The city itself is small and housing is also small; the outer rings of the metropolitan area contain many typical sleepy neighbourhoods with more spacious accommodation, but the commute time is also longer.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Everything is available but prices are ridiculously high.
3. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
The American fast-food chains are present but who needs them when local fast food is abundant? Tel Aviv has a lively dining scene. Every Israeli has a favourite falafel place, but the best one is of course Dr. Saadya on 45 King George street.
4. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Cockroaches. Big, flying ones.
Daily Life:
1. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Everything is available, from free public gym facilities at the beach to private teachers of every sport you can think of.
2. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Credit cards are widely accepted.
3. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Most of the local people know sufficient English to get by without knowing any Hebrew. Many signs are Hebrew-only, so learning the Hebrew alphabet is useful.
4. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Challenging. Sidewalks are crowded with parked bicycles and motorcycles, public buildings are not necessarily fitted with ramps.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Reasonably affordable and safe. The national railways do have issues with the unions, so sudden strikes can be a plague.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
I'd suggest bringing a tank, but the fuel prices would kill you.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Without a job permit chances are probably low.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Numerous. Not sure how diverse the options are without knowledge of Hebrew or Arabic.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
It depends where you work, but usually "casual-plus."
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Uhm... Yes. It's Israel. BUT the crime rates are quite low compared to other Western countries, and besides nowadays the chances of becoming a victim of a terrorist attack are higher in Paris, London or Brussels. The Israeli traffic is the most dangerous part, and even that is not as dangerous as it used to be.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Israel has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, so healthcare must be good.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Good, most of the time the breeze from the sea clears the pollution. When the wind is from the East, can get very bad, but it's only a few days in a year.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
July-August are hot and sticky humid. December to March is the rainy season, but it almost never rains more than 2-3 days in a row.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
That's a difficult question, as it depends much on what is included in the expat community. There are millions of foreign-born Israelis, hundreds of thousands of (mostly Asian) foreign workers employed in construction, agriculture and nursing, tens of thousands of African infiltrators/refugees (depends on who you ask), a constant influx of volunteers working in the Kibbutzs and so on.
If expats include only Western diplomats and such, then it's probably small, I can't say much about the morale among them.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
The beach. Huge clubbing scene. Mountain biking is growing in popularity. Barbecuing.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
For singles the city centre is the place to be. If you can find a good house in the city and your family can handle the city life, go for it. But housing prices are high.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
One of the best, I hear.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Yes. But that's the simple answer. Compared to the severity of these issues in the neighbouring countries, like Syria, they are not worth mentioning.
6. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
The whole country is one big live museum of nature, culture and history. For Tel Aviv itself I'd suggest checking out http://www.spottedbylocals.com/telaviv/. As a former resident who has done his best to explore the city, I can certify that the locals are doing a very good job unveiling spots that are usually under the radar.
7. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
The weather is great for at least 10 months. It's a unique opportunity to experience the place that gets so much attention, and see for yourself what the fuss is all about.
8. Can you save money?
No.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Anything you thought you knew about the place and anything anyone has ever told you about it. It's nothing like you thought it is, no matter what you thought. And don't bring your politeness either, it will go unnoticed at best.
3. But don't forget your:
Balls of steel, elephant skin, all the sarcasm and cynicism you can find. A huge supply of sense of humour. And, of course, your hiking boots. Israel is best explored by foot.
4. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
"Lebanon" - OK, it takes place in Lebanon, but it's set exclusively inside an Israeli tank in Lebanon.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
"The lover" by A. B. Yehoshua.
Works of Bernard Lewis, such as "The Middle East: A Brief History of the Last 2,000 Years."
and "1948: A History of the First Arab Israeli War" by Benny Morris.
Take them all with a huge pinch (better yet, a bag) of salt; everyone's view is politically coloured.
6. Do you have any other comments?
Don't be like the American presidents and Secretaries of State who think that all it takes is for people to shake hands and stop being so childish. It's not up to you to bring peace, nor is it up to you to lecture the locals how they should behave and think. Just try to enjoy the good parts, and ignore the bad ones; that's what everyone else is doing.
