Tel Aviv, Israel Report of what it's like to live there - 07/25/16
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?
First with the US Embassy!
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?
D.C. is about 12 hours
3. How long have you lived here?
A little over a year.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
US Embassy.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Almost everyone that I know is either in Herzliya (suburbs) or in Tel Aviv near the beach. However, we ended up more in the center of the city and couldn't have been happier. The apartments in Tel Aviv all vary by size and the view one gets. Some are on high up and have the ocean in front of them some are low and can see another building in front of them.
In Tel Aviv one can walk everywhere as it is quite small and easy to get around, if you end up living on the beach your commute to work will be 5 minutes.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Produce is very fresh here, the best I have seen anywhere in the world and cheap. But everything is seasonal so at times hard to make dinner plans until you make it to the market or know what is available. Other than that meat and cheeses are expensive here. We order household supplies from Amazon.
3. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
The food is GOOD here, nothing has blown us away but nothing has been bad either. All kinds of cuisines are available here, but again nothing more then GOOD. You will see falafel stands on almost all streets some are okay and some are good.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO and pouch.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Pretty expensive, not sure of the exact rate but some people have them and some don't!
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Gyms are available all over the city, there in one right next door to the embassy for about U.S. $25 a month, but I think this is a special for the first year they have opened. But if you are an active person and looking for options you will find them here.
4. 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 accepted everywhere and safe to use we have never had issues here. Also ATMs are common and again no issues and both seem very safe to use.
5. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
NONE!! Everyone speaks English and are very nice about it. But reading Hebrew is helpful, but you will be fine if you don't
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Taxis are safe! if you use Uber or their local app Gett taxi, those are great options too, but they are not cheap.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes and it works! Embassy has it ready the first day we stepped into our place.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
There are options here and I went with a local provider, Golan. About U.S. $7.00 (no not a typo) a month, they have a plan for U.S. $25 which gives you a U.S. number and can use it in the other countries.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Israel is a very animal friendly country, we adopted our cat here and get vets are available. Not sure of the process to bring a pet in or take a pet out (at least not yet). Pet stores are available on almost every street too.
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?
Some partners work in the Embassy, but the EFM jobs are not all that great here. Some do telework.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
TONS!! If you want to volunteer here, you will find something to do!
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Typical dress code is shorts, a tee shirt and flip flops.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Just like being in any place important to be aware of your surroundings, but we feel totally safe walking at night and haven't had any issues, we have heard of some home robbing in the suburbs.
2. 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?
Air quality is great here but every now and then in the summer expect a sand storm which may make it hard to go out for some people.
3. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Weather is great here. March to June is just awesome, July gets hot and August gets HOTTER, then September to February is may rain a little and get a little cool/cold
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Expat Life:
1. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Clubs, bars, restaurants, beaches, and may activities are available. You will be fine if you are an active person.
2. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Seems like everyone is fine here!
3. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Tel Aviv is a GREAT city for LGBT! Everyone is very open minded and accepting here.
4. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Ummm... yes.
5. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Travel is very easy from Tel Aviv! Only problem can be Friday nights.
6. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Safe city and fun! Whatever activity you are looking for there is a good chance you will find it here. I have heard people going from the opera to cross fit to art class!
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:
Winter clothes and jackets.
3. But don't forget your:
Flip flops.
