Five Most Desirable Cities in Israel

Posted by Sigal Mendelson on June 18, 2009 under Aliyah, Traveling in Israel | Be the First to Comment

If you are planning Aliyah, it might be useful to know some facts about the most desirable towns and cities in Israel.

1. Ramat Gan

Socioeconomic Facts: Ramat Gan is the home for approx. 150,000 residents, 10,000 businesses, 30,000 seniors, 24,000 school students (kindergarten through high-school). About one third don’t make the minimum wages. Only 4$ of the families have four kids of more.

Ramat Gan

Employment: Ramat Gan has the lowest unemployment rate among the big cities – 2.7%. The largest business district in Ramat Gan is the Diamond Stock Exchange area.

Education: Ramat Gan is the only municipal un Israel having full-day schools. The township sponsors additional 60,000 teaching hours to the benefit of the city’s students. Indeed, the rate of dropouts in Ramat Gan is among the lowest in the country, and the rate of those making it to the finals is among the highest.

Culture: Ramat Gan offers hundreds of art and culture programs every month in three theatres, evening courses, workshops and lectures catering to all age groups. There are also seasonal events in the summer and during the holidays and three alternating festivals.

Environment: Quality of living and environmental factors is considered among the highest according to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics.

2. Raanana

Socioeconomic Facts: Population is about 75,000 residents, of which about one third are under 18. One third makes less than the minimum wages and 7% of families have four children of more.

Employment: In recent years Raanana became one of the leading high-tech centers in the country. Large investments in the city’s infrastructure brought in many of the high-tech giants, among which are Hewlett Packard, Nice, Amdox, SAP and Microsoft.

Education: Raanana has approx. 16,000 students attending about 25 schools and over 75 kindergartens. English is being taught from first grade. The township encourages the schools to certify for international standard for quality of management, developing their service orientation. Acceptance to high-schools is no conditioned and there is a zero dropout rate.

Culture: Several community centers operate in Raanana, offering a variety of adult & kids theatre, music, dance, shows and concerts. Raanana’s large amphitheatre accommodates thousands of spectators and became one of the preferred locations for mega events and concerts. The Raanana Symphonic Orchestra is considered among the best in Israel.

Environment: Raanana operates under an environment standard, ensuring the commitment of the municipal to the environment agenda. The city offers close to 100 public parks and playgrounds spreading over thousands of acres. IN the last decade the total “green” areas grew three times fold. A

About 1,00 citizens are civil defense (“Mishmar Ezrachi”) volunteers.

3. Modiin

Socioeconomic Facts: Modiin is the hope for approx. 60,000 people, of which about one quarter is under 18. Only 20% of the city’s population don’t reach minimum wage. 6% of the families have four children or more. 20% of the population migrated from Jerusalem and about 15% from Tel-Aviv.

Modiin Picture courtesy of mcity .

Employment: Common professions are teaching, technology/engineering, medical, computers, economic and senior IDF officers. The central business area will be built soon and is planned to be the new city center. Another business park is now being built on the northern side, close to Ben-Shemen forest. This business park is expected to provide 35,000 jobs.

Education: Over 16,000 students in 126 kindergartens, 17 elementary schools and 7 high-schools. The school system offers a variety of routes already in the early grades, including science & technology, arts and sport.

Transportation: Modiin is on the crossroads leading to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, north and south. Five roads connect Modiin to Israel’s major highways. The train also connects Moddin to Tel-Aviv, Ben-Gurion International Airport and Jerusalem.

Environment: Moddin is a rapidly developing city and services its surrounding area as well. It therefore offers all major healthcare providers and all commercial bank services.

It is also among the few cities building other 4,000 units at one time, with over 2,000 apartments sold each year. This expedited construction implies many thousands of new residents every year.

4. Haifa

Socioeconomic Facts: Haifa’s population exceeds 270,000 people, 20% of which are under 18 and 20% seniors. 40% of Haifa’s population don’t make the minimum wages, and about 5% of families have four children or more.

Haifa

Employment: The northern side of the city is where heavy industry and small workshops are concentrated. The southern entrance to Haifa is the largest science & high-tech part in Israel.

Education: Haifa holds the highest concentration of high education institutions in Israel. Among them are the Technion, Haifa University and the Wizo Haifa Design Academy. Over 40,000 student study in Haifa.

Culture: Haifa is the house of the Haifa Municipal Theatre, the Haifa Orchestra and a considerable number of museums. Haifa is also known as “Festival City” – starting with the International Movie Festival (during Sukkot holiday) and through the Kids Theatre Festival (during Passover).

Environment:

Haifa offers 10 miles long shore, of which approximately 3 miles are beaches, repeatedly commented by Ministry of Health audits for their good state. Unfortunately, Some area in Haifa are most polluted due to the heavy industry in northern part of the city.

5. Hod Hasharon

Socioeconomic Facts: Over 45,000 residents, of which one third is under 18. One third make less than minimum wages and 6% of the families have four children or more.

Hod Hasharon

Employment: With Several new business parks in proximity two train stations, the city was entitled by Forbs Israel among the 10 top locations preferred for business.

Education: Hod Hasharon is the youngest city in the Sharon area, which makes it a preferred city to raise children. Hod Hasharon offers 68 kindergartens, 10 elementary schools and seven high-schools. Over 3,000 students study in the law school Shaarei Mishpat.

Culture: Hod Hasharon offers one annual festival, single municipal theatre and variety of township-driven events.

Environment: Large sections of the city are being developed or re-developed. The city doubled its population during the recent 20 years, and the same is expected in the coming twenty years.

Information provided by Yoav Itiel, Partnet in Barel Earestate Group

E-H Dictionary

English	How pronounced	Hebrew
Cities	Arim	ערים
Education	Khinukh	חינוך
Employment	Ta’asukah	תעסוקה
Quality	Eichut	איכות
Environment Preservation	Eichut Hasviva	איכות הסביבה
Culture	Tarbut	תרבות