13 Best Places To Live In Israel

Israel is known for its excellent quality of life, superb healthcare and religious history. Those wanting to take advantage of the benefits of living in Israel should make sure to educate themselves on the political, religious and cultural context of the country.

We’ll take a look at the best places to live in Israel for immigrants, families, single people and more.

Let’s take a look at the best places to live in Israel.

Sections

Best Places To Live In Israel

City	Reason
Tel Aviv	Best for work
Modi’in	Best for affordability
Savyon	Best for families
Tel Aviv	Best for immigrants
Ra’anana	Best for retirement
Tel Aviv	Best for young adults
Beersheba	Best for students
Tel Aviv	Best for food and nightlife
Jerusalem	Best for singles
Tel Aviv	Best for the LGBT+ community
Jerusalem	Best for weather
Herzliya	Best for beaches
Haifa	Best for mountains

Best Places To Live In Israel for Work

Tel Aviv is the best city in Israel for finding work opportunities. The city is located on Israel’s Mediterranean coast and is one of the largest cities in Israel.

Tel Aviv is considered the economic hub of the country and there are job opportunities for both skilled and unskilled workers. Banking, finance and insurance and real estate are some of the top industries in Tel Aviv but there is also a large sector for technology – there are many Israeli and international start-ups located in Tel Aviv.

Skilled positions are more common for expats, meaning there can be some high competition for jobs. Teaching English is another common job taken by expats.

Herzliya is another city that is good for finding work opportunities. It’s also known for being a technology hub in Israel, so there is potential for expats with a background in this sector to find fulfilling employment.

Cheapest Places To Live In Israel

The cost of living in Israel is high. Though the quality of life in the country is of a very high standard, it does come with a price tag. Those who are working with smaller budgets may want to do some research into whether Israel is the best option for their relocation.

One city to consider for those working to a budget is Modi’in. The city is located in central Israel and is very close to both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem – the two are connected by a highway.

The city has an existing English-speaking expat community and there are plenty of amenities such as shopping malls, restaurants and theatres to enjoy. It’s not as expensive as Tel Aviv or Jerusalem but its proximity to both is great for those who may want to commute in.

Haifa is another good city to consider for those who want to keep costs low. Bear in mind that average costs in Israel are quite high, but Haifa tends to be less expensive than the two largest cities.

Best Places To Live In Israel for Families

Savyon is one of the best districts in Israel for families; while it is a very quiet and safe neighbourhood, do keep in mind that it is also a very wealthy area and that you will need a sturdy income to supplement living costs.

It borders the cities of Kiryat Ono and Yehud and is home to some of the wealthiest people in Israel. Savyon is ideal for families; it has some of the best elementary schools in Israel and it’s easy to access both Tel Aviv and Ben Gundion Airport from Savyon.

One of the best ways to enjoy life in Savyon is by attending local community events which are held regularly and a great way for families to meet new connections and friends.

Tel Aviv is another great option for families who might want to be a bit closer to the action of a busy city. The residential area of Ramat Aviv tends to be a popular location for many expat families in Tel Aviv – it has great access to the city centre and an existing expat community.

Best Places To Live In Israel for Immigrants

Tel Aviv is one of the best cities in Israel for immigrants. There is a high standard of living in the city and many immigrants find good work opportunities there, particularly for skilled workers in finance or technology.

Tel Aviv has good weather and plenty of amenities that you would expect in any modern city. There are lots of neighbourhoods that are popular with expats for different reasons: Lev Ha’ir is central in the city and its popular with couples in particular.

For those who want a more hipster lifestyle, the district of Neve Tzedek is perfect. It’s considered a trendy and arty neighbourhood with lots of culture and jazz bars.

Haifa is another good choice for immigrants, particularly those who may be relocating with a family. Haifa is a laid-back city with stunning lush greenery and access to the beach – there may be less working opportunities in Haifa than Tel Aviv, so make sure to have secured work before considering the move.

Best Places To Live In Israel for Retirement

Ra’anana is located in the southern Sharon Plain of the Central District of Israel and is ideal for English speakers. The city is very close to Tel Aviv and there is an existing community of immigrants for those hoping to find a new community and make connections.

It’s also a great city for those hoping to retire, particularly for those who are hoping to maybe take on some light work in retirement. There are several start-ups run by retirees in Ra’anana.

There is a large English and Spanish-speaking community based in Ra’anana making up a vibrant retirement population. Good weather, plenty of restaurants and the elaborate Renanim shopping mall all make Ra’anana a fantastic choice for retirees.

Jerusalem is another popular choice due to the astounding historical heritage of the city. Jewish, Armenian, Christian, and Muslim sections make up its ancient Old City, encouraging immigrants to settle in the relevant sections.

Best Places To Live In Israel for Young Adults

Tel Aviv is one of the best cities in Israel for young adults – many people consider Tel Aviv to be ‘the city that never sleeps’. There’s a wealth of opportunities in Israel for work, making friends and new connections, as well as plenty of attractions to visit and explore.

Do keep in mind that Tel Aviv is one of the more expensive cities in Israel so if you’re keeping to a lower budget, there may be more suitable cities with more affordable rent and cost of living prices.

Tel Aviv is considered the most modern and well-developed city in Israel, with good public transportation (buses mainly, though the city also has good roads for cyclists) and good healthcare (the healthcare in Israel is known to be some of the best in the world due to the advanced technology).

Beersheba is another potentially good choice for young adults in Israel. The city is the largest in the Negev desert of southern Israel and is known as the technological hub of Israel; it’s a very popular choice for young expats due to its thriving student lifestyle and it’s a more affordable option than Tel Aviv.

Best Places To Live In Israel for Students

Commonly referred to as ‘The capital of Negev,’ Beersheba is the best city in Israel for students. Located in the Negev desert of southern Israel, the city has recently established itself as the technological hub of the country.

The city is home to the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev which is a public research university which is hugely popular with international students. Beersheba’s city life is perfect for students, as plenty of international and national students live in the city, and there are community activities which encourage meeting new people and forming new connections.

The great thing about Beersheba is that everything a student could need is within walking distance; apartments, bars, restaurants, pools. It is also very affordable compared to other cities in the country which is perfect for students who may be living on a lower budget.

Best Places To Live In Israel for Food and Nightlife

Tel Aviv is known to be the food capital of Israel – there are 4,000 eateries as well as street markets and street food. Israel’s cuisine is an incorporation of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine with the influence of ‘grandmother’ cuisine (recipes that have been passed down through families from their grandmothers).

Some of the most famous dishes you can expect to find in Israel are hummus, msabbha, and falafel. In particular, hummus and falafel are considered to be Israel’s national dishes.

Tel Aviv is also the best city in Israel for nightlife. There are plenty of bars and clubs in the city – there is a whole range of venues for every type of nightlife enjoyer – which open from early evening to early morning.

Another city to consider for nightlife enjoyers is Beersheba. With its large student population, the city of Beersheba is perfect for those who want to dance or drink the night away.

Best Places To Live In Israel for Singles

One of the best cities in Israel for single people is Jerusalem. Jerusalem’s atmosphere is different to Tel Aviv – the city has a very spiritual vibe and it is an important religious site for many religions.

Jerusalem does have quite a large single population and there are events held in the city for singles to meet new people, whether it be for romantic connections, or simply to find and form a new community.

There are so many different attractions in the city to explore as well, meaning that you won’t ever feel at a loss for things to do or see. Jerusalem isn’t the cheapest city in the country, so do make sure that you can afford the rent and cost of living before deciding to move.

Tel Aviv is another great city for singles; the city is so large that there are plenty of new people to meet and wonderful venues for music or theatre events.

Best Places To Live In Israel for the LGBT+ Community

Again, Tel Aviv is the best city in Israel for members of the LGBT+ community, and is considered one of the most popular travel destinations for the LGBT+ community in the Middle East.

Tel Aviv hosts Israel’s national Pride parade and also has a range of parties throughout Pride week which attracts hundreds of people, both part of the community and allies.

You won’t find a ‘gay village’ as such in Tel Aviv, but there are hotels and bars scattered throughout the city which are known to be popular destinations for LGBT+ members.

Jerusalem is another city which hosts an annual Pride event and is in support of the LGBT+ community, as well as being a Holy city. In particular, there are spots at the heart of the German colony for drag show performances and gay bars.

Best Places To Live In Israel for the Weather

The northern part of Israel has a Mediterranean climate (distinguished by warm, wet winters and dry, hot summers) while the southern part is arid (meaning barren, with dry heat that supports little vegetation) with a narrow, semi-arid strip in between.

Jerusalem is one of the best cities in Israel for those who want to enjoy the heat but may not fare way in the sometimes overwhelming temperatures of Tel Aviv. Jerusalem is generally cooler and less humid than Tel Aviv, while still offering up beautiful blue skies and sunshine during the warmer months.

Akko is another good city for those who want to experience the heat of northern Israel. Akko is located in the northwest along the Mediterranean coast and its Old City is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Best Places To Live In Israel Near Beaches

Herzliya is located along Israel’s central coast and is one of the best cities in Israel for beach lovers. The western beachfront district of Herzliya Pituah is one of the most affluent neighbourhood districts in Israel and is perfect for those looking for a gentle stroll along the beach or a drink in the marina.

There are plenty of beach bars and restaurants that line Herzliya’s beach and it is a popular location with tourists hoping to enjoy the Mediterranean sun and sandy beachfronts.

There is also a large business community in Herzliya focused mainly on technology as well as being the key location for a lot of business start-ups.

Tel Aviv is another good city of choice for those who are hoping to relocate close to the water. Several beaches in Tel Aviv are well-maintained and are popular with those who love water sports.

Best Places To Live In Israel Near Mountains

Haifa is the third-largest city in Israel and is perfect for any expat who is hoping to move somewhere with good access to mountains and mountain views. The city is very laid-back and has attractive scenic views.

Haifa is very close to the mountain range Mount Carmel which is a UNESCO biosphere reserve that has a lot of religious and spiritual significance for many cultures and religions.

There are hiking and climbing opportunities in Mount Carmel National Park, with plenty of different routes for sportspeople of all abilities. As well as Mount Carmel, there are hiking opportunities around the coastal range too.