There are several things that each newcomer needs to know and accept. You mustn’t ignore them. Accept them.
Lame explanations why to stay away and give up what you want :
1. No car parking. At all. I’m always amused by friends of mine that come to visit me with their cars and are positive that they are gifted by luck on this issue. Well no one is gifted. If you decide that you want to live here buy yourself a parking lot. Or simply get rid of your car and buy yourself bikes. It’s cheaper and much more fun.
2. High rent. I pay 850$ a month with my roommate for 3 rooms in a good location.
3. Noise. Some people can never get used to that.
4. Air pollution. I know that the pollution is high because of the big dust balls that roll over my apartment when I don’t clean it very often. They are bigger here than anywhere else.
5. Humidity at the summer - is awful outside. Intel inside.
I think that’s about it. Please write me if I forgot something and I’ll add it.
Now for the good stuff :
1. Cool people. The spirit of this city are its residents. Each one is special in his own way, no matter how old is he.
2. Nice places to go out too. In a circle of 5 minute walking around my place there are about 10 bars and coffee shops that I can define as “fun to go to”. People actually go out to your living zone.
3. 24/7 - No matter if you’re an early starter or creature of the night, most of the essential things you need to buy are available on a 27/7 basis.
4. Gorgeous women. We can argue about it, of course. But I know I’m right. Women here are much more attractive than in the rest of Israel.
5. Public transportaion. Everything is more accessible when there are high frequency minibuses that work all the time. Even on saturday !
6. Dizengoff Center - a unique mall by design and atmosphere. The difference between the street spirit and the mall spirit is fuzzy there. I didn’t feel it in any other shopping mall I ever visited. The gym there is good too.
7. Hayarkon park - the green lung of Tel Aviv. Good place for running, pedaling and BBQ.
8. Clean streets. In Rishon LeZion, the city I grew up at, you should always watch over your steps: the sidewalk is full of dogs shit. Here the norm is to clean after your dog. I like it.
9. The sea - it’s always 5 minutes from anywhere you are.
10. Coffee shops are always packed - very strange indeed. At 11:00 am as well as at 02:00 am. As if no one sleeps or works here.
11. You’re not the only one that uses his bikes to get where you want. It’s legitimate.
And I can think of thousands more. I think it’s clear now that there are more advantages. So please. Stop providing me the same dull explanations and come and be my neighbour.
