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One of the constants in my line of work as a real estate broker has been working with clients who are planning to make aliyah and are interested in buying a home there while selling their present home in the U.S.

I find it fascinating that in the excitement of planning their move to Israel with all the myriad aspects of making such a huge life change, such as new job, new schools, new shul, new appliances, new furniture, what to bring versus what to buy there, that most of them are not even sure where they wish to live in Israel. In fact, most of the new olim say, “We’re not sure where we want to live, whether in Jerusalem or Beit Shemesh or Modiin or maybe somewhere up north.”

As I listen to them, I think to myself, “If you’re not really sure where you want to live and which area will be right for you, how are you looking for employment and what on earth are you going to do with all your stuff you’ve brought, all those ‘must haves’ that people said you needed when you’re not even sure what kind of house or apartment you will ultimately end up in and how much space you’re going to have for all these ‘things.’”

It’s funny that when people from the Five Towns, who have a house near a specific shul or near friends or family or are living close to town or the train station, decide to live in Israel, all of these important details are tossed aside and relegated to “something to be worked out down the road.”

I had a conversation with a client recently who told me that they were planning to move to Jerusalem. Now, Jerusalem is not the small town it was 30 or 40 years ago. It has become a metropolis with dozens of different neighborhoods, all with a different vibe and different needs.

What works for one person in one neighborhood might not work for the next person in that same neighborhood who has different needs that should be taken into consideration when looking for the right fit, just as each person has to find the right shul that works for them.

Before buying, how many people check out the available shopping options in each neighborhood to make sure they work for you? Do the supermarkets in the areas where you are contemplating living carry the types of items you might need for your family on a regular basis? Have you taken the time while you shop for apartments to stop into the local shops and see if they carry the inventory necessary for your particular lifestyle?

In most Israeli neighborhoods, the local supermarkets carry inventories based on the makeup of the local population, and the supermarkets with inventories more attuned to your lifestyle might be found where there are people from a similar culture as you, which would make it more desirable for you in the long run.

What about the available transportation from the areas you are contemplating to the central business district, which would create better access for employment opportunities as well as social services you might need, especially at the start of your new aliyah adventure?

When asked, I have come to suggest for those who are not firm on where they want to live and are floating between different options, that they consider examining a neighborhood in depth to see if it’s the right fit. The safest way to do this is to consider renting a furnished apartment for a few months in different locations while putting your own stuff in storage for the present.

With this plan, you are free to try out different neighborhoods and even different cities for short periods of time so you can get a feel for what might work best for you before you take the plunge of buying your own place.

There are lots of furnished rentals available in Israel today and utilizing this option to try out several different locations gives you the freedom to see which one is the best fit for you and your family so you can buy in a neighborhood that you’re comfortable with based on actual experience. 

Anessa Cohen is a NYS Licensed Real Estate Broker with over 20 years of experience (Anessa V Cohen Realty) providing top quality residential, management & commercial real estate services. She can be reached at 516-569-5007. Readers are encouraged to send any questions by email to anessa@avcrealty.com.

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