Where should I live in Israel?
There is no universally “best” city. The right shortlist is the one that works for your budget, work, family, transport, healthcare and preferred community life.
Individuals and families comparing locations in Israel
Written for people moving from the UK to Israel.
Free to read and use.
Independent and free, supported by IsraelProperty.com.
The UK-to-Israel lens
Choose around ordinary life
Compare school, synagogue, work, health, transport, shops, climate and support—not only property prices.
Visit at the times your family will actually travel and ask residents about daily trade-offs.
Keep a flexible first housing decision when possible so experience can change the plan.
Where Brits actually settle
Popular Anglo neighbourhoods
These are honest, general impressions gathered from UK olim, not recommendations. Rents and demand move quickly — treat the notes as a starting point and check current listings before falling in love with anywhere.
Ra'anana
The classic Anglo choice
Deep UK and American community, superb schools, parks and café life. A famously soft landing — and famously priced like one. Rents sit at the top of the national range.
Good for: Families who want an established network from day one.
Modi'in
Built for young families
A planned city halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Modern housing, respected schools and a steadily growing Anglo presence. Rents are high but gentler than the centre.
Good for: Commuters to either city who want new builds and space.
Netanya
Beach city, deep Anglo roots
A large veteran olim community spanning every age group, from young families to long-settled retirees. Wide spread of housing prices depending how close to the sea you need to be.
Good for: People who want sea air and a range of budgets.
Jerusalem
Anglo life in the capital
Neighbourhoods like Beit Hekerem and Old Katamon hold strong English-speaking communities across the religious spectrum. Older flats full of character; demand stays high.
Good for: Those drawn to religious diversity, study and history.
Ramat Bet Shemesh
Fast-growing Anglo hub
One of the fastest-growing Anglo communities in the country, spanning a broad religious range. More house for your money than the coastal centre, with new neighbourhoods opening regularly.
Good for: Families wanting space, community and religious options.
Gush Etzion
Community-first living
Efrat, Alon Shvut and neighbours offer an unusually strong communal fabric, English-speaking schools and a Jerusalem commute. Life is semi-rural and neighbours become family.
Good for: People prioritising community over city convenience.
Up and coming
Less established Anglo scenes, more house for your money, and the kind of change you can see from one year to the next.
Lod
The regeneration story
Fifteen minutes from Ben Gurion airport, Lod is in the middle of a serious regeneration push: renewed streets, new schools, new investment and rents far below the Tel Aviv ring. It is rougher around the edges today — which is exactly why early movers are watching it.
Good for: Value hunters and early movers close to the airport and centre.
Ashdod
Beachfront value
A proper port city with a real beachfront promenade, a wave of new building and a growing young Anglo presence. You get significantly more space per shekel than in Netanya or the centre.
Good for: Families who want the coast without the coastal premium.
Rehovot
The quiet science city
Home of the Weizmann Institute with a train straight to Tel Aviv, established schools and a more understated Anglo scene. Often overlooked, often better value than its neighbours.
Good for: Academics, researchers and centre commuters.
The short version
Three things to keep in view
Start with non-negotiable daily journeys and services.
Visit neighbourhoods at ordinary times, not only during a viewing trip.
Choose the community and housing together—the cheapest home can create expensive travel.
Build your decision criteria
- Monthly housing budget including Arnona (municipal tax), utilities and Va’ad Bayit building charges.
- Employment location, remote-work pattern and realistic commute.
- School, childcare, university or additional-needs provision.
- Health services, pharmacies and specialist access.
- English-speaking support balanced with opportunities to build Hebrew and local relationships.
- Religious, secular, LGBTQ+, cultural and community fit.
City, suburb or smaller community
Compare housing type, transport dependence, services, pace, climate and access to family. A location that looks convenient on a map may work differently at rush hour or without a car.
Research a neighbourhood
- Walk the school, station, shops and clinic routes in heat, darkness and ordinary traffic.
- Ask residents about noise, parking, construction, services and building management.
- Check planned development through reliable municipal or professional sources.
- Compare rental supply before assuming you can move within the same area easily.
- Test mobile coverage and home-working needs.
Community and absorption
Ask the municipality, local absorption team, synagogues, community centres, youth groups and relevant support organisations what actually operates now. An online group can be useful, but it may not represent the whole place.
Create a shortlist scorecard
- Housing and total monthly cost.
- Work and transport.
- Education and healthcare.
- Community and personal safety needs.
- Hebrew and integration opportunities.
- Family support and airport or UK access.
Sources checked for this guide
Open the official page and re-check it before a high-stakes decision. Linked services can change after our review date.
Important information: Neighbourhood conditions and services change. Verify current local information and inspect independently. Read the full disclaimer.
Keep planning
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