When moving to a different country, there are a lot of things that you need to prepare for and take into account. Finding a new place to live is pretty high up that list and is also one of the most challenging parts of organizing your move. We’ve made a checklist for the new expat trying to find their home away from home in Israel.

Where Should You Be Looking?

The first thing you need to do is narrow your search down to a specific location. In order to do that, take into consideration the following factors:

Where do you work?

Ideally, you want to find an apartment or house that is reasonably close to where you will be working in order to reduce commute time.

• Schools
  If you have kids, think about what schools they will be going to. If you want them to go to a specific private school, you should consider living nearby so that they won’t have to take the bus often. If you aren’t sure about the school, do a little research to see what private and public schools are recommended and find out what neighborhoods they are in.
• Public transportation
  Public transportation is used very often in Israel, especially in the center. It is important to take this into account when looking for an apartment or house. Bus stations are spread out across the country and the train can get you pretty much anywhere, but the time of commute and the number of different busses you will have to take depends on the location you choose. If you don’t intend on getting a car, make sure you find a place near a station that can take you directly to your work.
• Traffic
  Owning a car can make things easier, but that means taking into account traffic. Make sure to find out how long it will take you to get to and from work during rush hours and try to find a place that is close enough to make your commute time reasonable.
• What’s nearby?
  Consider what is important for you to have near your home, be it a bakery for fresh bread every morning, coffee shops, a vet for your pet, or a playground for your kids. If you find an apartment you are interested in, take a look at the neighborhood to see if it is close to all of the things that you need.

How Big Should It Be?

The size of the apartment depends on your budget, your own personal preferences, and if you are alone or with a family. Think of how many rooms you need before your search.

What Must You Have

Are there important things that your apartment must have? For example, parking is not available everywhere and if you have a car you may need an apartment that comes with a parking space. Is an elevator important to you or are you ok with going up the stairs? You will also want one with air conditioning because the summers get very hot in Israel.

Landlord Restrictions

Landlords may have restrictions that you haven’t thought of and it is important to ask when inquiring about an apartment. For example, some may not allow pets, while others require that the tenants be religious because of the neighborhood the building is in. Always make sure to ask!

Read more about : Getting work permits and visas