Sunday, August 16, 2009

Housing for the Rich

Photo: Jewish Australia

B"H

I admit that Sderot Rothschild (Rothschild Boulevard) in Tel Aviv is for people with money. The rent is high but what I saw just now let me faint:

For Rent:
A 3 - room - apartment (in Israel we don't go according to the number of bedrooms but according to the number of rooms as a whole) in Sderot Rothschild for 6500 Shekels (approx. 1625 Dollar or approx. 1300 Euro) per month.

The average Israeli in Tel Aviv earns about 5000 - 6000 Shekels. And this is even exaggerated regarding jobs like a security guard, a cleaner, waiter, salesperson, etc.

How is anyone supposed to afford such a rent ?

Of course, this is not a flat for a person earning an average wage and the note on the tree even says that several people renting the place are not welcomed. Meaning, it should be a single person or a family but not students who want to share.

Wherever you look; if in Jerusalem or in Tel Aviv, mostly luxury houses are being built. Even for the haredi population. Probably rich Haredim from the States or England but not for Israelis.

You people from abroad shouldn't only think about yourself but rather get into your mind that you are destroying our real estate prices and the rent. You come to Israel for a brief visit, throw your money almost out of the window, estate agents get excited and the only thing they are looking for is YOU. At least until your purse and bank account are emptied out.

What about us, the Israelis ?

Have you ever thought about that ?

Because of you, young religious as well as secular couples don't find places to live in Jerusalem and have to move to Beitar or Beit Shemesh. Only because you offer the highest rent and estate prices. And the worst is that you foreign investors are hardly ever in Israel.

This is not your country but the country of the people living here. The one's who make this country a country. You just come with your money and think that this is enough and the best you can do.

Be proud of yourself and tell this to all the Israelis who are having trouble finding an affordable apartment.

3 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for pointing this out! I live in Jerusalem and like many who live alone I pay horrendous rent for a single room. No heat, no hot water, cockroaches, noise--and those are the good points. Next to me they made a new building. It sits empty most of the time, just rich american kids coming for vacations. Too bad their parents can't see what is happening. Am I bitter? Yes. These people contribute nothing to our country but poverty for locals.

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  2. B"H

    Israeli inhabitants of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem have been upset about this over the past few years. Especially the French and rich Americans buy any available real estate and only come here once a year on vacation. Hence, not using their new property while Israelis don't have that much money buying such estates and have to move away.

    Very severe is the situation in Old Katamon in Jerusalem. Emek Refa'im Street and surroundings.

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  3. Well, I think that free speech SHOULD be curtailed as a matter of principle. However, it should be curtailed intelligently.Nice article.

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