Jerusalem
Why Jerusalem Real Estate?
©iStockphoto.com/Alex Slobodkin
HISTORY & COMMUNITY
Jerusalem, the city of the three faiths and the center of the Holy Land, is a mixture of cultures and nationalities, of peoples and neighborhoods, of old and new. It is a union of contrasts with a unique character full of historial sights, which makes the capital of Israel a very special place to live in. The city has been a magnet for waves of new immigrants, mostly from the United States, the UK, France and the former Soviet Union. Modern Jerusalem has expanded much beyond the Old City walls surrounded by a number of new residential neighborhoods each with its own character. From Old Katamon, build at the time of the British Mandate and known as the “Flower Garden of Jerusalem”, Baka which comprises many traditional Arab-style houses, the wealthy Talbiye neighborhood, the religious neighborhood of Shaare Hesed, which adjoins to the neighborhood of Rechavia characterized by a large European population, to the historical German Colony located in southern Jerusalem and featuring numerous restaurants and cafes.
Jerusalem is the seat of the President of Israel, the Knesset (Israel’s parliament), the Supreme Court, government ministries and the Chief Rabbinate. Culturally the city has a very rich repertoire from theatre to music hosting local and international artists. Jerusalem is also home to the Israel Museum, the National Library, and Yad Vashem – the country’s memorial to the martyrs of the Holocaust.
EMPLOYMENT
Since the establishment of the State of Israel, the national government has remained a major player in Jerusalem’s economy. The government, centered in Jerusalem, generates a large number of jobs, and offers subsidies and incentives for new business initiatives and start-ups.
Although Tel Aviv remains Israel’s financial center, a growing number of high tech companies are moving to Jerusalem, providing thousands of jobs. Northern Jerusalem’s Har Hotzvim industrial park is home to some of Israel’s major corporations, among them Intel, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ophir Optronics and ECI Telecom.
TRANSPORTATION
Jerusalem has an extensive bus system originating from the central bus station at the entrance of the city to all parts of the city and all areas across the country running on a regular basis. A bus ride from Jerusalem central bus station to central Tel Aviv takes a convenient 50 minutes.
Israel Railways runs direct routes between Tel Aviv central stations to the Jerusalem Malcha Mall via Beit Shemesh taking about 1.5 hours. There are plans to introduce a light rail system for the city that will make transportation far more pleasant. It will not be operating before 2011. Furthermore plans for a new high-speed rail line from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, are in progress, expected to completed in 2011.
LINKS
Municipality website: http://www.jerusalem.muni.il
Tourism website: http://www.jerusalem.com
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