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Guide
Essentials
🏙️ City | Be'er Sheva is the largest city in the Negev desert in southern Israel. |
👥 Population | Approximately 210,000. |
💻 Internet Speed | Average speed of 100 Mbps. |
💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 3.40 ILS. |
🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and of good quality. |
🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type H sockets. |
📶 SIM Card | Providers include Cellcom, Partner, and Pelephone with good coverage. |
💳 Banking for Expats | International cards accepted widely, with banks like Bank Hapoalim and Leumi. |
🛌 Accommodation | Hotels, hostels, and numerous apartments available via Airbnb. |
💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless payments are widely accepted. |
🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local agencies provide several options. |
🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Be'er Sheva has budget hostels like Arest Hostel. |
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The Old City area offers historical sites and local culture. |
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | City Center and Negev Mall area provide good access to amenities and coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Hive – a vibrant coworking space ideal for remote workers. |
☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Tichon has a friendly atmosphere and good Wi-Fi. |
💼 Networking Events | Meetups are hosted at The Hive monthly to connect with local professionals. |
🥂 Social Events for Expats | Be'er Sheva Meetup group on Facebook hosts regular gatherings. |
Transportation
🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Gett is the preferred app for taxis in Be'er Sheva. |
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | CityBike offers bike rentals throughout the city. |
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Ashkelon Beach is about a 30-minute drive from Be'er Sheva. |
✈️ Top Regional Airline | Arkia operates regional flights from Be'er Sheva. |
✈️ Top International Airline | El Al and Israir provide international flights from Ben Gurion Airport. |
🛣️ Highway Access | Direct access to Highway 40 and Highway 25 connects to other cities. |
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Be'er Sheva Central Train Station links to major cities in Israel. |
🚍 Public Transport Passes | Rav-Kav cards are available for bus and train services. |
✈️ Regional Travel | Trains connect to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem; bus services operate to various locations. |
Health and Wellness
🏥 Best Hospital | Soroka University Medical Center is the main hospital in the area. |
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga with Hila offers various classes for all levels. |
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness Atid is a popular gym with modern equipment. |
🧺 Laundry Services | Laundry services like Eco Clean are available throughout the city. |
Food and Drink
📱 Best Food Delivery App | Wolt and Ten Bis are popular for food delivery. |
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try Shakshuka, a traditional Middle Eastern dish. |
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Veggie House offers a wide range of vegetarian dishes. |
🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Sweets & Treats offers delicious local pastries. |
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Be'er Sheva Market has fresh produce and local foods. |
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Israel's version of Amazon is called ZAP. |
🛒 Grocery Delivery | Shufersal offers grocery delivery service. |
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Old City has several bars and pubs frequented by locals. |
🍻 Local Brewery | Negev Brewery offers tours and tastings. |
🍷 Wine Bars | Domaine du Castel produces and serves Israeli wines. |
🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks at the market serve local favorites. |
🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Tandoori House offer Indian cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Ancient City of Be'er Sheva includes various archaeological sites. |
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Negev Museum of Art showcases contemporary Israeli art. |
🏰 Historical Sites | The Be'er Sheva Fortress is a significant historical landmark. |
🕍 Religious Sites | The Abraham's Well is a notable religious site in the city. |
🎉 Annual Events | Be'er Sheva hosts a desert festival every April. |
🎨 Cultural Districts | The Old City is rich in culture with various local artisans. |
🎭 Theater Venues | Be'er Sheva Theater offers a variety of performances. |
🛍️ Local Markets | The Be'er Sheva Market is bustling with activity and local goods. |
🎼 Music Scene | Live music can be found in various cafes and bars, especially in the Old City. |
🎨 Street Art | Explore murals in the Old City and surrounding neighborhoods. |
🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Sabra Cooking Classes offers a hands-on experience of local cuisine. |
👩🎨 Art Galleries | The New Gallery hosts local artists’ exhibitions. |
🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Turkish Railway Station is a beautiful historical building. |
🏴 Local Heritage | Be'er Sheva is known for its Bedouin heritage and culture. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Makhtesh Ramon is a stunning natural crater nearby. |
🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Ein Avdat National Park features hiking trails and beautiful landscapes. |
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Be'er Sheva River Trail is a popular route for cyclists and walkers. |
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Visit the observation point at Negev Hi-Tech Park for beautiful views. |
🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Kfar Rabin area is known for various bird species. |
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Wild camping in Makhtesh Ramon allows bonfire activities. |
Other Services and Amenities
📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and local courier services operate in the area. |
🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops like Be'er Sheva Tech provide excellent repair services. |
🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers offer table tennis facilities. |
🧑🏫 Language Classes | Tandem Language School offers Hebrew classes for expats. |
📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Be'er Sheva Public Library provides a quiet study environment. |
🏘️ Community Centers | The Be'er Sheva Community Center hosts various cultural events. |
🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Geeky Town is a popular gaming lounge with various consoles. |
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | No casinos are available in Be'er Sheva; the nearest is in Eilat. |
Business
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₪15,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₪600,000). |
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₪10,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₪400,000). |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₪13,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₪780,000). |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₪9,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₪570,000). |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₪12,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₪960,000). |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₪8,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₪640,000). |
💼 Corporate Tax | 23%. |
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 25%. |
🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 50%. |
🧾 VAT | 17%. |
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Israel has strict CFC rules. |
🏠 Property Tax | Based on the municipal value of the property. |
🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Approx. 6% standard rate. |
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Special agreements may reduce tax liabilities for foreign residents. |