Haifa, Israel ๐ฎ๐ฑ
#1037
32.799312, 34.989571
Nomad Score:
63%
Essentials
๐๏ธ City | Haifa is a major city in northern Israel, located on the Mediterranean coast. |
๐ฅ Population | Approximately 280,000. |
๐ป Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 100 Mbps. |
๐ธ Currency & Banking | 1 USD โ 3.70 ILS (Israeli New Shekel); widely accepted credit cards. |
๐ฐ Tap Water | Drinkable, but bottled water is recommended due to taste preferences. |
๐ Power | 230V, 50Hz, ๐ Type H sockets. |
๐ถ SIM Card | Providers include Cellcom, Partner, and Hot Mobile. |
๐ณ Banking for Expats | Commonly accepted payment types include Visa, Mastercard, American Express. |
๐ Accommodation | Popular options include Airbnb, but also various hostels and hotels depending on preference. |
๐ณ Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely, even for small purchases. |
๐ Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and other local rental sites are widely used. |
๐๏ธ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Haifa offers affordable beds starting around 100 ILS per night. |
Working and Networking
๐ข Best Coworking Space | Haifa University Shared Space offers a great environment for remote work. |
โ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe Louisa is popular among locals and has free Wi-Fi. |
๐ผ Networking Events | Startup and Tech meetups are held regularly at Haifa's Innovation Center. |
๐ฅ Social Events for Expats | The Haifa Expats Facebook group organizes regular gatherings. |
Transportation
๐ Best Taxi/Ride App | Gett and Uber operate in Haifa. |
๐ฒ Bike/Scooter Rental | Tel-o-Fun offers bike rentals across the city. |
๐๏ธ Best Beach Nearby | Bat Galim Beach is a popular choice, easily accessible. |
โ๏ธ Top Regional Airline | Arkia is the main local airline in the region. |
โ๏ธ Top International Airline | El Al operates many international flights from Ben Gurion Airport. |
๐ฃ๏ธ Highway Access | Accessible via Highway 2 connecting to Tel Aviv and further north. |
๐ Main Train/Transit Hub | Haifa Hof HaCarmel is the main train station. |
๐ Public Transport Passes | Monthly Rav-Kav passes for buses and trains can be purchased. |
โ๏ธ Regional Travel | Frequent trains to Tel Aviv and other cities. |
Health and Wellness
๐ฅ Best Hospital | Haifa's Rambam Health Care Campus is the leading facility in the area. |
๐ง Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga in the Park offers outdoor classes. |
๐๏ธ Gyms & Fitness Centers | David Lloyd Club provides extensive workout facilities. |
๐งบ Laundry Services | Laundry King offers self-service laundromat options. |
Food and Drink
๐ฑ Best Food Delivery App | Wolt and TenBis are popular for food delivery. |
๐ฝ๏ธ Best Local Dish to Try | Sabich, a traditional Israeli sandwich with fried eggplant. |
๐ฑ Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Mifgash HaSaba offers great vegetarian options. |
๐ซ Best Dessert Spots | The Ice Cream Factory is famous for unique flavors. |
๐ Affordable Shopping Spots | Carmel Market offers fresh produce and local snacks. |
๐ E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon and local e-commerce platforms are available. |
๐ Grocery Delivery | Shufersal provides online grocery shopping with home delivery. |
๐ธ Bar/Nightlife Area | The Downtown Haifa area has vibrant nightlife options. |
๐ป Local Brewery | Haifa's Beer Bazaar offers local craft beers. |
๐ท Wine Bars | Carmel Wine Cellars has a good selection of local wines. |
๐ฒ Street Food Stalls | Stalls at the Carmel Market offer a variety of street food. |
๐ Popular International Cuisine | Pasta Basta offers fantastic Italian cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
๐๏ธ Must-See Landmarks | The Bahรก'รญ Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage site. |
๐๏ธ Museums & Art Venues | The Haifa Museum of Art showcases contemporary exhibitions. |
๐ฐ Historical Sites | Stella Maris Monastery is rich in history. |
๐ Religious Sites | The Bahรก'รญ Shrine is a key pilgrimage site. |
๐ Annual Events | Haifa International Film Festival is held every October. |
๐จ Cultural Districts | The German Colony has coffee shops and boutique shops. |
๐ญ Theater Venues | Haifa Theater hosts various performances and concerts. |
๐๏ธ Local Markets | Carmel Market offers a blend of fresh produce and local goods. |
๐ผ Music Scene | The Haifa Symphony Orchestra performs regularly. |
๐จ Street Art | The Wadi Nisnas neighborhood is known for its vibrant street art. |
๐งโ๐ณ Cooking Classes | Israeli Cooking School offers classes in local cuisine. |
๐ฉโ๐จ Art Galleries | Haifa's Artists' House features local artists. |
๐ฐ๏ธ Historic Buildings | The historic train station is a notable architectural site. |
๐ด Local Heritage | The city's history reflects a blend of cultures and traditions. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
๐ Nearby Nature Escapes | Mount Carmel National Park is nearby with hiking trails. |
๐๏ธ National Parks Nearby | Carmel National Park offers stunning views and hiking routes. |
๐ฒ Cycling/Walking Paths | The promenade along the beach provides scenic views. |
๐ Scenic Viewpoints | The Louis Promenade offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. |
๐ฆ Birdwatching Locations | Hanitah Valley is known for birdwatching opportunities. |
๐ฅ Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Bonfire spots are available in Carmel National Park. |
Other Services and Amenities
๐ฆ Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and UPS provide reliable delivery options. |
๐ ๏ธ Tech Repair Services | iFix offers repairs for various electronic devices. |
๐ Table Tennis Spots | Community centers organize table tennis events. |
๐งโ๐ซ Language Classes | CIVICS offers Hebrew language courses for newcomers. |
๐ Libraries & Study Spots | The Haifa Public Library is a conducive study environment. |
๐๏ธ Community Centers | The Beit Hagefen Community Center promotes cross-cultural activities. |
๐น๏ธ Gaming Lounges | Players Lounge offers gaming opportunities and tournaments. |
๐ฐ Casino & Gaming Halls | There are no casinos in Haifa; the nearest is in Tel Aviv. |
Business
๐ข Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. โช20,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 40 mยฒ = โช800,000). |
๐ข Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. โช15,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 40 mยฒ = โช600,000). |
๐ 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. โช18,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 60 mยฒ = โช1,080,000). |
๐ 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. โช13,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 60 mยฒ = โช780,000). |
๐ก 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. โช17,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 80 mยฒ = โช1,360,000). |
๐ก 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. โช12,000 per mยฒ (e.g., 80 mยฒ = โช960,000). |
๐ผ Corporate Tax | 23%. |
๐ต Dividend Withholding Tax | 25%. |
๐ฆ Tax System | Individual tax based on income brackets. |
๐ Highest Income Tax Bracket | 50% for high earners. |
๐งพ VAT | 17%. |
๐ Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict regulations apply. |
๐ Property Tax | Annual property tax is based on the property's value. |
๐ Property Transaction Tax | 5% standard rate for property purchases. |