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Anyway, my biggest concern is just HOW poor we could end up.... I find both horror stories and happy stories. I can tolerate a lot but I just can't justify if my wife and I have to live in a cheap, dangerous neighborhood in Israel. It would kind of defeat the point. I work in corporate accounting and am trying to get some idea of what my salary and standard of living would look like. I have a few years experience. Right now I make about $60k in New Jersey, and have a 1-bedroom apartment in a good neighborhood. How does that translate to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, or Haifa. Salaries? I can't really get a good idea from the internet. Can we afford an ok 1-bedroom apartment in a blue-collar but safe neighborhood? My wife has a minor disability and can't really work full-time. She also needs good health insurance.
If you're considering Aliyah, I would recommend you consider Nefesh B'Nefesh. They go a long way in making the process as painless as possible. They meet with you before, during and after the plane ride. You would be given a free one-way ticket aboard a charted plane to Israel. This is the agency used by most Americans making Aliyah.
Since you would be a new Israeli citizen, the government would give you some benefits to help you survive the move. Some benefits start right away, while others start after the first year. All have a time limit.
- Sal Klita (Absorption Basket) - Financial assistance provided by Misrad Haklita (Ministry of Immigrant Absorption). You receive an initial cash payment at Ben Gurion Airport, followed by an additional wire transfer after you give Misrad Haklita your bank details. You will receive six monthly installments of Sal Klita, all of which will be transferred directly into your Israeli bank account.
- Rent Subsidy - A single Oleh (2nd to 4th year after Aliyah) receives 400 NIS/month. In the 5th year, the subsidy will be 89 NIS/month. An Oleh family receives 800 NIS/month in the 2nd year, 600 NIS/month in the 3rd year, 400 NIS/month in the 4th year and 99 NIS/month in the 5th year. (starts year 2 after Aliyah)
- Health Coverage - Full coverage in any Kupat Cholim (Health Fund); free coverage for those who are unemployed. For an Oleh who is working, the health insurance payments are deducted directly from the Oleh’s salary (starts immediately and last 12 months)
- Ulpan - Free Hebrew Ulpan course, available in many locations around Israel. The address that appears on an Oleh’s Teudat Zehut dictates the location of that individual’s Ulpan. (must apply within first 18 months)
- Customs Benefits - Olim are allowed to bring appliances and household goods from ANY COUNTRY tax-free.
- Customs Benefits for a Car Purchased or Imported - Olim pay a reduced tax rate on the purchase of a new car in Israel or the import of a car from abroad. The benefit is valid only for a new car or “Passport to Passport” purchase
- Mortgage Discount - Low interest rates, compared to other market rates, for up to about 150,000 NIS. Olim need to obtain a Teudat Zakaut (Certificate of Eligibility), which is issued by the Ministry of Housing through the mortgage banks. (Granted up to 15 years after Aliyah. This benefit is only granted for the purchase of a first home in Israel.
- Free Transportation from Ben Gurion Airport - Olim receive a free taxi to their destination. One time only – for the Aliyah flight
- Israeli Income Tax Break - Discounted income tax payments on income earned in Israel. The income tax reduction works on a point system, where one point is equal to 216 NIS. New Olim receive three points per month (648 NIS) during the first 18 months after Aliyah, two points over the next 12 months, and one point during the last 12 months. Once you begin to work, advise your employer that you are an Oleh, so that you receive this benefit.
- Foreign Income Tax Break - Olim are eligible for tax breaks on passive and active income earned overseas for 10 years after Aliyah. Please check with an accountant to confirm eligibility; there may be some restrictions based on residency for those who have lived in Israel for an extended time period, prior to Aliyah
- Arnona (Reduced Municipal Tax) - All cities and towns in Israel charge Arnona (property tax), whether you are renting or own your own property. Olim are customarily granted a discount of 70 – 90% (for up to 100 sqm.) on Arnona payments.
I assume you are an accountant? In any case most employment opportunities are to be found in the central region of Israel, primarily in Tel Aviv and in the surrounding smaller cities. To a lesser extent, other options exist in the Haifa and Jerusalem areas, and in other parts of the country.
Salaries - low end - 6k NIS (1,500 USD) monthly basically an Intern / high end - 17k+ NIS (4,374 USD) monthly Those numbers are for an accountant
Last edited by GritsCode; 05-22-2016 at 04:35 PM..
if your focus is on material quality of life then don't go.
Americans who have made aliyah will be the first to tell you straight away: your material life will diminish in every aspect: you won't have as much money, your money won't go as far, your home or apartment will have fewer rooms, your income will have fewer 000s, you will live in a smaller place, don't expect a yard, age discrimination is blatant in hiring so you and your spouse as you get older may have a really hard time getting a job unless you bring your job with you, housing is very expensive, if you rent you also are responsible for paying the property taxes, moving there if you are taking furniture with you costs tens of thousands of dollars, if you aren't fluent in Hebrew and will be learning Hebrew once you get there, plan on 2+ years before your Hebrew is good enough to land a job, you won't be taking your car with you so either have funds to buy another car (very expensive) when you get there or live without a car.
if you have boatloads of money or will be selling a $750,000 home and making aliyah, not a problem.
again if money is your concern don't go.
Your post isn't exactly accurate. Quite a lot of Americans who would disagree with you completely.
Money would be determined by what skill you have and if you have any experience.
Houses and apartments aren't any different from the US in terms of rooms. Living in Israel isn't that much different from living in places in Europe
Israel is a small country so of course you wouldn't have a big yard.
Age discrimination? I have yet to see or hear of such a thing since you claimed it was blatant in hiring.
Housing can be expensive in certain areas.
Property tax isn't that expensive.
Moving furniture most definitely does not cost tens of thousands of dollar
You don't have to be fluent in Hebrew to get a job. Knowing the basis will get you by.
Cars can be cheap depending on what you get. There is also public transportation
Most people who move to Israel don't have a boatload of money with them. They are your average everyday middle class people.
Last edited by GritsCode; 05-22-2016 at 04:30 PM..
Since I own my own apartment in Hod Hasharon and I travel only for the holidays, what is typed above is pretty correct. But if you need a calculator this might help.
Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed
if your focus is on material quality of life then don't go.
Americans who have made aliyah will be the first to tell you straight away: your material life will diminish in every aspect: you won't have as much money, your money won't go as far, your home or apartment will have fewer rooms, your income will have fewer 000s, you will live in a smaller place, don't expect a yard, age discrimination is blatant in hiring so you and your spouse as you get older may have a really hard time getting a job unless you bring your job with you, housing is very expensive, if you rent you also are responsible for paying the property taxes, moving there if you are taking furniture with you costs tens of thousands of dollars, if you aren't fluent in Hebrew and will be learning Hebrew once you get there, plan on 2+ years before your Hebrew is good enough to land a job, you won't be taking your car with you so either have funds to buy another car (very expensive) when you get there or live without a car.
if you have boatloads of money or will be selling a $750,000 home and making aliyah, not a problem.
again if money is your concern don't go.
What is your source for all this heavily wrong information??
Living in Israel isn't that much different from living in places in Europe
Age discrimination? I have yet to see or hear of such a thing since you claimed it was blatant in hiring.
he asked about aliyah from America, not from Europe.
information posted is accurate and recent from meeting with and talking to American olim in Israel and Nefesh B'Nefesh staff in 2014-2015.
he asked about aliyah from America, not from Europe.
information posted is accurate and recent from meeting with and talking to American olim in Israel and Nefesh B'Nefesh staff in 2014-2015.
My post speaks of Americans living in Israel and the Europe reference was to the living situation in Israel. Your information is incorrect. If a member of Nefesh B' Nefesh told you such a thing they was balantly incorrect as well. The staff member obviously doesn't know the situation in Israel. What I said is accurate as I have worked with Nesfesh B' Nesfesh for years. Fyi I live in Israel so I know your post isn't correct.
Last edited by GritsCode; 05-22-2016 at 04:59 PM..
he asked about aliyah from America, not from Europe.
information posted is accurate and recent from meeting with and talking to American olim in Israel and Nefesh B'Nefesh staff in 2014-2015.
Fine. We'll trade Europe for the NY Metro area.
Previously you've stated that you wish to visit Israel, but knew nothing about it. Now all of a sudden you do. Which one is the truth??
My post spoke of Americans living in Israel. Your information is incorrect and balantly false. Any member of Nefesh B' Nefesh who told you that was balantly incorrect as well. I find it hard to believe a staff member told you such a false thing. What I said is fact as I have worked with Nesfesh B' Nesfesh for years.
Six out of six staff told me the same thing. I got quotes on moving from staff who work with olim reclocating from USA. Olim in 9 different locations shared their personal experiences and cost of moving and cost of living. I completed financial worksheets and we went over them together. I looked at rentals with 4 different realtors. I talked to employers and employment counselors. I trust them. I believe them. This is recent in 2014-2015 when I made my pilot trip and since in planning towards my own aliyah.
Key factors are: will you bring your job and income with you? how good is your Hebrew? is your work in an in-demand field (such as IT or doctor)? Some occupations are totally non-existent or non-transferable in Israel. How old are you? Do you have family or friends that you can stay with for 1-2 years while you learn Hebrew and try to find a job? Do you have enough cash to pay your expenses for 1-2 years while you learn Hebrew and try to find a job? have you made a pilot trip (not a Birthright trip) with Nefesh B'Nefesh to look at areas and discuss the specifics of your own job skills family needs, financial resources, and looked at housing?
Last edited by Tzaphkiel; 05-22-2016 at 05:16 PM..
Six out of six staff told me the same thing. I got quotes on moving from staff who work with olim reclocating from USA. Olim in 9 different locations shared their personal experiences and cost of moving and cost of living. I completed financial worksheets and we went over them together. I looked at rentals with 4 different realtors. I talked to employers and employment counselors. I trust them. I believe them. This is recent in 2013-2014 when I made my pilot trip and since in planning towards my own aliyah.
It is obvious you talked to the wrong staff members who obviously don't know much about Israel. Six staff members told you it cost tens of thousands of dollars to move stuff from the USA? If so, you will be ripped off. The olims you talked to sound like people who had no skill and used up their benefits. If this is your view on Aliyah then you weren't informed correctly. Most employers don't ask for people to speak fluent Hebrew and English is widely spoken in Israel
Quote:
Key factors are: will you bring your job and income with you? how good is your Hebrew? is your work in an in-demand field (such as IT or doctor)? Some occupations are totally non-existent or non-transferable such as lawyer or paralegal. How old are you? Do you have family or friends that you can stay with for 1-2 years while you learn Hebrew and try to find a job? Do you have enough cash to pay your expenses for 1-2 years while you learn Hebrew and try to find a job? have you made a pilot trip (not a Birthright trip) with Nefesh B'Nefesh to look at areas and discuss the specifics of your own job skills family needs, financial assets, and looked at housing?
None of that sound like any question Nefesh B' Nefesh would ask someone. It sounds like something someone would say who doesn't know all the benefits you are given by the government for the first 2 years.
Last edited by GritsCode; 05-22-2016 at 05:28 PM..
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