Major Mediterranean cities; questions? (theater, school, universities)

[nykiddo718718]

Of the major Mediterranean cities, what rates where in each of these categories? A number (1-10) or short description is fine. Personal experience stories would be appreciated.

Overall Quality of life?
Human Rights/Freedom?
Liberal or Conservative?
Type of people (Homogeneous for that country or diverse)?
Economy (Jobs/Poverty)?
Housing (Density/Types of dwellings/Age/Condition)?
Cost of Living?
Infrastructure (Roads/Mass Transit)?
Education (Basic school/higher learning)?
Culture (Museums/Festivities)?
Nightlife (Bars/Clubs/Lounges)?

I think I hit all the major categories.

Country Cities
Spain Barcelona, Alicante, Cartagena, Málaga, Palma, Valencia
France Marseille, Nice, Montpellier
Monaco Monaco
Italy Rome, Bari, Catania, Genoa, Messina, Naples, Palermo, Taranto, Trieste, Venice
Malta Valletta
Croatia Split
Albania Durrës
Greece Athens, Patras, Piraeus, Thessaloniki
Cyprus Limassol
Turkey Antalya, Istanbul, Iskenderun, Izmir, Izmit, Mersin, Tarsus
Syria Lattakia
Lebanon Beirut, Tripoli
Israel Tel Aviv, Ashdod, Haifa, Rishon LeZion,
Palestinian territories Gaza City
Egypt Alexandria, Damietta, Port Said
Libya Al Khums, Benghazi, Misrata, Tripoli
Tunisia Sfax, Tunis
Algeria Algiers, Annaba, Oran
Morocco Tétouan, Tangiers, Nador

[Chava61]

Originally Posted by nykiddo718718

Of the major Mediterranean cities, what rates where in each of these categories? A number (1-10) or short description is fine. Personal experience stories would be appreciated.

Overall Quality of life?
Human Rights/Freedom?
Liberal or Conservative?
Type of people (Homogeneous for that country or diverse)?
Economy (Jobs/Poverty)?
Housing (Density/Types of dwellings/Age/Condition)?
Cost of Living?
Infrastructure (Roads/Mass Transit)?
Education (Basic school/higher learning)?
Culture (Museums/Festivities)?
Nightlife (Bars/Clubs/Lounges)?

I think I hit all the major categories.

Tel Aviv, Israel has a good quality of life, freedom, human rights, mainly liberal society. There is diversity (people of different backgrounds). The economy is much more stable than the USA. The center of Tel Aviv is more dense in population as is the whole Dan Region in the center of Israel (which includes Rishon Lezion which is a suburb south of Tel Aviv). Most people live in apt. buildings (some newer and some older). The cost of living is high (as it is in all of Israel). The education system is good and there are 2 state universities in the Tel Aviv area (the Univ. of Tel Aviv and Bar Ilan Univ.) as well as several smaller colleges. All Israeli children have mandatory education until age 16 approx. Tel Aviv is the cultural center of Israel (kind like a mini Manhattan/NYC) with city theaters, cinemas, an orchestra/music hall, opera, museums, open air cafes, etc. Tel Aviv also has a nice beach with promenade area that includes restaurants that are open also at night. There are several bars/pubs as well clubs in Tel Aviv.

Haifa (Israel 3rd largest city) like Tel Aviv has a good quality of life, freedom, human rights, mainly liberal society. Being that there is an oil refinery there I would assume that the pollution level is higher. Haifa also is the center of the Baha'i religion which has its beautiful temple and gardens (which is a must for visitors). Haifa is also known as a beach city (& port). Haifa too have several restaurants as well as some public (bus) transportation on Saturdays (the Jewish Shabbat) which is different most of the rest of the country.

Ashdod (Israel's southern Mediterranean port city) has a nice beach promenade area with restaurants that stay open at night.

[Avondrood]

Well, I've always loved Athens, been there quite a number of times during the past years and fell in love with the vibrant atmosphere. But I'm afraid the quality of life isn't exactly as good now as it used to be. Really makes my heart bleed to see how Greek society and its capital are suffering .

[choroneko]

I'm only answering from a traveler's perspective.
Out of all those, I'd choose Valencia, Spain. Culturally and tourism-wise, it has a great potential and lots to offer. It's not as expensive as Marseilles or Rome, but it's as fun and beautiful.

[BigCityDreamer]

Originally Posted by choroneko

I'm only answering from a traveler's perspective.
Out of all those, I'd choose Valencia, Spain. Culturally and tourism-wise, it has a great potential and lots to offer. It's not as expensive as Marseilles or Rome, but it's as fun and beautiful.

I'd like to visit Valencia. It seems to be something of a well-kept secret (to the world).

Another place is Malta. I look at those pictures and just say WOW!

[choroneko]

Originally Posted by BigCityDreamer

I'd like to visit Valencia. It seems to be something of a well-kept secret (to the world).

Another place is Malta. I look at those pictures and just say WOW!

The famous Tomato Festival happens in a town outside Valencia
Valencia is developing into a world-class tourism city. And it's fast to visit Valencia from Barcelona

[nykiddo718718]

Originally Posted by Chava61

Tel Aviv, Israel has a good quality of life, freedom, human rights, mainly liberal society. There is diversity (people of different backgrounds). The economy is much more stable than the USA. The center of Tel Aviv is more dense in population as is the whole Dan Region in the center of Israel (which includes Rishon Lezion which is a suburb south of Tel Aviv). Most people live in apt. buildings (some newer and some older). The cost of living is high (as it is in all of Israel). The education system is good and there are 2 state universities in the Tel Aviv area (the Univ. of Tel Aviv and Bar Ilan Univ.) as well as several smaller colleges. All Israeli children have mandatory education until age 16 approx. Tel Aviv is the cultural center of Israel (kind like a mini Manhattan/NYC) with city theaters, cinemas, an orchestra/music hall, opera, museums, open air cafes, etc. Tel Aviv also has a nice beach with promenade area that includes restaurants that are open also at night. There are several bars/pubs as well clubs in Tel Aviv.

Haifa (Israel 3rd largest city) like Tel Aviv has a good quality of life, freedom, human rights, mainly liberal society. Being that there is an oil refinery there I would assume that the pollution level is higher. Haifa also is the center of the Baha'i religion which has its beautiful temple and gardens (which is a must for visitors). Haifa is also known as a beach city (& port). Haifa too have several restaurants as well as some public (bus) transportation on Saturdays (the Jewish Shabbat) which is different most of the rest of the country.

Ashdod (Israel's southern Mediterranean port city) has a nice beach promenade area with restaurants that stay open at night.

Thanks, great details. Are these cities walkable in a European sense?

Originally Posted by Avondrood

Well, I've always loved Athens, been there quite a number of times during the past years and fell in love with the vibrant atmosphere. But I'm afraid the quality of life isn't exactly as good now as it used to be. Really makes my heart bleed to see how Greek society and its capital are suffering .

How have the austerity measures deteriorated the quality of life?

Originally Posted by choroneko

I'm only answering from a traveler's perspective.
Out of all those, I'd choose Valencia, Spain. Culturally and tourism-wise, it has a great potential and lots to offer. It's not as expensive as Marseilles or Rome, but it's as fun and beautiful.

Is it alive year round? Nightlife?

Originally Posted by BigCityDreamer

I'd like to visit Valencia. It seems to be something of a well-kept secret (to the world).

Another place is Malta. I look at those pictures and just say WOW!

Is there a lot to do? Does the places feel cut off?

Originally Posted by choroneko

The famous Tomato Festival happens in a town outside Valencia
Valencia is developing into a world-class tourism city. And it's fast to visit Valencia from Barcelona

Valencia and Barcelona, which has the older feel?

[Chava61]

Originally Posted by nykiddo718718

Thanks, great details. Are these cities walkable in a European sense?

Yes, most Israeli cities are walkable. You don't need a car to get around Israeli cities. There is also a great bus system between those walkable areas.

[virulentpeach]

Originally Posted by nykiddo718718

Valencia and Barcelona, which has the older feel?

Valencia

[Thomas R.]

"Egypt Alexandria, Damietta, Port Said
Libya Al Khums, Benghazi, Misrata, Tripoli
Tunisia Sfax, Tunis
Algeria Algiers, Annaba, Oran
Morocco Tétouan, Tangiers, Nador"

I'm not sure it's a great time to be in North Africa. I mean it's exciting and all, but I think some of it's still a tad unsettled.