5 ms·

I live in Jerusalem, but originally from America. I have travelled and lived all over. Jerusalem is special. In other cities people are trying to be cool, in Je

I live in Jerusalem, but originally from America. I have travelled and lived all over. Jerusalem is special. In other cities people are trying to be cool, in Jerusalem people just are. The city feels international and small town at the same time. I choose to live here because it's the best place I found.

robertAngst 8y ago
Do people treat you like a foreigner? That would be my concern about leaving America. I have many friends who moved to Europe who say the locals never let them speak their language and keep their distance.
- keiferski 8y ago
  I’ve been all over Europe and I really don’t know where this would be true. If you can speak the local language well enough to have a conversation, 99% of people will talk to you in it. If they can’t understand you, well, you need to study more.
- hackathonguy 8y ago
  Not OP, but gonna pipe in as a Jerusalemite: in Israel, being a foreigner is almost a default state. Consider that a very significant portion of the population only came in the last 30 or so years, and a vast majority of peoples’ ancestors only came in the last century. It’s a relatively new country. From a more practical standpoint, there are large English speaking communities all over & most Israelis are very fluent English speakers.
- jakobov 8y ago
  Jerusalem is a very international city. Lots of students, artists and tourists from all over the world. Locals are used to and friendly friendly to foreigners
keiferski 8y ago
Interesting answer. Do you ever worry about security issues?
- jakobov 8y ago
  No not really. I stay out of the dangerous neighborhoods and its alright. It feels very safe. Except for a few years ago when there was a wave of terrorist stabbings. Streets were empty. Everyone was looking back every few moments to see if they were being followed. Eye contact was made between every passing stranger in order to determine if they were about to stab you. It was scary but it did not last for too long. It was also a fascinating experience. Imagine walking down the street and EVERYONE makes eye contact with you!
tresil 8y ago
> in Jerusalem people just are. Can you expand on that just a bit? Also, curious if you are Jewish by birth or conversion?
- jakobov 8y ago
  In many cities I have lived in people are trying to be something they are not. They wear designer clothing, talk about the latest trends, dress like a hippy- they do this to fit into some group. In Jerusalem it is not like that. People just do their thing and don't even think about it. I think it allows for more genuine relationships, more genuine interactions. Another great thing about Jerusalem is that it's a smallish city. You see your friends on the street, you recognize faces at parties. You go to the local cafe and you know a few people there... But at the same time it's not so small that you know everyone. There are always new people to meet.
thenaturalist 8y ago
If you dont mind me asking, is this on a work visa or something like aliyah? Background is that I’d be interested in living in Tel Aviv at least for some time, don’t have a point of reference yet for how realistic it would be to get a working visa approved, given the Israeli workforce is already in supply of pretty good IT talent.
- jakobov 8y ago
  I made Aliyah, but work visas are also possible(I think) Actually there is a huge shortage of tech talent. It's so bad the government is trying hard to encourage arabs and ultra-orthodox jews into tech.
hackathonguy 8y ago
Spot on! Jerusalem is great: perfect weather, incredible people, easy access to nature, lots of culture all around. Only downside is it’s getting a little expensive - in Israel, second only to Tel Aviv and the surrounding area.

robertAngst 8y ago

Do people treat you like a foreigner? That would be my concern about leaving America. I have many friends who moved to Europe who say the locals never let them speak their language and keep their distance.

keiferski 8y ago
I’ve been all over Europe and I really don’t know where this would be true. If you can speak the local language well enough to have a conversation, 99% of people will talk to you in it. If they can’t understand you, well, you need to study more.
hackathonguy 8y ago
Not OP, but gonna pipe in as a Jerusalemite: in Israel, being a foreigner is almost a default state. Consider that a very significant portion of the population only came in the last 30 or so years, and a vast majority of peoples’ ancestors only came in the last century. It’s a relatively new country. From a more practical standpoint, there are large English speaking communities all over & most Israelis are very fluent English speakers.
jakobov 8y ago
Jerusalem is a very international city. Lots of students, artists and tourists from all over the world. Locals are used to and friendly friendly to foreigners

keiferski 8y ago

Interesting answer. Do you ever worry about security issues?

jakobov 8y ago
No not really. I stay out of the dangerous neighborhoods and its alright. It feels very safe. Except for a few years ago when there was a wave of terrorist stabbings. Streets were empty. Everyone was looking back every few moments to see if they were being followed. Eye contact was made between every passing stranger in order to determine if they were about to stab you. It was scary but it did not last for too long. It was also a fascinating experience. Imagine walking down the street and EVERYONE makes eye contact with you!

tresil 8y ago

> in Jerusalem people just are. Can you expand on that just a bit? Also, curious if you are Jewish by birth or conversion?

jakobov 8y ago
In many cities I have lived in people are trying to be something they are not. They wear designer clothing, talk about the latest trends, dress like a hippy- they do this to fit into some group. In Jerusalem it is not like that. People just do their thing and don't even think about it. I think it allows for more genuine relationships, more genuine interactions. Another great thing about Jerusalem is that it's a smallish city. You see your friends on the street, you recognize faces at parties. You go to the local cafe and you know a few people there... But at the same time it's not so small that you know everyone. There are always new people to meet.

thenaturalist 8y ago

If you dont mind me asking, is this on a work visa or something like aliyah? Background is that I’d be interested in living in Tel Aviv at least for some time, don’t have a point of reference yet for how realistic it would be to get a working visa approved, given the Israeli workforce is already in supply of pretty good IT talent.

jakobov 8y ago
I made Aliyah, but work visas are also possible(I think) Actually there is a huge shortage of tech talent. It's so bad the government is trying hard to encourage arabs and ultra-orthodox jews into tech.

hackathonguy 8y ago

Spot on! Jerusalem is great: perfect weather, incredible people, easy access to nature, lots of culture all around. Only downside is it’s getting a little expensive - in Israel, second only to Tel Aviv and the surrounding area.