Haifa is a city in northern Israel with a mild climate by Israeli standards. Third largest city in the country. Here is the largest port in Israel, has its own “silicon valley” and a vast industrial zone. On Shabbat, there is public transport and rental prices are more humane than in the center of the country. So what is wrong with this city and who definitely should not choose Haifa.
The first reason immediately catches the eye - dirt and rubbish. Haifa is a very dirty city. It more than once got into the anti-ratings, and sometimes even led them, due to litter. And no matter how much the mayor's office tries to fight this problem, no matter how many cleaners and eco-activists take to the streets to transform the city, this does not bear fruit. Literally right there, the cleaned areas are overgrown with garbage and animal excrement. Of course, there are areas in which everything is not so sad, but this does not change the overall picture. Haifa is like a vivid illustration of the expression "Clean not where they clean, but where they don't litter."
The second reason is the terrain. Haifa is a city growing from the seashore up the side of a mountain. It will be physically difficult for someone to move around the city, and someone even feels dizzy and complains about pressure due to, though not large, but still elevation changes. When going to work by public transport, be prepared that some routes will rise and fall more than once along the way.
The third reason is wild boars.
What? Yes, boars. Jokes and memes about Haifa hogs are sent to each other in the social. networks and messengers. And all this, of course, is ridiculous, until in the evening, walking along the boulevard, you come across this cutie picking roots under a bush. The mayor's office and curators issue leaflets every year so that new repatriates know how to behave at this significant meeting. Well, leaflets are certainly good, but no one knows what is in the boar's head.
The fourth reason is the environment.
The presence of a sufficiently large industrial zone near the city does not have the best effect on the environment. The port, by the way, also does not add any advantages to the ecological situation in the city. The inhabitants of the regions are especially affected.
The fifth reason is the large number of repatriates.
The local absorption department is overloaded, each curator has more than the allowed number of wards. The queues for a meeting with an adviser are scheduled months in advance. The same story with the queue for ulpans. All this greatly complicates the integration process. To justify Haifa, we can say that this situation is observed in all major cities.
For some, these reasons will not be a hindrance, but for some, even one of the factors I have listed will be decisive in choosing a city for living in Israel. Regardless of your decision, I wish you easy adaptation and successful integration in a new country.
Here you can watch the video about my repatriation to Israel directly to Haifa, as well as download the step-by-step instructions for a new immigrant.
