Where should I live in Israel?
Choosing where to live can be a difficult decision. Here, we present a number of towns and cities, organized into the six Israeli districts and hope that the information provided will help make your decision easier.
Ratings source: The Aguda Pride Index 2023-2024.
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Tel Aviv and Surrounds
Bat Yam – Givatayim – Herzliya – Holon – Kiryat Ono – Or Yehuda – Ramat Gan – Ramat HaSharon – Tel Aviv Yafo
This district is the smallest and most densely populated of all of Israel’s administrative districts with a population of 1.35 million and a population density of 7,259/km2. It encompasses Tel Aviv-Jaffa (the district capital) and stretches as far south as Holon and Bat Yam, Herzliya in the north and Kiryat Ono and Or Yehuda in the east.
More information on Wikipedia.
Ramat Gan
Just to the east of Tel Aviv, and home to Israel’s second largest university, Ramat Gan has become popular in recent years with LGBTQ+ olim. Rent is lower than in Tel Aviv and public transport is good. Elected in 2018, Mayor Carmel Shama is an LGBT-ally and the city’s first Pride March took place in 2019. The city also has an LGBTQ Center.
More information on Wikipedia.
From the Pride Index: Ramat Gan achieved a top ten result this year. It demonstrated significant achievements in all the areas that the index examines. The municipality encourages the integration of members of the LGBT community in all its departments. The authority provides LGBT-friendly medical practices in its clinics and hospitals and initiates dedicated activities for LGBT members of the Russian and religious communities.
Allan and Tony: “We chose Ramat Gan because it was right next to Tel Aviv. We felt Tel Aviv would be a bit too grand for us. We feel safe here although we don’t see a lot of gay hand-holding. There are lots of rainbow flags around, many put up by the municipality. I would recommend it for its proximity to Tel Aviv and the fact that you can get around on public transportation quite well. It’s also fully equipped with pubs, restaurants, coffee places so you don’t really have to leave.”
Givatayim
Givatayim is a small city of ~60,000, bordered by Ramat Gan on two sides and Tel Aviv on the other. It is popular for its proximity to Tel Aviv and its lower rents. More information on Wikipedia.
From the Pride Index: Givatayim entered the list of top ten municipalities in the 2023 index. It has demonstrated significant achievements in all the areas that the index examines. The municipality pays close attention to the needs of its LGBT residents, works for them with dedication and co-operates with the LGBT community organizations on an ongoing basis. The local authority has approved the registration of partnerships for unmarried couples, and for major events it arranges for a position manned by a lawyer that allows free registration on the spot.
Maccabi: “I moved to Givatayim because I had a friend here who needed a roommate. It was affordable and she spoke both English and Hebrew so it was a huge help. But its proximity to Tel Aviv, the freeway, the train station, the beach and less expensive than Tel Aviv are the main reasons.”
Tel Aviv-Yafo
Tel Aviv-Yafo is Israel’s economic and technological center. It is also home to Israel’s largest LGBTQ+ community, and Asia’s largest LGBT Pride March. Its city-funded LGBTQ Center was founded in 2008. The city is a popular choice for new olim, especially LGBTQ+ olim. The city’s Mayor, Ron Huldai, has made LGBT rights a priority. For example, in 2020 the municipality announced that it would allow same-sex couples to register their union with the city hall in order to benefit from matrimonial rights. More information on Wikipedia.
From the Pride Index: Tel Aviv is one of the top ten authorities in this year’s index Pride Index. It demonstrates significant achievements in all the areas that the index examines. The authority provides a wide range of dedicated services for different groups in the LGBT community, including the trans community, the Arab LGBT community, the religious LGBT community, the elderly LGBT community and for organisations and community members in a variety of risk situations.
Roy: “I chose to live in Tel Aviv because I wanted somewhere with a strong LGBT community. Good public transport was also important so I could live car-free. The city also has good connections to the rest of the country by bus and train. Yes, rent is expensive here, but shared between two of us has made it more manageable.”
Ramat Hasharon
Ramat Hasharon entered the list of the top ten municipalities in this year’s index. It demonstrates significant and excellent achievements in the fields of welfare, culture and infrastructure and organizational structure. The authority is careful to adjust its forms for the LGBT community and during Pride Month it lit up the City Hall in the colors of the rainbow.
Herzliya
Herzliya entered the list of the top ten municipalities in this year’s index. It demonstrates significant and excellent achievements in the fields of welfare and culture. During the 2024 Gaza War, the Authority held a conference called LGBT in Battle which was open to the general public and shed light on legal, economic and social aspects concerning the LGBT community during the war.
Kiryat Ono
Kiryat Ono presents impressive achievements in all the areas that the index examines. In 2023, about 35 counselors from all of the schools (elementary, middle and high school) in the city underwent training on LGBT issues. In the welfare department, there is an LGBT representative and two LGBT attorneys, who provide services adapted to the needs of the community.
Or Yehuda
The municipality of Or Yehuda invests many resources in promoting the LGBT community in the field of public visibility, and demonstrates excellence in the field of welfare. In 2023, a statue in the colors of Pride was placed in the Town Hall Square. In addition, the municipality provides professional training for Welfare Department staff in order to improve the response for the members of the LGBT community in the city.
Holon
Holon presents impressive achievements in the field of public visibility.
The authority reached out to the LGBT community on many occasions throughout the year through its official platforms. In addition, it adapted its form for LGBT people and has taken steps to establish a group of parents of children on the trans spectrum. The LGBT community in Holon is working to promote dialogue with the authority and improve its situation in the city.
Yehuda: “Holon is nice because for the most part you have access to Tel Aviv for less money (although it’s harder to get there during Shabbat, unless you have a car). The recently elected council is not very queer friendly, but I have never felt unsafe walking down the street. There are a lot of families with children, so if you have a child, there are many places for you here.”
Bat Yam
The Municipality of Bat Yam shows progress in this year’s Pride Index in the fields of welfare and public visibility. The authority invests many resources in the younger generation. It supports two LGBT youth groups and the scheduled kashrut and LGBT workshops in schools for students and educational staff.
Jerusalem and Surrounds
The Jerusalem district has a population of just under 1.1 million and contains the cities of Jerusalem (the district capital) and Beit Shemesh, as well as smaller towns of Mevaseret Zion, Abu Ghosh and Kiryat Ye’arim.
More information on Wikipedia.
Jerusalem
Israel’s capital is popular with many LGBTQ+ olim. Among others, areas like Talpiot and the German Colony are very LGBT-friendly. While the city’s LGBT community is smaller and less obvious, annual Pride Marches have been held here since 2002. The city has also been home to the Jerusalem Open House for Pride and Tolerance since 1997. The Municipality did not participate in the Pride Index.
More information on Wikipedia.
Beit Shemesh
Beit Shemesh has traditionally been an Orthodox city and more recently has become popular with the Charedi (or Ultra-Orthodox) community. Until 2018, the Mayor was a member of Shas (an Ultra-Orthodox party), but he was replaced by the city’s first female Mayor, Dr. Aliza Bloch, and despite her opposition, the first Pride March took place in 2019, attended by around 200 people. The Municipality did not participate in the Pride Index.
More information on Wikipedia.
Haifa and Surrounds
Hadera – Haifa – Hof HaCarmel Regional Council – Kiryat Bialik – Kiryat Tivon – Nesher – Pardes Hana Karkur – Tirat Carmel
The Haifa District has a population of around 1 million. It contains the district’s capital, Haifa, as well as Hadera and a number of Kra’yot (boroughs or cities) across an area of 864 square kilometers.
More information on Wikipedia.
Hof HaCarmel Regional Council
Hof HaCarmel Regional Council includes a number of towns (including Atlit, Binyamina, Caesarea and Zikhron Ya’akov) as well as kibbutzim and moshavim.
The Regional Council entered the Pride List’s top ten in this year’s index. Similar to last year, the authority continues to demonstrate significant progress in its work for the LGBT community. It can be seen that changes are being made in the official organizational structure and additional infrastructures are being developed to meet the needs of LGBT residents and residents.
Haifa
Built on the slopes of Mount Carmel, Haifa is Israel’s third largest city with a population of almost 300,000. It is home to both the University of Haifa and the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, as well as the Baháʼí Gardens, one of ten UNESCO World Heritage sites located in Israel. The city has a strong LGBTQ+ community – its first annual Pride March was in 2007 and its LGBT Communities House was opened in 2017.
More information on Wikipedia.
In the Pride Index, Haifa demonstrated excellence in the fields of welfare and culture and takes steps to promote the LGBT Arab community in the municipality. The authority operates a coordinator responsible for this area, an Arabic-speaking LGBT attorney and a number of dedicated LGBT groups for Arab and Arab LGBTs. Throughout the year, a variety of activities and events for the LGBT community took place, which the authority published on its official platforms.
Shlomit: “I think Haifa is a beautiful city with nice street scenes and many interesting pocket neighborhoods, plus the cost of living is far lower than Tel Aviv. It gets hot and sweaty in summer, but for the rest of the year the climate is very pleasant.
For my professional/academic work, Haifa is a great place to be with big universities and strong design and tech sectors.
As a lesbian, I feel completely safe, and I almost always meet other LGBT+ colleagues in my professional work here. The LGBT+ Communities House is not very active and could use an infusion of energy to better support the community, but I have meet a few friends there.”
Kiryat Bialik
Kiryat Bialik was established in 1934 and is one of the five Krayot suburbs to the north of Haifa. Its first Pride March took place in 2023. Members of the council visited the Tel Aviv LGBTQ Center in 2022 to see how they could better provide services for the LGBT community.
From the Pride Index: The municipality invests many resources into promoting the LGBT community in the fields of public visibility and culture, and demonstrates excellence in the field of infrastructure and organizational structure. The Authority operates two LGBT youth groups and a Tehila (PFLAG) group. In addition, throughout Pride Month, one of the City Hall buildings was lit up in rainbow colors. The LGBT community in Kiryat Bialik works together with the Authority to improve its life as a community within the city.
Kiryat Tivon
Kiryat Tivon lies 15km southeast of Haifa. In February 2024, citizens of the city elected a transgender women, Sheila Weinberg, as a member of the council – the first time anywhere in Israel.
From the Pride Index: The Municipality invests many resources in promoting the gay community in the areas of public visibility and infrastructure and organizational structure, and exhibits excellence in the field of culture. The authority makes sure to adapt its form for LGBT people and address the LGBT community through its official platforms.
Hadera
Hadera presents impressive achievements in the field of public visibility and culture in the Pride Index. It run a drama therapy group for LGBT people, and provides training on LGBT-friendly medicine at the Clalit mental health clinic. In addition, the authority was careful to strongly and publicly condemn anti-LGBT propaganda spread in the city.
Nesher
Nesher shows an improvement in the Pride index compared to the previous year and impressive achievements in the fields of public visibility and culture. The authority reaches out to the LGBT community on its official platforms. It holds a dedicated LGBT group for the elderly and takes steps to promote the Arab LGBT community in the authority.
Tirat Carmel
Tirat Carmel shows a significant increase in the Pride Index compared to the previous year. The authority has taken important steps in promoting the field of welfare, including LGBT training for its professional teams. In addition, it held various activities for the LGBT community throughout the year and hosted a dedicated lecture for the members of the LGBT religious community and their families.
Pardes Hana-Karkur
Pardes Hana-Karkur participates for the first time in the Pride Index at the request of the Ministry for Social Equality and the Advancement of Women’s Status. The authority has an LGBT coordinator, an LGBT social worker and a coordinator for sexuality and LGBT, who together with a strong and cohesive group of residents are advancing the LGBT community and the authority towards significant achievements.
Northern District
Karmiel – Katzrin – Misgav Regional Council – Nahariya – Safed (Tsfat) – Tiberias
Israel’s Northern District covers an area of around 4,500km² with a population of approximately 1.5m. While there are no sizable LGBT communities located in this region, a number of LGBT people, including olim, live here.
More information on Wikipedia.
Misgav Regional Council
The Misgav Regional Council shows a significant increase in the Pride Index compared to the previous year. The council places an emphasis on visibility in the public space and has initiated various Pride events for the residents throughout the year. In addition, it took initial steps to promote the Arab LGBT community in the authority.
Katzrin
Katzrin improved in the Pride Index compared to the previous year, and demonstrates excellence in the field of culture. It took steps in collaboration with the Clalit Health Insurance Fund to improve LGBT-friendly medicine in the municipality. In addition, it conducted a needs mapping survey, which was sent to residents in Hebrew, Russian and English.
Tiberias
The Municipality of Tiberias continues continues to improve the situation for the LGBT community in the authority, at the request of the Ministry for Social Equality and Advancing the Status of Women. The authority began to invest resources in the development and promotion of the areas of public visibility and welfare for the LGBT residents. All this alongside activities that promote meaningful action for the community.
Nahariya
The municipality of Nahariya continues to promote the LGBT community in the municipality, in response to the Ministry for Social Equality and Advancing the Status of Women. The authority is taking initial steps to promote the field of culture and the development of the infrastructure and organizational structure and relies on a strong local community.
Danny: “I like the small town feeling with the benefits of a city, the beaches and how easy it is to get anywhere by bus or train. I like the quiet and the vibe of a resort town and I really like the direction that Mayor is taking the city.”
Karmiel
Karmiel was founded in 1964 primarily to increase the Jewish population in the area. The current population is around 50,000, 40% of whom are olim with the majority from the former Soviet Union. The main languages spoken here are Russian, Hebrew, Arabic, and English. There is a small LGBT community here and they celebrated their first LGBT Pride March in 2018.
More information on Wikipedia.
Elisheva: “Shosh and I wanted to be in the north and I hate cities. We needed the conveniences of a city (public transport etc.), but country feel. Karmiel’s neighborhoods are all built around parks, and there are trees on every street. It doesn’t feel like a city.”
Safed (Tsfat)
Tsfat is one of the Four Holy Cities of Judaism. It has changed hands a number of times over the centuries, but these days its population of around 36,000 is predominantly Jewish. It is also known for its blue glass. The municipality did not participate in the Pride Index.
More information on Wikipedia.
Yesod HaMa'ala
Yesod HaMa’ala participates in the Pride Index for the first time and presents initial but significant efforts in starting work with the LGBT community. The authority responded to the Ministry for Social Equality and Promotion of the Status of Women, conducted a needs mapping survey among the residents and began investing resources to increase the visibility of the LGBT community in the authority.
Central District
Israel’s Central District has a population of just over 2.1 million and is made up of four sub-districts: Petah Tikva, Ramla, Rehovot and most of the Sharon region (specifically Hod HaSharon, Kfar Saba, Netanya and Ra’anana). It also includes the cities of Kadima, Ness Ziona, Modi’in, Rishon LeTsiyon, and Yehud.
More information on WIkipedia.
Modi'in-Maccabim-Reot
Modi’in-Maccabim-Reot entered the list of the top ten municipalities in this year’s index. It demonstrates significant achievements in all of the areas that the index examines. The authority stands out for its support of the LGBT religious community in the city and its advancement towards a more egalitarian and accepting future. The authority operates two Tehila (or PFLAG) groups – one religious and one secular, as well as a group for parents with trans children.
Rishon LeTsiyon
Rishon LeTsiyon entered the Pride Index’s top ten authorities this year. It demonstrated significant achievements in all of the areas that the index examines. During the year, the authority initiated dozens of dedicated events for the LGBT community, which it published on its official platforms. In addition, all the city attorneys have undergone training on how to work with the LGBT community.
Kfar Saba
Kfar Saba entered the top ten in this year’s index. It demonstrates significant achievements in all the areas that the index examines. During the Gaza War, the authority held a show for LGBT families whose purpose was to make the situation understandable to children. In addition, at the same time, an English-speaking group for immigrants and new immigrants was opened in Pride House in order to help them during this challenging time.
Ra'anana
Ra’anana entered the list of the top ten municipalities in this year’s index. The authority excels in the fields of culture and infrastructure and organizational structure, and shows significant progress in the field of welfare. During 2023, a lecture on health for lesbian and bisexual women was held in collaboration with the Clalit Health Insurance Fund. In addition, there was a Shabbat reception during Pride Month, which was open to both the religious and LGBT communities.
Sharleen: “I chose Ra’anana because of its South African population and there is a big English community. I feel safe as a lesbian and would recommend it more for families rather than singles.”
Hod HaSharon
Hod Hasharon invests many resources into promoting the LGBT community in the areas of public visibility and infrastructure/organizational structure, and demonstrates excellence in the fields of welfare and culture. The Authority is taking significant steps to promote the encouragement of employment among the LGBT community, and in co-operation with the Clalit Health Insurance Fund, is promoting the accessibility of LGBT-friendly medicine in the Authority.
Netanya
Netanya presented excellence in the field of welfare. In 2023, the authority opened two new groups intended for the trans community and elderly community members. In addition, the authority operates the Tehila group to support LGBT parents, and three IGY groups that provide a safe space for LGBT youth.
Yehud-Monosson
Yehud Monoson presents impressive achievements in the fields of welfare and culture, and continues an upward trend in the field of infrastructure and organizational structure. The Municipality covered the city’s name at the entrance in rainbow colors during Pride Month. It operates a trans group and includes education on LGBT youth in informal education.
Ness Ziona
2023 was the first time Ness Ziona participated in the Pride Index and they presented impressive results, with special emphasis on the field of welfare. The municipality held a first-of-its-kind LGBT conference, in which professionals participated along with residents. The Municipality has both an IGY (Israeli LGBT Youth) group and a Tehila (PFLAG) group under the guidance of the Tel Aviv organization.
Kadima-Zoran
Kadima-Zoran shows an upward trend in the field of public visibility where it has achieved significant achievements. There is a Gay-Straight Alliance group in the authority, which is intended for LGBT youth, but is open to everyone. In addition, the school curriculum in the authority includes content on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Rehovot
Rehovot presents impressive achievements in the field of culture. In 2023, the municipality unprecedentedly increased the budget for its Pride Parade. In addition, it organized a variety of cultural events for the community throughout the year. During the Gaza War, the LGBT community in the city volunteered together as part of the “Lit Shelters” project.
Petah Tikva
Petah Tikva was founded in 1878 and is now Israel’s fifth largest city in terms of population. The city has had a Pride March and an LGBT Center since 2019 but didn’t participate in the Pride Index this year.
More info on Wikipedia.
Ramla
The city of Ramla was founded in the early 8th century CE and has had a very interesting history. It does not have an LGBT Center nor a Pride March and did not participate in the Pride Index.
More info on Wikipedia.
Southern District
The Southern District is Israel’s largest in terms of land area, but also the most sparsely populated. Its district capital is Be’er Sheva and its largest city is Ashdod.
Be'er Sheva
Often referred to as the Capital of the Negev, Be’er Sheva is the eighth largest Israeli city by population and the second-largest city in area, More info on Wikipedia.
From the Pride Index: Be’er Sheva continues to present impressive achievements when it comes to caring for the well-being of the members of the LGBT community in the city. In 2023, the Municipality of Be’er Sheva opened a new, larger Pride House in the old city. The municipality, in co-operation with the Pride House, implemented a number of significant projects to develop and strengthen the local LGBT community in the city and its surrounding municipalities.
Ashdod
In 2023, Ashdod inaugurated an LGBT Center as a home for the LGBT community in the city. The authority has invested many resources into supporting LGBT youth, in strengthening the visibility and involvement of the LGBT community in the city and in dedicated cultural activities. Ashdod stands out in its efforts to promote the visibility and acceptance of LGBT people in informal education.
Alfei Menashe
Alfie Menashe participated in the Pride Index this year for the first time. The municipality hung rainbow flags in honor of Pride Month and held a major Pride event where the head of the council spoke. The authority makes sure to reach out to the LGBT community through its official platforms and fully supports an IGY youth group.
Ariel
Ariel has shown a significant increase in the Pride Index compared to the previous year. It gained in the fields of public visibility and culture and the authority reached out to the LGBT community through its official platforms. They also distributed a brochure to all residence halls and residents with contact details for the LGBT coordinator at the municipality.
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