The neighborhoods of Karmiel

The city has developed gradually, according to its master plan: the Founder’s Neighborhood (Mercaz Hayashan)was established during the years 1964 – 1978; the Southern Neighborhood (Dromit) during the years 1970 – 1978; the Western Neighborhood (Ma'aravit) from 1980 – 1983; the Galilee Neighborhood (Galil) was developed during the years 1992 – 1995; Sagi Neighborhood from 1990 – 1993; Givat Ram from 1991 – 1998. Ramat Rabin was established in 1996; Givat Makosh and the Irisim neighborhoods were built during 1984 – 1998. Now ground is being broken for a new neighborhood on Mount Carmi – the Rahavam Neighborhood.

update on rental prices from Sharona Standhill of NBN: 

 
NOTE:  THE FOLLOWING TABLE IS MEANT TO REPLACE FIGURES QUOTED IN THE OLDER TEXT.
 

Older neighborhoods (Dromit, Center, Eshkolot, Maaravit)	Newer neighborhoods (Rabin, Makosh )
2000-2300 NIS	2500 – 2800 NIS	3 rooms
2200-2500 NIS	2800-3200 (if includes garden will be 3200-3500)	4 rooms
Maaravit – 2000-2300	In Makosh – 2000-2300	“Granny apartments”
Purchase
400,000 – 430,000 NIS	600,000 NIS and up	3 rooms
500,000 -520,000 NIS	750,000 NIS and up	4 rooms	Gardens, balconies etc add to the price
1,200,000 NIS and up	1,500,000 NIS and up	Duplex homes (5 rooms)
1,800,000 NIS and up	1,800,000 NIS and up	Private homes (5 rooms and up)

 

Take care,

A map of Karmiel shows 12 named residential neighborhoods:

Hameasdim

Te’ene

Sagi

Megadim

Hadar

Galil

Eshkol

Arava

Irisim

Makosh

Ramat Rabin

Givat Ram

(Also on the map are the “Festival” neighborhood, home to Horowitz High School (currently providing classroom space to the ORT Braude college and no longer operating as a public high school,) swimming pool, tennis courts, soccer pitch, Baruch Venger Musical Conservatory and the municipal amphitheater and the industrial area.)

Of these, only the last 4 are consistently referred to by name.  The remaining Karmiel neighborhoods are more likely to be described geographically, in relation to their direction, i.e., the old center (hamercaz hayashan), the ma’aravit (the western part of the city) or the dromit (the southern end of town.) 

The old center:

This area (Hameasdim neighborhood), built in 1964, is home to a unique building style called the ‘patio.’  

Patios are common wall homes, similar to townhouses, built along quiet, narrow paths.  Each was originally constructed with a walled in garden area, affording a measure of privacy unavailable in housing anywhere else in the city.  Many of these simple units have been expanded into 2 and 3 storey homes.  In addition to patios, the neighborhood has a number of 2 storey duplex type units backing on Karmiel’s ‘forest,’ as well as several 3 storey walk up buildings.  Although some of the buildings may appear a bit rundown, the neighborhood is stable and relatively inexpensive.  Old building standards provided for thicker walls and larger rooms than exist in many new buildings.  The neighborhood is home to 2 synagogues, a yeshiva for boys, a religious school (Moriah) with a significant complement of Ethiopian and Sephardi boys and girls, a mikveh, the office of the Ministry of the Interior, a senior citizens center, a senior citizens hostel, a large park, at least 2 well-kept children’s playgrounds and a branch of kupat holim Clalit.  It is within walking distance of the central post office, the English Speakers’ Club, Bituach Leumi, 2 major banks, a ‘canyon,’ 3 supermarkets, 2 gyms, a swimming pool, tennis courts, the ORT Braude college classrooms located in the former Horowitz High School, the municipal amphitheater, the municipal library, a sports hall, the Histadrut headquarters and the municipal cultural center in addition to the usual small shops and service businesses.  The neighborhood is bounded on 3 sides by Zahal Street and on 1 side by HaGalil, the lower half of which is a commercial street.  A number of 3-4 storey walkups front on HaGalil, as do 2 long ‘rakefet’ (train) buildings. The ‘rakefot’ walkups are constructed of concrete and hold as many 35 or more units with several entries.  Today, a lot of the original apartments are occupied by offices.  They can be found in all the older neighborhoods.  Recently,I viewed a fair sized 3 room (2 bed room) apartment on Rh. Hagalil (Hagalil Street) on the second floor  (no elevator; 34 steps) for nis 2300.

The dromit:

A left turn off of Zahal onto Morad Hagai Street, takes you up a hill past the swimming pool, tennis courts, the football (soccer) pitch and the Baruch Venger Music Conservatory on the right, and the ORT Horowitz high school and the municipal amphitheater on the left (see Festival neighborhood).  This area, known as the dromit, encompasses the Eshkol and Arava neighborhoods. Two streets divide the area, Morad Hagai and Hahavatzelet, roughly into 3 parts.

The area between Morad Hagai and Sderot Nesiei Israel (Eshkol neighborhood) contains 5 kindergartens (ganim), one of which is for Haredi children and one of which serves Ethiopian children.  In addition, there is a clubhouse (moadonit) for developmentally challenged adults, 2 synagogues, 1 of which (on Nativ HaLotus Street) serves the Ethiopian community, a clubhouse serving the Ethiopians, one elementary school and a community center. Most of the housing is high density. The main kupat holim Macabbi clinic, a kupat holim Clalit Emergency Center and Na’amat are located at the Sderot Nesiei Israel end of the neighborhood. There is a “Learning Center” on Hahavatzelet Street.   

The Arava neighborhood (bounded by Hahavatzelet, Morad Hagai and Sderot Nesiei Israel) has one state sponsored synagogue, a fully equipped park & playground, a kindergarten for children from religious families and is home to the Conservative (Masorati) Congregation Kehilat Hakerem.  The Arava neighborhood ends at the Lev Karmiel shopping center which houses a bank, a postal substation and the main kupat holim Clalit clinic.  Most of the housing is duplex or triplex.  There is one street with single family homes.

On the other side of Morad Hagai (left hand side, going up the hill from the ORT Horowitz HS) are several duplex units and well as a number of 8 storey elevator buildings.  A left turn onto HaPrachim Street takes you into a street of mixed housing—single family homes and 3 storey walk ups.  The views from the street and the air flow are exceptional because the street overlooks a large valley (wadi).  The area ends at a hiking and bike path. This area contains 2 synagogues, 4 kindergartens, one of which is set up to serve the religious community, an elementary school and a few small shops.  In recent years, a number of modern orthodox families have moved into all of these neighborhoods as have several haredi families.

A 3^rd floor walk up in an old building (3.5 rooms) recently went for 2300 nis/monthly. This particular apt. did, however, contain major appliances.  I recently viewed a ground floor apartment in an old 8 storey elevator building on Morad Hagai.  It was a 3room (2 bedrooms)flat for rent for nis 2200.

The Irisim:

Continuing up Morad Hagai and turning left onto Sderot Nesiei Israel, you pass an area which includes buildings from the late 1970’s to buildings constructed within the last 10 years.  That section which is closer to the old center of Karmiel includes several multi storey apartment buildings knows as the Irisim.  They represent a style of building similar to that found in many of the older neighborhoods.  The Irisim today is on the edge of a large commercial area called, simply, the ‘midrahov’. Across Morad Hagai is the Lev Karmiel Shopping Center.   A number of orthodox and Haredi families have moved into this area which is home to a state sponsored synagogue, a Haredi synagogue and the Kolel Rav Malka. There are 4 kindergartens, 2 elementary schools, a Haredi elementary school (Amichi), a yeshiva and a sports center.  I am told there is a Temini (Yemenite) synagogue in this area. 

Makosh Neighborhood:

If you continue on Sderot Nesiei Israel, you will come to the turn off to Makosh, a neighborhood which is primarily comprised of single family homes, duplexes and triplexes.  There is an active community center (Matnas) in the neighborhood.  One kindergarten is shown on the map.  The neighborhood is bounded on 3 sides by hiking and bike paths and overlooks a wadi. 

Rentals are rare, but an occasional ‘cottage’ may be found for around nis 3500-4500.

Ramat Rabin:

To the west of  Makosh is the Rabin neighborhood, Karmiel’s newest.  Most of the residents are young, upwardly mobile Israeli families, many of whom are the children of the olim from the FSU who first came to Karmiel 15 years or so ago.  Properties in this area are considered highly desirable and are among the most expensive in the town for non-single family dwellings. Rentals of nis 3500-4000 month are common for a 4 room apartment.  The Amit (modern orthodox) School is located in Rabin, as are a sports hall, an active community center (matnas), 7 kindergartens, 2 synagogues and a mikveh. There is also a small commercial center, a kupat holim Clalit clinic and 2 elementary schools.

I recently viewed an apartment (May, 2010) of approx. 75 m² living space.  Two bedrooms, balcony, 2 toilets, very narrow kitchen (room for skinny table), no separate dining facilities, 2 ordinary bedrooms.  This was in an elevator building and was going for nis 2200 [note the date].  Note:  although the living space (which, btw, includes the balcony), the municipal taxes are based on common areas as well in an apartment building, so the tax bill for this apt. rated the flat at 97 m², which includes not only the balcony, but the halls and stair wells and entry ways.  This is standard practice.  Another flat in the same neighborhood had 3 bedrooms (one of which is the 'safe room' or bomb shelter which is required in all residences constructed these days) and two balconies (merpesot) and rented for nis 2700. The price included one parking spot.

Givat Ram:

Givat Ram is the neighborhood farthest from the main entrance of the city.  A bridge was built from the existing city to this area, thus it has maintained its integrity as a suburb. Originally built to house olim from the FSU, today Givat Ram is a homogeneous area.  Hebrew is the main language, with Russian speakers comprising about 1/3 of the population and veteran Israelis making up most of the balance.  The neighborhood is divided into 2 parts.  The area on the right as you enter the neighborhood is home primarily to families with young children.  The section on the left, somewhat smaller, is populated mostly by families in their 40’s and up.  One synagogue is shown on each side on the map.  The Rakefet elementary school is on the left side.  5 kindergartens are shown.  A kupat holim Clalit clinic is in the newer area.  Nearly all housing is comprised of two-family modular units set on small lots.  Many of the basic units have been improved and have second floors.  There are two large elevator apartment blocks on the left just before you enter the neighborhood.  Cost of rental vary widely, reflecting the difference in types of housing, but nis 3000 should give you a lot of flexibility.

From a lister at gonorthkarmiel@yahoogroups.com

"To the best of my knowledge and recollection, there are two shuls in givat ram and a third under construction.

One is Ashkenazi under the direction of Rabbi Schwartz.  They daven with nusach achid which in the US is also known as nusach sephard.

The second shul is sepharadi or mizrachi.  I do not know much about it or who the rav is.

As far as the Ashkenazi shul goes, there are about 15 or so chareidi families and another 25 or 30 non chareidi families that are active in the shul and that attend the shul on a regular basis.  As I recall from the time that I spent there over Shavuot, there are quite a few English speaking families that are members of the shul."

ORT Braude College – Galil Neighborhood:

The ORT Braude College is close to the western entrance of the city.  It sits within the borders of the Galil neighborhood. The College synagogue serves the public as well as the student population.  An additional synagogue, community center and the Makeef Kramin High School are nearby. The residential part of the neighborhood has a senior citizen’s home, a senior citizen’s day center, a small commercial area, the Kalanit elementary school, a third synagogue and two kindergartens  and one of Karmiel’s antiquities sites.  The neighborhood has a large park (Park HaGalil) and very varied housing from party wall duplexes to several relatively new, modern apartment houses, some of which front on the Midrahov commercial street. These flats generally rent for prices similar to the ones in Rabin. The offices of the Municipality are at the top of this street (KKL Blvd), but are technically part of the Hadar neighborhood.  Because of the proximity to the College and the number of students seeking housing, demand often exceeds supply here.

Sagi Neighborhood:

If you have the energy, it is possible to walk up the steps from the Municipality to the Sagi neighborhood.  The upper part of this neighborhood is home primarily to duplex and triplex apartments, many with large balconies and views of the parks below.  The Megadim High School (which has an English Department run by a fantastic American English teacher who has developed a special class for kids from English speaking backgrounds), an elementary school, an active community center, a sports hall, a synagogue and a kindergarten are located here. I am told there is a Chabad minyan near Beit Sefer (school) Megadim.

Te’ene Neighborhood:

Abutting Sagi is the Te’ene Neighborhood, separated by green space.  Te’ene, which is transversed by several long streets, is bounded on one side by Sderot Nesiei Israel and on another by Keren Ha’Yesod Street.  A large area, made up of several housing styles, from duplex party wall homes to the older 3-4 storey walkups, contains 6 kindergartens, a community center, a synagogue, a religious affairs office, and a mikveh. Te'ene also has several apartment buildings called "cochavim" (stars).  These interesting buildings are also found on HaDekel Street (Sagi neighborhood).  They are built roughly in the shape of a Y, so that each of the 3 apartments on a floor has a large merpeset (balcony).  No elevators, large rooms. The area is within walking distance of the old center of Karmiel and all its services.

Megadim:

The Megadim neighborhood, built on a series of hills, is generally referred to as the ‘ma’aravit.’  Relatively large in area, it is low density housing designed primarily, not exclusively, to single family homes (‘villot’).  Over the years, many of the homeowners have added ‘granny flats’ for extra income, so it is possible to find a rental for a single person here, but public transportation to this area is poor, so be prepared to walk up a lot of hills, buy a car or take taxis.  The homes, themselves, occasionally come up for rent as well.  There are 5 kindergartens, including one for kids from religious families, a supermarket, a synagogue, a mikveh, a postal substation, a small commercial center and an elementary school.  That area of the Megadim neighborhood which is not comprised of single family homes fronts, primarily, on Keren Ha’Yesod Street and includes the usual older 3-4 storey buildings.   It is possible to walk down the hill from this neighborhood into the old city center, but most people don’t walk to go back up on foot—especially pushing a stroller! Single family homes generally start around nis 4000 -4500 up.

I saw an apartment (granny flat) (May, 2010)  in this neighborhood for nis 2000. The owner of the property, a single family home, has taken the first floor of a large house and is living there with his family.  He has split the second floor into 2 flats.  The 2 apartments share a very nice balcony.  The rent includes municipal taxes, water and sewage, so the price is a good one for the neighborhood.  The house is within walking distance to the office of an English speaking family physician.  In order to create the apartment, the landlord has had to build a toilet/shower room, which is incorporated in the flat near the entrance.  It’s kinda awkward and not particularly aesthetic, but serves its purpose.  The rest of the flat comprises 3 room, i.e., 2 bedrooms and a fairly good sized combo living room/dining area with a kitchen built against the wall at one end of the room.  It would be suitable for one or even two persons, if you could get over the rather unusual arrangement.

Hadar:

Because the Municipality and the new Family Park (Park Mishpacha) take up so much space, this neighborhood is comparatively low density. There are some single family homes and duplexes in the newer part of the neighborhood (close to the Midrahov – see Iriasim Neighborhood). The B’nei Akiva Clubhouse (moadon) is located in Hadar, as are 3 kindergartens and an antiquities site.  The grounds surrounding the Municipality are a popular site for Shabbat walks.  An older section of Hadar, close to Sderot Nesiei Israel, contains several apartment houses similar to those described elsewhere.  The older part of the Hadar ends at Arbel Street.  Apartments in this overlook a large park (Park Ofir)  and playground that fronts on the boulevard.  4 room apartments in this area can be found for half of the cost of the newer neighborhoods.  The HaDekel School, which has an ulpan, for olim kids, is located in the older part of this area. Flats (2-3 bedrooms) are available about nis 2800-3000/month.

Across Sderot Nesiei Israel are the "tesha komot" (9 storey buildings).  These are the only 9 storey buildings in Karmiel and have elevators.  Most of the population is stable (elderly, Russian), so it's hard to get an apartment in one of these well-located, old-fashioned buildings.  Most of them are 3 br flats.  A brand new playground has been constructed here, and several small shops are in the plaza behind these buildings.  There are at least 3 synagogues, including Moriah,  within comfortable walking distance of these buildings and all the services of the old center.