We are in the market for a new apartment. Even though the place is beautiful and a great size for us, the number of issues have simply been mounting. And it only has been recently that a final decision had been made to move, and actually the decision was pretty much made by our landlord.
A few months ago, the landlord and I verbally agreed to continue the lease at the same monthly rent because of all the issues we've experienced the past year rather than raise it 10% as originally specified in the contract. Jana and I simply wanted to avoid the hassle of moving. I should have gotten it in writing then. Right before our trip to Turkey, she came with a real estate agent to appraise the place for selling (She did tell me this and we agreed there would be plenty of advanced notice if this was actually happening.) The agent told her that selling at a high price might take awhile but she could get lots more rent. So the next day, we received the call from our landlord that the previous agreement was off the table and that she'll be putting the place on the rental market. We have since found out that she is asking for 45% more than what we are currently paying.
So we are looking for a new apartment and have till the end of September. At least now, we can go look for a newly renovated place and avoid all the issues we've had to deal with. Wish us luck.
Coincidentally, there is a country wide ongoing demonstration protesting the high cost of living here in Israel. It turns out that the cost of living here in Tel Aviv is similar to New York City, but the average Israeli makes about half that of the average American. The protesters, lead by mostly 20 and 30 year old's protesting the skyrocketing rent, have set up tents on one of Tel Aviv's most beautiful streets Rotchild. They have been there for weeks, and last Saturday a huge demonstration with more than 200,000 people took place. I was partly observer, partly protester.
What will come of the protests is uncertain. The government is full of beauracratic red-tape, and since no spokesman/leader has emerged from the protesters, their message and demands are lofty and unfocused.
Here are some photos I took of the protests last Saturday night.
A few months ago, the landlord and I verbally agreed to continue the lease at the same monthly rent because of all the issues we've experienced the past year rather than raise it 10% as originally specified in the contract. Jana and I simply wanted to avoid the hassle of moving. I should have gotten it in writing then. Right before our trip to Turkey, she came with a real estate agent to appraise the place for selling (She did tell me this and we agreed there would be plenty of advanced notice if this was actually happening.) The agent told her that selling at a high price might take awhile but she could get lots more rent. So the next day, we received the call from our landlord that the previous agreement was off the table and that she'll be putting the place on the rental market. We have since found out that she is asking for 45% more than what we are currently paying.
So we are looking for a new apartment and have till the end of September. At least now, we can go look for a newly renovated place and avoid all the issues we've had to deal with. Wish us luck.
Coincidentally, there is a country wide ongoing demonstration protesting the high cost of living here in Israel. It turns out that the cost of living here in Tel Aviv is similar to New York City, but the average Israeli makes about half that of the average American. The protesters, lead by mostly 20 and 30 year old's protesting the skyrocketing rent, have set up tents on one of Tel Aviv's most beautiful streets Rotchild. They have been there for weeks, and last Saturday a huge demonstration with more than 200,000 people took place. I was partly observer, partly protester.
What will come of the protests is uncertain. The government is full of beauracratic red-tape, and since no spokesman/leader has emerged from the protesters, their message and demands are lofty and unfocused.
Here are some photos I took of the protests last Saturday night.
