A goverment that thinks nothing of investing milions of dollars building religious settlements in the occupied terrotries yes couldnt give a dam about young people starting out in life. This is what you get with the terrible trio, BB, Liberman and Yishai.

Targetting French Jews willing to invest in Israel is silly and bad taste

Living in the center of Tel Aviv is not a democratic right, just like living in Savion or Ramat Aviv Gimel is not. Clearly there are enough people able to pay the high rent prices. Foreign owned apartments (which has little influence on older apartments) brings in much needed tourism dollars to local businesses. There are X amount of apartments in Tel Aviv. Instituting rent control will not allow more people to live in the city, it will only create more corruption where friends of politicians will get the cheap apartments. The government should work to reduce building restrictions to allow more apartments to be built (as apparently there is enough demand), just as it should intervene to prevent collusion on the part of cheese makers. Increasing restrictions, however, only helps those who are already connected.

the problem is not anybody's fault. If you want to live in central london, it will cost a lot so to, kindof, for central Tel Aviv. Get a proper job or move to petach tikva or holon, or deal with the high rent. Better transport would help those in the inner suburbs get to work tho.

you must be joking, it's unbelievably expensive there. anyway the information in this article is all true, but should have been published five years ago - once again the media plays catch-up to what normal people knew years and years ago - a normally earning person cannot get a start in Israel... It's a real shame...

Two-dimensional thinking of that kind (we read in this article) is a sign of a teen (in some cases propoganda or lack of intellect capability). So, you can't afford to live in the central part of most expensive Israeli city, that means you should go and found an outpost? Like there is no affordable, bigger, more comfortable apartments in suburb? Did someone erased Petah Tikva, Bat Yam, Ramat Gan, Holon, Rishon from his map? Please someone get this guy back to reality. If you are a "future student" (and there is no such thing, you are either a student or not), then do some research, and find a good affordible apartment in 15 minutes from Tel-Aviv. And there were thousands of opportunities last time I checked. But you won't, because you'd better go and protest than think. It actually speaks a lot.

if they can afford it then anyone can. live in a part that is not extremely expensive. Tel Aviv is an urban city and like all urban cities theres high demand and limited supply. So what?

The US is facing bankruptcy because of Obama's communist doctrine. Israel is surging because of Bibi, Stanley Fischer and others. An ill thought article because it offers not solution.

You can't believe this guy lives in Israel. Tens of thousands of young couples want to live in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. Sadly, not only doesn't the government hand out rewards for these people, thanks to the Barak/Netanyahu freeze there are no houses available (unless you are a Muslim). Since Zamir doesn't want to move to Sderot or Kiryat Shmona (rockets from Gaza or Lebanon thanks to Labor/Kadima), why doesn't he move to the area of the old central bus station in Tel Aviv? Rent is very affordable there.

What exactly are you protesting against? The laws of economics in a free market?... And what do you expect the Knesset to do, force TA landlords to offer their apartments for a low rent? Even communist China and Russia do not interfere so flagrantly in their real estate market. Face it, Tel Aviv is an expensive town, just like Paris or London or Manhattan are. These are the prices, take it or leave it. Nobody forces you to live in downtown TA and pay a hefty percentage of your salary for that. If it's too expensive for you, you can always move to cheaper neighborhoods like Schunat Hatikva or Ramat Gan or Bnei Brak or Azur. And if that's still expensive, you can move to the periphery. There is nothing wrong in Haifa, Hadera, Bet Shemesh, Ashkelon or Ashdod - there are no parking problems, no traffic jams, the air is cleaner and the cost of living is cheaper. But no. You want the creme de la creme - the center of Tel Aviv, to be conveniently close to the espresso in Shenkin, the restaurants in Rotschild, and the art galleries and the Susan Dalal center for the arts in Neve Tzedek. Well then, convenience has its price. Deal with it. A few additional notes now on what you said. First, why the jeering tone about the Negev? Nobody forces you to live there, but at least don't make a joke of those who do. These are the true Zionists (a curse word for you and your ilk, I know). Your cynicism here sounds conceited and snobbish. Second, I really wouldn't mind all the "young people, the artists and party goers" moving out of Tel Aviv. Without the pose and decadence and over-partying and leftist atmosphere, perhaps it would finally become a town where I, and other normal Israelis, could feel comfortable in. Not to mention prettier, when all those 50+ year old, wretched and decrepit blocks you people live in, which are a true eyesore and environmental blemish - would be shaved in favor of new or renovated buildings. Third, I as a consumer, have no problem not consuming cottage cheese or whatever other product which is overpriced. Fourth, you don't seriously compare the service our country gets from doctors, to what it gets from Tel Avivian deadbeats like you? And fifth, sentences like, "Young couples can always put on a protective vest and move beyond the Green Line" certainly do not help your cause. All you do here is alienate everyone who does not share your leftist political views. Grow up, crybaby, and realize your country extends beyond your local swamp.

Instead of whining complaints, why not a little economic analysis? I agree, prices in Israel, not just for housing, are outrageous. When you take into consideration the average salary, outrageous is an understatment. But what is the underlying explanation? Supply & demand is NOT a sufficient answer. Bitching about the rich or wealthy French who buy appartments will not further understanding nor indicate a way forward. Our economy is characterized by extreme economic concentration, low productivity, & inefficiency. There is limited competition, we are over-regulated by a monstrous unaccountable collection of bureaucracies, our unions are way too powerful (especially the public sector unions). Essentially, we are victims of a socialism that evolved into crony capitalism, a captive market to be exploited by semi-monopolies. The real estate market is just one segment of a larger pattern.

Living in a good neighborhood in London, Washington, Manhattan, Paris and Tokyo are also expensive. Why should Tel Aviv be any different? The author isn't clear about what he would have "the government" do. Rent controls don't work, and subsidies only drive prices higher. The only thing that drives prices down is increasing the supply. Tel Aviv has a lot of older, low density neighborhoods, and there's a reason many don't want to live there. They're slums. Of course, if new buildings go up there, complaints flow from those displaced as well as other complaining the new construction is "for the rich". (Look at Jaffa.) You can't win.

For government officials and snickering TBers who think the status quo is OK - that people who save lives don't deserve their own homes, and certainly not close to work when they are on-call midnights - please die in the street like dogs when you're sick. And your loved ones, too.

I accidentally hit the recommend key on one of the talk back posts for this article thinking I would expand the entry and see the full post. I feel sad for this young person struggling to afford the rent in Tel Aviv. It is a struggle the world over for young people to keep up a good standard of living in popular urban areas. Good luck to you and others in calling attention to your cause. Young people of the world are the future of our world and need all the help and support we can give.

Sock it to 'em!!!!!!!

start massive building in yehuda and shomron. that will free up apartments in the congested center!

Firstly, don't you realise that every city in the world that is successful, must go through change? Inevitably, progress is change. Want a cool city? Well its cool. Sorry but cool things attract lots of people and now its becoming over popular(ated). London, New York, Rome, Tokyo are no different. Welcome to progress/capitalism. Additionally, there ARE cheaper places to live than in the "heart" of the city. Do you not realise that most major cities of the world (lets face it, Tel Aviv is Israel's defacto Capital) are also extremely expensive to live in the heart of them? I'm from London but I did not complain that Piccadily Circus or Mayfair or Covent Garden were unfairly beyond my reach did I? I moved as close to them as I could afford to do. Inevitably, other cool areas will spring up in downtown, nearby suburbs; Williamsburg is an example in New York or Islington in London. Maybe by that time you'd have wisely invested when prices were low? Maybe "downtown Givatayim" will be that new cool, trendy place? Who knows? Lastly saying that the goverment is not interfering... well, thats a joke. The government has already introduced various legislation that has already had a major effect on the property market which is now starting to slow down. For one, they introduced Capital Gains waiver on Mas Shevach which explains why more people are selling - that measure in itself has slowed down the market. Walk around Tel Aviv and see all the for sale signs if you don't believe me. I'm not entirely sure that your complaint here is reasonable when viewed from the perspective of how other cities are in the rest of the world. Of course, people here in Israel love to complain, blame the govt. for things that basically are beyond the govts. control, ie: how wealthy you are. Work harder?

I resent people slamming the French all the time. The ones I meet are all terrific people and I salute them for their unshakeable support of Israel where they come and spend millions every year. Further, all the French Olim of which I've met hundreds just in Tel Aviv alone. They serve in the army, pay taxes and make Aliyah. Yes they speak French loudly in the street... oh sorry!! Like Tel Aviv is that quiet?? Please. Viva La Frogs!! Where would we be without them??!!

THE SETTLERS, but of course! I've read the article and then all the comments, and everybody is RIGHT. Yes, there is no unalienable human right to dwell on Shenkin Street, but ouch! - the cheap rent in Bat Yam is a fantasy. Ditto in Holon, Rishon and almost everywhere. The bloody French have bought all our country! With the help of American, English and all other Jewish moneybags from all the little planet. You can of course afford a flat in Mizpe-Ramon - that's if you have a rent, because there are no jobs. I especially LOVE the bit about f...ng settlers, who have all the help from f...ng Govt, and whos houses in the shooting gallery are only fifteen times more expensive then, say, in Turkey (built by the same Turks from the same concrete blocks) - so bloody dishonestly CHEAP! Let's then get rid of Judea and Samaria so as not to feel jealous of the f...ng you know WHO. But seriously, people! Let's agree - without cutting the f...ng BUREAUCRACY and speculation, without DRASTICALLY hiking up SUPPLY of popular cheap dwellings - we shall see Israel sinking more and more into Latin-American hell of rich islands behind barbwire fences, surrounded by stinky favelas of the downtrodden Jews, the VOTERS in our wonderful democracy. And then it will be time of bullets, not the ballots. I hope not!

Mr Zamir, your lack of money/ambition/knowhow to make a success of yourself is not the fault of the government. The large majority of people who live in central Tel Aviv have worked hard for that privilige - and I stress the word PRIVLIGE. To believe that it is your RIGHT to live in central Tel Aviv is just absurd. This article stinks of jealousy.

Laws of economics? There are entire neighborhoods and apartment buildings that are empty for most of the year in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. And I am not exagerrating. Ask any veteran resident of either city. To those of you who scoff the statistics Israel is a tiny country and if foreigners (and I mean wealthy Jews here) buy up 50,000 apartments for the summer only then they've created a serious market distortion. Go live in Holon? OK lets see you ride the bus for an hour and a half to work in Central Tel Aviv every days when it should take half an hour. London is also expensive? Yes but London has strict housing laws that stipulate that wherever new builds are created the developer must also construct affordable homes. Check your facts! So no to "free market" nonsense; Israel is too small; no to moving to suburbs because there is no mass transit system; no to comparing us to big cities where there are laws enforcing affordable housing construction all you people call yourselves zionists but you don't really care about israelis who live in israel and were born there. i read your talkbacks. you think we're dirt. you don't even try to understand our situation

Haha. Funny. The USA was facing bankruptcy before "Obama's communist doctrine" we should really tighten the rules about law of return. not base it on orthdoxy but on intelligence instead. wow. "communist doctrine" what's your T.M.I. i wonder, haha

Life is not fair. You don't get to live like a millionaire just for breathing. You are a kid in your twenties. I could not afford to buy a place until I was fifty. Start counting your blessings. I would gladly trade you my apartment if you could trade your age for mine.

This has nothing to do with right or left. THIS IS SIMPLY SUPPLY AND DEMAND There is more demand than supply

are too expensive to live in!!! so find someplace else

hey buddy it is high everywhere, even in ashkelon the best kept secret, used to be cheap in rehovot too not anymore

I lived in Manhattan in a really nice, really big apartment. I do the same job here and can barely afford the rent on a cruddy apartment without glass in the windows in Bnei Brak. When I made aliyah 6 years ago, affording Tel Aviv was not easy but manageable by skimping a bit. Now, no way. Now Bnei Brak is not affordable...

Propery prices all over Israel are expensive and its only natural that in cities like Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and its growing suburbs are going to be more expensive than somewhere like Bat Yam. There is also the issue of the foreigners who want to buy second homes in Israel are more likely to choose to buy in one of the main cities which of course drives prices higher. If your determined to live in Tel Aviv but you can't afford Rothschild you could always live in neighborhoods like Hatikvah. Of course that is a neighborhood for the low paid working class people and its full of foreign workers but hey if you want to live in Tel Aviv and can't afford the rents in the nicer areas then move out. You don't have a God given right to live in a decent part of Tel Aviv. Long term what the government needs to do is develop the Galilee and Negev. Right now this ghetto like mentality that exists in Israel is drivng up the prices and creating problems for everybody. You have the religious wanting to live in Jerusaelm, Bnei Barak or the Yeshe. The Arabs & Druze are mostly in the north. Then you have the secular Jews all crammed into the coastal plains. Whilst I am not against the building of settlements we need to change the settlement culture. The pro settlement movement just want to build for the sake of building and live there for the sake of living there, its an obsession. If they want to be pioneers ( which the settlers see themselves as ) whilst not totally abandoning settlements change the attitude so they are treated as neighborhoods rather than monuments More of them should choose to live in the Negev and Galilee, its all Jewish land and in need of being reclaimed by Jews, the bests bit is right now property there is affordable to ordinary Israeli's on average incomes. The settlers are the only real pioneers left, seculars just want an easy life so fufill Ben Gurions dream and make the Negev bloom because thats the sort of thing settlers are good at.

Well to all these people writing here that just 15 min of Tel Aviv its cheaper: it is not. We are couple in our 60-ties forced to look for another apartment since our landlord sold suddenly the place we were renting,and after looking into hundreds of apartments we finally found something in the north.Problem in Israel is the fact there are no rules for renting. There are no laws like in most European countries, to build a certain amount of apartments for renting. No rules forcing pension funds to build rental apartments. No, indeed Israel is becoming a country for the rich, while the middle class is disappearing, and young people are forced to buy a home instead of renting when they start a family. We will try now the north, but after this? Back to Europe?