Why the hell did you choose to live in Tel Aviv when you moved here? I agree prices are outrageous in Tel Aviv, but rents are much cheaper elsewhere. Would you choose to rent in Manhattan as a new immigrant family to the US? That said I agree Lapid hasn't kept any of his election promises so far and I voted for him. A big disappointment so far.

This fellow simply does not have the threshold IQ to be a minister.

The finance minister born with a silver spoon in his mouth is right when he says living in Israel is not easy but what he doesns't point out is it never has been easy for a wide variety of reasons. Some do arise from politics and then there are those that are beyond government control like the housing bubble, import prices, money from exports has dropped because of the global recession, all beyond government control but the problem for Lapid at least is people are interested in their problems not why they have them. I think whats really happening is Israel developing a more westernised economy where the class moves into an upper and lower middle class. A lower middle class are richer than the very poor but they have struggle making ends meet sometimes. Then there is the upper middle class who are not rich but are comfortable but they can maybe buy their home or a car although most those trouble are because they took on extra expenses like a mortgage. . This was never really highlighted until cottage cheese and social protests.

and you certainly will reading all these feedbacks, there are thousands new immigrants to this country, and millions of veteran Israelis who are thriving here, love Israel and wouldn't dream of moving anywhere else. But still, life could be even better if Lapid would actually carry out some of his promises about economic reform.

Because Tel Aviv is the only city in Israel that can offer certain aspects of a big city like Chicago. Places like Holon and Haifa are small and depressing. With that said, there are thousands of new immigrants living in Manhattan, east village is filled with them. I have Israeli, Spanish and Russian friends who all live there. And have a better quality of live than we do in Tel Aviv.

Tel Aviv is the most expensive city in the Middle East and the 17th most expensive in the world. If your looking for affordability then live outside Tel Aviv and use the busses but if your looking for the big city 24/7 then go to Tel Aviv. My girlfriend she lives in Tel Aviv, her apartment isn't even 40 metre, not even a kitchen just a small toaster for cooking and a fridge in a very small living area. A small bedroom double bed taking up about 99% of the room and a small bathroom and for that she pays 5000 a month. If she moved out of Tel Aviv into the suburbs she would get much more for her money. The public transport system is not the best in the world but its not to bad. Tel Aviv has always been expensive and always will be, its Israel's London or New York.

Instead of bashing his own countrymen for seeking better life, he should focus on making life feasible in the country, this is what he was elected for. The burden of payouts to not productive groups, huge security expenses, corrupt union leaders. Too much for a middle class citizen to support. What used to hold Israelis together - sense of community and mutual support against the hostile world outside - does not work anymore. Incentives to stay vanished, incentives to leave got stronger. People will keep leaving, unless rhetoric will be replaced by actual measures to ease the burden. Ideology is not enough anymore.

With respect, if you say that Holon and especially Haifa are depressing, I think you are showing a tremendous inflexibilty of thought which is a hopeless trait if you wish to succeed as an immigrant. You don't want to live in Israel, but rather Chicago by the sea. Nobody comes to Israel to be better off financially, I agree, and its certainly not easy during the first couple of years. One has to at least be able to make ends meet for sure. That said don't forget the many other reasons for coming to Israel-Jewish quality of life is more than just money. However flexibilty is the number 1 requirement when moving to a new country. That you are now considering moving back to the US is sad but not surprising.

I cannot agree more. Flexibility is a key, but it is not a strong side of our fellow American compatriots. "My way or the highway" :) To Mom: If you want to call this country your own, just relax and embrace Israel as it is, don't try to make it into Chicago. If you can not - dont waste your time and go back. There is no shame to admit it and choose a place where you fit in. Your kids will be better off having parents that enjoy their life. Trust me on that - I changed countries twice ;)

To make ends meet is one thing, but strive to achieve and actually be ABLE to is another. Wouldn't you agree that most people want more than just to make ends meet? During my two years on Israel, I could not match my life in United States, and I was spending much more money in Israel than in US on living costs. Please don't compare Manhattan to Tel Aviv, to us New Yorkers its an insult. 'Mom' said it well - that being a Jew is not enough reason to live in Israel. Migrants and citizens alike struggle in Israel.

Maybe you have been conditioned to accept less. When did these values become mutually exclusive? Most people want and deserve both. Why do we in israel settle for less?

Matching US standard of living in Israel is almost impossible, I dont think it should be even a goal. Israel is tough place to live in, for many reasons. You have to really love it there to stay and enjoy. As much as I love Israel, I could not handle the pressure and chose easier place to live in. I dont blame Israel, though. We just did not fit together very well. It quite like marriage: sometimes it does not work, despite best intentions. It is important to acknowledge that and move on without hard feelings.

Exactly so. Time for the politicians to realise that things are NOT good and that those with a choice ie with a good education will vote with their feet. Communism toted over after 70 or so years and so can other isms unless dogma is replaced by working policies.