Hi Folks!
We hope you have enjoyed and learned some tips on Aliyah from this website.
We have become fast friends with our neighbors in the "new neighborhood" of our Moshav. Most of the Moshavim and Kibbutzim on the Golan Heights have been here since the Yom Kippur War, 1973. Recently, the National Government instituted a plan to "settle" more people in the Golan, so the existing "Villages" were required to open new neighborhoods. We settled in one of those neighborhoods. Basically, we are not part of the "collective" farming businesses and we do not share in any of the Moshav profits or expenses. We pay a monthly "upkeep" fee for the common areas, such as the community parks, and for security. The neighbors on our street do the same. They are all Sabras, who work at businesses unrelated to the Moshav, some in Haifa, and even one who commutes all the way to Tel Aviv, one week a month.
We interact with everyone in the Moshav, but we do have closer ties to the people in our "new" neighborhood.
In this post, I will say that the process of building a new home in Israel, cost us about 30% more than we had budgeted. In saying that, we have decided to work a couple of extra years at our jobs in the USA. It has not been easy, but it is possible and almost a requirement for us. Because we are not in the IT or software business, our earning potential in the USA is much greater. So we go back to make a living and prepare for our retirement in Israel, which G_d willing, will be sooner than later.
When you move here, keep in mind that you may need more money than you budgeted for buying an apartment or building a house here. Be prepared for cost overruns. We have several American/Israeli friends, who have all shared similar experiences as us, as far as cost overruns on building their houses. From replacing leaky windows and roofs, to additional charges by sub-contractors, and remodeling woes, our friends have all spent much more on their homes, than they had originally budgeted for when they made Aliyah. I believe that you should add about 20% to any final number you come up with, and pad your savings account with that cushion so you can be prepared when it comes time to buy your new home here in Israel. Additionally, aim lower at a more modest apartment or building plan and then save up a cushion for the additional expenses because they will come, we can almost guarantee it!
Last but not least, invest in friendships here in Israel. Your friendships will sustain you through the Aliyah process and for many years afterward. We could not have completed the Aliyah process without the help of friends we made in Israel, it is that simple.
We wish you all the joy and Spiritual benefits of doing the greatest Mitzvah- Aliyah!
Shalom Alechem!
