(IsraelNN.com) Rentals in Jerusalem are hard to find. The day a good rental gets listed, it is already taken. This is true in every neighborhood of Jerusalem - including Maaleh Adumim (to the sorrow of the State Department).  Rental prices in the capital have increased at least 30% in the last year.

The following is a list of average prices per month for a four-room flat in some of Jerusalem’s neighborhoods: 
There are many that believe that the government will have to step up and create some low income housing units in the country's most popular cities - Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

  Abu Tur: $2,000
  Baka: $1,200 - $1,500
  Beit Hakerem: $1,200 - $1,800 (depending on street and type of building)
  German Colony: $2,200 - $2,500
  Geula: $1,300
  Gilo: $1,100
  Givat Oranim: $1,500
  Katamon: $1,300 - $1,500
  Kiryat Moshe: $1,200 - $1,400
  Mekor Chaim: $1,000
  Pisgat Zev: $1,100
  Ramot: $1,100
  Ramat Eshkol: $1,500
  Rechavia: $2,200
  Beit El (by way of comparison): $500 -$700

Of course prices change in either direction based on the shape of the apartment, floor, and shape and style of the building. Other factors such as proximity to desired places like a popular synagogue, health club, school, etc. affect the price as well. Sometimes a three-room apartment may be relatively more expensive than a four-room flat if small apartments are more desirable. If there is a greater demand for larger flats in a certain area, then larger flats will be relatively more expensive.

So if the average price of a four-room apartment is $1,000, this breaks down to $250 a room. Accordingly, a three-room apartment should be priced at $750.  But if an area has a demand for small apartments, a three-room flat may go for $850. If there is a greater demand for large flats, then a six-room flat may be close to $2000, instead of $1500.

No matter what, you will be paying more for a rental this year than you did last year.  In Tel Aviv, rentals are still on the rise as well. On July 3, 2008, Uri Chudai wrote in the financial weekly “Calcalist” that in June alone, prices for rentals in North Tel Aviv rose 6.5%. The average two-room apartment there is $1,000 a month.

There are many who believe that the government will have to step up and create some low income housing units in the country's most popular cities, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.  Otherwise, it will be impossible for young couples, singles, and even the working and middle class, to be able to live in these two cities.

Baruch Finkelstein is an owner/broker of Remax Center in Jerusalem. The office is in the shopping center of Ramot and Baruch has agents that service all of Jerusalem.
cell: 972-545-251-219
office: 972-2-586-9980

baruch.finkelstein@remax.co.il

www.remax-israel.com/center