Jerusalem Real Estate Guide - A Pick Into The Most Desirable Districts Of Jerusalem  Jewish Main Page   Home Tomer Harel says: this article was written out of love to the holiest city on earth, Jerusalem. Jerusalem combines modern life with tales and wonders spreading thousands of years back in time. It's historical value is priceless and to this day it is the most sacred place to Christianity, Islam and Judaism. If you ever been to Jerusalem you know that there is something in the air. In a way, it feels as if the past was never gone and everywhere you look you see stories, old and new, combined into a magical experience of colorful sights, sounds, smells and exotic tastes that appeal to all your senses. If you are a real- estate lover, this article will provide you with a glimpse into the most desirable districts of Jerusalem. But beware, no words can do justice to these places - you must sense it for yourself. The German Colony The historical German Colony is located in southern Jerusalem and expands from both sides of Emek Refaim street. It was established by the Templar community that came from Germany in 1868. The neighborhood was built similar to a German-style village with narrow streets, stone fences, thatched rooftops of pine and cypress wood and a lot of greenery. In 1975 the Colony was declared as a historical site in order to preserve its unique flavor. The area's homes have exclusive features, such as fields of trees and green gardens. Today the main street of Emek Refaim is one of the most popular streets in Jerusalem, with a cosmopolitan flavor, stylish boutiques, restaurants and coffee houses bustling with life. The area is next to great cultural spots like the Jerusalem Theatre, the Islamic Museum and the Natural Science Museum. It is also just a few minutes walk to the Old City. In the German Colony are two high schools, a grammar school, preschools of all different sects, medical centers, community centers and various synagogues from all different denominations due to the many immigrants in the area from France and the United States. Baka Baka is a unique neighborhood with old Arab houses, many of which have been renovated and expanded. The neighbor- hood stretches out on both sides of Derech Beit Lechem. The Chaen Theater and the old train tracks are located in the neighborhood. The name "Baka" is taken directly from the Arabic word meaning "valley" as an indication of the topography of the area. Until the 1990s, Baka was quiet and empty. In 1922 wealthy Muslim inhabitants and Christians established beautiful private houses in the area. During the 1970s the middle-class began to settle in Baka, bringing aesthetic houses and paths within the heart of the neighborhood. Many houses were renovated, but the old architectural style was left intact. In the last decade, new immigrants from Europe and America have bought large houses in the area and the integral aspects of the neighborhood include its varied population as well as the beautiful villas near the train tracks dating from the 1960s. Today the main street is Derech Beit Lechem, a street bustling with life with various designer stores, produce stands, restaurants, and laundromats. Baka is an idyllic neighborhood for young families or retirees, with one main street and many excellent schools. In the neighborhood are various synagogues of all different sects. Baka also has a large French community. In the 1920s construction of the Abu Tur neighborhood began, east of Derech Hevron, between Ein Rogel street in the north and Naomi street in the south. Abu Tur is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city with streets and paths lined with trees and old Arab houses with gardens and wealthy, modern houses. The neighborhood is enjoyable not only because of its central location – just a five-minute walk from Baka is the German Colony, the King David Hotel, and other important hotels – but also because of the winding paths of olive trees. Talbieh The neighborhood of Talbieh is one of the most beautiful in the city, and is thought of as one of the wealthiest neighbor- hoods in Jerusalem. The wealth of the city can be seen in the number of buildings of important government officials like the President's House on Jabotinsky, the National Academy of Science, and the Van Leer Institute. In the early 1970s the Jerusalem Theater was established. The population consists of many celebrities, and the wealthiest streets of the neighborhood include Hovevei Tzion, Disraeli, and Dubnov. In the neighborhood it is possible to see a rich variety of buildings from the Mandate period, as well as authentic Arab houses that have been expanded or have had additions made to their original structures. In Talbieh, many houses have been declared historical preservations. This is a quiet neighborhood with one-way streets and green gardens. The famous Rose Garden can be found on Pinsker Street. The neighborhood is located at the edge of the center of the city of Jerusalem, between the neighborhood of Rechavia in the north and Old Katamon in the south. It is also a few minutes walk to the German Colony. The neighborhood of Talbieh also is located near the Inbal Hotel, a short walking distance from the Old City, and near many hotels and The Great Synagogue. Famous synagogues in the area include one on Hovevei Tzion street, and the Chopen synagogue. Within a short walk are many different attractions, including the German Colony with its stylish, cosmopolitan Emek Refaim street. In the neighborhood are various preschools and synagogues of all different sects. Rechavia The neighborhood of Rechavia, one of the most interesting from an architectural and historical perspective, is located north of the neighborhood of Talbieh and Old Katamon, and is right next to Shaare Hesed. A lot of its inhabitants are well-educated and received their education from Central Europe as well as Western countries. The large villas that were established reflect economic and social status as well as personal style – the owners hired talented architects with creative new designs. Rechavia was the "classic garden neighborhood," founded on thirty acres of land, but the area has experienced change over time. In the 1960s, many internal roads such as Gaza street and Ramban street turned into external roads linking the area with the city. A number of the houses were turned into private offices or new houses were built in their place. In spite of all this, the basic quality of the neighborhood has remained intact. Gaza street is a very lively street with many fashionable places to spend time, as well as banks and stores. Rechavia in the 1990s remained, to some degree, a preservation of an all-but-vanished world. A walk through the neighborhood's streets, with buildings from the Mandate period lined with trees, continues to be an aesthetic treat. Rechavia is in a central location, close to The Great Synagogue, the Sheraton Plaza and the downtown district. It is a few minutes walk from Shaare Hesed and Talbieh. Rechavia owes its "rural" appearance mainly to its overall garden neighborhood plan and abundant greenery. Rechavia is becoming a "bourgeois" neighborhood, without a specific cultural or class identity. Even more than a neighborhood, Rechavia was a concept, and its story, like that of other Jerusalem quarters, is the story of the individual families living there. Shaare Hesed The religious neighborhood of Shaare Hesed is at the edge of the neighborhood of Rechavia. It is a quiet and wealthy neighborhood with a warm atmostphere. Shaare Hesed is located between the streets of Ussishkin, Diskin, and Keren Kayemet L'Yisrael. The neighborhood was built according to a plan of many adjacent one-story houses, each with its own long, narrow yard, but starting in 1975 there was an acceleration of renewal and people began to renovate with stonework and different pavements. The new houses were bigger than the original structures and had additional floors. Today, most of the land is for individual houses or for two separate apartments. The area is especially popular for the orthodox community, and the new population of the area is mostly religious Jews from Western countries, including France. Due to the high demand of apartments in this area, few plots are left for sale. The neighborhood of Shaare Hesed is bordered by the neighborhood of Nahalat Achim and Nachlaot, which are very close to one another. In the neighborhood are many synagogues of many different religious varieties, and it is close to The Great Synagogue, many hotels and the center of town. On Keren Kayemet L'Yisrael is a high school, pharmacies, stores, and restaurants. Old Katamon Old Katamon, built at the time of the British Mandate and known as the "Flower Garden of Jerusalem," is located between the neighborhood of Talbieh to the north and the new neighborhoods to the south and southeast. The eastern border of Katamon is adjacent to the German Colony and the Greek Colony. The two streets that constitute the foundation of the neighborhood are Rachel Imanu, which runs in the east-west direction, and Kovshe Katamon, which runs in the north-south direction. These streets are connected to the stylish, cosmopolitan Emek Refaim street and Palmach street in the north. In the early 1970s, a process of renewal began in the area, and many of the inhabitants began to realize their dreams of a stone courtyard with a fence, a quality porch, a thatched roof, and different architectural styles not previously seen in the area. The neighborhood of Katamon has a romantic, sentimental style, with small, artistic houses with yards, pragmatically located within close proximity to the center of town. In the neighborhood are many schools, preschools, and synagogues of many different varieties. Arnona Arnona, located on the edge of old Talpiyot and Baka, is a pleasant neighborhood. It is a unique suburb, divided into houses of many different styles and sizes, many with private entrances and private parking. Thatched rooftops can be found in abundance, along with penthouses and pent cottages with individual stone gardens and terraces that create a feeling of privacy and comfort. The neighborhood of Arnona is relatively new – it was founded only thirty years ago. Arnona is an ideal place for families and young couples. The Tayelet, with its colonial design, and Kibbutz Ramat Rachel with its swimming pool and health club can be found in the neighborhood. The neighborhood has an amazing view of the Dead Sea from each house, and it is known for its panoramic views. The neighborhood also is along a main transportation route to all major parts of the city, near center city shopping and recreation in Talpiyot. The main street is bustling with the life of Baka. In Arnona there is one high school, a medical center, many preschools, parks, public gardens, and synagogues of different streams. Recently 1300 new houses have been built in the area in eight different projects. The new housing projects have between three to five rooms in each apartment and have very attractive prices. The projects are intended for a young population. Center The center of the city of Jerusalem includes both King George street and Jaffa street, both running in the north-south direction until intersecting at a point. The area is a main commercial center as well as a tourist attraction and an enjoyable place to spend an afternoon. The city center includes many first-class hotels, including the King David hotel, the Prima Kings hotel, the Sheraton, and Lev Jerusalem. Next to the King David hotel is the Cinematheque, where many university students and teenagers gather on the weekends. One of the main attractions of this area is the famous Ben Yehuda street with its many shops, restaurants, and cafes. The center city area is within walking distance to the religious neighborhood of Mea Shearim and the Old City. Nadlan-Plus is a top Jerusalem real estate Israel firm, offering luxury apartments in Jerusalem and a wide selection of properties across Israel. Providing unique services to the international community.