The Worst Things About Living in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is a vibrant and bustling city with a rich cultural heritage and a lively social scene. Despite all its charms, however, there are also some downsides to living in Tel Aviv that are worth considering before making the move.

Here are some of the worst things about living in Tel Aviv:

1.  High Cost of Living

Tel Aviv is one of the most expensive cities in the world, with a high cost of living that can be a major challenge for those on a budget. Specifically, housing costs are very, very high – with rent and property prices high above the national average income.

2.  Traffic Congestion

Tel Aviv is a busy city with typically very heavy traffic, and limited parking options. It will be difficult and time-consuming for you to navigate the city streets – especially during “rush hour” or when there are events, strikes (political), or festivals happening.

Furthermore, parking in Tel Aviv, Israel can be a major hassle – with seriously limited parking spots and exorbitant parking lot fees. If you plan on getting a car, or already have one… you typically need to arrive early to places in order to find parking.  Therefore, there are many time in which you might just be better of taking public transportation.

3.  It Is Overcrowded

Tel Aviv is a popular destination for tourists, students, and young professionals, which can make it feel overcrowded. Public transportation can be very busy, and popular attractions are frequently packed… especially during the weekends.

If you come to Tel Aviv stay patient when you go out, and into the city. You will likely find yourself waiting in long lines at grocery stores – restaurants – and government facilities (including the post office).

I still remember the day I arrived in Israel, I had NO money – NO friends – and NO job.

Culture shock, fear, doubt… I know how you feel.

I gave up my job working as a well-paid sales team manager to start at the bottom, and I actually started working in a kitchen as my first job in Israel!

It took me several years of living in Israel before I found a decent-paying job at a tech company. I was working for this company, and was promoted to a leadership position when I had a powerful self-realization:

The purpose of my life, is helping other people get what they want from life. 

I looked back into my past and understood that I was always asked to be a leader + trainer + teacher… and I absolutely loved doing it! Therefore, with my 15+ years of experience in the field of sales and customer service I decided to open a sales training company.

I never thought that I would open my own business in Israel… but I did!

I decided to name my sales training company Sales Development Israel.  Then, I began to use all of my spare time before work and after work creating training materials, and trying to acquire clients.

In addition, I was sending emails and cold calling companies in Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Ramat Gan, Jerusalem, Bat Yam, and Holon.  Basically, I was reaching our across the whole country of Israel in my efforts.

Great news is that I was able to find my first few corporate sales training clients! 

Something I immediately noticed was at the conclusion of my sales training workshops, two things would happen consistently happen: 

Firstly, I would receive feedback that my sales training workshops were providing massive value for the sales team. Secondly, one or two of the students in the courses would privately approach me.

These students would speak with me about their struggles not only in sales, but also in their lives.

Then one time, a female student offered to pay me for a one-on-one session outside of the office. She asked me to help her learn how to communicate more effectively, and to help her figure out a better career path.

Another student, approached me and offered to pay me for my time to help prepare him for a job interview.

We developed a plan, strategized, and executed. 

Similarly, another student from another workshop, at another company, asked me to help them build their inner-confidence.

And this would happen again and again and again…

Each of these wonderful people I began to work one-on-one with,  had their own unique challenge, and asked me for help.  Each time we developed a plan, strategized, and executed. 

They knew that I was not professionally trained, and still they would offer to pay me for my time.  These first clients would call me their “Life Coach” or “Career Counselor“, and I am proud to say that I was able to help them…

At the conclusion of our one-on-one sessions, they each had taken took massive steps forward towards the results they wanted!

Eventually, enough people paid me to sit down with them, and then called me their Career Counselor or Life Coach that I began to call myself a “Career Counselor” and ”Life Coach”.

Most people set out to become a trained and certified life coach (קואצ’ר , אימון אישי) or career counselor before ever having a client. 

I never once said to myself that I wanted to be a life coach (אימון אישי לחיים) or a career counselor. This interesting and fulfilling profession came to me… literally.

So that is the short story of how I began life coaching (תל אביב קואצ’ינג לחיים) and career counseling in Tel Aviv Israel.

Moreover, after all these years I’m happy to say I have helped hundreds and hundreds of people just like you!