Overview & Character
Ra’anana is an affluent city in Israel’s Central District with a population of 80,260 in 2022. Known as “Fresh” in Hebrew, it’s designated a “Green City” by the World Health Organization in 2005 and consistently wins awards for being Israel’s most beautiful and clean city. The city has a large number of immigrants from English-speaking countries, a significant number of immigrants from Latin America, mainly Argentina, and also absorbed large numbers of immigrants from the former Soviet Union.
Location & Geography
Ra’anana sits in the heart of the southern Sharon Plain, approximately 20 kilometers north of Tel Aviv. Bordered by Kfar Saba and Hod HaSharon on the east and Herzliya on the southwest, it’s strategically located for commuting to major employment centers.
Transportation & Commuting
Public Transportation to Tel Aviv
Buses:
- Metropoline operates buses every 30 minutes between Ra’anana and Tel Aviv, with tickets costing $2-3 and journey time of 22-25 minutes
- Egged also services this route 5 times a day
- Bus lines include #347 and #501, departing from various points including Ra’anana Terminal
Trains:
- Israel Railways operates trains from Ra’anana South to Tel Aviv Center every 30 minutes, taking approximately 39-40 minutes
- Train tickets cost $3-5
- Trains take a longer, winding route compared to buses
Transportation Cards:
- Rav-Kav smartcard covers all public transport in the “Gush Dan Murhav” (Wider Tel Aviv) area for 243 shekels monthly
- Weekly tickets available for 94 shekels, day tickets for 21.50 shekels
Note: No public transport operates on Shabbat, only taxis
Housing & Cost of Living
Housing Prices
Real estate in Ra’anana is expensive, reflecting its desirability:
For Purchase (2015 examples):
- 5-bedroom apartment with sundeck: 2.2 million NIS
- 6-bedroom apartment with sundeck: 2.8 million NIS
- Single-family house in Lev HaPark neighborhood on 300 sqm lot: 5.5 million NIS
- Penthouse with 60 sqm terrace: 3.7 million NIS
Cost of Living
The average cost of living in Ra’anana is $1990, ranking it in the top 20% of most expensive cities worldwide and 11th out of 67 cities in Israel. The median after-tax salary is $3414, which covers living expenses for 1.7 months.
Neighborhoods
- Old Ra’anana: Established neighborhoods with mature trees and varied housing
- New Ra’anana (Ra’anana Hadasha): Modern developments and planned communities
- Park Neighborhood: Popular with families, near parks and schools
- Lev Hapark, Kiryat Ganim, Maccabi, Haprahim neighborhoods
Expat & International Community
Ra’anana has the second-highest immigrant absorption rate in Israel, after Netanya. There are large English-speaking and Spanish-speaking populations, mainly from Argentina, with increasing French immigration. This creates a supportive environment with:
- English-speaking services and professionals
- International schools and educational programs
- Active social and cultural groups
- Nearly 100 synagogues ranging from small minyanim to large edifices, including Progressive (Reform), Sefaradi, Ashkenazi, Yemenite and even Afghani, Libyan synagogues
Education System
Ra’anana is renowned for excellent education:
Schools
- 12 elementary schools, 10 middle schools and 8 high schools
- Education level is considered one of Israel’s highest
- Educational programs for gifted students start in third grade
- Special educational frameworks for gifted students and students with disabilities
- Religious pluralistic schools and a democratic school
Educational Investment
The city spends around a third of the municipal budget on education and ranks first in the Sharon region and second nationally in high school graduation rates.
Higher Education
- Ra’anana College in the southwestern part of town
- Open University on Ravutzky Street
Employment & Economy
High-Tech Industry
Ra’anana has a thriving technology sector with an industrial park home to global and local start-up companies:
Major Companies:
- Microsoft’s head office in Israel, Amdocs, Hewlett-Packard, Texas Instruments, SAP, NCR Corporation, Comverse, Red Hat, NICE Systems, Emblaze, Arm Holdings, ZoomInfo
- Former location of Waze before Google acquisition
Socioeconomic Status
Ra’anana ranks 8 out of 10 in socio-economic ranking according to the Central Bureau of Statistics.
Recreation & Lifestyle
Ra’anana Park
The largest urban park in the Sharon region, featuring:
- Extensive green spaces for recreation and exercise
- Walking and jogging paths
- Playground areas for children
- Various outdoor activities and events
Sports & Activities
- Ra’anana marathon – Israel’s largest marathon with 10,000 participants annually
- Ra’anana Lawn Bowls Club popular with English speakers
- 8 recently renovated squash courts hosting the annual Israel squash championship
- Ra’anana Riding Club offering 50-minute horseback rides
- Crazy Roller for rollerblading and skating
Entertainment
- HaMishkan cultural center hosting concerts, theatre performances, and children’s activities
- InsideOut escape rooms with three different challenges
- Laser tag arena on two floors
Shopping & Dining
Shopping Centers
Renanim Mall (Main Mall):
- Located in the industrial area with 2 floors of chain stores like Zara, Fox, Crazy Line
- Designer stores including Nine West, Dorin Frankfurt, Rocket Dog
- 7 movie theaters with VIP service, Mashbir department store, supermarket, Office Depot, gym, ten-pin bowling
- Hours: Sunday-Thursday 10:00-22:00, Friday 09:00-16:00, Saturday night 21:00-23:00
Park Mall:
- Small suburban shopping mall across from Ra’anana Park
Dining Scene
Ra’anana offers diverse dining options from casual cafes along Ahuza Street to high-end restaurants. The city has 79 restaurants according to TripAdvisor reviews, including kosher, vegetarian, vegan, and international cuisine options.
Main Streets & Layout
Ahuza Street is the main road dividing the town into two equal halves, similar to a “high-street” in England, with shops, eateries, wide sidewalks, and numbered traffic lights from 1 to 15. The city is rectangular in shape with a logical, easy-to-navigate layout.
Religious Life
Though the majority of Ra’anana residents are secular, there is a sizeable religious community, mainly Modern Orthodox Jews, many immigrants from the US, UK, South Africa and France. There’s also a small Hasidic community of Clevelander Hasidim.
Healthcare
The city has several medical clinics and healthcare facilities, with services available in both Hebrew and English to serve the international community.
Safety & Security
While generally very safe, residents should be aware that on January 15, 2024, a terrorist attack occurred in Ra’anana’s industrial zone, killing one civilian and injuring eighteen others. This was an isolated incident, and the city maintains high security standards.
Climate & Environment
Ra’anana enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The city’s commitment to environmental quality is evidenced by its World Health Organization “Green City” designation.
Pros of Living in Ra’anana
- Excellent education system
- Large, supportive expat community
- High quality of life and cleanliness
- Strong job market in high-tech
- Great transportation connections
- Beautiful parks and recreational facilities
- Family-friendly atmosphere
Cons of Living in Ra’anana
- High cost of living and housing
- Densely populated for a suburb
- Limited nightlife compared to Tel Aviv
- Can feel suburban/quiet for those preferring urban energy
- Expensive compared to other Israeli cities
Best For
Ra’anana is ideal for:
- Families with children seeking excellent education
- English-speaking expats wanting community support
- High-tech professionals
- Those prioritizing quality of life over nightlife
- People wanting suburban comfort with urban access
This guide provides a foundation for understanding life in Ra’anana. The city continues to evolve, so it’s worth visiting and speaking with current residents to get the most up-to-date perspective on specific neighborhoods and lifestyle considerations.