It's surprising how difficult it is living as a couple in the absorption centre. We're in a weird limbo, living with singles in ulpan, who view us as the mature wise old farts. They come to us with their problems; they trust us and like us. But when it comes to a night out, or even a movie night in, they won't think to invite us because clearly a married couple wouldn't want to go to a bar, or squash onto a bed with 6 horny guys and girls who are getting turned on because they all fancy each other. It's a little hurtful when we pop over to a friends’ room and find that a group of people are chilling and no one has thought to knock on our door; but it is certainly not personal (we assume); just the way they perceive marriage.
Marriage also makes going away really difficult – gone are the days of crashing on someone's floor or on a sofa – we have standards! So escaping the pressure of living in the world’s holiest city is not straightforward. Plans are hatching for buying a tent and going on wild camping expeditions, bike rides and other wholesome Enid Blyton entertainment.
The combination of the perception of our single friends, and the difficulties of socialising with people who after all do have a different perspective on life, means that it’s impossible to avoid the inevitable fact that couples clique just like singles do. The inevitable gravitation towards other couples is almost amusing, as we find ourselves arranging ‘dinner dates’, ‘movie nights’ and shabbatot with those other young couples also lost in the deep blue sea of the Jerusalem social scene. While other people are heading off to the city that never sleeps (Tel Aviv) Deborah and I continue our mission to find somewhere affordable in a nice quiet neighbourhood of Jerusalem, out of the centre but not too far from work.
The housing system here works very differently to the UK. Tenants seem to lose out at every step. For example, let through an agent, and you will find that your one month’s commission charge may not just apply when you move in, but every 12 months thereon in, and is paid for by the tenant. The tenant must provide guarantors, and it is the tenant’s responsibility to paint the apartment upon leaving. An unfurnished property can be completely devoid of any ‘unnecessary’ items – so you may move in to find that not only has the toilet seat gone, but also the light fittings. And despite this, the cost of rental in Jerusalem, where poverty is high and the average wage is about £3.50 (the same as a box of cereal!), is not far off that of London.
One golden rule for those of you who follow in our steps – before you take a property, speak Hebrew! The English-speaking property sites are invariably more expensive, and letting from an independent Israeli landlord in Hebrew, rather than an American agent living in a luxury area, will save you a substantial amount of money.
It’s just as well then, that it looks like finding work should be easy for both of us – it seems that jobs are plentiful for pretty much any healthcare professional. And as we speak, legislation is being proposed in the Knesset to increase Doctors’ wages in Israel. That means that Doctors will be better off by the year 2476.
Until then, let's just hope we can find a cheap place to rent!
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