Rehavia at a Glance
Rehavia is the neighborhood that makes people fall in love with Jerusalem. Designed in the 1920s as a garden city, it's built on a grid of wide, shaded streets lined with Bauhaus-inspired stone buildings, private gardens and public parks. The pine trees planted by the founders have matured into a thick urban forest — walking through Rehavia on a spring afternoon feels like a European capital, not the Middle East.
This is Jerusalem's intellectual and diplomatic heart. The President's Residence, the Prime Minister's office and several embassies are in or adjacent to Rehavia. The neighborhood has long attracted academics from nearby Hebrew University, senior civil servants, and cultivated professionals who appreciate its quiet elegance and central location.
Apartments in Rehavia are among the most spacious in Jerusalem — many of the original buildings were designed with generous floor plans, high ceilings and large balconies. The trade-off is that some buildings are old and may lack modern amenities like elevators or parking. But for those who prioritize character, greenery and walkability, Rehavia is hard to beat.
Daily Life in Rehavia
Parks & Gardens
Rehavia is Jerusalem's greenest neighborhood. Gan Sacher (Sacher Park) — the city's largest park — borders it to the west. The Independence Park sits to the north. Tree-lined streets with pocket gardens throughout make every walk pleasant.
Azza Street Life
Rehavia's main commercial strip. Cafés, small restaurants, bookshops, a pharmacy, dry cleaners — everything you need for daily life in a walkable stretch. Not trendy, but established and reliable.
Culture & Institutions
The Jerusalem Theatre, Schechter Institute, the Jewish Agency campus. Walking distance to the Israel Museum and the Bible Lands Museum. Rehavia attracts people who go to lectures for fun.
Hebrew University Access
The Givat Ram campus is adjacent to Rehavia — many professors and researchers live here. The Mount Scopus campus is accessible by bus. Students share apartments in the older buildings.
Walkability
One of Jerusalem's most walkable neighborhoods. Flat grid streets. 15-minute walk to the Old City walls, 10 minutes to Machane Yehuda Market, 5 minutes to the city center. You can live here without a car.
Synagogues
Historic Great Synagogue on King George. Multiple smaller synagogues in the neighborhood — from traditional Ashkenazi to modern Orthodox. Rehavia has a moderate religious character.
Rental Budget Guide
Rehavia is one of Jerusalem's most sought-after neighborhoods and rents reflect that. The spacious apartments command premium prices, but the range is wide — from modest older units to beautifully renovated flats. Parking is scarce and expensive, which is why many Rehavia residents go without a car.
| Type | Monthly Rent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1.5 Rooms | 3,800–5,000 ₪ | Small, older units — rare |
| 2 Rooms (1BR) | 5,000–7,000 ₪ | Students, young professionals |
| 3 Rooms (2BR) | 7,000–10,000 ₪ | Couples and small families |
| 4 Rooms (3BR) | 10,000–14,000 ₪ | Spacious, high demand |
| 5+ Rooms | 14,000–20,000+ ₪ | Premium, garden apartments |
| Arnona (municipal tax) | ~3,500 ₪/year | For 80m² apartment |
| Va'ad Bayit | 200–500 ₪/month | Higher in maintained buildings |
Who Lives in Rehavia?
The Rehavia Community
- Academics and researchers — Hebrew University faculty, visiting scholars, PhD students
- Diplomats and foreign service professionals from nearby embassies
- Senior professionals — lawyers, doctors, journalists, civil servants
- Anglo Olim who value walkability, culture and quiet elegance
- Retirees — both Israeli and immigrants — who enjoy the central location and green spaces
- Young professionals sharing the spacious older apartments
Resident Story
"I turned down a newer apartment in Arnona for a walk-up in Rehavia with no elevator and no parking. My friends thought I was crazy. But every morning I walk under the pines to get coffee on Azza Street, and on Saturdays I stroll to the Old City through the park. I've never once regretted it."