As Israel continues navigating one of the most significant military campaigns possibly in its history, life here does what it has always done- it moves forward. A bit more exhausted, a bit out of routine, but nonetheless life continues pushing on. Cities continue growing, infrastructure expands, and people still make long-term decisions about where they want to build their future.
Real estate, by its nature, is about the long term. And even during periods of uncertainty, international buyers continue asking the same questions: where should we live, which communities are welcoming to newcomers, and which cities offer the best balance between lifestyle and accessibility.
One city that consistently comes up in these conversations is Netanya.
Located roughly 30 kilometers north of Tel Aviv, Netanya has quietly evolved into one of Israel’s most popular coastal destinations for foreign buyers and new immigrants. For some, it offers exactly what they are looking for. For others, it may not be the right fit at all. This article is intended to give readers context and a better understanding who Netanya is truly for, and who it is not for.
Coastal living, yet not isolated
One of Netanya’s biggest advantages is its accessibility.
Despite feeling like a coastal escape, Netanya remains connected to Israel’s economic center. The train ride between Tel Aviv and Netanya takes roughly 25 minutes, while by car it takes approximately half an hour in non-peak hours. This makes travel between the two cities entirely manageable and even a feasible daily commute for those who crave access to Tel Aviv’s pace and business ecosystem. Netanya is also approximately 45 minutes from Haifa and about an hour and twenty minutes from Jerusalem, allowing residents to reach large parts of the country within reasonable timeframes.
While Netanya may not be as tightly integrated into the Gush Dan metropolitan infrastructure as cities such as Bat Yam or Ramat Gan, which benefit from direct light rail connections, it is by no means isolated from the rest of the country. For many international buyers accustomed to far longer commutes in major global cities, that distance feels almost negligible. That said, most people who choose to live in Netanya are not doing so primarily because of its proximity to other cities, but because of the lifestyle the city itself offers on its own.
In many ways, Netanya offers something unique in Israel: luxury coastal living while remaining connected to the country’s economic heart. When walking along its elevated promenades overlooking the Mediterranean, it is easy to understand why many people are flocking here. For those who want a livelier atmosphere nearby, Netanya’s city center is bustling with restaurants, cafés, bars, and shops that offer residents that city energy whenever they want it.
Built by immigration
Netanya has long been one of Israel’s most diverse cities. Large communities from North Africa, Europe, France, North America, and other parts of the world have shaped the city over the decades. It is also home to one of the largest Ethiopian communities in Israel. This diversity has helped define the city’s character and makes it one of the most culturally varied places in the country.
In recent years in particular, Netanya has become one of the primary destinations for Anglo and French immigrants, creating neighborhoods where English and French are heard almost as often as Hebrew. For many new immigrants arriving in Israel, this environment offers something very comforting: the ability to integrate into Israeli life while still feeling part of an international community.
A city in transformation
Like many cities in Israel, Netanya is undergoing a major wave of urban renewal, with older buildings gradually being replaced by modern developments. Entire streets are being redeveloped, new residential towers are rising along the coastline, and neighborhoods that once felt dated are being reshaped into modern residential areas.
This transition from old to new is happening throughout the city, creating opportunities for buyers who are looking both for lifestyle and long-term appreciation. In many ways, Netanya today sits in the middle of that transformation, still retaining parts of its older character while steadily evolving into a much more modern coastal city.
The beaches that stick with you
Netanya’s coastline is one of its defining features. In fact, one of my most vivid memories of Netanya’s beaches comes from my time in active military service. During a particularly intense week of special forces training, we ended the week with carrying heavy stretchers through knee-deep water along the shoreline. Exhausted and hurting, I remember looking up at the beautiful cliffs above and seeing people down below relaxing on the beach, enjoying the sun and the Mediterranean.
I remember thinking to myself: what I would give right now to be sitting there eating a slice of watermelon instead of enduring the suffering we were going through. It was a bizarre contrast - two opposite realities happening simultaneously on the same stretch of sand, yet something that is completely normal in Israel.
But it also stuck with me because those beaches really are extraordinary. Netanya sits on elevated cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean, with long promenades and wide stretches of sand that many consider among the most beautiful in Israel. As someone who lives and loves Tel Aviv, I can objectively say that the beaches of Netanya are in a league of their own.
Where international buyers are buying - and why
International buyers can be found across many parts of Netanya, but in my experience
working with clients, several neighborhoods consistently stand out.
Ir Yamim, located in the southern part of the city, has become particularly popular among foreign buyers. The neighborhood offers modern towers, close proximity to the beach, shopping centers, and newer infrastructure that appeals to international residents. Walking through the area, it is common to hear French and English spoken regularly.
Nearby, the emerging Shirat Hayam neighborhood is set to become one of Netanya’s premium areas, with several luxury, resort-style developments already underway. It is another attractive option, particularly for new immigrants seeking a modern environment close to the coastline. Buyers should keep in mind, however, that many projects in Shirat Hayam currently have delivery timelines of roughly four or more years from today. Along the cliff-line promenade and around the city center, there are also towers and newer developments that attract buyers looking for direct beach access and open sea views.
Netanya tends to attract a wide range of buyers. From young families who recently made Aliyah, to foreign buyers purchasing a second home, to recently retired couples looking to settle in Israel, the city appeals to people at very different stages of life.
Ultimately, it tends to make the most sense for buyers who prioritize coastal living and an international atmosphere, but who do not necessarily need to be in the middle of Israel’s most vibrant urban center. For those who strongly value beach access and that international feel, Netanya delivers both at a far more accessible price point.
For many buyers, that combination becomes somewhat of a “no-brainer.” If the lifestyle checks the right boxes and proximity to the fast-paced energy of Tel Aviv is secondary, Netanya often offers significantly more value for the same budget. And lets talk about prices for a moment. Properties in Netanya are often roughly half the price of comparable apartments in Tel Aviv or Herzliya Pituach, and sometimes even less depending on the building and location. That same budget can suddenly open the door to larger apartments, newer buildings, and luxury or resort-style developments near the beach. Many quickly realize that Netanya allows them to enjoy the coastal lifestyle they want while stretching their purchasing power considerably further.
Netanya’s bright future
Looking ahead, I see Netanya’s popularity among foreign buyers only continuing to grow. The established international communities naturally attract newcomers who prefer settling in places where language networks and cultural familiarity already exist. The city invests heavily in infrastructure, planning, and urban renewal. And the coastline itself, one of Israel’s most beautiful, remains a constant draw for buyers seeking seaside living. In many ways, Netanya has quietly crossed an important threshold. It is no longer simply a secondary coastal city north of Tel Aviv. It has become one of Israel’s most internationally oriented coastal cities in its own right , and its story is still only beginning.