Yehuda S's dream, once in a lifetime (maybe) 9 month trip

[yehuda S]

The people on this forum are really helpful and smart and I was hoping we can get some advice for taking our dream trip: 9 months in Israel starting next January.

We spent the last four years in college and will finally be done at the end of this year. It sounds impossibly complicated but we never got a chance to start off in Israel. We have one daughter (4 yrs) and need to take into account having another by then.

Any help regarding what a two bedroom apartment would cost, food costs per month, and how to figure out health insurances for a family of four.

Any estimates on what the total cost might be?

Could a newly graduated PT find work there without being a citizen? How about someone in IT?

What would visas be like?

What might we do with 2 cars and an apartment full of stuff? Would anyone know about apartment swapping?

Are there any kollels that I might attend?

What neighborhood would be best for a family with minimal Hebrew skills?

Would the cultural shock be bad for our daughter?

Is this an insane idea?

Did I leave anything out?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[PlatinumGuy]

Are there any kollels that I might attend?

Of course, depends on your depends on your background

[yehuda S]

Of course, depends on your depends on your background

I have a mildly Yeshivish background. Torah Vdaas-ish

[yehuda S]

I have a mildly Yeshivish background. Torah Vdaas-ish

I tend to be pretty individualistic. Actually I had the idea to attend Aish HaTorah or Ohr Sameach. Does anyone know what their programs are like for married men?

[smart brit]

An apartment depends on what neighborhood you are looking into.
Foreign neighborhood's in Jerusalem varies from Har nof, mallah adumim, ezrat Tora, sorotzkin, sanhedria murchavet etc.
I would recommend flying out for a week before you move and check out the neighborhood's yourself

[Ergel]

January from nine months doesn't really fit into the kollel schedule. You'll catch the last half of winter zman, Summer and Elul.

Not sure what your goal is with this but IMO by the time you get adjusted it'll be time to leave.

And I doubt anyone will be interested in employing someone who has no experience for nine months. Not worth the investment

[Am]

Would the cultural shock be bad for our daughter?

Is this an insane idea?

I don't think it should it would be a culture shock. Kids get a little scared moving to any new place I don't think Israel will be that much worse. Yerushalayim is very American. There are English speaking playgroups, She'll have English speaking neighbors etc. and the idea is definitely not insane, it just has to make sense and be planned for it properly and responsibly

[yehuda S]

I don't think it should it would be a culture shock. Kids get a little scared moving to any new place I don't think Israel will be that much worse. Yerushalayim is very American. There are English speaking playgroups, She'll have English speaking neighbors etc. and the idea is definitely not insane, it just has to make sense and be planned for it properly and responsibly

Thanks. Which English neighborhoods are the most low cost?

[churnbabychurn]

Thanks. Which English neighborhoods are the most low cost?

thought of ramat bet shemesh? Might be cheaper and more chutznik friendly...
Not really sure

[smart brit]

Thanks. Which English neighborhoods are the most low cost?

from the list above probably malla adumim.
Rmat beit shemash is a good idea but not really in Jerusalem

[SamKey]

Why not DDF town?

[yehuda S]

What could I expect to pay for a one/two bedroom furnished apartment?

[smart brit]

What could I expect to pay for a one/two bedroom furnished apartment?

You should look into buying furniture second hand
it will come out much cheaper

[meshugener]

Why would you want to do that?

[yehuda S]

Hopefully in the morning some of the Israel based guys will help out here....

[ilherman]

Why would you want to do that?

+1. Rather look in to this thread http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=38452.0 Where meshugener will be Rav.

[yehuda S]

+1. Rather look in to this thread http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=38452.0 Where meshugener will be Rav.

That's my fallback plan. Because there's just so much possibility of that happening.

[meshugener]

That's my fallback plan. Because there's just so much possibility of that happening.

I was asking a serious question.

[yehuda S]

I was asking a serious question.

On what aspect was your question?

[Saver2000]

@OP
Are you looking to go on a 9 month vacation,  or you're looking to (temporarily)  move there and settle in?

You/your wife are looking for work to support yourself,  or just to keep busy?