How hard is it financially to make it in Israel?

[Emkay]

This tells us very clearly that you are okay with hechsherim that many here will not be and that their experience will therefore not be the same.

Top hechserim meat are cheaper than America. 

[aygart]

Top hechserim meat are cheaper than America. 

Chicken?

[Iz]

trips should always be free

FTFY, especially Y.

[Dan]

No, because it's free. But they are trying to convince the rest of the country that they live in the best possible location and everyone else is doing it wrong while they live in Eden. So it's pretty close to CLE.

That ship sailed years ago. Now we're telling everyone to please not move here. Way #toomuchwinning going on here since the vouchers started. Massive housing shortage, jammed schools, and frum streets now full of terrible drivers.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

I can only talk from personal experience but this is what we encountered.  We made aliyah seven years ago with three teenagers (everyone said bad idea), no job (gave up a six figure job) and no place to live a month before moving (also a no no from all friends and family). Sold our modest house and all belongings and quit job so no turning back.  Made a committment to first year of ulpan and adult yeshiva.  Lived off of aliyah benefits and stuffing envelopes for a non profit ( for real, had whole family stuffing and working small jobs.  Also small savings.  Took a job as a kindergarten assistant maternity leave to get a foot in the door.  You do what you need to do, I was a 20 year teacher and university instructor in the states.  Within 3 years was principal.  Daughter went to university for four years, practically free and has two degrees.  Has more job offers than she has time for.  Not great salaries but jobs.  Son did elite army unit and yeshiva (yes it is possible) and completing  first college degree. 
 He Just got married to an Israeli  girl who doesn’t speak much English and they live in a very modest apartment and both work part time as she finishes her second academic degree and he finishes Yeshiva and first degree.  No, they do not get supported by parents, they make it on their own. We live in a modest apartment in Jerusalem with an ugly purple sofa that came with the apartment and no car.  Material wise we live very basically but fulfillment wise all of us couldn’t be happier. 
Is this for all Jews? I wish I could say yes, but know people have different priorities.  If you read this an say “he must be crazy” then that  is your answer.  Are there problems here, both financial and otherwise?  Of course.  Do all make the transition? No.  Who does it make the greatest impact on? The kids.  Kids here are on a whole different level as compared to kids in the states, which is an area for a different discussion.  And yes, our children are even more religious here.  They are living  and making Jewish history. Our  son’s commander’s course was packed with religious boys and our girls do national service. Feel  free to PM me if you have any questions that we can help with.

Seems you know exactly what your priorities are.

[Emkay]

Chicken?

I'm not sure exactly, I believe I pay roughly $3.50 a pound for cutlets. What's the norm in America?

[@Yehuda]

Anecdotally, fwiu accountants at big 4 Israel get paid a quarter of what they would get in the US. (Which isn't much!)

My co-worker switched to Israel recently into a big 4 and got half his salary.

[hvaces42]

I'm not sure exactly, I believe I pay roughly $3.50 a pound for cutlets. What's the norm in America?

On sale in KRM its $3.99LB Normal $4.69 - $4.99

The quality of the US meat is vastly superior to Israeli meats. You cant get a rib steak or for that matter any decent cut that even resembles steak in Israel. It's almost like they draw a grid on the cows and cut squares and rectangles.   

[Dan]

On sale in KRM its $3.99LB Normal $4.69 - $4.99

The quality of the US meat is vastly superior to Israeli meats. You cant get a rib steak or for that matter any decent cut that even resembles steak in Israel. It's almost like they draw a grid on the cows and cut squares and rectangles.   

[Emkay]

On sale in KRM its $3.99LB Normal $4.69 - $4.99

The quality of the US meat is vastly superior to Israeli meats. You cant get a rib steak or for that matter any decent cut that even resembles steak in Israel. It's almost like they draw a grid on the cows and cut squares and rectangles.   

As I said

Cost of living is less, cost of living on their previous American standards is usually more.

Although I will agree that the average frozen bulk packages of meat in the local supermarket are like that, any and every butcher will cut you a proper steak.  But I'm fine sticking with my misformed London Broil for $4.60 a pound (yes, I know that's not actually a real cut)
And the chicken is the same stuff.

[mochada]

As I said

Although I will agree that the average frozen bulk packages of meat in the local supermarket are like that, any and every butcher will cut you a proper steak.  But I'm fine sticking with my misformed London Broil for $4.60 a pound (yes, I know that's not actually a real cut)
And the chicken is the same stuff.

...but don't you have protexia and only have the finest? 

[Emkay]

...but don't you have protexia and only have the finest? 

Sure, and I only get the finest. But nonetheless I see no fault in the $4 a lb meat.

[hvaces42]

As I said

Although I will agree that the average frozen bulk packages of meat in the local supermarket are like that, any and every butcher will cut you a proper steak.  But I'm fine sticking with my misformed London Broil for $4.60 a pound (yes, I know that's not actually a real cut)
And the chicken is the same stuff.

Malformed square of bovine flesh. Appetizing, isnt it?

I took one look at unbroiled chicken liver and swore I'd never have liver in Israel again.

[Emkay]

Malformed square of bovine flesh. Appetizing, isnt it?

I took one look at unbroiled chicken liver and swore I'd never have liver in Israel again.

You remind me of this.
https://youtu.be/TrSL5MlDzNM

[hvaces42]

You remind me of this.
https://youtu.be/TrSL5MlDzNM

Hardly. Osher Ad meat department did me in.

[EJB]

I saw our salary scale when I was at a b4 and I think it was 50-60%

[satturn]

i am married, living in israel for about 13 years. 4 kids- monthly tuition is about 600nis a month. Will go up soon to about 1000nis a month. me and my wife work, spend little and live in a 3 bedroom apt. No one should move to Israel to move up in life financially or wanting to live with luxuries. Those are both not reason to move to israel. With that said, a simple middle class life style (i have no debt, and pay my bills in full each month with leftovers), own a home, no car- but if i wanted i could afford one. I have gone back to the states for summers for the last 8 years, i found food to be much more expensive there. Tricks to making it work - starting here when your young if possible, dont be afraid to start off with a low paying job and work hard to move up. If you can take a USA job to israel (via the internet etc) that is one of the most solid ways to make aliyah. family of 6 - we live on about 16,000nis a month, without being stingy on expenses but living simply. I go out to eat, travel, vacation etc. 

[Dan]

i am married, living in israel for about 13 years. 4 kids- monthly tuition is about 600nis a month. Will go up soon to about 1000nis a month. me and my wife work, spend little and live in a 3 bedroom apt. No one should move to Israel to move up in life financially or wanting to live with luxuries. Those are both not reason to move to israel. With that said, a simple middle class life style (i have no debt, and pay my bills in full each month with leftovers), own a home, no car- but if i wanted i could afford one. I have gone back to the states for summers for the last 8 years, i found food to be much more expensive there. Tricks to making it work - starting here when your young if possible, dont be afraid to start off with a low paying job and work hard to move up. If you can take a USA job to israel (via the internet etc) that is one of the most solid ways to make aliyah. family of 6 - we live on about 16,000nis a month, without being stingy on expenses but living simply. I go out to eat, travel, vacation etc. 

Very cool.
Care to share a breakdown of expenses and where you live?

[satturn]

Very cool.
Care to share a breakdown of expenses and where you live?

Rent 6500nis (I own a place, but rent it and rent elsewhere (complicated- i live in the old city which is not a standard place, but its best for my job)
tuition- 600-1000
utilities including property tax 2500 approx
3000 for food?? Hard to tell
1500 other expenses. clothing etc
600 for additional medical insurance. (reduces some of the issues of socialized medicine)

This is a super generic off the top of my head list...not to be held against me.

[satturn]

when i first got married i lived on 5500 nis a month. (plus a side job sponsored by dansdeals of credit card point "optimization") but im not sure that can be had anymore.

Also monthly expenses shoot up if i need to buy an appliance or pesach hits....

I just got a new air conditioner that set me back 4500ns. A new fridge- 3000nis. But those have to swallowed into the year accounting not the monthly. 

I do live very simply, but not poor or lacking in any way. We have meat or chicken for dinner almost every night. I have cleaning help and babysitters when needed. It was my agreement when i got married and we chose to live here. We would be simple and spend thrifty, but never have we had to say no to any form of basic needs or standards of life due to money. there where times that we had small amounts of debt, but nothing that was not paid off in a year or so etc....