Relocation from Israel to Palo Alto

October 19, 2006 10:45 AM

Seeking advice for someone relocating for his job from Israel to Palo Alto, CA.

Posting on behalf of a friend-of-a-friend who is relocating from Israel to the Palo Alto, CA area.

The relocation is at his company’s request. He is a computer programmer, 30, married with an infant. His wife will not be working.

He is looking for an Orthodox Jewish community to live in which would be walking distance from his job. Does anyone know of such communities in the Palo Alto area?

In his words, “I expect life in Palo Alto will be very different from life in Israel, where we live on a small Moshav [a type of cooperative agricultural community] so I would especially appreciate any advice as to what type of benefits & salary demand I should make.”

“Also any advice or tips, to make the transition easier, and not fall into the usual pitfalls (obviously I don't know what those are...) would be more than welcomed.”

I have read this and this.

posted by MLIS to work & money (5 comments total)

Well, look here. There are FOUR orthodox congregations in Palo Alto to touch base with. That's a good sign, no?
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 10:56 AM on October 19, 2006

Will the company be paying for his housing? Palo Alto is one of the priciest (easily within the top ten, quite possibly within the top five) housing markets in the USA and he should ask his company for some kind of housing assistance as rents/mortgage payments will be staggering. He may have to resign himself to driving a car; while there's a Caltrain station and a (not great) bus system, much of the area is not easily accessible without a car. Palo Alto is bike-friendly, at least, so that might be an acceptable alternative. He might still want to ask for a car allowance.

This link might help him get a feel for the local Jewish community, there's contacts listed here who might be able to give him the information he seeks.
posted by jamaro at 11:28 AM on October 19, 2006

jamaro is correct that the real estate prices are stratosperic, but rentals are not too bad. We rented a 3-bedroom Eichler for $2100, less than we paid for a 2-bedroom in Concord MA. Craigslist is your friend.

In two years I never saw any evidence of Orthodox Jews in Palo Alto, certainly not any sort of enclave. The walking distance requirement will likely leave you with very few housing options, as PA is geographically quite large and sprawly. Silicon Valley is a weird place. It's intensively built up, but somehow neither city nor suburb nor town. A car is not optional, especially to get out of the Valley from time to time. The Santa Cruz mountains and the central coast should not be missed. Also, Mountain View Farmers' Market for the best produce you will ever see, all year round.
posted by libraryhead at 6:49 PM on October 19, 2006

There's a pretty large Jewish community in the area. I help out at the "To Life!" Jewish cultural festival that takes place in Palo Alto.

Perhaps the Albert Schultz Jewish Community Center will be of some interest.
posted by drstein at 7:40 PM on October 19, 2006

There's also a fairly active Jewish community at Stanford University, depending on your friend's age.
posted by shinynewnick at 8:36 PM on October 19, 2006