Downtown Haifa: Why? Why not!
Downtown Haifa is an interesting urban area, even though maybe not the most beautiful part and I have to admit that I discovered this area pretty late. It is maybe the part of the city with the greatest potential. But I do not have a final impression about it. Therefore, I want to let some residents speak about that neighborhood.
I asked the 30 years young Uri if he likes to live here and he said immediately yes: “Why not?”. What he likes about it are “maybe cool bars and other places that doesn't count bars. I also love the architecture.” He describes the atmosphere as “lively. Not very Ashkenazy like most of this city. Mixed culture. Relatively young people and bars, Arab community, Christianity.” Before he moved to his favorite neighborhood in Haifa, he lived in Ramot Remez. After 1 ½ years living here he said that it “seems like the best place for me at the moment”.
Hamody, 28 years old, grew up in Wadi Nisnas. He told me that downtown happenings are generally good due to a history of culture in downtown, “but all this is temporary and not guaranteed to continue". On the other hand he is a bit worried about the future and Palestinian culture: “Unfortunately the municipality does not save it - for political reasons. And there is always a sense of the municipality deletes it on purpose.”
Leonid, 25 years old exchange student just lives here for one semester with two other Israeli flatmates but has a clear idea about that area: „While downtown may seem as a loud, noisy and busy place to go during the day and a quiet and dull place during the night it is definitely worth a second look. From small backstreet cafes and little art galleries up to a bunch of bars and restaurants there are a lot of nice places to discover. Even if it has not the intensity of Tel Aviv; with a little bit of effort it is possible to find a variety of things to do for everybody. Artists, small concerts, a quiet drink, Electro/Hip Hop/Dancehall parties or just a quiet coffee are things that are all possible in downtown. Be prepared to find everything and nothing; and don’t go out to late.”
Michal, 26, moved to Downtown 6 months ago “after growing up in a small village up north and here in Haifa up on the Carmel mount, which sometimes feels like a big village and not like a city.” What she likes about it is its urban flair: “I was looking for a more urban atmosphere, a place with more character than the Carmel. And of course, everything is also cheaper here... The atmosphere here is varied. I like it that it's heterogeneous in its population”.