Ramallah - Post Report Question and Answers

There are many advantages to living in Ramallah. Ramallah is a small city (getting bigger by the day), so you'll still be known by name by everyone you have dealings with in your neighborhood. You will get to know a lot of people just by walking around. Palestinians aren't the shy and retiring types. As the de facto center for the Palestinian Authority, it has a "capital city" feel with visitors, tour groups, and events. You could be out every evening at some kind of gathering. Everything is less expensive in Ramallah than in Jerusalem, and the service is fast and friendly. If your work is mainly in the West Bank, you will save yourself going through (or by) the big checkpoints at the wall. The traffic is horrendous at these junctions and adds a giant dose of stress and unpredictability to life. Not worth it if you are not forced to live on that side of the wall, as many Palestinians must to keep their identification cards. Believe me, the tension and what you witness at the checkpoints will wear you down. Limit how many times you have to endure this experience. It's soul crushing and a complete downer. - Dec 2013