The country's most expensive streets / Arsuf: Millionaires on a clifftop facing the sea

If you asked 20 years ago: "What are the most prestigious locations in Israel?" - you would be told: "Herzliya Pituah, Kfar Shmaryahu, Savyon, Tzahala and Afeka." If you ask the same question today, you'll get a very similar answer.

What is it that makes the current high-end real estate market different? First of all, prices have increased by hundreds of percentage points. Until a few years ago, the Israeli real estate market did not witness $10 million deals. It is true that such transactions are still uncommon, but they do exist.

Second, Diaspora Jews entered the market in March of this year, driving the price of centrally located properties in Jerusalem, Herzliya Pituah and coastal cities, like Netanya and Ashdod, through the roof. Third, over the years, another prestige market developed in locations like western Ramat Hasharon, various North Tel Aviv neighborhoods, Tel Baruch, and, of course, moshavim (agricultural settlements) in the Sharon region that did not make the grade until the last decade.

Below is a list of Israel's premium streets. Prices are taken from the Neot Shiran firm's "Supreme Price List and Guide to Prestige Real Estate," and from other realtors. It is necessary to take the condition of a property, its lot size, location and other parameters into account to determine its real value. By the way, those who are wondering where Tzahala and Afeka have disappeared to, may rest assured that they appear in places six and eight, respectively, on the list.

1. The western side of Galei Tchelet Street in Herzliya Pituah; a villa on a one-dunam lot costs $15 million or more.

2. Western Haganim Street, in Arsuf, facing the cliff toward the sea; a villa on a 1.4-dunam lot may reach $9 million or more.

3. Quiet streets in Savyon. A villa on five dunams here costs $5.5-6.5 million.

4. Desirable streets in western Herzliya Pituah - Baruch Kamin, Havatzelet Hasharon, Yanait, Hama'apilim. A villa on a one-dunam lot in these streets costs $5-5.5 million.

5. Quiet streets in the center of Kfar Shmaryahu. Villas on one dunam of land in lanes and side streets like Keren Hayesod, Hatlamim, Shvil Hehartzit, Habroshim and Ha'oranim may cost up to $4.5-4.8 million.