Arsuf, located in the Sharon region, is considered one of the most exclusive villages in Israel, and several of Israel’s wealthiest and most famous people reside there. Arsuf, which is part of the Hof Hasharon Regional Council, is a small community of one hundred families, with limited possibilities of accepting additional families. Its land is considered the most expensive in the entire country, and some of it has recently begun to be sold in the framework of various construction projects. Arsuf attracts very wealthy families who are interested in enjoying tranquility, a pleasant, quiet atmosphere, and a convenient location not far from the large central cities.
History and General Background
Arsuf, whose first buildings were erected only in the 1970s, was founded back in the 1950s, when the first private construction project was officially approved. It is one of a handful of settlements in Israel whose houses are adjacent to the ocean, and this was a source of many disputes between the residents and various committees. Arsuf is located at an elevation of 35 meters, on top of a limestone cliff. It is positioned a short distance from Moshav Rishpon and the Hof Hasharon National Park. Its name was taken from the adjacent ruin of Arshaf, a city mentioned in the Bible. The houses in Arsuf are built on their own lots of land, and the additional territory being offered for sale will allow the construction of approximately one hundred additional housing units, either on an individual basis or as part of extremely exclusive projects. Arsuf, in contrast to moshavs or other towns in the area, does not offer its residents various municipal services, or any public buildings whatsoever. Arsuf residents are served by those in neighbouring places, and are able to rely on this due to the extreme proximity to these places.
Characteristics of the Local Population
Most of Arsuf’s residents are college-educated, and are from a very high-class socioeconomic background. The population consists of nearly half native Israelis, slightly fewer residents who are European natives, with a few others of African, Asian, or American origin. Over 10% of Arsuf’s residents are immigrants who arrived in Israel in the 1990s, and more than half of the inhabitants own their own homes. 65% of the houses have five or more rooms, with the rest having three to four rooms each. Arsuf also has a number of families who live in rented houses.
Schools and Preschools
Since Arsuf contains no educational institutions of its own, its children attend those operated by the Hof Hasharon Regional Council. Preschoolers go to the preschools in Bnei Tzion, Rishpon, Ga’ash, Udim, Shefayim, Yekum, Gelil Am, Batzra, and Tel Yitzhak. Elementary school children attend the school in Bet Yehoshua or in Kibbutz Ga’ash. The junior high and high schools serving Arsuf children are located in Kfar Shmaryahu-Rishpon and in Shefayim. Children are transported to all of these institutions by school buses that take them directly to the school, or by carpool.
Businesses, Entertainment Spots, and Interesting Sites
Arsuf residents are mainly professionals from various fields. The village has a botanical garden planted by the son of the village’s founder, as well as a park with a gallery built in the memory of one of the local residents. The industrial zones and shopping malls located not far from Arsuf – such as the Poleg, Netanya, and Herzliya industrial zones – serve Arsuf residents and offer them quite a few shopping and entertainment options. In the nearby Poleg complex, Arsuf residents can find restaurants, cafes, shops, and business companies in various fields. These areas can offer places of employment, as well as places to spend one’s free time and weekends. The village’s relative proximity to large cities such as Herzliya and Tel Aviv provides an excellent opportunity for residents to visit other places and enjoy a very broad variety of entertainment spots of various types, which are also appropriate for a wide range of ages.
