"Asphalt makes me itchy": The surprising area that became a dating scene

Singles from central Israel are abandoning the high cost of living and the rat race for the north, turning the Upper Galilee into a surprising dating scene. The article focuses on the stories of Maor and Amira, who found love under fire, and Eitan, who moved from Tel Aviv to Kiryat Shmona. Longtime residents report an unprecedented influx of singles to the area.

The article describes a new social phenomenon: singles from central Israel are abandoning the high cost of living, the rat race, and the alienation of Tel Aviv for the north, turning the Upper Galilee into a surprising dating scene. At the center of the article is the story of Maor Mualem and Amira Breslav, a couple who met at a Friday dinner hosted by Amira at Kibbutz Gonen under a barrage of missiles from Iran last March. Maor, who works on the Leviathan gas platform, moved north due to tax benefits and a desire to support the region. Amira, born in Efrat, was seeking nature and community. Another story is that of Eitan Zalkover, who moved from Tel Aviv to Kiryat Shmona after a breakup and reserve duty, and is dealing with loneliness and difficulties in acclimating. Longtime residents note that there has never been such a flow of singles to the area.