Character and Identity: Rishon Lezion is one of the founding cities of modern Israel - the 'first to Zion' - that grew from a 19th-century Rothschild farming colony into Gush Dan's largest commuter city.
National Role: Today Rishon Lezion is the country's fourth-largest city, with a major retail and entertainment base around Cinema City, the Live Park concert arena and Israel's biggest IKEA, plus growing offices for Bank Hapoalim, Israel Discount Bank and Mei Eden.
Historical Development: Founded in 1882 by Hovevei Zion pioneers from Russia and quickly supported by Baron Edmond de Rothschild, who established the Carmel Mizrahi winery; Israel's first Hebrew school and first orchestra both started here.
Interesting Fact: The Israeli national anthem 'Hatikvah' was first sung publicly in Rishon Lezion in 1882, and the city's emblem still references its role as the cradle of modern Hebrew culture.
Annual price growth: 6.0% · Forecast: positive · up
Area: Central Israel · city · Investment category: mid-range · Population: 255,000 · 95,000 apartments · 2,800 new units/year