On my way to Israel (Tel Aviv)

Hi all,

Protected content is my first post on the forums, I joined yesterday. My name is Adam, and I am making plans to come to Israel for a while. If things fall into place I should be in-country by early to mid Protected content .
The internet can only provide so much information on living overseas. To get the REAL info on overseas life, you need someone who is already there. Someone who has been there, and done that. Someone who knows the lay of the land.
THIS is the place to be.
And YOU are the people to meet!

There is still so much I need to do here before I move from OZ to OS, and I'd like to rack your brains (and this forum) for all the info I can get from those in the know.

I was planning on settling in Netanya. Staying in youth hostels until I get on my feet. That was a bad idea (apparenty there are no youth hostels in Netanya). And Tel Aviv seems to be quite expencive (it sounds like I'm whinging :P ).
So in order to get an idea of where to go, and what to do; I'm here to make friends, and learn a thing or two (or more).