As the popularity of the Ariel Aliyah program continues to grow, drawing English speaking families from around the world and from Israel to Ariel, many have inquired as to which neighborhood they would feel most comfortable living in. There's alot to discuss concerning such issues. However, before delving into the unique needs of each individual and family who intend to join us here in Ariel, it's important to provide a general description of Ariel's regions. This brief article will provide that description, as a basis for future discussion.

Above is a map of the City of Ariel. Three overlapping zones have been indicated, so as to provide the reader with a sense of Ariel's layout and its various neighborhoods. Although in reality the regions are integrated one with another, names and descriptions are provided for each in order to create points of reference and a common terminology.

Rova-Aleph

Rova – Bet / Shvut Ariel neighborhood

Netzarim / University Center / Moriah

Rova Aleph

Rova Aleph ("The First Quarter") is Ariel's original neighborhood. The neighborhood houses the city's oldest and largest shopping center (red oval), the municipality and government offices (blue oval), the bank, two health clinics, the community center (indicated by green circle – including activity halls, internet caf'e, media center, city library, indoor gym and soon-to-be completed Center for the Performing Arts), several schools and nurseries and the outdoor city pool. In addition, there is a small industrial zone (yellow oval), with a wide range of establishments from food to Judaica, and from electric appliances to car garages. In terms of religious services, there are 5 active synagogues, two mikvas (one for women and one for men) and a Chabad House.

Rova Bet

Rova Bet ("The Second Quarter") of the city is often referred to as the Shvut Ariel neighborhood, home to the ever-developing religious community, named after the synagogue located at its center – Shvut Ariel (red dot). The neighborhood recently benefited from the dedication of its newest park which stretches through its center ("Ze'ev Jabotinski Park"). The neighborhood is home to the Education Campus (including 2 schools, a large auditorium, outdoor tennis and basketball courts), an outdoor fitness center and the new Sports and Recreation Complex. The religious services in the neighborhood include the religious kindergartens, the religious elementary school, the new mikva, 4 active synagogues, a Bnei Akiva chapter and an outreach center.

Netzarim / University Center/ Moriah

The eastern region of Ariel is comprised of three primary neighborhoods, each with its own character. The Ariel University Center (AUC) is situated at the city's most eastern tip. The AUC dorms are on the left aspect of the AUC campus (red circle), housing some 2,000 students. The AUC and its facilities are open to the residents of Ariel. They have an active synagogue, and a variety of programs for religious studies. 

The Netzarim community is located to the west of the AUC campus (blue oval), comprised of a third of the original Gush Katif settlement of the same name. In addition, the community is enriched by the presence of its yeshiva and kollel. The location is a temporary one for the community, which plans to build permanent housing in Ariel.

The Moriah neighborhood (green oval) is named such after the main street that runs through it. As Ariel's newest neighborhood, the future building of the city is expected to extend from there. The reader may note that Moriah is the only neighborhood that's been built to the south of Ariel's main road – Shderot Yerushalayim. The next boom of Ariel's population, from 18,000 to 35,000, is slated to resonate from this neighborhood westward. As the Moriah community continues to develop more services become available there. Most recently, new kindergartens and a new synagogue were opened there.