Job Discussion Forums

[therealmccloud]

Hello everyone!

I'll be moving to Sapporo (9/06) to work at the Int. School there. I'd really love to get some insights, insider views, tips about living costs, social networking and friendmaking (me = male, American, 35), and general info. from people who know what they're talking about and can speak from experiences in Sapporo. For instance, I'll be making 285K yen/mo., apt and utilities provided. I know Japan is expensive, Hokkaido maybe slightly less (or so I've heard) than elsewhere. Is this ample dough for someone of simple tastes who usually cooks at home and drinks out now and then? I know this is broad, but don't be shy about contributing even small stuff to my knowledge base. I look forward to it. Questions encouraged.


-mccloud

[Genkikiwi]

hi Realm Cloud
well done on getting appointed to Sapporo. I live here and it`s a great place.
Re your money question ... You have probably noticed that the average English teaching salary is about 250,000 and most have to pay rent out of that , so if your salary includes rent you will be more than comfortable.

I go to a great gym here . It costs 11500 a month.

For more info re prices of things ... I think Glenski has posted plenty of useful posts with costs of living and Sapporo prices are similar to Tokyo etc on most counts.
( the big difference being rent is much more affordable )

there is an international center here

http://www.plaza-sapporo.or.jp/ this site does have English

also another magazine that recently went online is

http://www.xene.net/

re meeting people. It`s very easy . There are a few bars frequented by foreigners . An Irish bar , a sports bar to catch live sports as well as of course all the local bars where you can have a great time with the locals.

I personally am into golf and marathon running and Hokkaido is great for both of these as well as Hiking and skiing and of course onsens

anyway you`ll love it here

ciao for now
GenkiK

[Glenski]

GenkiKiwi has pretty much explained the nuts and bolts. You have to be a shut-in not to meet people in Sapporo. I've been here for 8 years (and now am moving on).

The downtown hub for bars and club scene is called Susukino. It is about a couple blocks from an 8-block-long covered alleyway full of touristy shops, called Takunki-koji. Both place have lots of foreigners hanging out there. Near the famous Tokeikai clock tower is the International Communication Plaza (3rd floor), where you can post notices for free, get information in English (1st floor at the JETRO info center, too), and sit in a lobby with lots of foreigners and Japanese who are usually giving private lessons.

I'd advise signing up to Ken Hartmann's Hokkaido Insider for general information as it comes up -- sales, for example -- only the job section costs money to subscribe.

If your rent is paid for, you will have no problems getting by financially. I can send you an Excel file on grocery costs that I amassed in the first couple of years here. Compare it to www.tokyopricecheck.com if you like.

Transportation is excellent here with trains and subways. Local nature is very nearby, so trains will get you there, but you might want to consider a car if you can afford it. Not a great deal of touristy sights around except nature and onsens.

[vallillo1983]

where you going to Glenski..?

[therealmccloud]

Thanks you guys. Good info, I appreciate it.

-mccloud

[gypsycool]

Hi McCloud,
Will you be living in Sapporo? It's well nice, I went there for the Yuki Matsuri =) How did you find your job with the international school?
You sound like you're worried about money. 285,000 yen can go a long way, that's roughly $2,420 USD. Do you know how much your rent will be? Do you get a company car? Anyway, drinks run about $5 and up at most bars. I would hunt down a good 250 yen bar if you want to go out every night, lol. But otherwise, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Anyway, if that's not enough dough for you, just sign up at findateacher.net for private lessons on the side. Hope all goes well!

[therealmccloud]

Gypsycool;

School owns the "manshon" I'll be living in, and provides ample utilities allowance, so those expenses are off the table. There's a school car, but I doubt I'll get a cruising allowance Being from Cali., I've been driving every damn day since I turned 16, so public transportation and actually walking around will be fresh experiences for me.

I guess I'm not that worried about $$, just concerned. Hear too many nightmare tales of Japan being ultra-pricey. Guess it really does depend on the lifestyle one chooses. I drank so much booze between 1995-2000 that I doubt I'll be consistently dropping big cash for fancy drinks! Probably ship myself a liquor care package before I move. Gotta have stuff on hand for guests...and for myself.

Got the job through Search Associates, although their involvement in the process was minimal. Essentially I paid a fee and was thus allowed access to their database and job fairs. The rest was on me. Just happaned to "click" with the Hokkaido school head, my qualifications met their needs, etc. I probably inquired with 100 or more int. schools worldwide, and it boiled down to one in the end. Glad I landed this job, now I just have to do it!


Thanks for the URL for lessons.

therealmccloud