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twoteachers
Joined: 26 Sep 2003
Posts: 11
Location: San Diego
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 Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2003 3:32 pm Post subject: What is it like living in Chiba? |
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Hi,
I've never been to Japan, but I'm looking at some positions in NW Chiba--specifically in Katsutadai or in Yatsukadai.
When I think of suburbs in the states, I think of strip malls, large tracts of houses with no services in walking distance. What's the difference in Chiba? Is there still plenty of "street life" i.e. easy access by walking to grocery stores, pubs, sushi stalls and other places that make for a cool yet frugal lifestyle? We will probably live near a subway station, if that helps. How much cheaper is it than living and working right in Tokyo? If you lived there, did you wish you lived closer to downtown, or were you glad you were there?
How easy is it to get into Tokyo, and is that something you have to do to find cool stuff to do, or is there still plenty in Chiba?
Thanks,
Nathan |
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azarashi sushi
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Posts: 562
Location: Shinjuku
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| Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2003 10:40 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Nathan,
I haven't lived in either place but I do have a friend living in Katsutadai and so have been there a few times.
You don't have to worry ... Japan is a very convenient place ... so regardless of where you're living, you'll be within easy reach of shops and services.
As to whether or not you can have a "cool" lifestyle in Chiba depends largely on what your idea of "cool" is, what your interests are, what you are used to and what you compare it to.
If you like the hustle and bustle of the big city, then you won't find it there. A friend of mine, who had been living in Tokyo all here life, recently moved to Sakura shi ( just next to Katsutadai ) ... She's used to living in central Tokyo, so for her it felt like being in the middle of nowhere. But if you like a quieter lifestyle and fewer crowds then you may like it.
Katsutadai is on the Keisei line, the same line that goes to Narita airport. Access to Tokyo is very easy, although a little bit time consuming and pricey. If the two of you make the trip in Tokyo often it will substantially eat into your savings. Katsutadai to Ueno is about 600yen ( and about 45 minutes by limited express train ) and then probably at least another 200 yen from Ueno to wherever. So a return trip to Tokyo for the two of you will set you back about 3000 yen.
Anyway, good luck!
A.S. |
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twoteachers
Joined: 26 Sep 2003
Posts: 11
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2003 10:50 pm Post subject: |
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Wow--thats alot, considering I used to take the bus and skytrain from Langley to downtown Vancouver (1hr trip) for $3 CDN. 
Thanks for the info azarashi--very helpful.
Nathan |
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2003 11:04 pm Post subject: |
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| Funny, I didn't think 3000 yen for 2 was that much. How quickly you get used to high prices. |
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twoteachers
Joined: 26 Sep 2003
Posts: 11
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2003 11:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Well, to be fair, A round trip ticket from Langley to Vancouver for two would probably be closer to $14 CDN, so thats not quite as huge a difference. (Although still more than double) |
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2003 11:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Train travel within Japan is extremely expensive. I once took a shinkansen from Okayama to Kyoto (about 1 hr 10 min) and it cost 18,000 yen return/person. The university paid for it, otherwise I'd take the slower trains. |
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Wolf
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 1245
Location: Middle Earth
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| Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2003 2:12 am Post subject: |
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| Gordon wrote: |
| Funny, I didn't think 3000 yen for 2 was that much. How quickly you get used to high prices. |
That's my food cost for a month where I live now. Don't cry.  |
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azarashi sushi
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Posts: 562
Location: Shinjuku
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| Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2003 4:20 am Post subject: |
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Hi Nathan,
Just in addition to what I said before ...
| Quote: |
| How much cheaper is it than living and working right in Tokyo? |
Again it really depends on what you like doing ... The cost of food and services is basically the same. The main thing is that rent is cheaper in Chiba than in Tokyo. So for the same rent you pay in Tokyo, you're likely to get a much larger place in Chiba. But then again, if you're going to be travelling in to Tokyo on a regular basis, the cost of the train fares will effectively cancel out any savings in rent... not to mention the inconvenience.
In my daily life, the things that I notice that are much more expensive in Tokyo than elsewhere in the country are onsens and gym memberships. If you like going to onsens, then they are AT LEAST double the price.
In my experience, what makes living in Tokyo so expensive is that there is not alot you can do for free. Your entertainment basically boils down to either: shopping, bars, restaurants, shopping, karaoke or shopping. Especially if you're living in central Tokyo, there are not so many green areas where you can go for a relaxing "free" walk... Even Shinjuku Gyoen costs 300 yen to enter. Yoyogi Koen and Meiji Jingu are very nice to walk around in, and entry is free, but you'll be spending at least your train fare to get there (and back) ... 300 - 400 yen probably.
The main thing that I think makes living here so expensive is that most people ( at least people living on an English teacher's salary ) live in quite small aprtments. In my case, I have a very nice apartment and I like it ... BUT, it is small. What that means is that on the weekends I don't really like to spend long hours just lounging around at home because very soon it starts to feel claustrophobic. Of course, everyone is different ... That's just me. Also because it is small, it makes it difficult to invite people over and entertain at home eg. a "cheap" video night. The result is that I always go out... and bottom line: I spend lots of money.
The train system is great but it can quickly add up ... If you only have to catch one train, it's not so bad... But if you are changing trains ( or more specifically train companies) it starts to get really expensive. For example if you have to get an above ground train and then a subway: Average minimum one way fare on each tends to be about 150 yen ... So a return journey will set you back about 600 yen.
Anyway, I hope that's a bit of food for thought for you. Are you thinking about M.I.L.?
A.S. |
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TokyoLiz
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1548
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2003 12:16 pm Post subject: |
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The bad thing - it's an hour and 10 mins. and there's no way I could bike it. The good things - I ride on a train pass paid for by my employer, and I get a seat on both trains.
Parts of Chiba are actually very beautiful. There are a few forest parks in the Chiba City area, and on the Keisei and Sobu train lines there are a number of decent places to shop. Smaller neibourhoods in Chiba are sleepy, and just because it's urban life doesn't mean there's nightlife. You have to go to Tokyo for entertainment, if that's what you're after.
If you go south on the Boso Peninsula, there are some lovely places to visit, and if you go east, you find your self in some awesome surfing places. Daytrips are easy.
Last edited by TokyoLiz on Tue Jul 03, 2018 10:10 am; edited 1 time in total |
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twoteachers
Joined: 26 Sep 2003
Posts: 11
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2003 4:16 pm Post subject: |
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Hi azarashi,
Yep--MIL is the first school that has responded to us. Basically, they sent us an application form and told us that they need it ASAP, but I'm not sure how much that means. They might send it to everybody that sends in a resume. Its exciting to at least get a response though, since we are just starting out. MIL seems like it has a good reputation. Do you know much about it? PM me if you want.
Tokyoliz,
Awesome--you totally answered our questions! Thanks again--this board is great.
Thanks!
Nathan |
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