Job Discussion Forums

flyingkiwi · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 12:50 am Post subject: Does anyone live in Gunma?

Specifically, Takasaki city? I'm possibly moving there for an alt job in September. Be good to make some connections.

Cheers.

furiousmilksheikali · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:55 am Post subject:

According to Wikipedia, 341,000 people live there. And it's the hometown of the daruma doll:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takasaki

flyingkiwi · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 2:06 am Post subject:

It's a reasonably sized city. In New Zealand terms, it would be the second biggest city in the country!

I just hope the rent is not too expensive. If you were making 250,000 and paying about 65,000 in rent, would you be happy? How much money would you like to realistically have left over after all the bills each month?

Quibby84 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 643 Location: Japan

I live very near Gunma...it is not expensive, it is also not as exciting as somewhere like Tokyo... Now, I am not saying that it is cheap, just not as much as somewhere bigger. You will be fine, but you could probably get cheaper rent at Leo Palace if you looked around. I make that much and have plenty to go around.
where are you going to be working?

flyingkiwi · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:14 am Post subject:

Thanks for the advice. I MIGHT be working at a high school in Takasaki as an ALT, sent by Borderlink. If Borderlink can't agree terms with the school, then they will send me to Chiba. Either way, I am happy. I just want to be somewhere close to Tokyo (where the 'action' is) Very Happy

but not IN Tokyo where the rent would be enormous.

Do you think it's better for me to let Borderlink find me a place, where there will be no key money or set up costs; or should I try to find a place by myself?

Quibby84 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 643 Location: Japan

It is a pain to do the key money and all that junk, I was just thinking that if a Leo Palace is near that would be cheaper, but your company would probably have to set it up for you. It is much nicer if they set it up for you, maybe ask your company if they know somewhere cheaper. If the school isnt ripping you though, it is probably a decently nice apartment...

bshabu · Joined: 03 Apr 2003 Posts: 200 Location: Kumagaya

I used to live in Takasaki a few years ago. Stayed for 3 years. Good place. Better than the neighboring capital, Maibashi. Good places to drink at night. Good variaty of restaurants.

It's also about 2 hours for Tokyo if you can get this express train straight to Ueno or Shinjuku(no transfers). Also not to far to ski, snowboard, hike. etc. Onsens are nearby those areas as well.

Overall, I think it is a good place to live. Friendly people Japanese and Foriegn. But it is rather large in terms of area and there isn't much in terms of buses. You will be using your bike a lot. But I got used to that rather quickly.

Hope this helps and please PM me if you want more info.