Job Discussion Forums

[Cachai]

Hey,

I'm at home in London and have an interview for a school in Fukuoka in two weeks and was wondering if anyone living there could give me a quick break down on the cost of living there? Ive tried to search it but I haven't been fortunate enough to find anything. How much could one expect to spend on rent and food a week/month?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[bejarano]

[Tiger Beer]

..and he's very lucky to be placed there.

Of about the 10 cities I've been to in Japan, I really liked Fukuoka the best.

I've heard jobs there are not easy to come by.

[markle]

So anybody want to actually give a break down of living costs?

OP I would suggest you look at some posts regarding Fukuoka and PM a poster that is living there. You might be a bit more successful going direct, rather than have people tell you how much they can't help you.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

I'm not really sure about what is meant as "living costs" as "living costs" everywhere in Japan is sky-high. I mean, sure, housing costs are lower in Fukuoka relative to Shinjuku, but both are relatively high...especially in considering the prices in London. Actually, you might have less of a "yen-shock" when coming from a pricy city like London.

Have you heard of "Fukuoka Now"? When I lived there I found it to be a good resource for me. Their web address is: http://www.fukuoka-now.com/index.php. Give it a look see and see if it doesn't answer some of your questions.

Good luck in Fukuoka! I've lived there 40 and 4 years ago (No, NOT 44!). I've always had a great time living there. Don't forget to check out the Yattai in the winter time!

NCTBA

[bejarano]

[ironopolis]

I live just outside Fukuoka, though I can't really give much of an answer to the OP's question, as obviously so much depends on what you spend your money on.

But, generally speaking, contrary to what someone else said above, from the perspective of someone coming from Britain (and especially London), I don't think you'll find Japan expensive at all. Take rent, for example - you could get a fairly nice apartment for yourself in Fukuoka for not much over 300 quid a month; even something closer to 200 is possible. There's nowhere in Britain where you could do that now. The initial deposit is more likely to be 2,3 or 4 months rent, rather than the 1 month common in the UK. But if the schools sorts out or provides your accommodation, you might not have to pay this.

Fukuoka is a nice place to live, with as good a range of restaurants, bars and other facilities as you'll find anywhere outside Kanto or Kansai, and it's a bit cheaper than those areas.

Although you're going to find Japan quite a bit cheaper than Britain, unfortunately the same applies to salaries. But I presume you must already be aware of what you'd getting paid and have done the maths on that.

Feel free to PM me with any more specific Fukuoka questions.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

ironopolis: If it is me that you're refering to, I'm talking from the perspective of having my USD converted to GBP or Euros. Of course, it's cheaper for someone in London to live in London than a visitor...I was just refering to the severe shock that I've heard from those who jump across the straits on a visa run vs. someone that comes from an economy that's a bit more realistic to the Japanese economy. I apologize if it weren't I you were refering to...I was just trying to be helpful to someone who, obviously, is uninitiated and wanted to let s/he know that the cost of living wouldn't be such an extreme shock vis-a-vis someone used to living in lesser expensive economies.

NCTBA

[ironopolis]

NCTBA, yeah, sure, it's an extremely valid point that many making the move to Japan from Korea are often not fully appreciative of the double financial blow they're likely to receive of not only a lower net salary in Japan, but also a cost of living, which although much closer to Korea's than it used to be, is still a bit higher. This is something I've pointed out myself quite a few times on this board, so I'm totally in agreement with you on that.

However, my comments above were specifically aimed at the OP, who clearly stated that s/he lives in London. Being from the UK myself, I have a pretty good idea of the kind of financial perspective someone there will have and whilst I'd definitely agree that there are plenty of people elsewhere who WOULD still find Japan really expensive, I didn't see those other perspectives as relevant to the person asking.

So apologies for my clumsy wording above - I just meant to say how it was from a specifically UK/London point of view, not that you were wrong, per se, as I don't think you were at all.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

No worries, ironopolis. That's why I was quizzical at the beginning. I didn't think that I was that far off the mark. That's why I went to pains to indicate that I was no longer in the region, but have extremely fond memories of the town and, if return, would want to live either there or my wife's hometown. I so wish that Japan was less expensive so more people could just afford to go there to visit instead of having to live off the land just to enjoy the extreme pleasures this country offers.


I feel the same way about the U.K., especially London. There's no way you can give the city justice in just a few days, but a weeks' lodging in London will suck you dry (w/ a wife and child), so A'dam will have to do. But, with the current American monotary policy, even that's rapidly running out of sight. No offense taken.

NCTBA

P.s.- It's nice to run into a responsible poster who's more interested in communication rather than confrontation.

[Alberta605]

I am a huge personal fan of Fukuoka! Probably the best most tightly packed ball of relaxed/manic fun ive ever experienced.

Of course that was 10 years ago and it may be adrift in space as I write this.

[cangel]

I lived in Fukuoka for over 6 years. I am currently working in Korea but am on holiday in Fukuoka now. So here is a general idea of costs:

1LDK apartment - Y42,000+ depending on location and how new it is

Utilities per month (avg) - Y6500

High Speed Internet - Y2500-4500/month

McDonald's Lunch (Big Mac Set) Y560

Draft Beer (not Happy Hour) - Y500

Bus - Y100 (downtown loop route) and up

Taxi - Y550 (for 1st km) expensive

Subway - next station Y100, then up from there

Movie - Y1000 (after 9PM) Y1800 before 9PM

Hmm, anything specific PM me.