Job Discussion Forums

Cachai · Joined: 02 Nov 2007 Posts: 16 Location: Londres

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 · Joined: 12 Sep 2006 Posts: 67 Location: South Korea

Tiger Beer · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 778 Location: Hong Kong

..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 · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

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. Rolling Eyes

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 3:20 pm Post subject:

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 · Joined: 12 Sep 2006 Posts: 67 Location: South Korea

ironopolis · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 379

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 · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 7:24 pm Post subject: You talkin' to ME???

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