Job Discussion Forums

Evan2009 · Joined: 26 Dec 2008 Posts: 41

I have been looking for work in the Middle East. I need to save at least $2,000 a year. I'd prefer Japan but I've heard the economy is bad + high cost of living makes saving difficult. Is this true? There are some old posts (2004) comparing teaching in Japan with Saudi Arabia. The writers insist that they can save $2,000 or more a month. If this was true in 2004, is it true now? What are conditions like now in Japan. Thanks for your input.

BobbyBan · Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 201

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Did you mean $20,000 a year? And do you mean USD? Pretty much impossible to save that amount per year on an entry-level eikaiwa or ALT salary- with discipline, $10,000- $12,000 a year would be more realistic. If you mean New Zealand or Australian dollars then it becomes more possible at current exchange rates, but I'm guessing you meant USD.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Saving US$2000 (roughly 200,000) a month in Japan is pretty much impossible as a newbie teacher, mostly because that is almost your entire salary. Even for a veteran living here, you'd have to almost be a single person with a salary double that, and/or very frugal.

Saving US$2000 per year is easy. Figure even a non-frugal person could save $500 per month. Many save more.

rmcdougall · Joined: 28 Feb 2009 Posts: 71

How does savings go down if one likes to hit the pubs?

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

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Drink conservatively twice a week, and you can expect to spend 50,000 yen per month.

Conservatively, mind you.

This accounts for missing the trains a time or two (they end at midnight, and you have to pay double taxi fares). How much you really pay depends entirely on you:

beer vs. hard stuff
clubs with "charm charges" or not
all-you-can-drink periods or regular hours
heavy or light drinker

Vending machines offer beer and other stuff, and supermarkets & convenience stores sell it, too, often at cheaper prices just like home.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

For large cities I would add "central or suburban bars" to the list above. The same drink in central Tokyo will often cost twice as much as it would in an izakaya in the suburbs, if not three times.

Evan2009 · Joined: 26 Dec 2008 Posts: 41

Sorry for the dumb typo. $2,000 (US dollars) minimum per month, not year! Also I have teaching experience. I would need a contract before leaving the US.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Well, now you know that it'll be almost impossible to save that much.

Put another restriction on top of that, like needing a contract before you leave, and you reduce your odds immensely. There are only a dozen or so places that offer such. JET Programme is the only one I know that will pay anything over 250,000 yen/month. Its salary of 300,000 yen/month will barely let you skimp by if you want to save 2/3 of that. You might get very lucky and land a JET ALT position with no rent, but there is no guarantee of such.