Job Discussion Forums

[DaveW125]

Does anyone have any info on teaching English outside of one of the big cities? My girlfriend and I are looking at teaching in a small city (350000) called Miyazak, down on the southern most island of Japan.
Would a city this size have any kind of expat community? Is it likely to have any western restaurants, bars or food/seasoning in the shops? How would you be treated be the locals? The main reason to work in smaller city is so that we can save on everyday costs ( food, gym membership, going out once in while etc. ), would this be a reasonable assumption?
In a town this size in Korea ( where i currently live ) you're pointed at all the time and international influences of any kind are low on the ground, is this also the case for Japanese cities of this size?

any info at all would be great

[Apsara]

Even Miyazaki will have McDonald's, probably Starbucks, and Indian and Italian restaurants are ubiquitous.

[Glenski]

I live in a city half that size and I have all those things (and more).

Don't sweat it.

[robertokun]

It's one of the best spots for surfing in Japan. If you like the beach, you will enjoy it there. Kyushu is beautiful, and you will like it a lot if you are into nature.

[G Cthulhu]

Hmmm, let's see.....

Lived in a town of 14,000. Was pointed at once in three years. Stared at a lot (get that in the US too though, so that doesn't count) but can you really complain about people taking an interest in what's around them?! One 'western' restaurant, one public gym, 5000 bars and hairdressers, Indian place down the road, "Mexican" place down the road in the opposite direction, FrenchRussianTakeYourPicketc, more fast food than you could shake a coronary at...

Nope: don't think you'll have any problems in a city of 300k.

[DaveW125]

Hey,
thanks for all the replies. It would seem that 'small town' Korea is a world away from 'small town' Japan......which is a relief.
cost wise, i'd imagine it would cheaper than somewhere such as Tokyo but are there cheaper parts of the Country? North or South, certain isalnds?

thanks

[flyer]

on the other hand Kyushu also gets lots of rain and tyhoons

[Speed]

Miyazaki has a nice laid back feel to it. You most likely won't have those unpleasant experiences that you've had in Korea.

The surfing is really good around Miyazaki-city (both to the south and north). To the south you have the beautiful Nichinan Kaigan, which is a really picturesque drive along the coast with the ocean in full view.

Lots of palm trees in Miyazaki-city so it has the slight look of Hawaii about it. Up until the 80's, it was the "Hawaii of Japan" and you'll find lots of older folks honeymooned there back in the days, since most Japanese couldn't afford to go to the real Hawaii.

Miyazaki is easy going and the people are quite friendly. It's doesn't have the wild crowded energy of Tokyo, but it really is a city that seems about the right size and has a mellow feel to it. Like the previous poster wrote, if you like nature activities, you'll be going to the right place - southern Kyushu is beautiful.

[Yawarakaijin]

When did 350,000 people become a small town?

[Apsara]

I was wondering about that too. Even for Japan, that's a substantial city, and Miyazaki is a prefectural capital. The capital of New Zealand has about 350,000 people, and that's a proper city

There are likely cheaper places to live in Japan but the possibility of jobs being available there decreases along with the cost of living I would imagine.

[Yawarakaijin]

My town is 35,000 people and other than a street with hostess bars numbering the thousands it has everything I really need.

[DaveW125]

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

[Tiger Beer]

My town has around 80,000 or so. I never get stared at here.

[robizme2]

Are there ANY job possibilities in a place like this? I have a degree in communications and tons of experience working with kids. Would private teaching be possible? Would the market be even more flooded in a town like this? Any advice is surely appreciated.