Job Discussion Forums

[LostAbroad]

I haven�t been to Japan yet, but I�m accepting a teaching contract to start likely next month (once I get the COE and visa). I�m coming over from Korea.

--On average how much is the cost of living in Osaka?--
--Is it possible on 180,000/month not including private lessons?--
--Additionally...

-I have a general idea of the cost for rent and utilities. I need to search for short stay places to stay my first month while I find an apartment. Any suggestions?

-Cost of food I have no idea. I prefer to cook at home so I know this will greatly reduce my food cost but I�ve heard simple groceries are very pricey. I typically cook lots of vegetables and mix in some meat.

-I get a transportation allowance and I�ll likely get a bike so this doesn�t worry me too much.

-Do all apartments have in unit laundry machines or is there a central laundry room for the entire building?

Thanks in advance for the help!

[Glenski]

To live in any of the biggest cities in Japan, 180,000 is bare subsistence wages and I wouldn't dream of trying to do that. Even a frugal person would have a hard time of it. Is this what you were offered for a salary? If so, you are being taken for a ride, as 250,000 has been a standard for decades. (It has gone down slightly in the past 3-5 years, but don't take such a low salary as that!)

Figure rent will be 50,000-80,000 yen/month (with setup fees of 2-5 times a month's rent)
Utilities will be 15,000-20,000 (seasonal and depending on your personal habits)
Phone will run 10,000 to set up a cell phone, then 3000-8000 per month, or if you get a landline, you may have to pay for setup (30,000 or more) and the same amount of monthly charges as for a cell phone.
Food will run 30,000-60,000 depending on your preferences.
Those are the basic necessities, aside from health insurance, and you may have to consider one of 2 types, the more expensive costing you 25,000/month.

Add it up. Then start thinking about all those other things you could easily spend money on:
hair care
personal entertainment
magazines/newspapers
satellite TV
transportation other than commuting (will you need a car? if so, you'll also have to pay for a parking space.)
emergencies
souvenirs
postage
long distance calls home
sightseeing
return trips home
etc.

Laundry could be shared if you stay in a guest house (gaijin house), but otherwise expect Japan to be modern enough to have washers in the apartments. Depending on what your employer may set up, you might expect secondhand furnishings from previous teachers. If you get a place on your own, most have nothing in them. Nothing, including appliances, furniture, curtains, light fixtures, etc.

[deadzenpoet]

Yeah it's gonna be tight with 180,000. But you can find side work easy in Osaka or just don't go out much.

I stay here when I'm in Osaka short term..

http://www.ne.jp/asahi/umeda/dormitory/

Rooms are small bed bunk size but it's close to Umeda and owners are super nice. Prices are good. Most other guest places are farther south or by Tennoji.

[LostAbroad]

Thanks for the reply Glenski and deadzenpoet.

Glenski,

The contract details are this:
It's part-time 32 hours fixed a week with a freelance option which pays 1300 per lesson.

The company is non-Japanese ownership. I know the standard for years has been 250,000 but recently as it's an employer's market the rate has dropped. However, you're right that 180,000 including travel allowance is low but it's not a full-time contract either. The school only teaches adults, so no kids. I don�t come with years of experience either so they may be lowballing me for all I know.

So am I completely being taken for a ride?
What would you say is a realistic rate for part-time in Osaka?

Utilities really run that high?
I figure a cell phone and Internet will run about 12,000 combined. I can eat frugally but don�t want to sacrifice nutrition and eat nothing but noodles 24/7. Also, my employer will not be providing an apartment so setting all that up is totally on me. I guess that means I�d have to buy a washer along with all other fixtures and household items I�d need.

Can you point me in the right direction to find out about the health insurance options?

Thanks for the input, I really appreciate it. I�d pm you but I�m a newbie so I haven�t hit my minimum post count yet.

[rtm]

[LostAbroad]

[Glenski]

[LostAbroad]

Thanks Glenski, your input and knowledge is greatly appreciated. It helps to have someone who has first hand experience lay it out so simply. After doing my own searching online to get a general idea of costs and what not it still isn't the same as hearing it from someone actually there.

Not being able to get sponsored on part-time isn't what I was told, so apparently I need to address this with the employer. They may be confident they can get the visa approved for 32 hours a week, I'm not sure. I know the apartment set-up cost is expensive but I'm looking at being in Japan long term so I see this is as the costs of life.

Thanks for the health insurance info, it's a huge help! Interesting that it jumps up in cost the following year.

So, in your opinion for a newcomer with just under a year of experience teaching EFL... what would you consider a fair salary amount for a part-time 32hr/wk job?

[Glenski]

[LostAbroad]

Glenski,

pm sent...

[seklarwia]

[Glenski]

[seklarwia]

[ciccone_youth]

I highly recommend Flat Osaka to find accommodation in Osaka, long or short term:

http://www.flat-osaka.net/

They were so helpful and found me a great apartment. They mostly deal with foreigners, and everything is made simple and easy.

[Glenski]