Job Discussion Forums

Pushok · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 49

I have a potential offer for a job in Nagoya. After taxes the salary is around 380000 a month. Flights and health insurance are covered. Is this enough to have a reasonably good lifestyle bearing in mind that I have a family coming with me (wife + 1 child - pre-school age, so school fees are not a worry).

Also, would it be even possible to save a little on this salary?

Any other info. about Nagoya is also most welcome.

Guest · Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2003 10:29 pm Post subject:

This question is a bit like how long is a piece of string. Most single teachers starting out live reasonably comfortably on a salary of upwards of Y250 000. With a family to support I think it's going to be a little tight, but not impossible as a lot depends - without meaning to state the obvious - on your lifestyle and how much you're likely to spend. If you're careful you should be able to save some too.

Nagoya is not as expensive as Tokyo, but still not what you'd call cheap. Compared to Tokyo it's pretty calm, but still definitely a big, busy city. Plenty of shops: clothes, English books, newspapers all easily obtaintable and there are a couple of slightly overpriced imported food shops if you miss food from home. There are plenty of foreigners, mostly teaching English and a few English/Irish pubs. Situated centrally in Japan and connected by bullet train to other major cities.

Hope this helps.

katy

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

Pretty good salary! It sure doesn't sound like an eikaiwa job.

Figure roughly 60,000 to 70,000 yen/month for an apartment, 30,000 to 40,000 yen/month for groceries, 15,000 yen/month for utilities, 6000 yen/month for phone/Internet service (not including international calls), and you have about 250,000 left.

You can use that for transportation (if it's not provided), entertainment, clothing, restaurants, sightseeing, long distance calls, and emergencies, as well as any outstanding loans.

Those are the major expenses. Other things may nickel and dime you to death (newspaper/magazine subscriptions, snacks, dry cleaning, postage, children's toys, etc.

Pushok · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 49

Thanks for all the info. Very helpful.

There is a transportation allowance of up to 35,000 per month.

Just one more question about flats - the job description I have says flats are in the 80,000 to 130,000 region. Is that about right? I would be looking for a 2 bedroom flat with living room.

Thanks in advance.

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

Never been to Nagoya, so I hope others can give you better advice. I listed up to 70,000 for an apartment, but that was just a low end estimate for a 1-bedroom in a larger city. Their quote of 80,000 to 130,000 sounds normal. Definitely look at the higher end of that scale if you want a 2-bedroom place.

More to the point, realize that Japanese apartments are much smaller than those in the west. Much smaller! Your living room might be 3 meters x 5 meters, but your bedrooms could be smaller than that. Kitchens are tiny with extremely little counter space. Baths are separate from toilets but contain the washing machine, so taking a bath or shower is pretty cramped.

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

If you are not too fussed about the age of the apartment you should be able to find something big enough in the 80,000 yen range. With the allowances and insurance the salary will be enough but you won't have a lot left over at the end of the month.

Sunpower · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 256 Location: Taipei, TAIWAN

No, it doesn't sound like Eikaiwa.

Looks like a good job.

Good luck!

Reesy · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 31 Location: Japan

Hi Pushok,

You can get a very nice 2 or 3 bedroom apartment in Nagoya for 70 000- 90 000 yen. If you are willing to live outside of the downtown area, you will pay significantly less. I live on the outskirts of Nagoya and am 40 minutes by train/subway to downtown. I have a 3 LDK apartment (livingroom, dining room, kitchen, and 3 other rooms). It is clean, quiet and quite large by Japanese standards (65 square meters). I pay 57 000 yen a month.

By the way, there is a company in Nagoya which is run by an American guy. They specialize in finding apartments for foreigners in the Nagoya area. They can also hook you up with good used furniture and provide some other services. If you don't speak Japanese, this kind of service can make your life much easier. I have a couple of colleagues who have used them and recommend them. The name of the company is Interlink. They should have a URL. I'll have a look.

Good luck with your move!