Job Discussion Forums

[qtktbug]

After a recent trip to China I discovered a crazy thing known as "big population in small towns". With my American perception, such towns have city size living accommodations yet better resemble the daily life and attractions of a well-developed suburb. The perks include moderate living costs, little crime, large shopping areas, and a cinema, without the benefits of busy city life attractions such as museums, live music concert series, foreigners/international diversity, fluent non-native English speakers/teachers, subway/train transportation, restaurant variety, etc. Many of these small towns are located 2-5 hours from anything else. Surrounding location is farm land, poverty, and beautiful nature.

Like most culturally-sensitive adults, I realize Japan and China are different. However, not having visited Japan I don't quite grasp the location differences.

My biggest fear is a life in Japan with absolutely no social outlets (the internet is great but that doesn't satiate the needs of a proactive social life).

So my real question is this: When people talk about the isolation of small towns... such as the placement with the JET program... socially and location-wise, how isolated are these areas? If you've spent time in such places, how have you made the best of it? Do you have a preference between a big city or small town? Where are you located now? Why/why not do you enjoy it? What bustling cities and quiet towns can you recommend for my research?

Thank you every for your contributions.

[Glenski]