Job Discussion Forums

[Angelfish]

Having read around on this subject I'm still finding it hard to compare the cost of living in Japan to the cost of living in England (say if we leave the big cities, Tokyo, Osaka, London, out of the equation), as a lot of the comparisons are comparing the US to Japan.

Currently, my situation in the UK (newcastle upon tyne) is:

Monthly Salary (Pre Tax): �1240
Monthly Salary (Post Tax + NI circa 20%): �981
Rent pm: �225
Council Tax pm: �75
Bills, gas, water, electric pm circa: �60
TV Licence pm: �6
Travel Expenses: �0

Which leaves me about �615 a month for food, clothes and everything else. Also, I work a 37.5 hour week in the UK.

In Japan, from my workings so far, all in Yen:

Monthly Salary (Pre Tax): 250,000
Monthly Salary (Post Tax, 10% I think): 225,000
Average rent: 55,000
Travel Expenses: Provided up to 35,000 per month, but can walk or cycle

Which would leave me about 170,000 Yen a month, which with current exchange rates, compares to about �830. And all this for 10 hours less a week.

Do these calculations make sense and am I right in thinking that my situation isn't going to be any worse in Japan, if anything it may be better?

[moot point]

yes, but someone might think more of the standard of that flat. Tokyo's will obviously lag in comparison to London.

[Angelfish]

I meant outside of the big cities, rather more your average towns. I imagine there's some pretty nasty properties in both Tokyo and London but I'm hoping for a more rural placement. I'm not sure what the average lower rent is in London (probably a damn sight more than what I'm paying in Newcastle, and even that's low for the area)

[Hoser]

It kind of makes me wonder where all my money has gone.

[womblingfree]

[gaijinalways]

womblingfree Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2006 2:02 pm Post subject:

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moot point wrote:
yes, but someone might think more of the standard of that flat. Tokyo's will obviously lag in comparison to London.


No way! You can get a nice, modern, small self-contained apartment in Tokyo for 75 pounds a week. Try getting the same in London.

Don't go for the first place you see in Tokyo as the quality can vary quite dramatically.

[justuspost]

After a bit of looking, my Japanese G/F found me a 6+tatami private room furnished with fridge for 58,000 with a 40,000 deposit (inc utilities) for two people. The kitchen and restrooms are public in the building, but all in all I think that�s pretty cheep even for west Tokyo. ($505 USD)

I live in Berkeley, near San Francisco now and its very hard to find a place at that rate here. But my mother who lives in Oklahoma pays less then that for her mortgage.... But her pay is fairly low. Cost of living is relative. If its too pricy, get a better job or work on the side.

My thought is... I can be poor in SF or Tokyo.. hmm Tokyo is nice...

[Sweetsee]

Oh man, are you in for a big surprise!

[cornishmuppet]

I`m from England and used to live in Bristol where I paid 265 for a room in a four bed house. I can tell you for certain that Japan is cheaper than England, with the exception of beer! God, those tiny little glasses for the same price as a pint. It`s unbelieveable.

Seriously, transport, food, and drink and pretty much the same. Restaurants are generally cheaper, and so is rent and taxes. Bills are about the same as I paid back home, though phone does seem to be a little higher. I`m earning 21k now, but my takehome after tax is about the same as a 30k salary back home. (before anyone jumps on me, that`s just a guess, by the way, no research done). I`m earning 362000y a month, which is a bit higher than your average eikawa, but I stuck that out for 18 months before I finally got lucky.

My rent here is only 28k, (140 squid) which is REALLY cheap, but I live in a tiny bedsit in a mountain town. Outside Tokyo though there`s tons of stuff in the 30 to 40k bracket, and before anyone says different, yes, I did go to some estate agents and looked at the adds.

[angrysoba]

[Glenski]

[Sweetsee]

So, you'll be walking over eachother.

[Doglover]

[Sweetsee]

They won't be sleeping. Haven't seen eachother in months. Sigh!

[Doglover]