Job Discussion Forums

[Brooks]

how is Nagoya as a place to live and work?

thanks,

Brooks

[tjpnz2000]

Cheaper than Tokyo.

Warmer than Sapporo

Less ugly than Osaka

Cooler than Okinawa

More central than almost anywhere else.

What more do you want to know?

T

[Wolf]

I was a bit disappointed at first (not knowing anything about Japan when I first arrived) but in 20/20 hindsight, it's not a bad place to put down roots. It does have at least a bit of everything (I managed to get involved in Japanese RPGs, bilingual radio shows, elementary school volunteer, good Japanese lessons, easy part time work, essentials in English if you know where to look/need them, etc.)

I was broke the years I lived there, and therefore didn't travel much and got a severe case of Nagoya-cabin fever. Otherwise I wouldn't hesitate going back (although if I did return to Japan I might go somewhere else for novety's sake if nothing else.)

[Xerius]

I've been here for about six months and have enjoyed it quite a bit. The summers are normally pretty muggy and hot apparently, but this one's been mild in comparison to the ones back home for me. It's not a terribly exciting place overall, but it's definitely comfortable to live in. I can't say it really feels like a city of 2-3 million when I wander around the center of town, and the trains are rarely packed out. I was planning on heading to Tokyo before I came here, but as things stand now, it's only a couple hours away by train (or one night on the bus), and Nagoya's cheaper and less chaotic. The Japan Alps aren't far away, nor are Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe, so you could do far worse. I give my thumbs up for the experience thus far.

[shmooj]

Been just outside Nagoya since 1998.

Summers are the worst - some say the highest humidity in Japan. Light snow occasionally in winter and mostly really really sunny and dry.

We like it. I hear Nagoya is cleaner than Tokyo (never been) and is definitely cheaper. From 2005 it will have a brand new island-style international airport so flights here which are more expensive and less available than Tokyo or Osaka should become better.

What it lacks for me is any sense of history or beauty. It is flat flat flat around here which is wierd in Japan and though historical stuff happened here it was blitzed in the war and rebuilt so it has no charm really.

But I like it. It seems the right size for a city and, being centrally located, you can pretty much get to anywhere else in the country within a reasonable amount of time and expense.

Actually, one big plus is being two hours drive south of the Japan Alps which are stunning all year round.

Haven't lived anywhere else though so can't compare too much.

[Brooks]

Actually I am interested in a couple schools, Nanzan high school and Nagoya International high school. So if anyone knows about these, places, please let me know. I am tired of Tokyo and want to move to Kansai, but the economy is better in Nagoya, so that is why I am considering it.
Looks like I will have to take a pay cut. That is ok, as long as it is not too big.
The fact that Nara and Kyoto are not far away is a big plus, and that the Japanese Alps aren`t either (I like hiking).



thanks

[shmooj]

NIS has a pretty good reputation but it is way out of town which I guess won't be a problem if you are living near the school. Transport is pretty good around here. Obviously this is general ed in the medium of English so not really EFL. Though it's international the students are majority Japanese.

As for Nanzan, if it is affiliated to the University then it might be a good deal. The university has a good reputation educationally but I heard rumours (nothing more) of some foreigners on staff at the university getting a burned by admin a few years back. Might be different now. Nanzan is very central to the city. In fact I teach nearby once a week.

You know you might want to check out JALT and its mailing lists for info as there is bound to be someone there who has taught at or knows these places. I'm an eikaiwa bud so I can't help much with real schools