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fat-elvis
Joined: 08 Feb 2008
Posts: 24
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 Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 10:59 pm Post subject: Finding a job/affording to live in Tokyo or Osaka |
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I feel kinda weird asking such a 'newb'-sounding question since I've spent literally forever researching teaching in Japan, but there's so much conflicting information out there I don't know what to make of it.
I'm 26 and have a BA. I spent a long time considering Japan, but sort of recently started looking into other countries (Korea, Taiwan China) because of cost of living in Japan and how difficult it can be to land a job without having to roll the dice on location. I'd just prefer to live in Japan though, and I want to live in a big happenin' city with as much to do as possible, and in Japan it sounds like Tokyo and Osaka are the best choices.
How hard is it, really, to financially make do in a major city in Japan teaching english? Some people say they do fine but don't save much money, other people say it's just not worth it. I also have a couple credit card debts I'm working down, so that's an issue as well, although my parents will be willing to help me out here and there so I won't be totally on my own. I can live modestly (but no crap holes please), I know apartments in Japan are like dorm rooms, and I don't spend much if anything on toys like dvds, games etc. Also, how far would I have to live from downtown? I don't like the idea of having to do 60 minute commutes every day or just to step out for a night on the town. And are these insane key-money fees inevitable?
Also, like I said I don't like the idea of going through a whole interview process for a job in the states while never knowing where I'll be placed (biggest reason I didn't bother with JET). I want to live in a big city like Osaka or Tokyo. How hard is it to find such a job? Do people have any success going over there to look for a job?
Lastly, would getting some kind of certification, a real certification, be beneficial at all?
Thanks. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:56 pm Post subject: |
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Let's work from the end of your post first.
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| I don't like the idea of going through a whole interview process for a job in the states while never knowing where I'll be placed (biggest reason I didn't bother with JET). |
Ok, that's your prerogative, but that eliminates the big schools (AEON, GEOS, etc.) and the big dispatch companies (Interac) and the best option for newbies (JET Programme). It also means you will have to come here, set yourself up at the right time, get used to the lay of the land by yourself, and survive for 2-4 months on your own money before the first paychck comes. Figure US$4000-5000.
Still in the game? Continue.
I can't speak for living expenses in Tokyo directly. I go by what others report. Most housing that you get on your own will require the key money deposits, which is why a lot (most?) people go with housing that employers provide. Till you actually get a job, though, figure on living at a guest house (boarding house), sometimes also called a gaijin house. Commuting time will be what big cities offer, so you want a big city, you have to take this in stride. Some employers have housing close to the office. Depends on the employer, but I would have to say most prefer to use lower-tax areas, which could mean 30-60 minutes away. It's hit and miss, and you can't call the shots. Standard salaries are 220-270K these days for big city eikaiwas. Figure on burning half of that on general basic necessities. So, how you spend the rest is up to your lifestyle and needs. Lots of newbies are spendthrifts because the country holds more of an allure for them than saving money, or because they just like to party.
| Quote: |
| would getting some kind of certification, a real certification, be beneficial at all? |
If you have zero experience and background in teaching EFL, I'd say yes for 2 reasons.
1) competition. The market is flooded these days, so you are going to apply for jobs that experienced people will, too.
2) self-satisfaction and comfort.
I'd also say certification is a necessity if you want to make this a long-term goal in life, but you haven't said that, and you may not even know for a while. Getting it out of the way initially, in your own country, too, may be easier. |
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Khyron
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
Posts: 291
Location: Tokyo Metro City
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| Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:43 am Post subject: |
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What do you want to do? Teach English for a year or a few years, and then go back home, or stay long-term?
If you want to stay long term, get a "real certification" and then come here. If you just want to stay for a little while, you don't really need any more education. Start applying for jobs and plan to come here at a certain time. If you don't have a job by that certain time, no matter. Come anyway on a tourist visa.
When you get here, stay in a guest house (gaijin house). It'll cost you around 50,000yen/month, or maybe slightly more. You should be able to find quite a few guest houses located near the centre of Tokyo and Osaka. You'd have your own bedroom (or shared, if you're being cheap), communal showers, living room and kitchen. They usually provide communal computers and private internet connections in your room if you bring your own computer. Sakura House is a popular chain of guest houses that seems to be popular. From there, you're in a good position to search for jobs. There are a ton of small eikaiwas in the cities that will hire from within Japan. Most people find a job within a month or two. It took me two days to secure a job when I did this, although I'd already had some experience in Korea. Most jobs either provide company housing, or will pay the deposit and key money fees for you if you find your own place. If you desire, you can opt to just stay in a guest house for as long as you're in Japan. You certainly wouldn't be the first!!!
Take Glenski's requirement of $4000-5000(USD???) and cut it in half (not including the plane ticket), and you'll probably be ok. Don't cut it in half to be safe. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:37 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Take Glenski's requirement of $4000-5000(USD???) and cut it in half (not including the plane ticket), and you'll probably be ok. Don't cut it in half to be safe. |
Yes, that was USD. Sorry for being presumptuous.
$800-1000 for plane fare (which I did not include in my figures; the money was for the stay)
50,000-80,000 yen for guest house rent (some ask for an additional 25,000 yen as refundable deposit)
20,000-25,000 per month for local transportation
30,000-40,000 yen/month for food
Cell phone (10,000 to start service, 5,000 to 8,000 yen/month to use the phone)
That totals 115,000 to 160,000 for the first month (not including air fare or housing deposit).
Subsequent months won't include 10,000 for phone setup, but all other costs are included, so 2nd and 3rd months will be 105,000 to 150,000.
That does not include haircuts (2000 yen), newspapers (for ads), photocopies, excessive phone charges, faxes, Internet cafes, laundry and dry cleaning, postage, travel insurance, or excessive travel (which might happen if you want a job outside of the city where you are based). Let's lump all that into a rough average figure of 7000 yen/month.
It also does not include anything for sightseeing or entertainment.
So, if all you do is pound the pavement for jobs, here's how it boils down (assuming today's exchange rate of 100 yen/dollar):
US$800-1000 for airfare.
$1,220 - 1,670 (first month)
$1,120 - 1,570 (second, third, fourth months)
CUMULATIVE TOTAL (without airfare):
$1,220 - 1,670 (first month)
$2,340 - $3,240 (total for first 2 months)
$3,460 - $4,810 (total for first 3 months)
$4,580 - $6,380 (total for first 4 months)
Some employers give loans to their employees (roughly 120,000 yen in some cases), but you have to pay them back in the first 3 paychecks. So, you won't have the standard wage to live on, plus you might be on a lower salary in the beginning as a probationary salary anyway. If the accounting system works out NOT in your favor, you might not get a first paycheck until you have actually worked there 6 weeks (which is why I figure in such a long-term set of figures above).
Cut it in half if you like. I prefer to show safe figures.
Might also know when you plan to come. Dead times of year will make your timeline longer than if you come at good times (like this month). |
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Apsara
Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Posts: 2142
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:18 pm Post subject: |
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| It can be cheaper than that to have a cellphone. My first phone 7 years ago was a 0 yen start-up deal and I pay 3,700 per month- includes internet connection and emails. Docomo is more expensive than au or Softbank from what I hear. |
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fat-elvis
Joined: 08 Feb 2008
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 3:36 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the info. I didn't mean to say that I'm totally against the idea of interview outside of Japan, or that if I'd need to know which city I'll be living in before I go over there, as long as it's one of a few that I'm interested in. It's just one main requirement I have: I want to live in a major city (Tokyo area, Osaka, etc), and preferably not living so far away from downtown.
As for how long I want to stay, I'm not really sure yet. I probably won't be until I know what it's like.  I can't see myself staying for only one year if I end up enjoying it, and I have absolutely no post-overseas plans whatsoever. Not sure if I really want to make it long-term though.
So you think getting a real certification (as in taking a class vs. some online thing) will help give me an edge because of how competitive it is? This is one school near me: http://www.mttp.com/home.cfm I didn't realize it was so expensive though. $2500  I wouldn't be doing that unless I talked my parents into helping me out. Would getting such a certification help me land a job faster if I went to japan to look for jobs? |
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