Job Discussion Forums

[tasteslikerainforest]

Hello all,

I have recently accepted a position in Japan and will be moving in mid-June.

I was offered a place at the Hanazonocho station and I was wondering if I could get some feedback. The apartment looks like a pretty decent size. I have done some 'searching' through this site, and it seems that it's a pretty seedy place to live. I was just wondering if I could get some updated feedback, and if it really is that bad. Is it an okay place to start for my first time moving to Japan?
I can give it up after a few months if I'm not happy with it. I was just wondering the depth of its "seediness". Is it safe for a female on her own?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[Brooks]

where is this place?

[Li-ka]

Two girls I worked with lived there in late 2004. It seemed a bit seedy to me, someone who lived a bit north of Osaka. That being said, it's just minutes south of Namba and Daikokucho, an easy biking distance to a lot of shopping and night life, and I never had any issues anywhere in Osaka as a woman walking alone at night, even in seedy places.

Best of luck to you!

[tasteslikerainforest]

Thanks for the advice.

Any other experiences out there that would deter me from moving there?

[pyrobaby]

I live to the northwest of there in Horie(single female as well), and have some friends in Daikokucho/Nanba. I personally would rather live there than Tengachaya or Shinsekai, but that's just me. You're in the "poor" area of Osaka and you're gonna probably have a lot of students and young people trying to get into the entertainment biz around there, along with the crazies that frankly, are EVERYWHERE in this city (but I love it more than anywhere in the world). If you can ride a bike, get one and you'll probably feel safer at night ,don't go down dark alleys, make sure no one follows you home and you'll be fine.

Seriously I have walked through Nanba and America-Mura at 3am and had less problems than a friend of mine did in a small town in Nara at 4pm, weird stuff can happen anywhere, just be careful and if you think you need it Don Quixote sells tazers.

[bluefrog]

I live in Tengachaya which is just down the street from Hanazoncho. The streets are well lit and people mostly keep to themselves. My wife walks home from the station every night and she's never had a problem.

If you get a bicycle make sure you get a good lock for the wheels and the seat. Some of the kids like to steal seats and throw them in the river for some reason.

There are some pluses to the area though. There are probably more 100� shops per capita here than anywhere else in Japan. There is a 5 story Izumiya deparment store with a supermarket. There is also the infamously cheap Super Tamade supermarket right on the main road.

[tasteslikerainforest]

Thanks for the info!
Looks like I'm going to take the place. I love the location, and I'm sure I'll be able to put up with whatever else comes with it- at least for three months anyways!

[SeasonedVet]

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