Job Discussion Forums

[fat-elvis]

(man these thread title length limits are killer)

I really want to teach in Japan, and want to live in a city, but the cost of living really kills it for me. I keep leaning towards Korea because of the money to be made, but I'd so much rather live in Japan. Is it cheaper at all to live in, say, one of the top 15 cities as opposed to top 3-5? I'm pretty much resigned to the fact I won't be living in Osaka/Tokyo/etc for quite a while, if ever. I'd just like to live in a city that has a real "downtown" and a nightlife. I've read that the cost of living in Hiroshima is good compared to other cities, and has comparatively really good commute times. Any truth to that? How much so? Is it easier at all to save money working in cities like those compared to Osaka or Tokyo and so forth?

[Baribari]

Work in Tokyo, live in the suburbs.

Tokyo is an excellent place to commute.

The places around Tokyo (Chiba, Saitama, Hachioji, etc) are somewhat more reasonably priced than Tokyo.

[fat-elvis]

Yeah I was just reading about that. Saitama, specifically Omiya, looks like a decent area (yeah I read all about "da-saitama"). How much does it generally cost to live in Omiya?

If I wanted to live there, would I basically have to just fly to japan and hunt around for jobs/apartments there?

[Baribari]

No clue, never been.

Your boss is required to pay for your transportation costs (train passes), so find a job wherever and then find a place to live afterwards.

[chinagirl]

I'll second that. I live (and work) in Chiba prefecture, but everything in Tokyo is only 30-90 minutes away. I love where I live and it is very affordable. I have a large 2LDK (55 sq m) that I pay reasonable rent for (the same rent would get you a 6-mat room in the heart of Tokyo) and most conveniences are available close by. I go into Tokyo quite frequently.

You can do it, Fat Elvis. As the previous poster mentioned, find a full-time job first and then you can get an apt. within a reasonable commute, b/c your employer will pay for your commuter pass. If you are smart, live in an area so that your train pass covers a swath of Tokyo that you'd like to go to often.

[flyingkiwi]

Come to Takasaki, lad.

Surely the best place to live within 200 km of Tokyo.

Rent is 45,000 yen per month here.

Good international community too.

[fat-elvis]

[Baribari]

[mimimimi]

Is your main objective for coming to either Japan or Korea to save money for debts/the future in your home country or to have just enough expendable income to party and sightsee domestically? If the former, then Korea may be your best option.

However if you do choose Japan then no matter where you live, one key to saving money is cooking most of your meals at home and using local ingredients. If you want to eat mostly a "Western" or "European" diet, then prices skyrocket, especially if you like a lot of fresh fruit.

[fat-elvis]

[Khyron]

[southofreality]

It's not hard to find a 6-mat apartment in say, Itabashi (close to Ikebukuro Station) for around 60,000/mo or a little under, even with a real estate agency that specializes in dealing with foreigners. As for the cost of everything else, there are expensive supermarkets and cheap local ones all throughout Tokyo.

As far as ￥500 bento goes, you can find it all over Tokyo.

No reason to avoid Tokyo, my friend.

[Glenski]

Kobe gets good reviews.

Sapporo was nice for me.

Bear in mind that depending on your work situation, you may have little to no choice in the matter of location.

[Mark]

Basically, I think it's true that you would save more money (more easily) living in one of the top 15 cities rather than in one of the top 3. You've got nice cities to choose from, Sendai, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Sapporo, etc. Also, Nagoya's probably quite a bit cheaper than Tokyo/Osaka. And, even Osaka's quite a bit cheaper than Tokyo.

I've lived in Tokyo the whole time I've been in Japan, and I've been able to save money. You have the choice of living in the suburbs, or simply putting up with a tiny apartment and living in the Yamanote. Although one thing I'd say is, if you've got no special reason or desire to come to Tokyo, you might be better off choosing another city/region. But if you want to come to Tokyo, then you'll figure out a way to live and still save money.

[texastmblwd69]