Job Discussion Forums

[Winstonio]

I may be able to choose between teaching in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. I know Japan in general is expensive and that these three are all pretty big cities, but if my pay is the same, I want to live where the cost of living is lowest. In which of these cities can my wife and I (both foreigners) live most cheaply in terms of housing, food, and other regular expenses?

[Hot-Carl]

[Miyazaki]

In Nagoya you can find a nice, clean apartment for Y56, 000 a month.

That same apartment in Tokyo, not as new or clean, will cost you more like Y85,000 a month.

[reactionary]

the subway system in osaka was significantly more expensive than in tokyo for some reason.

taxes, i've heard, are also higher in osaka.

as for everything else, housing and the like, i think it's kind of a given it will be most expensive in tokyo depending on which areas you're looking at.

[cvmurrieta]

I'd opt for Nagoya so that you can make equidistant (or close to it) trips to both Tokyo and Osaka. If I ever have that choice, that is what I will choose.

Of course, it will all come down to what you like.

[reactionary]

But it would be expensive to hop between cities every weekend, and I'd say Osaka and tokyo are a bit more lively places than Nagoya. So let's forget about money because Osaka and tokyo both are not cheap cities.

Do you like temples, shrines, the hottest summers in honshu, and small bars over mega clubs? Go Osaka/Kyoto.


Do you like tons of museums, more western goods, and mega clubs? go tokyo


Beyond those differences I think both cities offer similar experiences. I personally loved Osaka but I only visited Tokyo for a week - best thing about that city for me was they sold Dr Pepper everywhere.

[Tiger Beer]