Job Discussion Forums

[gesundheit71]

Hi,

I've posted a few times looking for a good medium-sized city and also asking about companies/schools that are willing to place (unmarried) couples. (It's an issue of living together, not working together -- we certainly don't have to work together.)

Now that we've looked into the cities, he seems to have his heart set on Kobe, which also sounds wonderful to me and gets a lot of good comments on these boards.

So for the people working in Kobe, who are you working through? I can't go through GEOS or AEON because they've both made it abundantly clear they don't place couples, and it certainly sounds like NOVA is not recommended. We also aren't available till the end of August, which I know is tough because a lot of the jobs start April 1st and August 1st.

With all that in mind, which companies and schools should I be researching in the Kobe area?

Thanks.

(Oh and a little more info -- we're coming from NYC, we do not have ESL certification, we can't afford to not go the company-housing route initially...)

[nihontone]

Despite what you've read about Nova, in your crcumstances they would seem the best bet. They will place couples and won't have you working at the same branch.
Nova is a good way to get into Japan. The accomodation may or may not be good (luck of the draw unfortunately!). I was lucky and had a good place close to the centre of Kobe. It is expensive but it's also usually easy - no key money (deposit), reasonably well furnished and utilities (except phone) included in the rent. If you plan to stay more than a year you can find a good place in time.
As for Kobe, it's a great place to live. It has everything you need and Osaka is close enough to get the things you want. The people in Kobe are used to foreigners. There are great restaurants and it's pretty easy to get around.
Hope this helps.

Nihontone