Job Discussion Forums

gesundheit71 · Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 18 Location: New York, NY

Hey folks,

My plans keep changing shape as I'm still going through the application process. I wanted something smaller than Osaka, to be honest, but it looks like (as far as the big ones are concerned) ECC is a pretty good company to work for, they will place couples, but even though they have many locations they really only place couples in Osaka.

Obviously I'm still exploring other options, but I thought I'd just stop in and see what people have to say about Osaka. Who has lived or is living there? It's pretty huge, right? But does it feel overwhelming or does it feel somewhat accessible? Do you feel like there are calmer escapes nearby for days off? Let me know your thoughts!

Thanks.

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

it is a matter of perspective. Compared to Tokyo or New York, Osaka doesn`t seem so big.
My girlfriend started working in Shibuya. Already she complained about it. She gets off work at 9:30 p.m. or earlier but she can`t get a seat and has to stand almost an hour. She said that in Osaka at 9:30 in the evening, the rush hour is over but not in Tokyo. Even at midnight. At midnight there is a rush to get on the express train.

I have been to Osaka many times, and I prefer it to Tokyo. Of course Osaka is big, but manageable. Kobe and Nara can be navigated on foot. In Kyoto, you need to take buses. In Kyoto, I prefer to take trains and walk extra.

Osaka is located in a good area. Nara, Kyoto, and Kobe are not far away.
There are places in Kansai where you can hike year round.
Last summer my brother came from New York and we spent almost 10 days going to these cities. He had a good time and said that the Kansai area is better than Tokyo or Yokohama. He thought Kobe would be a good place to live.
What I have read is that many people in Osaka prefer to go to Kobe for a meal or for drinks. Some people go to Kobe to buy clothes.
The trains in Kansai are good and to go from Kobe to Kyoto, you can do it in less than 55 minutes.

gesundheit71 · Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 18 Location: New York, NY

Thanks! So are you American (or very familiar w/the US)? Is there a U.S. city you could compare Osaka to? I live in NYC and love it like crazy but would like some time off from *this* much intensity. More a DC pace, even Boston... something like that.

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

no doubt New York is busier than Osaka. The trains run 24/7 but not in Osaka.

I am from Ithaca.

I don`t know what American city to compare it to. Busier than DC, but less than Chicago.

I like New York but it is too big for me. I see my brother every year. He lives in Soho.