Job Discussion Forums

jar · Joined: 31 Jan 2005 Posts: 39 Location: UK

Situation: 3 schools to attend

Mon: School A
Tues: School B
Wed: School C
Thurs: School B
Fri: School B

Basically trying to decide where to live. If I get somewhere in between all of my schools it's about 45minute commute to each of my schools (Tokyo). The other option is to live within walking distance of School B - this would mean I'm able to to walk to School B 3 days a week, but I'm faced with a longer commute the other 2 days (one of which could be up to 90min each way).

Which would you prefer?
5 days commute
or/
3 days no commute + 2 days nasty commute

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

You have any hobbies/interests? Live near those. It's easy to go to work. I find it hard to go to the gym, if I am tired, and it's a 40 min train ride away. My two gyms are both within 15mins by bike, so going is easy to do. Just my advice. Live where you want to live, and don't worry about the commuting so much. Chances are you'll be in a randomly different place come the next term anyways.

seklarwia · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 9:16 pm Post subject:

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

I get sweaty after 20 mins any which way. I have had 2 hour commutes before. When you get home, if activities you do are far away, you'll prolly not do them.

As for taking it seriously. The TS is going to be an ALT or what not, not a doctor who is on-call. It's not liek them going home, and having a life outside school is going to change anything. Save for making the TS's life more fulfilled. Just because we are in Japan, doesn't mean we need to subscribe to the idea of living for your job.

Rest and relaxation have a big impact on your job performance. They aren't just goofing off, but an integral part of living a healthy balanced life. I am not advocated that the TS live near the clubs, or cheap bars, but near places that have activities or facilities that the TS can use.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Just realize that your employer may change things so that school B may no longer be so close to your home. Is he paying for commuting?

jar · Joined: 31 Jan 2005 Posts: 39 Location: UK

Thanks. Yeah, transportation costs are covered. A gym would be nice, but apart from that if I'm working I don't really do much during the week - maybe just walk about, go for a beer or something (if that). I like electronica and weird music, so will prob go to some clubs at the weekend if I can afford it.

If anyone knows Tokyo (which I don't), Hachimanyama is where my school 3 days a week would be. So I'm thinking either get a place there, or somewhere like Ikebukuro which would be central to all schools.

Pitarou · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Narita, Japan

It really depends on what the commute is like. Try to find out what it's like to be on that train at that time of day.

I used to spend about 2 hours on the train every day, but it wasn't nearly as stressful as I feared because I could usually find somewhere to sit down and use my netbook (tiny laptop), read, or study Japanese. In fact, I studied Japanese far more then than I do now, even though I have more spare time.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Time of day, type of train and direction of commute can definitely be more of a factor in how comfortable your commute is than length. I would probably take a 90-min commute where I could sit down at least part of the time over a 45-min packed like sardines experience.

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

Wow, my commute is over an hour. Lucky.

Make sure that the place you want to live, is not past a terminus. Where have the trains stop, or split off to another route. I live at one, and used to work with a guy, who lived 2 stations further down. I could choose from 6 to 8 trains an hour. While he could only choose 3 or 4 at best. Makes a big difference, waiting 10 mins for a train, or 20. Or where I used to live, an hour Mad