Sorry for yet another Japan Thread.
So I'm moving to Yokohama from the States for a job that's going to last for about 4-6 years. The job also has me traveling to Okinawa as well. I get per diem and a housing allowance but I personally think the salary is shitty ($75k USD) for the type of work involved and for the COL in Japan but that's unrelated.
My question is I have a local buddy who lives north of Toyko who's offered me a place to stay with his family that's an hour train ride from Yoko at least untill I get my bearings, I am honestly considering this unless this is an unrealistic commute. Anyone to comment?
Also a lot of the westerners I work with moonlight teaching English, I need all the money I can get so I is this a good idea?
Also weird question, I'm an active recreational scuba diver/snorkel spearfisher that dives every week back in my hometown in New England. Are there any good nearby spot/scuba communities?
Your local city hall could be a good place to ask about scuba diving organizations or communities.
Congrats, I personally wouldn't move in with your friend but you have to weigh that out yourself. Trains are awesome in Japan but communing still sucks ass and consider you are going across downtown Tokyo itself.
As for teaching English, you have better options imo for moonlighting. Talk to the Japanese embassy or consulate if you are near one now and explain your desire and work situation and they definitely will put you in contact with many programs that you could hit up with.
>moonlight teaching English
If you're going on a work visa, you can't do stuff outside your field. Legally, anyway.
That's an interesting question I am actually not going on a work visa for... reasons. Since I'm getting paid as if I'm still living in the States.
This is probably the point where getting a work visa is something I should've of considered before.
Because you're going as a US DOD contractor or gov employee, you don't have to act like a secret squirrel about it and yes you are way underpaid assuming you work in tech at all. See you at work.
Can we please keep the glowing to a minimum?
>I know you’re American and used to driving an hour for food but you’ll get acclimated to the convenience of train efficiency very fast.
I'm not taking offense to this but I've lived in NYC and DC and I take mass transit whenever possible since I hate driving especially in D.C. America doesn't have terrible trains/rapid transit granted they aren't as good as in Europe or Asia and they are localized to certain metropolitan areas like NYC, DC and San Fransisco. American does have a car dependency problem I will not deny that. You can blame historical public works like projects from Robert Moses and the war time creation of the interstate highway system, pressure from automakers and the continual subsidization of the airlines in the USA.
I'm not surprised since my friend has a family and is pretty well settled in. He's been bugging me to visit and stay but as you mentioned its far away. I'm not worried about driving since I don't plan on it and I have an international drivers permit.
Your friend either is downplaying that they live in fucknuthing Saitama or in PissPoor north Tokyo. Either way the commute is absolutely not worth it. I lived on Sotetsu line for 4 years earning 13k a year, there were a lot of very affordable places to stay, the second-hand stores are not trying to rip you off and have well maintained appliances, and grocery stores are stacked with fresh food that gets discounted as closing time nears.
Seriously, regarding Saitama it is absolutely not where you want to be.
OK well that's good info. Why exactly is that. From what I gather it's a pretty suburban looking area. He lives there with his wife and two kids.
You’ll need a driver’s license to go anywhere and Japan is loves petty fails (a friend of a friend failed their test because they “used the brake too smoothly”). The sole purpose of Saitama is to house people working in Tokyo. As such any outing will be a hassle. I know you’re American and used to driving an hour for food but you’ll get acclimated to the convenience of train efficiency very fast. You are underestimating how long it takes to get from Saitama to a scuba place; I doubt you want to or are able to swim in the industrial part of Tokyo bay. Saitama is for people that are settled down into their mundane middle class rat race and you are having an actual experience. On a smaller nuisance, changing addresses is tedious and your commute will be a lot more expensive.
if you are trying to teach English on the side you can work under the table freelanced. People still use cash primarily and are looking for conversation anyway unless they’re prepping for TOIC or something. If you’re paranoid just don’t discuss costs over text.
75k USD doesn't sound that bad when you compare salaries to europe, and living in cities like Paris is even more expensive.
With regard to diving and snorkeling hobby, yes there are groups. If you have trouble navigating the web for forum groups to contact there are multiple schools in the area that could network you. This was from a scant search: https://www.net-menber.com/list/diving/index.html?ken=9
eigo o shenshay desa
OP here, feel free to prune this thread didn't mean to clog up the catalog.
There is a giant mech there that guards the city from aliens and Chinatown for good cheap food. The hour each way would get a little old but at least they are quite on the trains and subways and you can just sleep through it.
is your butt buddy japanese?