RetireJapan

Popochi wrote: ↑Mon Apr 03, 2023 5:47 am Any experience about building a family in tokai area you can share with me? Or any other advices you can give?

For your wife and yourself what it boils down to is deciding which do you value most: A quiet and peaceful life or a world of endless possibilities and stimulation?

You mentioned moving to Chiba. This may sound good in theory, but In reality you will end up with worst of both worlds- all the limitations of the countryside without the benefits of a metropolis. Depending on where you live you might have to own a car or take a bus which will needlessly devour your time and earnings. Also, if you find a job in Tokyo your commute would be much more hellish than if you lived close to your job in the city.

If living near Tokyo Disneyland is your only reason for this decision, remember that you can get there from most places in downtown Tokyo in about an hour. Also, if you have children they may I love it when they are young but as they get older they may grow to hate its superficiality and unattainable version of the world.

You said you did not enjoy Shinjuku and Shibuya. I would suggest taking some time to explore the all of the 23 core Tokyo wards. There’s truly something for everyone. The mere fact that Haneda International Airport is, at most, 45 minutes away from most areas is a game changer if you love to travel. Unlike most megacities Tokyo is probably as safe or safer than living in the countryside. This in addition to access to a larger choice of quality housing, international schools, medical care, entertainment, socializing, dining, the list goes on…

You also said you wanted to start a family. Raising children in Japan is problematic. Unless you have the resources to send them away to foreign school, for at least part of high school and most of University, there’s a good chance that they will be intellectually and culturally stunted. (Living in Tokyo’s 23 wards may somewhat mitigate the cultural problem). With a few rare exceptions Japanese universities are (how should I put this diplomatically) the object of ridicule among developed world academia. Your children’s opportunities for life and employment would most likely be relegated to Japan only.

Lastly, like someone else on the thread said, your profession affords you with a great deal of flexibility. You’re in high demand so there’s no reason tie yourself down to a commuter cultural wasteland prefecture like Chiba or Saitama. Also, as a caretaker your shifts are available 24 hours a day. You could thus easily avoid rush-hour. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Gulliver wrote: ↑Fri Apr 07, 2023 6:56 am... Raising children in Japan is problematic. Unless you have the resources to send them away to foreign school, for at least part of high school and most of University, there’s a good chance that they will be intellectually and culturally stunted. (Living in Tokyo’s 23 wards may somewhat mitigate the cultural problem). With a few rare exceptions Japanese universities are (how should I put this diplomatically) the object of ridicule among developed world academia. Your children’s opportunities for life and employment would most likely be relegated to Japan only.
...

I would offer a very different opinion, and will just leave it at that.

So OP, or whoever else, your mileage may vary.

Gulliver wrote: ↑Fri Apr 07, 2023 6:56 am

You mentioned moving to Chiba. This may sound good in theory, but In reality you will end up with worst of both worlds- all the limitations of the countryside without the benefits of a metropolis.

sounds like what we’re looking for. We enjoy a quiet life but we also want to explore from time to time. Disneyland is like 1 and a half hour from us and so is Narita.

Also other reason we chose Chiba is this is were my partner is working. And her visa is quite different from mine so she’s not in a position that she can transfer to a different company.

Facilities are 24/7 but our shifting are not. We work like regular salaryman working hours (8.30-5.30) unless were on night shift but it’s not always.

But yeah we ought to discover every inch of tokyo and check out which one suits our taste. Thank you for the insight.

Popochi wrote: ↑Fri Apr 07, 2023 10:24 am

Gulliver wrote: ↑Fri Apr 07, 2023 6:56 am

You mentioned moving to Chiba. This may sound good in theory, but In reality you will end up with worst of both worlds- all the limitations of the countryside without the benefits of a metropolis.

sounds like what we’re looking for. We enjoy a quiet life but we also want to explore from time to time. Disneyland is like 1 and a half hour from us and so is Narita.

Also other reason we chose Chiba is this is were my partner is working. And her visa is quite different from mine so she’s not in a position that she can transfer to a different company.

Facilities are 24/7 but our shifting are not. We work like regular salaryman working hours (8.30-5.30) unless were on night shift but it’s not always.

But yeah we ought to discover every inch of tokyo and check out which one suits our taste. Thank you for the insight.

If you did decide to live in Tokyo and work in Chiba you would have the advantage of commuting the opposite way from the rush-hour crowd. This means much less people on the train/road.

Living close to your place of employment is nice though. It would be a hard decision.

Gulliver wrote: ↑Fri Apr 07, 2023 6:56 am... With a few rare exceptions Japanese universities are (how should I put this diplomatically) the object of ridicule among developed world academia.

I am no expert but isn't the poor performance of Japanese universities in world rankings mostly due to the lack of English proficiency?
Producing research for English-language publications gets you up those ranking charts, and Japanese colleges are not strong at this, traditionally.

captainspoke wrote: ↑Fri Apr 07, 2023 7:28 am
I would offer a very different opinion, and will just leave it at that.

So OP, or whoever else, your mileage may vary.

I am with the Captain here.
Japan is of course not perfect, but I know many contented, driven high-school kids and university students. Going to an international school is not required for all mixed-race kids to become fully realized human beings.

beanhead wrote: ↑Sat Apr 08, 2023 1:19 am

Gulliver wrote: ↑Fri Apr 07, 2023 6:56 am... With a few rare exceptions Japanese universities are (how should I put this diplomatically) the object of ridicule among developed world academia.

I am no expert but isn't the poor performance of Japanese universities in world rankings mostly due to the lack of English proficiency?
Producing research for English-language publications gets you up those ranking charts, and Japanese colleges are not strong at this, traditionally.

Sooo, we are in agreement then… Actually, I was not thinking of world rankings when I wrote the above but your point adds to, and strengthens, my position. What you have brought to light is that many opportunities are limited to within Japan and much of the research is not validated by thorough peer review.

beanhead wrote: ↑Sat Apr 08, 2023 1:19 am I am with the Captain here.
Japan is of course not perfect, but I know many contented, driven high-school kids and university students. Going to an international school is not required for all mixed-race kids to become fully realized human beings.

Just to clarify when I mentioned “foreign schools” I was not talking about international schools within Japan but overseas schools and universities.

Your point about a highly driven student is well taken and there is always he odd self motivated student. In general, however, highly supportive parents are also required.

Also, becoming a “fully realize human being” is highly subjective. Giving your child every opportunity to succeed, on the other hand, is a much more concrete and attainable concept.

"Intellectually and culturally stunted" is a bold claim to make unless you're trying to say everyone in Japan except the few who did study in Western schools are the enlightened people or whatnot.

zeroshiki wrote: ↑Mon Apr 10, 2023 7:48 am "Intellectually and culturally stunted" is a bold claim to make unless you're trying to say everyone in Japan except the few who did study in Western schools are the enlightened people or whatnot.

You might want to read my post again. In no way did I say that “everyone” was anything. But I’m guessing you’re purposefully being disingenuous in order to try to validate your point.

Gulliver wrote: ↑Fri Apr 07, 2023 6:56 am
You said you did not enjoy Shinjuku and Shibuya. I would suggest taking some time to explore the all of the 23 core Tokyo wards. There’s truly something for everyone. The mere fact that Haneda International Airport is, at most, 45 minutes away from most areas is a game changer if you love to travel. Unlike most megacities Tokyo is probably as safe or safer than living in the countryside. This in addition to access to a larger choice of quality housing, international schools, medical care, entertainment, socializing, dining, the list goes on…

We have talked about this and were getting our choices open. Do you have any recommendations? A quiet life amidst the city? When I google about it, Meguro ward always comes at the top of the list.