[pjones92]

Hello everyone, I'm brand new to this forum, and I look forward to talking to you all.

I've been very lucky in that I've been offered a job in Tokyo (originally on a one year contract but this could be extended). I've been trying to get as much info as i can on what it might be like to live there, and have combed the web. There's plenty of sites, but what I'd really like is to hear your first hand accounts.

I've seen some of the threads on here, but it's lots of people who are planning on moving (some not for another 6 years - wtf?), and some from 12 year olds!

Me, I'm definitely moving over in early '08, I'm 32 and single so my main concerns are:

Where to live in Tokyo? (is there an established ex-pat community area like there is for say the Aussie community in Earls Court London? I've been looking at some real estate rental sites, but no idea what's good and bad)
How easy is it to get by not speaking the local language? (I won't need it for my job, but I'm thinking for everyday things like grocery shopping etc.?)
How easy is it to learn Japanese?
How easy is it to become part of the community? (making friends with locals etc? I won't know a single soul when I arrive)
How's the dating scene for a single ex-pat? (I read on here that a Japanese woman with a non-Japanese b/f is frowned upon? I also read on another forum a posting by an ex-pat female American who basically said there is no chance of an ex-pat having a relationship living in Japan - true?)
I've been reading a lot on hear about racism and people not wanting to sit next to you on buses and trains? Is this a big problem? Would people really not want to sit next to me!?

And any other helpful advice and stories of your experiences would be greatly appreciated, just so I know what's coming my way. Thanks a lot.