[ThirdSight]

Per usual dumbassery on my part, I missed the deadline to apply for the JET programme for this year (going Summer '09). No big deal, since I can apply for next year, or the next time it comes around.

Either way though, now I'm in an interesting position, not because JET was my last ditch effort, but because now I get to do it the old fashioned way: my own sweat and blood. So I have a few questions for those living in Japan, those that have been, and those that know a bit more than I do (which is a great deal of people):

1. How much money ($) should I save up before going? I have until the Spring of next year (Spring '09), which is, to my understanding, when the school semesters start in Japan.

2. I'm not a city guy, but a suburban boy. Therefore, for me, Tokyo's nice to visit, but not nice to live. Does anyone have any suggestions as to a nice suburban area I could look into living? It's early to think about I know, but I gotta' start somewhere.

3. Going off of #2, I know I have a very large down payment on an apartment when I first find a place to live. Given I'm looking to stay away from the more expensive cities, how much should I expect for a down payment?

4. I'm looking to teach English over there, which is most likely ESL. By the time I go over there, I'll have (at least) a Bachelor's degree in English with a focus in Writing. Are my qualifications good enough to get a decent teaching job in a high school setting or lower (I know I can't teach University with those qualifications)?

5. Since I'm not in the JET programme, I'm at a bit of a disadvantage in that I'm not set up with a job when I get over there. The smartest option for me right now is to try to find a job after I graduate, but before I get over there. Living in Southern California, how can I apply for a job in Japan, if such an opportunity is even possible?

I'm really going. By hook or by crook, I'm going to live in Japan for at least a year. I'll have more questions as time goes on I'm sure, but this is just what I can think of off the top of my head that's the more important and the most obvious questions. Any help anyone can give would be incredibly awesome.