British guy looking for some help

[Tiara15]

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)

- Do you have to live in Tokyo? Japan has rich and beautiful suburbs.

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.?)

- A good japanese friend or girl friend will be helpful.
How easy is it to learn Japanese?

- My brother took 3 months to learn basic Japanese. It took him 6 more months to pass the exam on 3rd level (advanced) Japanese. It is easy to identify words when you are familiar with commonly used words. You can learn conversational japanese in 3 months.


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)

- Easy. Many japanese are very warm. they make you feel comfortable (esp women)

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?)

- Expats get better treatment if they have Japanese gf. Many japanese women like expats esp those who want to learn english.
- You can easily create relationships with japanese women but the sustainability of your relationship depends on your expectations... Do you expect to date smart japanese girls? They are harder to find.

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!?

- No, that's just rumors. Perhaps those who say that have been rude or rowdy.