I am 38 years old and considering moving to Japan

[GoNative]

Originally Posted by Digsy

LOL. You can't be an Aussie then, Gunma summer is nothing compared to the hot dry stuff we get down here. :P

The difference is in Aus, at least down south where I lived, if it got into the high 30's it was usually bone dry heat with the winds straight off the interior deserts. In Gunma it was high 30's and 90%+ humidity. Everyone there lives scurrying from one air conditioned place to another. Just horrible. Plus I just love snow and cold. It almost can't get too cold for me (well below -30 does get a little uncomfortable).

[RealJames]

Originally Posted by GoNative

The difference is in Aus, at least down south where I lived, if it got into the high 30's it was usually bone dry heat with the winds straight off the interior deserts. In Gunma it was high 30's and 90%+ humidity. Everyone there lives scurrying from one air conditioned place to another. Just horrible. Plus I just love snow and cold. It almost can't get too cold for me (well below -30 does get a little uncomfortable).

My first summer in Osaka was hell, like you said moving from ac to ac. But something happened, my blood thinned out or something and the 2nd summer was no problem at all, a little sweaty but not even close to miserable, it even felt like the locals were complaining more than me, and the 3rd summer was even better.
The winters on the other hand... I came from Canada, the first winter I was in t-shirts and laughing at how anyone could consider 10C cold haha. But this winter I'm sporting the down jacket and scarf lol.

[dxr]

Originally Posted by RealJames

Hey, I think you'll do just fine and you'll probably find it's easier than you expect.

I strongly recommend coming here on a tourist visa, and then looking for a job while you're here. Looking for jobs from abroad will severely narrow down your options and likely at a lower salary.

Wow, this thread really ran in all directions heh.

I thank you and everyone else for the advice.

Do you really think that going there on a tourist visa is easier than going through a recruiting program? I didn't realize there were that many English teaching gigs outside of the big guys.

Originally Posted by RealJames

and that reminds me, I should have put a side-note on that.

"if you like geriatrics!"

I have only been a nurse for a year now and do not have a huge amount of experience. Funnily enough, I do currently work in a nursing home. I do in fact enjoy it. I almost prefer the elderly.

I think I once read that getting a job as a nurse in Japan requires passing a certain level of the JLPT.

[dxr]

Originally Posted by spicytuna

Go for it!

I'm also around your age (アラフォ as the Japanese call it) and I've considered moving overseas as well, just to try something different.

While vacationing 2 years ago, I casually looked around for work and was able to find several companies who were willing to hire me as English teachers. (Mind you, I don't require a sponsor for a work visa.)

I would've taken a huge pay cut so I decided to stay in Canada. However, if I ever get a buyout package from work, I'll probably be on the first plane to Narita.

Haha, I am sorry, but I do not know what アラフォ means.

Your advice is inspiring. How do you feel about doing it at this point in your life? You have already made it clear that you would... I mean, what are your fears or anxieties, if any at all, about making a big change at this stage in your life?

I won't lie. I mean, I don't feel old or anything, but I honestly never pictured myself contemplating going now.

The pay is one of the many factors. I make a fairly nice amount here. Nothing outrageous (but by choice - I could easily be making more if I switched to a hospital or something), but a nice amount. I would hate to be making even LESS. Especially in a place where I would probably need more to survive .

[RealJames]

Originally Posted by dxr

Do you really think that going there on a tourist visa is easier than going through a recruiting program? I didn't realize there were that many English teaching gigs outside of the big guys.

I think I once read that getting a job as a nurse in Japan requires passing a certain level of the JLPT.

Yeah, the recruiting agencies all either take a big cut out of your salary, or you don't get to choose where to live, or there's some other downside. If you can shell out the cash for the plane ticket then it's seriously worth it.
I came here on a working holiday visa (under 30 years old only) and applied for jobs from the 3rd day on, the first two days were all about getting an apartment and learning how to get places and finding an internet cafe to do the google mapping to find places to apply.
I applied at a lot of places that were not advertising anywhere and may not even have been looking for teachers (and programmers) at the time. A lot of them replied nearly instantly, the walk-ins were worth the time and transportation fee. I worked part time at 3 different schools at first because I couldn't decide which was best, then after a month I dropped the two bad ones.

Getting a job as a nurse here is surprisingly easy, there is what appears to be red tape and fiery hoops but they are so desperate for nurses they'll let anyone in lol, the better you are though the more quickly you'll get promotions.

Financially nursing may make a lot more sense, English teaching caps out fast, but it's a lot easier work.
You could supplement your nursing income with private students.

PS. アラフォ means around forty, it's been made popular as women who are アラフォ are getting popular among younger guys these days lol.

[GoNative]

Living costs in Japan for me have been far less than they were in Australia. I do earn far less than what I did in Australia though (I paid more in tax in Aus that my gross earnings here!). Cost of living depends on where you are. A rural town in Hokkaido (like where I live) is very cheap. Tokyo or Osaka on the other hand are like any major cities in the world, pretty damned expensive. I was in a comfortable financial position when I came here though and was able to buy my house outright without any loans at all so not ever having to pay rent or a loan does make it easier to manage the budget.

[dfida]

If you do end up getting a job etc., of course you will need permanent housing. I think one of the best deals going is UR (Urban Renaissance) government-run manshons. They range from very nice to simple 1DK, in nearly every part of Japan in every type of neighborhood. Rents are competitive, no key money, no sponsor needed, and you get most of your deposit back when you move out.

[spicytuna]

Originally Posted by dxr

Your advice is inspiring. How do you feel about doing it at this point in your life? You have already made it clear that you would... I mean, what are your fears or anxieties, if any at all, about making a big change at this stage in your life?

I guess I should start off by giving you some background about myself.

Although I was born in Canada, my parents are Japanese. All of my relatives and a huge number of my friends currently live there so I remain well connected. I'm also fluent in Japanese, although my reading/writing is somewhere between JLPT 1 and 2.

So, as you can see, the move for me would involve a lot less risk than most people.

With that being said, I'm perfectly happy with my work/life balance right now. I'm confident that it's something which would be impossible to achieve in Japan.

[RealJames]

Originally Posted by dfida

If you do end up getting a job etc., of course you will need permanent housing. I think one of the best deals going is UR (Urban Renaissance) government-run manshons. They range from very nice to simple 1DK, in nearly every part of Japan in every type of neighborhood. Rents are competitive, no key money, no sponsor needed, and you get most of your deposit back when you move out.

Welcome to the forums!

I think you're right too, any way of moving into a house where the first fee isn't in the thousands of dollars is a nice deal!
I wish I had heard about those places before dropping 4g on the first fee for a shit apartment
of course I got none of that back when I moved out!

[GoNative]

Originally Posted by spicytuna

With that being said, I'm perfectly happy with my work/life balance right now. I'm confident that it's something which would be impossible to achieve in Japan.

Maybe if you work for a Japanese company. There are other options! Since leaving NOVA I've only worked for foreign owned companies. A work/life balance has been easy to achieve.