will you stay for life?

[kotatsuneko]

I know a lot of people here seem to return home once a year, more even

are you ever tempted to not go back?

will you become a "lifer"?

I`m in two minds about doing it.. Before I left for rondon, I sold some computer gear to a candadian bloke, I asked him how long he had been in Sapporo (his japanese was pretty damn good) to which he replied "5 years, but I`d never be a lifer" despite having made a hell of a lot more money and friends than I ever did.

I mean, pretty much all of my family is dead now, I have inherited some money and a house (quite something in rondon now at my age)

my japanese family are great, treat me as if i was blood..

I rather like sapporo the city (never really got to know any people as they seem to think all foreigners are russians, hence to be avoided)

I am going to be doing some teaching courses over here, but I don`t really have any skills or a career (thats what comprehensive school, a father exhausted from work and growing up with no ambition or drive whatsover did to me) but I honestly really loved working with kids..

my worry is that i`m getting on (33 this year) and, eventually will have to start teaching adults, which i dread really..

theres lots i really liked about japan, and lots i really hated, i suppose it was 50-50 really.. I can honestly say that despite the discrimination and negative aspects of japanese society-govt that I was happier there than in rondon which has got worse and worse.. even more financial pressure than japan now..

sorry this has turned into some boring life story rant..

are you planning to stay for life and if so/not any thoughts on that?

[AssKissinger]

I plan on staying but you know 'It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future' (Yogi Berra).

What'll you do with your house in London if you live in Japan?

[kotatsuneko]

at the moment i`m getting a lot of stuff done to it so that its safe for the future, whether i keep it or sell it (its a sellers market at the moment)

I may just sell it and buy a smaller place in an equally good area (this area has always been good, next to a real village dammit ^^ but has gone increasingly upmarket of late, upper middle class, good for the areas value, bad as they speak like idiots and are annoying plus the pubs have gone all upmarket ruining the area.,.,)

what i would do initially is to rent it via a jpn agent, to have some income, i could comfortably buy a house or mansino outright in Sapporo anyhow now, but rather than sell everything it makes more sense to keep hold of some property whether thats the original house or a 2 bed flat..

its nice having some money and property, but I`d rather still have my parents and be poor...

[AssKissinger]

So you have a Japanese wife but no kids, right?

[kotatsuneko]

yep.. married 6 years now, together for 8, things are good between us now too, she's been great.. and doesnt mind if we stay here or go back

[Taro Toporific]

I know a lot of people here seem to return home once a year, more even

That's just smart.
One year fun--- one life wasted.

[kotatsuneko]

hey Taro, I didn`t understand your point.. would you mind explaining? I know you and Mr B et al have been in Japan for ages so your thoughts would be much appreciated!

[kamome]

I'm definitely not going to be a lifer, but I could see myself going back and forth between Japan and the U.S. for career reasons. After 5 years here, you just get tired.

[Taro Toporific]

hey Taro, I didn`t understand your point.. would you mind explaining? I know you and Mr B et al have been in Japan for ages so your thoughts would be much appreciated!

3-6 months school break: Wild fun!
1-3 years: Adventure!
3-5 years: A learning experience
5-10 years: Dangerous fling and huge resume hole
15+ years: Life sentence

In your case, you've had the "Life", the wife, and the language. Mission Accomplished.

[Big Booger]

I might leave in the next five years. I want to buy a house in the US, pool, boat, etc... I want at least 15-30 acres of land. That dream just isn't viable here in Japan.

But hell who knows.

[kansaiboy]

after 5 months I know next to nothing about Japan...but am learning fast...got a girl, and am happy in a way...but u know what...? what happens when u have been away for so long, I mean ive been gone from Oz for 10 years now...lived in Korea, US, Philippines, Middle East, Hong Kong and now here I am.... and each for about 2 years...what does it take to find a home...? where is home for us all...? I guess Im to new to comment, but eventually I wanna be able to be in a place that makes me smile each and everyday...i just have to find it..maybe its not the place but the people in the place...?

[Thanatos' embalmed botfly]

Interesting thread.

3-6 months school break: Everythings... so... weird.
1-3 years: Sausage time.
3-5 years: Can I stay here?
5-10 years: Who the hell am I?
15+ years: Who the hell was I?

[gomichild]

Hmmm dunno yet....but I'm not completely jaded after almost 8 years so maybe I will get the t-shirt....

[AssKissinger]

If you buy a condo in Japan and get some JPN firm involved in renting your property in England your life will be a lot more complicated. Do you trust your wife 100%? It'll be hard to maintain control of your funds and your worth over here. You sound so settled into London. Getting all entangled with Japan seems like such a pain in the ass. I ain't got nothin' but a blurry spot in my vision from when I fell down the stairs and hit my head when I was drunk so it's easier for me.

[Steve Bildermann]

As soon as my FG Forum membership expires, I'm outta here....