new to japan

[Manarak]

Hi all

I am not yet in Japan, but I have been offered a position in Tokyo, and I think i am going to accept it.

I got some questions before I sign the contract, if you would like to help me:

- I am going to be employed as a manager / project manager (middle level) in the financial services sector. What salary level is expected? (just to make sure they don't f*ck me before I even become a FG).

- What is the cost of a unfurnished but fully equipped 100 sqm 4-room flat thats within 30 min (by metro/train) from the center of tokyo?

- I guess I will need some computer help to understand what's written in the streets. I need a translating program for kana, kanji and romanji into english.
I found http://padict.sourceforge.net/ which apparently does everything I want.
Are there other good programs with that set of features you can recommend for handheld computers?

- Is it possible to buy Palm, Pocket PC and similar devices in Japan with english keys and english OS?

- What other things should I prepare for / plan to get in Europe before I move to Japan?


Thank you in advance for your help
Manarak.

[Caustic Saint]

- I guess I will need some computer help to understand what's written in the streets. I need a translating program for kana, kanji and romanji into english.
I found http://padict.sourceforge.net/ which apparently does everything I want.
Are there other good programs with that set of features you can recommend for handheld computers?

You're probably going to get a keitai (cellphone), so a good service to get on that is TangoTown. Useful for those on-the-go translation needs.

(Damn, shilling for Gomi now. I should charge her for this. :P )

[AssKissinger]

Welcome, where are you from?

I guess I will need some computer help to understand what's written in the streets.

The only thing that's gonna help you with that is hitting the books.

(BTW, the new member thread will never work cause new members don't know about it. But one of you mods can relocate the thread, I guess.)

[Manarak]

I come from switzerland - well, I did't want to introduce myself yet, but I am looking for information. I will post to the new members thread once I know how exactly my G-ass will have been f*cked!

I will certainly learn japanese, but I still think I need computer help, because the books with the 50000 Kanji with several search systems must be pretty heavy to carry around...

[AssKissinger]

You can't just type a kanji into a computer to find out what it means unless you have a helluva big keyboard. You have to know the reading. Then type the reading in and match the kanji. And if you know the reading you probably know the meaning. So in other words, ain't no palm pilot or computer gonna make you literate.

[Taro Toporific]

...What is the cost of a unfurnished but fully equipped 100 sqm 4-room flat thats within 30 min (by metro/train) from the center of tokyo?.

FREE! If you are not receiving free housing as part of of your employment "Package", do NOT sign the contract. What's more, your company is supposed to find your 100 sqm flat for you and serve as your guaranteeor. Otherwise you'll have a hopeless time finding a place on your own not being able to read and speak or having any local saavy.

The price for that "fully equipped 100 sqm 4-room flat" 200,000 to 900,000+ yen/m.... and it still will be substandard quality.

[Manarak]

hmmmm...

They told there would be a housing allowance paid by the company (though they still didn't tell how much).
I am used to live with my wife and child (15 months) in a comfortable (just comfortable, not glamorous) appartment (4rooms, 100sqm).
My wife would not work in jp - How would life be with 4 mio housing allowance and 8 mio salary?
I really need help to see what's good and what not

[AssKissinger]

4 mio housing allowance and 8 mio salary

What does 'mio' mean? Million? If so yearly is great and monthly is unbelievable.

[Taro Toporific]

I will certainly learn japanese, but I still think I need computer help, because the books with the 50000 Kanji with several search systems must be pretty heavy to carry around...

Anyone who is trying to learn carries a deligated device.
But hell I ain't even "trying", so I use a 'sleeping dictionary" which is more multi-purpose.


----------------------
--Actually, moments ago I looked up on my Seiko RM2000, the Buddhist phrase on my fan, "oni no nembutsu" which turns out ratherinteresting. The Palm and other solutions are joke. The Keitai phone solution with TangoTown is grrrrreat out on the street (but I demand a real keyboard not fooling with a tiny 10-key input and a near-invisible screen.).

[AssKissinger]

The Keitai phone solution with TangoTown is grrrrreat out on the street

I know a lot of you are in the keitai business but in real life that's about as useful a moped for a gold fish. At least for reading. It might work as a phrase book, but so will a phrase book.

[Taro Toporific]

I am used to live with my wife and child (15 months) in a comfortable (just comfortable, not glamorous) appartment (4rooms, 100sqm).
My wife would not work in jp - How would life be with 4 mio housing allowance and 8 mio salary?t

Mark my words: At "4 mio housing allowance and 8 mio salary" your wife won't like. That's fine for a young single guy staring out but kind of low for housing. It's fair but low at 333,000yen/month for 4rooms, 100sqm. An "8 mio salary" is about right if and only IF the company handles getting you properly set up moving/housing/education for kid.

In the securities industry, the going rate is 10mil/y salary, 500,000y/m for 100sqm, food allowence, free schooling, twice a year repatriation flights, all expenses. The idea is you should not suffer a huge drop in your standard of living...and Japanese living is substandard for all.

You need "somebody" to negociate a proper deal for you. They are people who do this service for expat "Packages" but I won't know since I'm "in-country hire" living like an animal.

[Taro Toporific]

The Keitai phone solution with TangoTown is grrrrreat out on the street

I know a lot of you are in the keitai business but in real life that's about as useful a moped for a gold fish

Ok, you're right AK---I'm in the keitai business but I don't use ANYTHING out on the street, not even a phrase book. Why bother when I can just ask a cute girl seeted next to me on the train what my wack-off manga means? :P

[Manarak]

Ok - thank you for the very helpful post.

So I understand that I should aim at 5 to 6 mio/year housing allowance plus 8 to 10 mio/year of salary plus all "package" advantages you mentioned.

I will have a talk monday with the boss - let's see what he offers.

Other suggestions are very welcome as well.

[AssKissinger]

Why bother when I can just ask a cute girl seeted next to me on the train what my wack-off manga means?

But it might be difficult for her to answer and blow you at the same time.



I guess I live in a different world but you're talking over $40,000 dollars a year for rent alone. Where I come from that's fan-fucking-tastic. How much do you make Taro?

[Gestalt]

Manarak,

I agree with Taro - get your company to assist with relocation or find someone who knows Tokyo to handle your contract. I've been through this with my company and there are soooo many things to consider when trying to find a place to live in Tokyo. And it's not just the cost: I notice you said you have a 15 month child. Something you probably don't realise is that a lot of train and subway stations here don't have elevators (including that bastion of the ex-pat community Hiroo)! Unless you have a car then while you're at work your wife is going to be carrying your baby and a pram up and down stairs all day. Trust me that's not a fun situation to come home to ..
Just something to consider!

[Manarak]

40000 USD for housing - Well, I know it can seem strange - when I look back, it freightens me.

When I was a student, I paid something like 300 dollars a month for housing in northern France, then it became 700 when I was first employed in Germany, then I moved again to Zürich, where I must spend 2200 USD on my appartment.
I married between the two. Before, a small 2 room appartment was enough, but now I cannot imagine I could face the stress of living in even 3 rooms with wife, child, and the various visitors (especially my wife's mother).

I also have been to Moscow and Kiev - soviet standard was cheap to rent, but if you want western standard in building quality and equipment, the rent in Kiev and Moscow also starts between 3000 and 5000 USD a month for a 100 sqm appartment.

So what can one do? I don't want to move to Tokyo if the living standard is going to make me insane.

[AssKissinger]

My wife and I live in a one bedroom. I'd love another room to chill out in. My rent now is only 65,000 but people say it's expensive. It has a pretty nice view of the mountains.

[Big Booger]

[quote="Manarak"]40000 USD for housing - Well, I know it can seem strange - when I look back, it freightens me.

When I was a student, I paid something like 300 dollars a month for housing in northern France, then it became 700 when I was first employed in Germany, then I moved again to Z&uuml]

40g's for a place.. is this a room at Koizumis pad? I can't imagine a joint being that expensive unless it is in the heart of Tokyo with a golden Toto shitter, shiatsu delivery..etc...

I pay about the same as Assking. 70000 or so. Not too bad.. but I live in the sticks of Kansai.. so no one wants to live here.. The place is clean, no rats, even have a carpeted living room.

[Manarak]

well, i dunno, but the flats advertized at 250-300k only have 50 or 60 sqm.
Of course I would be happy if you could show me a well built 100 sqm for the same price.

[Big Booger]

well, i dunno, but the flats advertized at 250-300k only have 50 or 60 sqm.
Of course I would be happy if you could show me a well built 100 sqm for the same price.

Six minutes away from Shirokane Takanawa station on the Namboku line, from 240,000~ 300,000/month, 53.73m2 to 62.78m2. Call now


:P Like that? That is your normal price.


------------------------------------------

Ebisu 90,000. Ooimachi 60,000. Azabudai 108,000. Shibuya 2LDK 239,000. Gotanda house 250,000. Akasaka 3LDK 400,000. Yoyogi 3LDK 180m2 500,000. Hiroo 3LDK 680,000. Shibuya 3LDK 850,000. Aoyama 2LDK 1,170,000. Shirokane 3LDK 1,300,000. Roppongi 3LDK 1,620,000

There you go. those prices should definitely fit your bill:

http://classifieds.japantoday.com/biz.asp?action=home&pid=21

They are cheaper than forty thousand US

[Manarak]

Big Booger, I don't know what to reply.

The first flat in your list meeting the requirement would be the Akasaka 3LDK - but thats 400k a month, in other words 45 KUSD yearly, but then the prices only go up and up.

[Big Booger]

Big Booger, I don't know what to reply.

The first flat in your list meeting the requirement would be the Akasaka 3LDK - but thats 400k a month, in other words 45 KUSD yearly, but then the prices only go up and up.

400000 yen is only $4000 basically. which is well under $40000. And I don't know if this is doable for you or not but here goes:

8min walk to harbor view, fully furnished mansion 2LDK, 69m2 plus veranda 35m2. No key money, 230,000/month. Call owner Mon-Fri, 10:00am-6:00pm.

much cheaper. With the veranda.. that equals out to about 104 m2.

[Manarak]

err... I hope you didn't think about 40.000 USD a month??? <g>

[Big Booger]

err... I hope you didn't think about 40.000 USD a month??? <g>

That is why I asked you if it had a golden Toto Shitter LOL


Check out this site if you are looking for a decent deal. I have heard that they do a decent operation and treat gaijin fairly well:

http://www.sakura-house.com/?source=Overture

But what I heard could just be smoke up the ass.. who knows really.

[Manarak]

Thanky for the link, but Sakura have 2dk size (too small)
no 3LDK in sight.

[Big Booger]

Yah I forgot about the 3ldk deal..

http://www.japanhomesearch.com/findhome/findhome_initial.asp?Tpass=100

Try that search engine. Should yeild significantly better results.

here is what I found:


1715 Neo Heights Belle View 302 400,000 Shinagawa ku Higashi Gotanda Gotanda Sta. 4 Now

5392 Meguro Park Heights East 102 400,000 Meguro ku Meguro Meguro Sta. 3 Now

4022 Liverge Shinagawa 1404 395,000 Minato ku Kounan Shinagawa Sta. 3 Now

5020 Takanawa Flat 202 385,000 Minato ku Takanawa Shinagawa Sta. 3 Now

3965 IVY Court Iidabashi D 360,000 Shinjuku ku Ichigaya-funagawarac Iidabashi Sta. 3 Now

4021 Palm Court 204/304 355,000 Meguro ku Shimo-Meguro Meguro Sta. 3 Now

4891 Palm Court 201 350,000 Meguro ku Shimo-Meguro Meguro Sta. 3 Now

5093 Shiroganedai City House 401 350,000 Minato ku Shiroganedai Meguro Sta. 3 Now

3491 Hill Crest Uehara 102 300,000 Shibuya ku Uehara Yoyogi-Uehara Sta. 3 Now

4638 Residence Hiroo 102 299,000 Shibuya ku Hiroo Hiroo Sta. 3 Now


Hopefully that can shed some more light on lower cost solutions with at least 3 bedrooms.

[Manarak]

thank you! that site is much better!

strange thing is that there are houses with 245 sqm and 6 bedrooms for the same price as some 2LDK with 50 sqm? WTF?

[Gestalt]

Manarak,

strange thing is that there are houses with 245 sqm and 6 bedrooms for the same price as some 2LDK with 50 sqm? WTF?

Lots of places look good on paper but if they seem too cheap there is usually always a reason. Often it's not the apartment/house itself which has a problem, but the surroundings. Choose some likely candidates and get shown around them once you arrive in Tokyo before you choose one to live in.

In my experience some possible reasons the 245sqm/6 bedroom place is so cheap is that it's:
a) Directly under high voltage power lines
b) Next to a train line
c) Surrounded by higher buildings and thus receives no direct sunlight.
d) Overlooks a cemetary (I'm not kidding!)
d) The windows face a direction which means the sun will come straight in and turn the house into an oven in summer.
d) Facing onto a major road
e) Old. Building exteriors in Tokyo do not age well. Anything 10 years or older can start to look pretty ugly..
f) A long way from a train station.
g) Very close to a station on an inconvenient train line
h) The building is three or more stories high but has no elevator
or
i) All of the above

[kamome]

Manarak--

Here's what a great expat compensation package should include:

1) Housing allowance (this does not mean you get "free" housing, but rather, your employer provides housing on your behalf and you don't get taxed on the value of that housing);

2) employer-provided home leave (at least once a year);

3) expat health insurance and pension plan (not the Japanese national health/social security system);

4) tax return preparation;

5) tax equalization;

6) paid tuition for your child at an international school;

7) paid memberships at places like the Tokyo-American Club, business networking organizations like the American Chamber of Commerce/British Chamber of Commerce, plus a gym;

paid relocation expenses from your country to Japan, plus stipends for furniture purchases.

I would also negotiate for a term contract in Japan of no more than 5 years, with guaranteed employment in your home country upon return. All of the numbers in the above list are negotiable, but depend on your level of experience and the needs of your company.

[Big Booger]

Gestalt is right. You'll have to do some serious shopping around before landing a good place at the right price.

But with time, you'll nail it. Just be ready to pay the key money. And don't get buggered on some racist, discriminatory landlord who doesn't rent to gaijin.. move on to the next ASAP.

Kamome gave you sound advice. Most employers, unless you are going the self-employed route, give you great packages and incentives to live here. Unless the employer is crap.

Some even pay your housing, half your housing, or a percentage, already get the place setup, or have had it setup from a previous employee, so they don't have to keep paying that key money

Good luck in your home search.