Tokyo JET intake 5>100 by 2014, 100>200 by 2015

[5100]

You know, I don't know why Tokyo would be expensive for a JET. We live on pretty nice salaries, and most COs will probably subsidize housing and transport. Heck, there might even be free or very cheap teachers' housing if it's for SHS. Sure, food and entertainment might be pricy, but it's expensive everywhere. As long as placed JETs don't go to a maid cafe every night, I think they'll be fine.

It could get very expensive very fast, particularly for non-Americans, or Americans with student loans. Plus, aren't you on the old salary?

Also, inaka food is generally cheap. You must not live in the real boonies.

[UPGRAYEDD]

On one hand, future JETs will get the opportunity to live in Tokyo. That's awesome and I wish I had that opportunity 5 years ago. I would have jumped all over that.

On the other hand, Tokyo is one of the must expensive cities in the world and the new JET salary is not that great. Without major housing subsidies or a bump in salary, life in Tokyo will be rough. Let's not beat around the bush there.

But hey, Tokyo!

[UPGRAYEDD]

Also, inaka food is generally cheap.

Tokyo has a lot of "cheaper than the inaka" food options if you know where to look. And I'm not really talking about ultra low-quality stuff either.

[greyjoy]

So miamicoordinator, seeing as how basically none of us planned for the possibility of being placed in Tokyo, what do you think the odds are of people being placed there even though they didn't put it down as one of their preferred locations? Do you have any idea how that part of the selection process works? I left my third choice blank, but now I'm sort of wishing I had placed Tokyo down as a long shot.

No part of my interview covered what size city I would prefer as far as I recall. Do you think if they pull anyone, it'll probably be someone based in one of the big cities so they're not completely overwhelmed?

[5100]

Tokyo has a lot of "cheaper than the inaka" food options if you know where to look. And I'm not really talking about ultra low-quality stuff either.

Good to know. I was talking about fresh veg, etc. Where do they hide the cheap stuff?

[coop52]

A couple of the new teachers are from the Tokyo area and have complained that stuff is more expensive here in the inaka. Only stuff like fresh veg is cheaper here.

[johnny]

I would rather live in Kyoto or Kobe if I were to live the big city life. I love Tokyo too, but living there would be too expensive for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[5100]

A couple of the new teachers are from the Tokyo area and have complained that stuff is more expensive here in the inaka. Only stuff like fresh veg is cheaper here.

I do suppose the costs of eating would be different depending on what you're willing to eat. Since fresh stuff makes up the bulk of my home meals, that's what I was talking about.

[UPGRAYEDD]

Good to know. I was talking about fresh veg, etc. Where do they hide the cheap stuff?

To be perfectly honest, I don't really notice any real difference in supermarket prices between veggies and fruit between Tokyo and Shikoku (where I used to live). Depends on where you shop though, Ito-Yokado and Seiyu is going to be cheaper than Seijoishii and Hankyu.

But for even fresher and cheaper options, there are dozens of weekend farmers' markets all over Tokyo you could go to. My personal favorite is the Sunday morning market at the United Nations University.

And there are also the hidden ethnic supermarkets in places like Ame-yokocho...

[Corvus]

Kyu-kyu-en stores were leagues apart from the 99 cent stores in the US...definitely made groceries manageable.

[Zolrak 22]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's a lot easier to travel around Tokyo. Alts could share apartments thus reducing living costs.

I'd be surprised if they didn't thought about this beforehand.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[5100]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's a lot easier to travel around Tokyo. Alts could share apartments thus reducing living costs.

I'd be surprised if they didn't thought about this beforehand.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

Easier to travel? Yes. Cheap? I guess that depends.

Sharing apartments with ALTs? No. Just no way in the world that would work.

[Lianwen]

I know one person who had to share the apartment with their pred for a week (it might have been two), and it was absolute hell for her.

I can't imagine sharing an apartment with any of the JETs near me, even the ones I consider friends.

[Gizmotech]

Alts could share apartments thus reducing living costs.

Sorry, but my response to this is "OH MAI GODO HERUS NOOOO!" I would NEVER want to live with another ALT. I'm an adult thank you, and long stopped the dorm life.

[johnny]

People like their space. Also, there are a lot of homebodies I've met here that like going to bed no later than 10.

I, conversely, am loud, obnoxious, like going out and like going to bed late. We'd get along like Rimmer and Lister.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[UPGRAYEDD]

I don't see how it will be possible to have the JET program in Tokyo without subsidized housing or some kind of room-share system (which would be extremely unpopular).

It's simply too expensive to live independently here at that salary.

[ihatefall]

I don't find Tokyo to be that expensive compare to rest of Japan, again if you know where to look. Granted, I don't pay rent here. (Which I am sure sucks. My friend pays 10man for a pretty small place.)

I knew one of the 5 Tokyo-to JETs, she was on an island that had a very limited ferry. Becareful what you wish for.
It was easier for Ibaraki, Saitama and Chiba JETs to get to the 'city' than it was for her.

That being said, Tokyo isn't my favorite. Its not because of a small space or anything like that. I live in a huge house with a parking space, a small yard, hell we even have a tree in it. Its the people. People in Tokyo kind of suck.
I enjoy this city less now that I live in it, as opposed to when I used to visit it on weekends.

I am not being ungrateful or anything, but my choice would have been Osaka.

[Shincantsen]

So miamicoordinator, seeing as how basically none of us planned for the possibility of being placed in Tokyo, what do you think the odds are of people being placed there even though they didn't put it down as one of their preferred locations? Do you have any idea how that part of the selection process works? I left my third choice blank, but now I'm sort of wishing I had placed Tokyo down as a long shot.

No part of my interview covered what size city I would prefer as far as I recall. Do you think if they pull anyone, it'll probably be someone based in one of the big cities so they're not completely overwhelmed?

Plenty of people still request Tokyo as their first placement choice. Not everyone is on the forums or Facebook group, and not everyone does boatloads of research before applying, so a lot of people think that Tokyo is a viable option (which it is now). I think it would be easy for them to pick 100 ALTs who specifically requested Tokyo, although I'm sure it won't work that way. Your placement request really doesn't matter that much in the long run, since it's more on the contracting organizations as to who ends up where.

[Ini]

I don't see how it will be possible to have the JET program in Tokyo without subsidized housing or some kind of room-share system (which would be extremely unpopular).

It's simply too expensive to live independently here at that salary.

?????? theres loads of cheap housing in tokyo. you might not be near a station on a major train line but thats why god gave you legs.

[Corvus]

I think prices vary a lot depending on what part of Tokyo you are in.
I had a 1K mansion for under 6man a month, under 7 after utilities. This was close enough to Chuo-sen, still a ways from the central wards, though. I don't imagine anything near there would be this cheap.

Overall cost of living is going to depend more on how you spend your free time.