I’m a mom of 5 (my oldest is 19 and has moved out) so there are 4 kids currently at home ages 13, 10, 8 and 7. I have wanted to move to Japan for the last 12 years but wasn’t sure if I should or could with kids. I think it would be great for them to learn a new language and culture, but I don’t know how we would be received if we did move there. I’m considering buying a home there and moving there in the future but not sure if I should wait til the kids are older or grown before I move. I’m 38 right now and afraid if I wait til they’re all grown I’ll be too old or perhaps in poorer health to do all the fun things I would like to explore there 🙁
I am currently trying to work on learning some Japanese and hoping my job might be willing to let me work in Japan since it’s a global pharmaceutical company with a small HQ in Japan (amongst other countries). Is it realistically even possible for me to consider moving? I don’t want to do anything that wouldn’t be good for my kids too. Is there any best way for me to get started planning a move there considering there would be five of us going?
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It would be a pretty big culture shock for the kids. There are international schools, but I believe those can be expensive. On the flip side I’ve also heard public schools in places near Tokyo are accommodating to English speaking students. This is just one aspect of so many more things you need to consider, of course, but I figured it would help to know.
Another thing to consider is space. Japanese homes/apartments are incredibly small compared to Western homes and you may well find yourself sharing futons with your kids or them all sharing space. Would that be doable for them and you?
Again, many things to consider. Hope this helps.