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13 comments
Am renter for 11 years now but a series of life turning events push me to buy a house here.
Two questions before I dive into the real-estate rabbithole again
1. Beside the obvious land price or commute. Why is that even the very edge of 23 Ward house still average a higher price than greater Tokyo area like Tama and Hachioji. I’m eyeing at the edge area like Kita senju Kita ayase where if the house creep into Saitama or chiba to price drop a couple million with everything else being equal. Is it about being ‘Tokyo’ give you better City service or emergency service even at the border?
2. Is the suggestion of going to the station of the area you want to buy and get to local real estate agent still the way to go to? I’m fine with any big suumo, able place when renting but this is the first time buying.
I was shopping for some specific OTC medicine in 薬局 and knew I bought it for around 800 yen in the past, only to find it for 1,250 which seemed expensive. So I went to another chain 薬局 and found exactly the same product (same brand, same size, everything) for just 500 yen. Both from regular chain 薬局 in central Tokyo on the same day.
I never really think about the prices, and notice that the prices are often a little bit different, but does it happen that the same product varies this much in price? Maybe I should pay more attention to prices…
Are there any non IT recruiters? I’m curious to talk to one or two just to see if I’d be worth their time.
Anyone know where/how to get italian sausages?
My mom used to make these subs with them and grilled onions and green peppers and I’ve been craving it
Does anyone have experience sending loose tea leaves to the US? Like, commercial Lupicia loose tea. Will it be rejected by customs or is it okay because it’s dry?
I take a taxi home from the same train station taxi stand about once a month, and the fare is always between ¥1200-1500.
Last night I got a taxi off the street instead, right around the corner from the usual stand… but the fare was only ¥1000.
Does it cost a little more to get a taxi at a stand?
New renter of a japanese apartment with a couple of questions:
1) The air vents (換気口?): There appear to be two of them, and one is bigger than the other. Why are there two? I know some folks just keep theirs closed, but of those of you who have them open, do you open both of them? What about when the AC or heat is running?
2) Bathroom Fan/Dryer (the thing with the ridiculous control panel): For the “Dry (乾燥)” mode, should the door be closed or open? What about for the other modes? Is it possible to use the “Dry” mode during the summer to dry out the bathroom faster, or is it only recommended to do so in other seasons?
Does any kind of [bite-size caramel-filled chocolate candy like Rolo](https://www.candywarehouse.com/cdn/shop/files/rolo-candy-rolls-36-piece-box-candy-warehouse-1.jpg?v=1689312378) exist here?
I’ve been thinking about doing more cycling recently in my free time. Longer trips like 3, 4, 5 hour cycles. What kind of bicycle do you recommend? And about what price range can I expect to get into?
My zairyuu card is expiring in 2.5 months. I forget, does a postcard come to your house when it’s time for renewal like the drivers license or do we just go straight to the immigration office with documents?
Is it really a normal practice in Osaka to have your professional license get taken by an employer for reasons that they need to present it at the city hall? Thanks.
I received a post-graduation job offer in Tokyo from a US finance firm that operates multiple offices around the world, and was wondering how I could go about negotiating my compensation package, if it would be possible to do so. I’m the only hire after an extensive hiring process (interviews + long-term internship), if that’d be any leverage.
Based on the current exchange rates and the job listing in the US, the same position pays at least a 30~60% higher base salary in NYC, while also sponsoring healthcare amongst other benefits. On the other hand, based on my contract it seems like I’ll be enrolled in shakai hoken, and will have pay for that out of pocket.
Of course, I’m really grateful to land a job that pays very well by Japanese standards and receive an offer as is, but I also don’t want to lose out on anything I might stand to gain if I had negotiated. Any tips would be appreciated, thanks for reading!
Anyone here hiring for easy part time work? I have an engineer/specialist/international service visa