Moving to a foreign country
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How practical is it really? What would be the steps to take if one wanted to? I know a lot of us have either thought about it or talked about it. For an American it doesn't seem that hard to move to Canada since the countries are side by side but, what about moving across an ocean to Europe or Japan.
I'll be honest and say that I have given the idea some thought and as the elections grow ever closer so does the frequency I think about moving from my beloved country. Many of the ideas of the senators,congressmen and the presidential candidates outright scare me which is the reason I give merit to the idea of moving.
Already the ideas of money, language, cost of applications,etc,etc,etc all make it look intimidating.
I'll be honest and say that I have given the idea some thought and as the elections grow ever closer so does the frequency I think about moving from my beloved country. Many of the ideas of the senators,congressmen and the presidential candidates outright scare me which is the reason I give merit to the idea of moving.
Already the ideas of money, language, cost of applications,etc,etc,etc all make it look intimidating.
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let's see...in my case,i got a scholarship to Japan,so it's study visa for me(i don't know how to get any other type of visa)...but from what i've heard,i could apply to be a permanent resident in Japan after 5 years of semi-residency(reapply for/renew my visa every year in the process),if i could pass some kinda test&screening for it.
as for living cost,actually i only have to think about daily money,like food,transport,and such(the scolarship pays the rest),but i'll give you a rough calculation of my living cost based on what i know.oh yeah,this is the living cost outside of Tokyo,it's about twice in Tokyo.
-food = 500-1,500 yen/day
-apartment,std 1LDK = 25,000-50,000/month,based on the location.
-school fees = 300,000-800,000/semester,depends
-non-food related money(electricity,gas and water included) = 500-1000/day
it costs about 100000 yen per month/person,the very minimal.
or about 1000$.
and about jobs,dishwasher,for instance,will net you around 800 yen/8 $/hour.
and there's a working limit of 28 hours/week (or 4 hours a day) for semi-permanent resident,although you could breach it as long as the immigration guys don't found that out.
if they do?straight deportation and you won't be allowed to go back to Japan.
so...assuming that you won't breach the rule,it's...about 106,000 yen per month...1060$ per month...
and language...learning some basic phrases and some kanji before you go is advised.Japanese are idiots when it come to English.
any more q's?
as for living cost,actually i only have to think about daily money,like food,transport,and such(the scolarship pays the rest),but i'll give you a rough calculation of my living cost based on what i know.oh yeah,this is the living cost outside of Tokyo,it's about twice in Tokyo.
-food = 500-1,500 yen/day
-apartment,std 1LDK = 25,000-50,000/month,based on the location.
-school fees = 300,000-800,000/semester,depends
-non-food related money(electricity,gas and water included) = 500-1000/day
it costs about 100000 yen per month/person,the very minimal.
or about 1000$.
and about jobs,dishwasher,for instance,will net you around 800 yen/8 $/hour.
and there's a working limit of 28 hours/week (or 4 hours a day) for semi-permanent resident,although you could breach it as long as the immigration guys don't found that out.
if they do?straight deportation and you won't be allowed to go back to Japan.
so...assuming that you won't breach the rule,it's...about 106,000 yen per month...1060$ per month...
and language...learning some basic phrases and some kanji before you go is advised.Japanese are idiots when it come to English.
any more q's?
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If I were to move to another country of my choice, it would probably be somewhere in the UK or Australia, because they speak English there, and Enlgish is my first language. I don't really want to go to Canada, it's cold and full of Canadians.
But it would be just like moving anywere else were you don't know anyone, only you would need a passport or visa, I guess.
Or you could find a job that involves relocation. I'm actually working on that one right now, because I'd primarily prefer to just not be here.
But it would be just like moving anywere else were you don't know anyone, only you would need a passport or visa, I guess.
Or you could find a job that involves relocation. I'm actually working on that one right now, because I'd primarily prefer to just not be here.
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it would be WAY easier to get a visa and move to a country if one of your family member stays there as a permanent resident.
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hydrocortisone wrote...
it would be WAY easier to get a visa and move to a country if one of your family member stays there as a permanent resident.Hence why I'd go to Germany, Italy, or the Philippines.
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visiting another continent or country, seeing their cultural behaviour and surroundings is a big factor on that part for me. but I understand how you think, I'm really glad I don't live in the US, no offense meant.
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My family and I are originally from Japan( I moved here when I was 7) and have a green card in the US atm.
Its be 12 years but I'm pretty sure I could still live their as a citizen..
Only problem is the Living Expense, Job, and Food.
I could probably stay at family or family friend's homes for about 2-5 months, By the I'll probably be able to speak fluent japanese again(Lost, its broken)
The thing is, It'd be completely useless doing that.
So...
I rather just go to a university I'm trying to get into which has a student exchange program where I live in japan for a year to study at a japanese college.
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For complete foreigners, It'd be pretty difficult just to move there and try to live.
Forget about living in the city if you do that though. Its already expensive as it is.
Prepare to bike and walk everywhere.
LOTS OF SMOKERS.
At least you can get amazing food, EXTREMELY Convenient Convenient Stores. You are also living in the origin of all amazing things.
Its be 12 years but I'm pretty sure I could still live their as a citizen..
Only problem is the Living Expense, Job, and Food.
I could probably stay at family or family friend's homes for about 2-5 months, By the I'll probably be able to speak fluent japanese again(Lost, its broken)
The thing is, It'd be completely useless doing that.
So...
I rather just go to a university I'm trying to get into which has a student exchange program where I live in japan for a year to study at a japanese college.
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For complete foreigners, It'd be pretty difficult just to move there and try to live.
Forget about living in the city if you do that though. Its already expensive as it is.
Prepare to bike and walk everywhere.
LOTS OF SMOKERS.
At least you can get amazing food, EXTREMELY Convenient Convenient Stores. You are also living in the origin of all amazing things.
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Well, at least broken Japanese is better than no Japanese at all. My knowledge of Japanese consists of years of watching and listening to anime as well as the occasional forum Japanese-learning threads. Apparently it was enough so that my relatives and cousins could understand me and have a somewhat decent conversation.
I wish I could move to Japan, but that won't happen anytime soon because a) my mastery of the Japanese language must also include reading, writing, and improved vocabulary and grammar b) I must be rich enough or old enough to be able to support myself there, and c) it'll be tough getting a job there anyways, given their bursted bubble of ten years and high living expense.
I guess I would have to move back to Taiwan if anything, but they're also in a deep shit situation as well. Fuck, it doesn't matter where you go really, we're all screwed in one way or another.
I wish I could move to Japan, but that won't happen anytime soon because a) my mastery of the Japanese language must also include reading, writing, and improved vocabulary and grammar b) I must be rich enough or old enough to be able to support myself there, and c) it'll be tough getting a job there anyways, given their bursted bubble of ten years and high living expense.
I guess I would have to move back to Taiwan if anything, but they're also in a deep shit situation as well. Fuck, it doesn't matter where you go really, we're all screwed in one way or another.
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Language? Try to learn Japanese. It's really easy! I don't think it should be that hard for a person to learn it. Just don't be so fixated on your original language. Try to pretend you're a newborn baby trying to communicate. After you learn the basics, try to think using the said language. If you miss a word in your head, picture an image instead of reverting to your mother language and take note of it/drawing it and later look for it. Find a penpal or something. Also, listen and read alooooooot of the language you're trying to learn. Write frequently. Language needs passion. I learned that from experience. I tried to learn german once... but the lack of interest didn't allow it. :( The only problem I think you might be having is writing Kanji and maybe reading. Because I also have problem writing Kanji! I hate writing! Typing is okay though. I can't give advice on how to buy books or take classes for Japanese because I don't know. Oh also, Japanese is not like english. It's made of particles and fragments. Enough of my random unconstrutive random rambling but good luck if you try!
Oh, but a foreigner trying to become a japanese resident is kind of hard though. You need enough financial backing.
Oh, but a foreigner trying to become a japanese resident is kind of hard though. You need enough financial backing.
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Hmm...
Well, let's assume that you're going to be able to sustain yourself once you get settled in, right? Even then, you'll still need a lot of money. You're not going to be able to find a job for the first couple months, maybe more or maybe less depending on each individual's circumstances. So, basically, that means you'll need enough money to survive your first, let's say, two months. By the way, in this scenario you've decided you like England.
You need to rent some place to live. The way it works in the UK is that if you don't have a source of income when you're getting the place, you need to pay the deposit and six months of rent before you can even move in. I know, outrageous, but on the bright side that's only if you don't have a work place. If you do have a place to work, you'll have to pay the deposit and the first month of rent. You're a poor guy, so you decide to go for a really cheap place. One bedroom and all that stuff, right? Ok, you're paying a minimum of 400 quid a month for that. That's a lot higher if you plan on living in London. So, since you're moving there for the first time, you don't have a place to work and you need to pay the deposit + six months rent. The deposit is usually the price of a month's rent, so that's 2,800 pounds. I don't know the exact exchange rate but I think it's somewhere around 1.75, isn't it? So that's basically 5,000 dollars just for the rent.
You'll need food. Let's say 5-15 quid a day, multiplied by 60 for your first two months is 300-900 quid. I'll do the conversion at the end.
Bills. Idk, monthly should be 30 phone + internet, and, I'm guessing entirely on this one, but we'll just say 50 a month for electricity + water and whatever else.
You're not going to school your first year so there's no expense for that.
Non-food items? We'll say 100 a month since you're not going to indulge yourself until you get a job.
So, add that up and you have around 1,000-1,500 quid (didn't actually calculate it properly) for the two months not including rent.
With rent 6 months 3,800 - 4,300 quid = 6650-7525 dollars at the 1.75 conversion rate.
With rent 1 month 1800 - 2300 quid = 3150 - 4025 dollars.
The final tally is how much money you should have saved up when you get the UK for the two different situations. However, it's a lot more likely that you'll be in the top one, so you're looking at at least 7.5K that you should save up. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to save up more than that because you never know if you'll have some expense you didn't know about. Pretty bad, huh?
So, what can you do to help yourself out? Stay with someone you know while looking for a job. If you don't know anyone in England, then there are some places where you can volunteer to work and you get food and board in exchange. You won't get a wage since it's volunteering, but it'll help you to stay there a while until you get a job, since that way you'll only have to pay the deposit and first month's rent and, since you'll have an income when you do get your own place, so you don't have to worry about saving up nearly as much money before hand.
If you have any more questions concerning moving to England, feel free to ask me anything. I can't guarantee that I'll be able to answer your question, but I'll try.
Btw, all costs in my post are estimations. If you are seriously thinking of moving, I'd advice making your own tally for your individual situation instead of relying on what I did.
Well, let's assume that you're going to be able to sustain yourself once you get settled in, right? Even then, you'll still need a lot of money. You're not going to be able to find a job for the first couple months, maybe more or maybe less depending on each individual's circumstances. So, basically, that means you'll need enough money to survive your first, let's say, two months. By the way, in this scenario you've decided you like England.
You need to rent some place to live. The way it works in the UK is that if you don't have a source of income when you're getting the place, you need to pay the deposit and six months of rent before you can even move in. I know, outrageous, but on the bright side that's only if you don't have a work place. If you do have a place to work, you'll have to pay the deposit and the first month of rent. You're a poor guy, so you decide to go for a really cheap place. One bedroom and all that stuff, right? Ok, you're paying a minimum of 400 quid a month for that. That's a lot higher if you plan on living in London. So, since you're moving there for the first time, you don't have a place to work and you need to pay the deposit + six months rent. The deposit is usually the price of a month's rent, so that's 2,800 pounds. I don't know the exact exchange rate but I think it's somewhere around 1.75, isn't it? So that's basically 5,000 dollars just for the rent.
You'll need food. Let's say 5-15 quid a day, multiplied by 60 for your first two months is 300-900 quid. I'll do the conversion at the end.
Bills. Idk, monthly should be 30 phone + internet, and, I'm guessing entirely on this one, but we'll just say 50 a month for electricity + water and whatever else.
You're not going to school your first year so there's no expense for that.
Non-food items? We'll say 100 a month since you're not going to indulge yourself until you get a job.
So, add that up and you have around 1,000-1,500 quid (didn't actually calculate it properly) for the two months not including rent.
With rent 6 months 3,800 - 4,300 quid = 6650-7525 dollars at the 1.75 conversion rate.
With rent 1 month 1800 - 2300 quid = 3150 - 4025 dollars.
The final tally is how much money you should have saved up when you get the UK for the two different situations. However, it's a lot more likely that you'll be in the top one, so you're looking at at least 7.5K that you should save up. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to save up more than that because you never know if you'll have some expense you didn't know about. Pretty bad, huh?
So, what can you do to help yourself out? Stay with someone you know while looking for a job. If you don't know anyone in England, then there are some places where you can volunteer to work and you get food and board in exchange. You won't get a wage since it's volunteering, but it'll help you to stay there a while until you get a job, since that way you'll only have to pay the deposit and first month's rent and, since you'll have an income when you do get your own place, so you don't have to worry about saving up nearly as much money before hand.
If you have any more questions concerning moving to England, feel free to ask me anything. I can't guarantee that I'll be able to answer your question, but I'll try.
Btw, all costs in my post are estimations. If you are seriously thinking of moving, I'd advice making your own tally for your individual situation instead of relying on what I did.
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Wow, after hearing about how difficult it would be to acquire a job. If I move to japan, anyone want to split an apartment with me? I'd rather be poor and live with a fellow Fakkuza and have something to eat (even if it's only cheap Ramen) than be broke, live by myself and wonder when I'll get my next meal.
As for learning the language. If I seriously wanted to learn a language I would have it mastered in roughly two months. It's my weird learning ability. If I want to know something then I'll master it at a pace equal to my eagerness.
As for learning the language. If I seriously wanted to learn a language I would have it mastered in roughly two months. It's my weird learning ability. If I want to know something then I'll master it at a pace equal to my eagerness.
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Fiery_penguin_of_doom wrote...
Wow, after hearing about how difficult it would be to acquire a job. If I move to japan, anyone want to split an apartment with me? I'd rather be poor and live with a fellow Fakkuza and have something to eat (even if it's only cheap Ramen) than be broke, live by myself and wonder when I'll get my next meal.As for learning the language. If I seriously wanted to learn a language I would have it mastered in roughly two months. It's my weird learning ability. If I want to know something then I'll master it at a pace equal to my eagerness.
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FrozenAngel wrote...
Fiery_penguin_of_doom wrote...
Wow, after hearing about how difficult it would be to acquire a job. If I move to japan, anyone want to split an apartment with me? I'd rather be poor and live with a fellow Fakkuza and have something to eat (even if it's only cheap Ramen) than be broke, live by myself and wonder when I'll get my next meal.As for learning the language. If I seriously wanted to learn a language I would have it mastered in roughly two months. It's my weird learning ability. If I want to know something then I'll master it at a pace equal to my eagerness.
I don't even know you but, if that happened. I hope your not crazy and I don't mean like a little crazy I mean, suck your eyes out of their sockets kind of crazy.
I could see myself living with Capt. Falcon. I'd rain down Fiery doom while he Falcon Punched all the prinnies bombarding him from the sky (That's my fiery doom. Raining demonic penguins from the sky. Don't know what prinny's are? Go play Disgaea damn it!).
Living with someone like Hibia (assuming our real life personalities don't clash) the apartment would be filled with the pleasant hum of computer towers and typing while the apartment is illuminated by the warm glow of monitors.
Ah the delusions of a sleep deprived mind.
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Fiery_penguin_of_doom wrote...
I don't even know you but, if that happened. I hope your not crazy and I don't mean like a little crazy I mean, suck your eyes out of their sockets kind of crazy.
I could see myself living with Capt. Falcon. I'd rain down Fiery doom while he Falcon Punched all the prinnies bombarding him from the sky (That's my fiery doom. Raining demonic penguins from the sky. Don't know what prinny's are? Go play Disgaea damn it!).
Ah the delusions of a sleep deprived mind.
Oh snap! Exploding penguins! All we need is a mistress Etna for this escapade...
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Captain_Falcon wrote...
Fiery_penguin_of_doom wrote...
I don't even know you but, if that happened. I hope your not crazy and I don't mean like a little crazy I mean, suck your eyes out of their sockets kind of crazy.
I could see myself living with Capt. Falcon. I'd rain down Fiery doom while he Falcon Punched all the prinnies bombarding him from the sky (That's my fiery doom. Raining demonic penguins from the sky. Don't know what prinny's are? Go play Disgaea damn it!).
Ah the delusions of a sleep deprived mind.
Oh snap! Exploding penguins! All we need is a mistress Etna for this escapade...
I would have to work eventually. Don't distract me with sex in human..err demon form.
Seriously though, it seems like the only way for a foreigner to live in japan is either 1) military service 2) Student Visa 3) know someone to live with while you try to get set up. At this rate I may have to military service. At least then I'll have some experience of living in Japan.
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I would help you guys with japanese culture and stuff...
But you guys pay rent and I stay in your apartment as a freeloader =D
Its costs you....But I'll help with the jobs, Getting apartment, etc.
But it'll probably take me time to try to learn the language again.
I haven't been their in 12 years so you gotta forgive me.
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But if that happens, we're going to akihabara and wasting our money on doujinshi's, posters, and etc.
Also, I'm going to force you to go eat at a spinning sushi.
But you guys pay rent and I stay in your apartment as a freeloader =D
Its costs you....But I'll help with the jobs, Getting apartment, etc.
But it'll probably take me time to try to learn the language again.
I haven't been their in 12 years so you gotta forgive me.
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But if that happens, we're going to akihabara and wasting our money on doujinshi's, posters, and etc.
Also, I'm going to force you to go eat at a spinning sushi.
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illumi wrote...
if that happens, we're going to akihabara and wasting our money on doujinshi's, posters, and etc.That's a given. That's like stating "Hey, don't forget to breath"
Seriously, don't forget.
At first I was curious, then I gave it a little merit (and humor) but, once more research is done and the ability to do this is acquired. Then I can actually consider it. Though, I need a pessimist to bring me back down to earth and set me straight.
Spoiler:
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Those of you who think that you can move to Japan like that, be prepared to be in a world of hurt, because it ain't that easy.
-recession
-falling rate of the yen
-expensive living standards
-application of citizenship that will cancel your U.S. citizenry
-language barrier
-culture barrier
-where the fuck are you going to get your dough to move out and settle?
There's just no sense in moving anywhere at this rate, unless someone's got rich relatives.
-recession
-falling rate of the yen
-expensive living standards
-application of citizenship that will cancel your U.S. citizenry
-language barrier
-culture barrier
-where the fuck are you going to get your dough to move out and settle?
There's just no sense in moving anywhere at this rate, unless someone's got rich relatives.
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@Fiery: From your political views and the sentiments, I assume you want to go to a country where there is much more libertarianism and much less government spending than the US. However, I'm not sure what democratic country you would go to.
In terms of Welfare spending as a percentage of GDP, the U.S. is one of the lowest developed democracies democracies. Ireland, Mexico, and South Korean rank lower the the US, and Japan ranks slightly lower than the US if you count public schooling as welfare spending.
The US also has one of the lowest Central government debts as a percentage of GDP. Only Ireland, Norway, Luxembourg, Australia, and the Czech Republic are lower in that statistic.
I got these facts from the OECD's most recent available data.
Pretty much all of Europe is out. Switzerland is rather libertarian minded about rights, but still has a bit of a welfare state(I lived there temporarily in the past). They also have one of the strictest immigration laws. Basically, they don't want anyone coming to live there.
Japan has more socialist policies than the US at this point, including what amounts to something very similar to the universal healthcare proposed by Hillary Clinton. They also have mandatory employment insurance, health insurance, pension insurance, and accident insurance, as well as general government welfare.
In terms of laissez-faire capitalism, the US is still one of the most deregulated and least taxing governments of developed democracies.
In terms of Welfare spending as a percentage of GDP, the U.S. is one of the lowest developed democracies democracies. Ireland, Mexico, and South Korean rank lower the the US, and Japan ranks slightly lower than the US if you count public schooling as welfare spending.
The US also has one of the lowest Central government debts as a percentage of GDP. Only Ireland, Norway, Luxembourg, Australia, and the Czech Republic are lower in that statistic.
I got these facts from the OECD's most recent available data.
Pretty much all of Europe is out. Switzerland is rather libertarian minded about rights, but still has a bit of a welfare state(I lived there temporarily in the past). They also have one of the strictest immigration laws. Basically, they don't want anyone coming to live there.
Japan has more socialist policies than the US at this point, including what amounts to something very similar to the universal healthcare proposed by Hillary Clinton. They also have mandatory employment insurance, health insurance, pension insurance, and accident insurance, as well as general government welfare.
In terms of laissez-faire capitalism, the US is still one of the most deregulated and least taxing governments of developed democracies.
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WhiteLion wrote...
@Fiery: From your political views and the sentiments, I assume you want to go to a country where there is much more libertarianism and much less government spending than the US. However, I'm not sure what democratic country you would go to.In terms of Welfare spending as a percentage of GDP, the U.S. is one of the lowest developed democracies democracies. Ireland, Mexico, and South Korean rank lower the the US, and Japan ranks slightly lower than the US if you count public schooling as welfare spending.
The US also has one of the lowest Central government debts as a percentage of GDP. Only Ireland, Norway, Luxembourg, Australia, and the Czech Republic are lower in that statistic.
I got these facts from the OECD's most recent available data.
Pretty much all of Europe is out. Switzerland is rather libertarian minded about rights, but still has a bit of a welfare state(I lived there temporarily in the past). They also have one of the strictest immigration laws. Basically, they don't want anyone coming to live there.
Japan has more socialist policies than the US at this point, including what amounts to something very similar to the universal healthcare proposed by Hillary Clinton. They also have mandatory employment insurance, health insurance, pension insurance, and accident insurance, as well as general government welfare.
In terms of laissez-faire capitalism, the US is still one of the most deregulated and least taxing governments of developed democracies.
Nah, if I wanted to leave for a Libertarians paradise then I would just wait for those Libertarian Sea colonies
http://www.wired.com/science/planetearth/news/2008/05/seasteading
My political sentiments are a mild factor since I constantly feel like the fundamentals have guns pointed at my head and the left wing liberals seem to hate anyone who has more money than those receiving welfare checks. The government is plagued with corruption and special interest groups. Even grassroots movements like the one for the FairTax couldn't budge the government's stance. All of this leads me to believe that the country is on a one way path to self destruction.
Plus, it's Japan! Akihabara and similar districts alone are reasons enough for an otaku.