An Expat Talks about Moving to Tokyo, Japan
What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?
Tokyo
Name three things that you wish you had brought and three you wish you had left at home.
Book, lots and lots of books, there really isn't much of a selection of books or magazines here unless you are willing to fork out around 15-20 dollars per magazine.
Hienz canned tomato soup, soup here costs around 7 dollars per tin and is very salted.
A Plasma, they are half the price here and you can get international ones!

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What advice would you give someone preparing to move to your area about the actual move, choosing a neighborhood and finding a home?
Real estate agencies will show you everything even places that don't meet your requirements, ex:2 bedrooms instead or 3, no parking, etc...
See the floor plans before seeing any of them, it will save you a lot of time.
And once you have narrowed it down, visit the flat a time when you know that your nieghbors will be in....
Some flats don't have insulation and you can hear if your nieghbor just sneezed.
What type of housing do you live in? Is this typical for most expats in your area?
Typically in flats, houses are rather expensive an full of many small rooms, which for my taste is unpractical.
How did you choose your neighborhood and find your home or apartment?
Real estate agency.
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We are a U.S. tax firm specializing in taxes for Americans living abroad. We offer expert guidance on navigating the complexities of filing overseas income, foreign asset reporting, and ensuring compliance with both U.S. and international tax regulations. Universal Tax Professionals is a team of experienced experts well-versed in the latest tax laws, including the nuances that apply to expatriates.
Are your housing costs higher or lower than they were in your home country? What is the average cost of housing there?
Mexico-Japan?
You've gotta be kidding! I could buy out a small village for what I pay monthly, thank god my husband company pays for the flat, electrical and water, we once got a water bill for 1000usd! and we don't have any kids.
Additional Information:
- Expat Guide to Tokyo
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in Tokyo
- Public Transportation in Tokyo
- Best Neighborhoods for Single Digital Nomads Living in Tokyo
- Pros & Cons of Living in Tokyo
- Fun Classes for Expats Living in Tokyo
- Best Neighborhoods for Retirees in Tokyo
- Best Neighborhoods for Families in Tokyo
- Best Neighborhoods for Single People in Tokyo
- Best International Schools and Bilingual Schools in Tokyo
- 7 Weekend Getaways for Digital Nomads Living in Tokyo
- Best Bookstores and Libraries in Tokyo
- Fun Classes for Expats Living in Tokyo
- Public Transportation in Tokyo
- Best Markets in Tokyo
- Retire in Tokyo Guide
- 7 Tips for Living in Tokyo
- Pros & Cons of Living in Tokyo
- Tips for Expats Driving in Tokyo
- Cost of Living in Tokyo
- Health Care in Tokyo
- Discovering the Best of Tokyo
- Top 10 Tokyo Neighborhoods For Expats
- 5 Tips for Living in Tokyo, Japan
- International Schools in Tokyo, Japan
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in Japan
- Best Places to Live in Japan
- Real Estate in Japan
- Pros & Cons of Living in Japan
- 10 Cultural Faux Pas to Avoid While Living in Japan
- What It's Like Living in Tokyo
- Pros and Cons of Living in Japan 2025
- 2025 Guide to Moving to Japan