My wife and I discussed the possibility of bringing our kids to Japan for school.
Jason has spent most of his life developing software. In 2017, after discussing with his wife, he decided to move to Japan to send their children to school in Tokyo. He says, “My wife and I discussed the possibility of bringing our kids to Japan for school. And my wife was also facing some health concerns that were easier to deal with in Japan”
His main motivation for moving was his family’s needs. Japan’s public health insurance program played a significant role in the decision, as it alleviates financial stress. Jason also views Japan as a comfortable place to live long-term and currently has a pending permanent resident application. “With no particular plan about work or specifics in mind, we filled up our shipping container and sent all our household goods to Japan and figured out a place to live.”
Settled for the first house we toured.
Jason explains that when him and his family first looked for housing, they faced challenges despite having plenty of cash. Without a stable, regular job in the eyes of the Japanese government, landlords were skeptical and required prepayment assurances. Jason even reached out to his brother-in-law, who was in real estate, and ultimately settled on the first house they toured that met their needs.
Advice for foreigners looking for housing.
Jason recommends using Smile Home to navigate the complexities of Japanese housing, especially for foreigners. While recognizing that his situation is a bit atypical, as he was searching for housing with an already well-established amount of money, he encourages foreigners to not give up and to conquer any hurdles they may encounter because it will be very worth it. He believes Smilehome’s services are worthwhile for anyone looking for a place to stay.