Expat housing in Tokyo
Living in Tokyo, though a mind-blowing experience is not without its pitfalls. If one has never been to Japan before, life in Tokyo will not come without a culture shock. Most of the Brazilian, British, Chinese, Filipinos, French, Korean, and US Americans populace have completed moving to Tokyo. But most expats moving to Tokyo prefer their home according to practical considerations. Factors like proximity to work, international schools, public transport, shopping facilities, etc. – are really important to consider before choosing a home.
Everything within the boundary of the Yamanote Line is centrally situated, eye-catching for foreign residents, and even more luxurious than is usual for Tokyo. Expat housing tokyo choose to live in Azabu, Hiroo, and Shirokan. These areas have streets lined with boutiques, restaurants, and fashionable apartments. Living in Tokyo is made easy through the existing subways: the Hibiya, Namboku, and Oedo subway lines which make it easier to go from one place to another.
Living in Tokyo, one will probably observe that Japan is a comparatively standardized society, ethnically and culturally, but Tokyo is an excepxtion to this rule. However, quite a few expatriates settle within the eight most central wards, especially in Meguro, Minato, Shinjuku, and Shibuya. Living in Tokyo’s central wards is especially popular among more affluent expatriates.
Older and cheaper housing in Tokyo may lack some amenities. Apartments do not necessarily have central heating, but living-room and bedroom come furnished with a kotatsu, a low table with an electric heater attached to its underside.
Foreigners attracted in living in Tokyo may be delighted to hear that medical standards in Japan are very high, though medical care is fairly expensive. The language barrier is often the major setback for expatriates living in Tokyo. Consequently, quite a few embassies offer lists of recommended medical service providers for their nationals living in Tokyo.
A foreign resident living in Tokyo for one year or more have to enroll in the national health care plan. So expats housing Tokyo often take out added private health insurance during their life in Tokyo.
While there are no travel-health warnings against diseases for Japan, the earthquake of 2011 and the resulting nuclear disaster caused an increase in radiation levels. The area around Fukushima’s nuclear power plant has been declared a prohibited zone. Radiation levels have increased in Tokyo as well, and various governments have issued travel warnings for Japan.