[Eric]

I am not 100% on this but i believe private tutoring is illegal in Japan unless you claim/pay tax off the money you make from them. That being said, many people still do them.

Japan might be an easier place to "ease" into asia. it seems very organized to me though i have never worked there, just traveled. it seems more western/european in that it is a very creative and artistic place. Korea is not so much. Judging from your "World Map" it looks like you have been to both Japan and Korea so you probably already have a good sense of what to expect.

visas: yes, i think it will be easier to get a working visa in japan for non-teaching related stuff. in korea you are much more limited.

housing: we got our own housing this year and it was relatively painless. as long as one person (ie. your wife) has a legit visa you can pick/rent your own place. i like it much better that way though it will help if you have someone that can help you at the realators.

hour for hour you can save more money in korea. the cost of living is low and so is transportation within the country. not so for japan. i know some people who just live off their private lesson money and never touch a single Won (penny) of their salary, which is at least 1700USD/mth.

what are you basing your decision on? ease of life? convenience? money making potential? adventure/experience?

either way, you will enjoy yourself in both places. they both have unique qualities about them to make everyday interesting. (im speaking mostly for korea because i've never lived in japan though i expect that it would be just as interesting but in a different way).

later
eric

[tjg_marantz]

Well this is my wife's dream(teaching in Asia) and I am all too happy to come along and find myself some work. I would be perfectly happy doing privates if they are legal if I claim them. We are not looking to get rich but also not looking to dig ourselves into a whole, hehe. From what I understand, Japan is more expensive in the short term but the money making possibilities in the long run are more lucratice than Korea. Of course, I am sure a lot of people can make cases for both, hehe.

My wife is more affected to change in her life so that's why I am thinking Japan, less of a shock than Korea. Maybe we are kidding ourselves thinking either is 'easier' than the other but it is a factor, while being foreign, Japan, seems less foreign than Korea(hope that made sense).

We are not party animals so I am not worried about the cost of the night life in Japan, we just don't go out really. So although we will go out, it won't be to do much that is expensive without somekind of reward(seeing temples interests me a lot more than bimbos in bars).

As long as we have enough for the apartment, food, clothing, utilities and some side trips, we are happy. We want to either make a bit of money or come out even, that's pretty much it. Even tough it out the first year or so and than maybe my wife will be able to make more money than she could in Korea. Who knows.

Now I just have to see about bringing our cats. The biggest hurdle I am sure

[tjg_marantz]

Judging from your "World Map" it looks like you have been to both Japan and Korea so you probably already have a good sense of what to expect.

I think you may be looking at the wrong map, hehe. I haven't been to either place. Singapore, Malaysia, yes. Korea, Japan, no.

[Eric]

Quote tjg_marantz

My wife is more affected to change in her life so that's why I am thinking Japan, less of a shock than Korea. Maybe we are kidding ourselves thinking either is 'easier' than the other but it is a factor, while being foreign, Japan, seems less foreign than Korea(hope that made sense).

I think you are right. I imagine Japan would be an easier (less foreign) place to live. i totally makes sene.

Quote tjg_marantz

(seeing temples interests me a lot more than bimbos in bars).

Me, too!

Quote tjg_marantz

As long as we have enough for the apartment, food, clothing, utilities and some side trips, we are happy.

This, IMO, will not be difficult at all. Most people at the very minimum break even. It's pretty easy to save some money.

Quote tjg_marantz

Now I just have to see about bringing our cats. The biggest hurdle I am sure

I was just looking at bringing our dog to Japan. it looks like they just recently made it a lot easier if you don't mind implanting a chip of some sort into your cat. i guess its for tracking purposes. From what i read, do check it out for yourself though, you need to have a chip implanted in the pet and then have them checked at a vet very soon before you depart for Japan. I know there are some other things you need to do but those are the main ones. From what i read it seemed pretty straightforward for keeping your pet out of extended quarantine.

eric

[tjg_marantz]

yeah i looked into that as well and with the chip and checkup, they are free to go after 12 hours I think it is. Def something we would do. Now I just gotta check the classifieds online(if there are any) to see if most apartments accept pets or not, hehe, could be fun.

thanks for your thoughts and links on all this. It's quite daunting to say the least!

[Eric]

Good luck and let us know how things go!

[tjg_marantz]

But of course