Cheaper & more convenient: tokyo living vs. paris living?

Question

where is more convenient and cheaper to live? in tokyo or in paris?

in terms of:

>> apartment rentals

(the cheapest - modest price I have to spent for a month)

>> food

(the cheapest - modest price I have to spent for a month)

>> job

(Would it be easy for me to find a job? How much do I have to earn to support myself?)

>> clothing

>> transportation

(which is more convenient?)

I speak Japanese, and learning French right now... Soon to graduate, I'm thinking of relocating myself to one of these cities. (My original choice is Tokyo since I have friends living there - Japanese & non-Japanese... but I'm having second thoughts now, and I'm starting to consider Paris - for some reason).

Thanks!

Answer 1

Well, Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Paris is catching up on the price of rent but Tokyo is the most expensive city in the world for groceries. Going to the cinema, a restaurant, a spa or any form of service also costs a fortune there. Also when you first arrive, you must pay 6 months' rent upfront (against 3 in Paris). For Tokyo, you should ask your friends what the exact cost of living is.

Some pros and cons of each city aside from cost of living:

- Paris is more convenient for visiting other countries whereas Tokyo is in a geographically isolated country;

- Tokyo is one of the safest cities in the world (if not THE safest?). You can take the subway any time of the day or night anywhere without any fear. Apart from organized crime, Tokyo is a virtually crime-free city. Paris is only relatively safe.

Apart from its safety I don't know how convenient the Tokyo subway is, I just know that in Paris it is very convenient. There is no place in Paris that is more than 500 m from a métro stop ( + there are also buses).

- foreigners are welcome as visitors in Tokyo but it is extremely difficult to feel completely accepted as a foreign resident. They are not open to immigration although they are polite enough not to show it.

- Living in Tokyo is a rare and unique experience, so if you can do it, why not? Paris is more accessible and you could do it at some other point in your life.

- If you are prone to seasonal allergies, Tokyo will be h**l for you in the spring and summer.

For Paris, here is the basic, cheapest cost of living:

1) HOUSING: in the downtown, you can find closet-sized studios for under 500 €/month

- utilities are pretty cheap for a small place

- Phone/DSL/cable combos are 30 €/month

- very easy to buy cheap furniture (especialy if your place is tiny!)

2) GROCERIES: you can spend well under 200 € / month if you cook at home and eat mainly vegetarian: http://www.ooshop.com/ (click on "accès aux rayons" and then the 'aisle' you want. Prices may be given by the bag/box, etc or by the kilo, not the pound)

3) CLOTHING: it depends on what you like. Most items of clothing in the cheaper yet stylish brands are between 15 € and 60 € a piece: http://www.promod.fr/

4) TRANSPORTATION:

If you work near your home, you may be able to walk and therefore not have to get a monthly pass. A montly pass is 53 € but your employer generally pays you back 50% of it.

5) JOBS: not easy to get a job in France, but with such a rare skill as speaking Japanese you would have a better chance. In tourism, for instance. You could start your own business as a private guide for Japanese tourists and avoid them getting the Paris syndrom: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Honestly, you could specialize in Japanese women's tours and make a lot of money.

6) INCOME: to live in downtown Paris, you can cover your basic needs and a little more with a net after tax of 1,500 € a month (25,000 € gross yearly income). It's a modest income for Paris though but you wouldn't feel destitute either and would still be able to enjoy life. Check my answer to another question for more detail: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

All in all, I have no doubt that Paris is MUCH cheaper than Tokyo. But in an ideal world, I would say to get the best of both worlds: if you can afford to live in Tokyo, try to live there for a couple of years to fully understand Japanese culture, then move to Paris and start your tour guide business and after a few years in each country, you can decide where you want to permanently relocate or if you want to try another place or move back home... I take it you are young so you have a lot of options ahead of you. Good luck!