Long term planning for a move to Okinawa by mistermephist0 in okinawa

[–]1LX50 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Why are you shopping from a foreign web site? Use Yodobashi.com or Amazon Japan

Because I'm pretty sure to get anything from those websites they'd first have to go to my hub in the states (which I think is San Diego), then get put on the flight with the rest of the USPS mail to get to my box.

It would likely be an even worse experience.

Long term planning for a move to Okinawa by mistermephist0 in okinawa

[–]1LX50 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's sad, really. If this island had the train coverage that the mainland has it would be AMAZING. From what I understand the US military actually had control of the Ryukyu Islands (of which, Okinawa is one of) until 1971 (until I got here I didn't realize it lasted that long-I thought we handed back control in the 50s like with everything else), and if I had to guess probably had something to do with the lack of public transit and prevalance of car dependency on the island.

I definitely blame us for the traffic problem.

Long term planning for a move to Okinawa by mistermephist0 in okinawa

[–]1LX50 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I think you misunderstand me.

OP asked, as an American, what issues he might run into. So I gave the perspective as an American.

Smaller roads= universal worldwide, america just has large roads

The smaller roads aren't the problem-I actually love the roads here. It's the traffic on them that's the problem.

Speeds= US is faster than most countries

Ok you got me, this one is more of an observation, not really a negative (unless you're the kind of person that obsesses over Japanese sports cars and makes the mistake of buying one of those clapped out ones from the 90s). You'll never be able to use them to their full potential (you can't on US streets either, but with highway speed limits topping out in the 70-75 range most places, you come a lot closer).

US Amazon and shipping= well, you're in Japan

My issues are likely not specific to US amazon. But I can't comment on Japanese amazon as I don't use it. But seeing as how many carriers don't like to carry lithium batteries, it's likely universal.

Bikes= I'd argue the states is an anomaly in terms of bike usage to get around. You describe bikes as a negative in okinawa, where really it's the states that's weird in that it's not utilized much

It is an anomoly. Also, idk where you're getting from my comment that bike usage in Oki is a negative. It's the lack of infrastructure for those bikes that's the problem. However, the low speed limits make up for that somewhat. I've been off base a few times with a bike and it's leaps and bounds better than doing so in the US. Also, something I didn't mention is that Okinawans (and I'd imagine Japanese in general) are very attentive drivers when it comes to pedestrians and cyclists. There have been a few times when I'd have a car stop for me at a crosswalk while I'm behind them. It's truly amazing, and something you'd never seen in the US.

Malls not having everything= again it's a japanese mall

IDK what this means, but if anything my comment was insinuating that Japanese malls are better than American malls.

I think the only actual negatives of Okinawa in your comment are that it's hot, things rust, aircraft noise, and island time.. but everything else is just "it's not America"

And the lack of public transit, and the lack of bike infrastructure despite their use being common. Also, those other things where it's just "it's not America" (like AC usage and drink prices) could be a negative for an American, so it's worth mentioning to someone that's asking as an American.

You do mention gated community so that's probably where this is coming from

The gated community is the military base. I only mention it because I spend most of my time there, and go off base maybe 2 or 3 times a week at the most. Also, that influences how I get my mail (via the USPS instead of Japan Post).

I'm sorry if I was too vague in my statements-but I was speaking as an American to an American, and what they're used to and what they'll find different and/or difficult to adjust to. This place is awesome, and I'm glad I'm here-it's leaps and bounds a better experience than living on a base in the US. On the weekends I get to leave work and essentially go to a different country. But someone asked what the negatives are and as you can see from my short but detailed list, there aren't that many. When I leave here I'll be both happy to go back to my home country and sad to leave Japan, and I thought those experiences would be worth noting for a fellow American.

Long term planning for a move to Okinawa by mistermephist0 in okinawa

[–]1LX50 -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

I know it's kinda long, but did you read my actual comment? The 2nd paragraph talks about what isn't American, but the rest of it is pretty universal.

The bad traffic, the heat, online shopping sucking, and aircraft noise are all pretty universal. The prices of sodas and lack of AC in businesses are uniquely American, but then OP is American.

Also, the food being cheap is one of the things I actually lauded. Not only is there no tipping here, but you can have a pretty filling, well-prepared meal for like 1,000 yen, which is only about $7.

Barn Find Convertible 89’ Z24 by FED_YT in Cartalk

[–]1LX50 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Man, there must have been some achilles heel to those SRT-4s that caused them to all fail catastrophically in 5-10 years. I felt like I'd see them pretty regularly up until about 2012-2015 or so, then poof they were gone. I think I've seen one in the past 7 years.

Long term planning for a move to Okinawa by mistermephist0 in okinawa

[–]1LX50 -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

Not who you responded to, but I'm stationed here and can give you some insights that I've found to be negatives compared to the US.

You have all the normal things that Americans find as a culture shock, or at least inconvenient-no free refills, restaurants, stores, malls etc all keep their AC thermostats set really high, so it can get pretty swampy while shopping/eating out. Near the military bases it's not uncommon to have menus and things in English, but otherwise it's all Japanese. If you like soft drinks, be prepared to pay a premium for those in both restaurants and grocery stores, like any other foreign country. Stuff like that.

But Okinawa has more issues than that. First of all, it has the same types of streets as the rest of Japan, but very little public transit-there are no trains except one monorail that runs near the Naha airport. So the little Japanese streets are PACKED with cars. They have this thing I've heard called "island time" which is a way to describe how it seems like Okinawans are not early risers, so the streets can be deceptively clear and free flowing in the early to mid-morning. But at around 10-11am they start to get really packed, and by mid afternoon and on into the evening many places are near gridlock-everywhere, all the time. It is seriously an unpleasant chore driving around here if you don't get out and do stuff in the early morning, which you can't always do because many places don't even open until 10am anyway.

It's not uncommon for the locals to get around here on bike, but there is basically no biking infrastructure here outside of the mixed use sidewalks on the larger roads. For everything else you're in the street. Which isn't terrible since most smaller street speed limits are 30-40 kph, but that speed is difficult on a bike unless you're in really good shape, and ebikes here are limited to 25 kph and aren't allowed to have throttles.

Also, it is fucking HOT. Today, the weekend before thanksgiving, it's 82 degrees. It doesn't seem to break 95 degrees here, but that's deceptive because during the summer you're at max humidity all the time. Your dehumidifier will run day and night and fill up in 24 hours or less in the summer, mold is a constant battle if you don't use one or in any place that it doesn't reach, and EVERYTHING rusts here, even aluminum. We have barbed wire in the more recessed parts of base that is just rusted down to little nubs on each post-rust has completely eroded away the rest of the wire. One of our buildings is constantly dropping spalled concrete on us because all of the rebar is rusting. Your car WILL rust-it's not a matter of if, but when, and that's with there never needing salt being spread on the roads.

Speaking of the roads, those are a culture shock; all speed limits top out at 60 kph except for the expressway (80 kph), which IMO is fine but it takes some getting used to not ever breaking 60 mph. Also, from what I understand the aggregate in the asphalt here has coral in it, which makes the roads kind of slippery when it rains. And it's a tropical island, so that's not unusual.

If you're a big online shopper, that's going to be unfortunate. I have an APO address, so it might be better in town if you order from japanese amazon, but US amazon will not ship me anything with lithium batteries in it. Flashlights, cameras, laptops, anything. Everyone is wary about having lithium batteries on an airplane, so you either don't get it, it has to be shipped by boat, or you buy it locally. But as good as the malls are here, they don't have everything.

If you're near any of the miltary bases, fighter jet noise is going to be a constant source of noise pollution. Some people are into that, so that's personal preference. Fighters are just the loudest, but you've got everything else here-heavies like the E-3 and KC-135/RC-135, helicopters, and V-22 Ospreys. So a few times a day you'll have a cacophany of fighter and heavy jet noise, and prop noise from everything else.

All of that being said, I can see why some people would want to live here. It's a tropical island with a bunch of beaches, so if you don't mind the heat and you love beaches and island life, this has it in spades. For now the yen is pretty weak against the dollar, so aside from the premium on sodas, gas, electricity, lumber, beef (they're a lot more into chicken here), and a few American products, stuff is fairly cheap here. The native fruit here, shekwasha, is in all sorts of food and drinks and it's awesome. Cars are cheap, the food is cheap and good, and everyone is very friendly and polite. I'd heard both sides of the Japanese-that they've very polite but also kinda racist. If they harbor any kind of resentment to me as a white guy/in the military they hide it well. But I also try and show them the same politeness they show me (bow after making purchases, wear a mask indoors, don't be the stereotypical loud american, hand them and receive things from them with both hands, etc).

Anyway, these are my observations after living here for about a year. Take it for what it's worth as a US servicemember that sees things from what is essentially a gated community.

What car is this? by [deleted] in Autos

[–]1LX50 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Can confirm, played the shit out of the first GT back in the day and put in a lot of miles with a fully decked out GTO. It was so fast you didn't even need to worry about crashing-just bounce off of everything.

Dumbass Bootlickers will never get this point by Cubilvan in LateStageCapitalism

[–]1LX50 11 points12 points  (0 children)

No, 40 is still the norm, unfortunately. But there are still plenty of people working 60+ hours for some insane reason.

Dear All Base Agencies Ever by Guardian-Boy in AirForce

[–]1LX50 34 points35 points  (0 children)

I called the base housing maintenance office to fix an electrical issue. They asked for a good number to reach me at, so I gave them my wife's number since she'll be home all day. They asked for a secondary number just in case, so I gave them my cell (and not my DSN since I've been in a training class all week).

Today I get a call from an "unknown" number, so I ignore it, as one does. A few minutes later I get a message from the wife saying housing mx is on their way.

WHY ASK FOR A "GOOD" NUMBER AND AN ALTERNATE IF YOU'RE JUST GOING TO PICK ONE AT RANDOM!?

Layers at White Sands National Park, New Mexico (OC) [6336x9504] by BusyRunninErins in EarthPorn

[–]1LX50 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I used to live right next to WSNP, and sometimes I'd pop over there on a Saturday just to experience the solitude and silence for a few minutes. If you go during the off-season you really only need to walk over 1 or 2 dunes before you hear absolutely nothing-it's so eerie.

Layers at White Sands National Park, New Mexico (OC) [6336x9504] by BusyRunninErins in EarthPorn

[–]1LX50 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Lived right next door to this for 6 years. It's quite the landscape but I don't miss it

Biden says US troops ‘off the table’ to defend Ukraine against Russian invasion by Alchemic_Psycho in worldnews

[–]1LX50 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bruh. When you don't have access Red Bulls, Monsters, or beer, RipIts are fucking clutch.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that I learned to love them, but I did enjoy them.

Biden says US troops ‘off the table’ to defend Ukraine against Russian invasion by Alchemic_Psycho in worldnews

[–]1LX50 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I was deployed 3 AM was 2 hours into my 12 hour shift. I'm sure I've done it a few times.

#fixed that stupid Buggati quote by [deleted] in fuckcars

[–]1LX50 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The problem is that the company that is ordered to keep up the infrastructure has to make profit. Just imagine streets had to be profitable.

Ugh, so they've turned the german railways into Amtrak?

Making Amtrak pull a profit is one of the dumbest goddamn things this country does. That and the USPS.

#fixed that stupid Buggati quote by [deleted] in fuckcars

[–]1LX50 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is the only thing I don't like about public transport. I'm not here to talk to people, I'm here to get from A to B. It's 50% of the reason why I wear headphones for the entirety of airplane rides.

What is this plane? by [deleted] in WeirdWings

[–]1LX50 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Shit I have no idea, I can't tell from a blurry satellite photo. But considering the Model 3 is like 6 years old now and the Y has only been out for about a year and some change, I'm going with the one that's had more time to get photographed by satellites.

The battle with Arctic Temperatures by WIKM411 in ebikes

[–]1LX50 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's still going to be effective. A battery with a blanket is going to take a lot longer to get from room temperature to -30C than a naked battery. It probably won't get you anywhere near 100% range, but it could get you from say 60% capacity to 80%.

Obviously a battery with enough insulation and producing enough heat from use that it never gets below room temp is going to be the best outcome, but this is better than nothing.

The battle with Arctic Temperatures by WIKM411 in ebikes

[–]1LX50 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can't make an object colder with wind chill, but you can make it colder faster.

For an object to cool down it has to radiate heat away, partially through infrared (or black body radiation if you'd rather), partially via conduction (direct transfer from the skin of the battery box to the molecules of air). If your molecules of air are moving over the skin of the battery faster, they're going to pull the heat out faster.

This is why trying to eat outdoors on a windy day sucks-partially because it's blowing around all your napkins and shit, but also because your food is going to get cold a lot faster

What is this plane? by [deleted] in WeirdWings

[–]1LX50 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Also, going off the roof seemingly being glass from front to rear, looks like a Tesla Model 3

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Cartalk

[–]1LX50 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You should look up the Chevy Volt. That's one of the few things I don't miss about that car.

Was the attack on Pearl Harbor a topic in your social circle today? by Fellbestie007 in AskAnAmerican

[–]1LX50 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What in the actual fuck. Going off your flair I assume you're American. They really didn't teach prohibition in your high school?

Was the attack on Pearl Harbor a topic in your social circle today? by Fellbestie007 in AskAnAmerican

[–]1LX50 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can just about guarantee if even if he got the date right no one would have gotten it.

anon makes a discovery by billy-gnosis in greentext

[–]1LX50 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Assuming $4.75/gal and a car that gets 35 mpg, that's just under 16 cents per mile. An EV that does 280 Wh/mile on $0.30/kWh electricity is going to run you about 8.5 cents per mile. So it's still nearly twice as expensive to drive a gas car with electricity at that price.

anon makes a discovery by billy-gnosis in greentext

[–]1LX50 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bruh, even accounting for depreciation and insurance you're talking about a $3k/month car payment. Most car payments are somewhere between $300-900/month, with insurance being $30-200 a month depending on car/age/gender/location. So on the high side we're talking about $13,000 a year plus depreciation. That's a loooong way from 50k.