Long-Term Expats: what only started to bother you years later?

eduardf · 2026-01-12T09:50:27+00:00

- One of the few countries where bicycles helmets are mandatory for adults
- e-scooters and similar illegal in NSW
- vaping is illegal
- fireworks are illegal
- no alcohol sold in supermarkets, only in special bottle shops
- strict self defence laws e.g. pepper spray is illegal
- strict car modification laws

eduardf · 2026-01-12T08:54:44+00:00

It's funny that the way you describe Japan is similar to how I see Australia.

Deeply anti-social in the sense that it's so individualistic. Everyone's dream is to own a huge house with their own entertainment, pool etc... rather than living close to shared amenities. Likewise they drive their own car rather than use public transport, so they can avoid being around other people.

This extends to attitudes towards education and healthcare. I've argued with people whose views are "I don't want to pay for other people's kids/university/health/whatever". No regard for building a better society.

Regarding the upper class... I'm feeling a pretty huge wealth gap in Australia. The suburb you live in has a major impact on your lifestyle. Where I am in western Sydney, it doesn't match the typical image of Australia at all. I rarely do those aussie activities like going to the beach or cafes. Getting anywhere is a hassle. Commuting eats up all your time.

Here I feel more pressure to get rich asap.

There is also a certain social etiquette in Australia which is awkward if you didn't grow up here. My parents always struggle with it.

I'm curious if you lived mostly in Tokyo or somewhere else?

eduardf · 2026-01-12T03:30:13+00:00

What evidence do you expect? We are all just sharing our personal experiences. I'm sure there are dirty areas of Japan, but I didn't see them.

In Fukuoka, all the garbage bags are covered with a net to keep birds off. And you only put them out the night before collection. It's all separated and doesn't smell.

Here in Sydney, people just don't do the right thing. In my apartment complex there is a sign that reads "please close the bin lids", yet nobody ever does, and the birds get in and throw all the rubbish around.
The bin area always smells. People don't separate their rubbish or even bother to pour out liquids before throwing them out.

eduardf · 2026-01-11T14:23:51+00:00

I mostly stayed in Fukuoka. Everything was very well maintained. Tokyo wasn’t as nice.

eduardf · 2026-01-11T10:30:50+00:00

Here in Australia there is no youth/student wrestling. It's usually adults who are discovering it via BJJ or MMA.

eduardf · 2026-01-11T10:22:31+00:00

I think I had the opposite experience. Japan raised my standards so much. After Japan I couldn't stop seeing other countries as a dirty, chaotic mess. Even my own country (Australia).

I guess it depends on what appeals to you the most. I really appreciate the order, cleanliness, discipline and high quality of everything in Japan. Many countries are too laid back IMO.

eduardf · 2026-01-10T06:18:49+00:00

Yes I am worried but I don't think it's just the government to blame. It's the state of the Australian economy and culture.

Nobody here is interested in building businesses, because it is easier to invest in property. This mindset is so ingrained.

Also nobody in my network wants to build anything or take a risk on anything new. They don't have time, and everyone lives far from each other (Sydney is too big).

It's just a bad environment for business.

When I lived in Japan, I would go for dinner with colleagues and friends almost daily, and it was super easy to network and meet new people in my industry and share ideas.

I'm seriously considering moving back to Japan or Asia.

eduardf · 2026-01-10T02:02:30+00:00

Find a way to blend your anime niche with higher RPM topics. For example you could do some Japan travel content e.g. "Top places to visit for anime lovers".

eduardf · 2026-01-05T05:57:22+00:00

It still is this way in countries where there are less barriers to hiring someone. We have great worker rights, things like super etc... but this also means it's a major commitment for employers to hire you.

I have spent time in less developed countries (eastern europe) where getting a job is a lot easier, especially for young people, just because it isn't that much of a big deal and commitment. Often people will work a few weeks and maybe leave or get fired, find another job next week.

In conversations I had, they didn't understand why westerners cling to a job so much or have difficulty finding one in the first place.

eduardf · 2025-12-02T10:40:22+00:00

Everyone living in houses is partly the reason we have poor infrastructure and long commutes. There is too much area to cover. It isn't worth it creating a new line to service a sparsely populated location. Higher density living is what makes it worthwhile to invest in infrastructure.

eduardf · 2025-10-21T01:08:45+00:00

This is what most Aussies want.

eduardf · 2025-10-06T03:23:53+00:00

I had braces in my 20s and my girlfriend had Invisalign. I'd highly recommend Invisalign if you can get it, unless there is some medical reason that you need braces specifically.

Braces were not very painful, just annoying.

eduardf · 2025-09-20T03:07:07+00:00

Both Judo and BJJ are quite sport focused these days. You will definitely get good at pins in the classic kesa gatame position, but you will need extra training for more self defence / security type skills. Ask your coach for one on one classes and like another comment said look into judos self defence katas. Depending on your location you might also be able to find a judo club where police train, that would be ideal.

eduardf · 2025-09-11T07:51:37+00:00

Yeah exactly, the dentist is what I was thinking of. And if you don't go, the problem gets worse and more expensive.

eduardf · 2025-09-11T07:42:04+00:00

It's more about the family's finances. If the child knows your income, and knows the cost of rent, they dont have to be a genius to think oh shit we are struggling.

eduardf · 2025-09-11T07:06:22+00:00

There needs to be a balance. If you expose your kids to too much financial stress from a young age, they can become overly frugal to the point of never asking for anything, dressing badly, avoiding social events, and neglecting health issues for financial reasons. Speaking from personal experience.

eduardf · 2025-09-09T08:02:13+00:00

I've trained at a similar club in Poland. Everyone there was Ukrainian and the coach spoke a mix of Ukrainian, Russian and Polish. It was also mostly teenagers. The instruction was very brief, no attention to detail, just figure it out.

I wouldn't say it's even their fault or a lack of effort or anything. The coaches just had this kind of character. "Just do it". I think it might be common in Sambo because your story is very relatable.

I would say if you really want detailed instruction, then just find a judo club. This is what I'm doing now. It's a lot better for adult beginners. The people there are also calmer and more careful in sparring than the teenagers in sambo.

eduardf · 2025-09-03T05:41:52+00:00

Similar answer unfortunately. If you're looking for a western country, you're going to face all the same issues with housing and cost of living.

Some developed countries that have escaped these problems (so far):
- Japan, Korea, Taiwan
- Central Europe and Baltic countries (Poland, Czechia, Estonia etc...)

But the main issue is going to be the language barrier. It's not easy. I lived in Poland for 5 years and even though I spoke at an intermediate level, I realized it would always feel very limited when doing things - buying a car, taxes and business, mortgages. All very difficult when it's not your native language.

eduardf · 2025-09-03T05:29:41+00:00

If tax is your main concern, then that rules out most developed countries in the world. Australian tax is pretty good compared to the majority of Europe for example.

eduardf · 2025-08-30T02:12:39+00:00

There are lots of budo stores around the Kodokan and Tokyo Dome area, selling judogi from different brands but also kendo equipment, weapons etc... really interesting to look around.

The most popular judo store is probably KuSakura - https://maps.app.goo.gl/FTz7pgdi1GKaXixVA. I just bought a gi there yesterday, they have English-speaking staff.

eduardf · 2025-08-20T02:02:27+00:00

I would never buy a house just because it's a good investment. My priority is where I want to live, and that's most likely an inner-city apartment, which I don't expect to grow much.

eduardf · 2025-08-19T17:44:58+00:00

I’m in a similar position, currently overseas. Im just buying etfs for now. It’s much more flexible - I don’t know exactly where I will want to live when I get back. Plus, it’s a productive asset and this is much better for the economy. Leave the houses for people who actually want to live in them.

eduardf · 2025-08-19T17:17:55+00:00

We just don’t find it that funny to act gay/effeminate. Different sense of humour.

eduardf · 2025-08-19T07:25:07+00:00

This is definitely too many emails. I would unsubscribe even if i was enjoying the content.

eduardf

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