cheekymonkey Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 Something I've been thinking about on and off for a while - and with recent events in my life I really want to do something about it now. Would really love to bugger off to some foreign country for a while, for a change of life and some new experiences. I know Australia is often mentioned when p eople want to do somthing like this, but I'd rather go somewhere a bit different - so, how about Japan *grin* I'm 29, have been in IT for 10 years and contracting in London for the last 3. I have plenty of money saved to keep things ticking over for a fair while, mort gages wise, and no family to support, nothing. I live to work and drive the supra at the moment! I don't know how easy it is visa wise to go to somewhere like Japan and be able to work for living expenses, or if there is any demand for english speaking IT guys out there. But saying that if I'm after a change of life for a bit then I wouldn't want an IT job. Anyone here done anything like this? Any advice for me? James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branners Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 Nick (blue R34) is in IT and has been all over the shop. He's in Japan now so can tell you all about how much fun it is. Personally I would go to Canada (Kamloops if you want somewhere wierd, its a desert in the middle of Canada). JB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 Never had the guts mate. Do it now. You will never regret it. Ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 Why don't you do to Dubai or Qatar?? Plenty of oportunities out there, I think you'll be better off sticking with IT though. What do you want to do? H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheekymonkey Posted May 17, 2007 Author Share Posted May 17, 2007 Never had the guts mate. Do it now. You will never regret it. Ever. That's my thinking mate. Apart from two mortgages and family/friends there's nothing keeping me here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheekymonkey Posted May 17, 2007 Author Share Posted May 17, 2007 Why don't you do to Dubai or Qatar?? Plenty of oportunities out there, I think you'll be better off sticking with IT though. What do you want to do? H. It's a good question, it really is! A change from IT would be nice but I don't want to be out of the loop for too long. But I've been working really hard for the last 3 years and saving up, have 50k in the bank and not a clue what to do with it. Perhaps I could get a job at a japanese tuning shop to make the tea and pass spanners? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 Nick loves it in Japan, e-mail him and I'm sure he'll clue you up about the place. Bear in mind that I suspect he loves ANY place where the women like him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 That's my thinking mate. Apart from two mortgages and family/friends there's nothing keeping me here Streamline the mortgages, but at least keep 1 property. Just in case. Stick to what you know, IT, for now. Family, friends are just a video call / cheap flight away bud. Whatever you decide, have fun. It'll be invaluable experience for you and your kids, grand kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibbleyuk Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 Im seriously thinking about this in a few years go for it mates sounds like a great idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheekymonkey Posted May 17, 2007 Author Share Posted May 17, 2007 Nick loves it in Japan, e-mail him and I'm sure he'll clue you up about the place. Bear in mind that I suspect he loves ANY place where the women like him Haha, well japanese women? never crossed my mind, honest I'll give him a shout. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheekymonkey Posted May 17, 2007 Author Share Posted May 17, 2007 Streamline the mortgages, but at least keep 1 property. Just in case. Stick to what you know, IT, for now. Family, friends are just a video call / cheap flight away bud. Whatever you decide, have fun. It'll be invaluable experience for you and your kids, grand kids. Yeah my Bristol house looks after itself and can continue to do so. Have only just bought the current one so will probably keep it also and rent it out. Could stick everything into storage.... hmmm this actually could happen. Scary stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheekymonkey Posted May 17, 2007 Author Share Posted May 17, 2007 The more I think about this, the more I like it! Please pipe up if you're on here later and you've done this... James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 I'd never have the balls to do something like this (even though I have no kids), big respect for people who do though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 I moved back to the UK from South Africa, with just a suitcase of clothes, my hifi and £1000. Best thing I did, since then I spent 18 months living in NY and then came back home to get divorced and buy a supra or two. Nothing with moving around, esp if you are young free and single, I've got a family now so sudden moves are off, however big moves aren't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheekymonkey Posted May 17, 2007 Author Share Posted May 17, 2007 I'd never have the balls to do something like this (even though I have no kids), big respect for people who do though Will see if it actually happens eh But I'm thinking about it, what's stopping people like us? At worst I'll hate it and come back after a couple of months! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheekymonkey Posted May 17, 2007 Author Share Posted May 17, 2007 Nothing with moving around, esp if you are young free and single, I've got a family now so sudden moves are off, however big moves aren't. Sounds like you've been around a fair bit. I actually used to do a LOT of worldwide travelling when I was younger, due to my first job comissioning prepay mobile phone systems when they first started getting popular. Thanks to everyone for your advice so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Walker Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 I would move to Japan in a heartbeat if I didn't have Envy. But I do, so your stuck with me Japan is ace. If you love technology and cars this is the place to be. The girls are nice, everything works and works exactly how it should and bang on time, its ultra clean. It is nothing like the UK, which is a damn good thing Gaz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbonut Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 Howdy I spent 9 months in greece on a scholarship, spent 3 months of that travelling around greece at my leisure Was fantastic experience but bear in mind language as it can be a barrier. finding somewhere to stay, working out how/where when to pay bills, setting up a bank account or a cheap way of accessing money from a uk account, rarely cheap! (not a good idea leaving lots of money around) getting your head around 'foreign' travel - all a challenge but you feel great when you do it, real sense of achievment. I spent 3 years learning greek prior to going, thank goodness. We Brits assume everyone speaks English..... not so, even in our bigger modern cities. Get yourself a rough guide or lonely planets book and pore through it, it really gives you sound advice, pros and cons and ask people out there - I'm sure Nic would be immensely helpful. But, go for it!!!! It will stay in your mind forever and give you some awesome/scary/funny/surprising experiences that are priceless good luck and happy planning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheekymonkey Posted May 17, 2007 Author Share Posted May 17, 2007 Japan is ace. If you love technology and cars this is the place to be. Exactly my thoughts. Trying to find out a lot more about working out there though - I know nothing about the government out there, in fact very little about the country itself... only what I saw watching Tokyo Drift *grin* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 Exactly my thoughts. Trying to find out a lot more about working out there though - I know nothing about the government out there, in fact very little about the country itself... only what I saw watching Tokyo Drift *grin* It's a very cool place. Totally different culture. Although I only really saw the hotel, the tube, the office and the 7-11 round the corner from the hotel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheekymonkey Posted May 17, 2007 Author Share Posted May 17, 2007 Howdy . . That's all great advice. Must have been a great experience. What made you want to come back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheekymonkey Posted May 17, 2007 Author Share Posted May 17, 2007 Although I only really saw the hotel, the tube, the office and the 7-11 round the corner from the hotel. Sounds like my experience of Taiwan (was there on business for 5 weeks. No matter what country you're in, airports, taxis, hotel rooms, and server rooms all look the same. Just different money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 Sounds like my experience of Taiwan (was there on business for 5 weeks. No matter what country you're in, airports, taxis, hotel rooms, and server rooms all look the same. Just different money! Been to Tokyo several times - the last time was for 5 weeks, a few years ago. Never been so knackered in my life as when I came back from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 Jeesus! After reading this thread I am thinking of going to Japan too! Is there much a demand for lazy sales reps...... H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 Jeesus! After reading this thread I am thinking of going to Japan too! Is there much a demand for lazy sales reps...... H. Lots of things are cool in Japan. But if you want a good night out, Roppongi is something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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