Sapporo, Japan Report of what it's like to live there - 09/17/15
Personal Experiences from Sapporo, Japan
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Yes, although I've traveled extensively and spent months in other countries.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Sapporo is my home base.
3. How long have you lived here?
20 plus years
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Originally came due to work with the U.S. Coast Guard and later returned to live.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Japanese houses are typically smaller than their U.S. counterparts. However rentals are cheap in comparision to prices in similar cities around the world.
2. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Mosquitoes at dusk near vegetation, the usual suspects in the woods, but only during the 3 months of summer. The great Japanese hornet resides in Japan, as a one may expect, and is responsible for about 50 deaths a year.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Zero
2. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Outstanding. I doubt many cities of similar size can rival Sapporo's natural environment.
3. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
4 very distict seasons. Winters are long and snowy. 5m of snow in the city and 15m in the mountains. Obviously, this makes for a nasty mud season in spring. Summers are comfortable with little of the humidity experienced by Tokyo and other southern locations. No real rain season.
Expat Life:
1. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Winter skiing, running community, touring, visiting the innumerable local festivals.
2. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Rich and diverse culture, exceptional safety, fantastic public transportation, clean, advanced technology, extensive outdoor opportunities.
