Our family moved to Japan after 8 years of careful planning — but there are still things I wish we'd done before we left
Although our family spent years planning our move to Japan, looking back, there are mistakes we made and things I wish we'd done before we relocated.
Kerri King, an expat who moved her family from New Zealand to Japan in 2023, reflects on lessons learned in preparation for her new life. Despite eight years of meticulous planning, she admits to overlooking crucial aspects of daily living. She wishes they had explored more residential areas, built a social network, and traveled beyond tourist hotspots in Japan.
This journey required going beyond the traditional Golden Route and experiencing a wider range of urban, coastal, and rural towns to truly understand the country's diverse lifestyle offerings. Living in a quieter suburb, King observes how much the layout of a neighborhood can influence one's quality of life, emphasizing the importance of residential areas.
However, she also reflects on the challenges of planning for life post-move, like pursuing personal goals or building a community. She highlights the value of planning ahead for social connections, as they significantly impact one's transition into a new country. King’s experience serves as a reminder of the intricate balance required when relocating to a foreign country.
Written by urgent.news from Business Insider's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
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