I love my $115,000 home in rural Japan. I'd still warn most Americans against following my lead.

Keito Swan, a 37-year-old professional gambler originally from Modesto, California, made a significant move to Hokkaido, northern Japan. He purchased a $115,000 home, which he later remodeled for an additional $65,000. Swan enjoys the rural lifestyle, surrounded by rice fields and within proximity to six ski resorts, an airport, and a second-largest city in Hokkaido.

While he acknowledges that the area is harsh during winter, with temperatures dropping to -30 Celsius and heavy snowfall, Swan argues that his lifestyle and expenses are more manageable than in Modesto. In Hokkaido, his monthly costs average around $1,000, whereas in California, he was paying $3,200 monthly for rent in Sausalito.

Swan emphasizes that his lifestyle in Japan remains similar to what he had in the US, engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking, snowboarding, and gardening. He stresses that moving to Japan makes sense only for those who are retired, have flexibility, and are not investing in a dilapidated home. Swan believes that the high financial investment does not justify itself in rural Japan unless these conditions are met.