Am I crazy??

Yes, I am...:bananaman:

As we prepare and get closer to saying goodbye to the land of the long white cloud
for the land of the rising sun... I ponder - in my great, soggy, mess of a brain, are we crazy to move there?

I happened on this website - relating to property investment in Fukuoka city. I'm having a well deserved break from plastering, just thought I would pose some questions - general advice sought.

Basically, we intend to buy 2 or 3 small investment apartments around the main commercial center of Fukuoka in Hakata and 1 big apartment/house in Itoshima to convert to an airbnb short-term rental for overseas/local guests.

Investments should more than cover the rent on our home/school + all our expenses - thereby saving money from our modest businesses and living happily ever after... :rolleyes:

ahem... sound like a plan? or am I fucked in the head?

(don't answer that)...:rofl:

Here is an excellent rundown of the property market there along with some interesting articles in general.

Fukuoka Real Estate


as you guys know, their economy shat its pants in the late 90's (hence the rock bottom real estate prices) and is only now showing signs of recovery.
Real estate prices there are on the up *but only in the main cities, Tokyo, Osaka

As the impending Olympic Games will be held there, not to mention the RWC...
I'm hedging my bets that Japan will make a recovery and boom again (no, not the bomb boom)...:sorry1:

Anyway... just my clusterfuck of thoughts.. bit scared to be honest - but my gut instinct tells me it's the right/smart move..

Life is about moving out of your comfort zone - I need a new challenge/adventure (not to mention Dorkland is overrated, overcrowded and overpriced)

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Originally Posted by NZdick1983

but my gut instinct tells me it's the right/smart move

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Go with that. If it doesn't kill you (and it won't), it will make you stronger.

Also...what's the missus think? Listen to her gut too.

Not crazy. Japan is a great place to live and work. Ganbatte!

Go for it Deck, all the bist in the land of the rising sun.

When you become a multi millionaire, don't forgit
grumpy old piches :)

Sounds to me like if you don't do this you will spend the rest of your life wondering what if I had...

Get on with it and good luck to you both.

Someone told me just dare to do something (krai waa) ...So do it...dont be scared.

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Originally Posted by NZdick1983

am I fucked in the head?

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Well, let me put it this wa...

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Originally Posted by NZdick1983

don't answer that

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...Oh. :D




Ps. Go for it. You won't know for sure until you try and even it if blows up spectacularly in your face it won't be the end of the world and, of course, it could just as easily all work out fine...

Don't do it, Dickie!...Your guts will change...And then what?...Just kidding...But why the apprehension?...

It's the "happily ever-after," innit?...

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Originally Posted by Maanaam

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Originally Posted by NZdick1983

but my gut instinct tells me it's the right/smart move

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Go with that. If it doesn't kill you (and it won't), it will make you stronger.

Also...what's the missus think? Listen to her gut too.

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Agreed, go with your gut or regret it forever.

yes

but make sure you have a good handle on the local rules concerning airBnB

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Investments should more than cover the rent on our home/school + all our expenses - thereby saving money from our modest businesses and living happily ever after...

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...and after the Olympics who goes to Fukuoka?. "Ever after" is a long time, if there is no existing tourist trade. That being said one could have a resort in Udon Thani and make a living and there is nothing to go there for, from a tourist point of view.

Thanks guys, for your surprisingly positive remarks/advice... Arigato!

I see a bright future in Fukuoka, as it's such a vibrant/balanced place... with a flourishing economy... Japanese businessmen when asked where they would most like to be transferred for work, often request Fukuoka.

I always thought I would forge my future in Thailand - I remember I had to get written permission to leave NZ, from my parents (or at that time, Grandparents who were my guardians) I was not yet 18.

Never wanted to go to Japan... being a self confessed Thaiophile...
Fast forward to present day... reluctantly went with my then gf - secretly wishing we were going to Thailand instead...what's in Japan?? I thought nothing of interest... just vast skyscrapers, kinky anime, weird, cruel people...

My Grandfather, didn't think too fondly of the Japanese, having fought them in WW2.. painted pictures in my young mind of evil, heartless creatures, given to torture of innocent civilians...

I expected to be sliced and diced into yakitori pieces on arrival... instead I was shocked by how calm and orderly even the airport felt. Usually airports are chaotic mad-houses... how could there be so many people, but still remain quiet and peaceful?

It's not better than Thailand, it's just so different... it's like a grown up/mature version, they are serious about making their country as efficient and convenient as possible...

How about sanook? believe me, the Japanese know how to party too! but yeah, they are pretty weird (even my missus will admit that)... but I like weird (cause I am well weird innit)... heh

How will an airBnB compete against capsule hotels?

Japanese are very good at those.

Do Chinese tourists use airBnB?

good luck.

Good luck on your new adventure.

In a world full of possibilities, change is good.

Go for it Dick but listen to the Misses. :)

Can live anywhere you want if you happy together (You and your wife...)...lets do it ...She would be glad to back to her hometown...important things it just you and your wife agree with each other...

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Originally Posted by VocalNeal

Do Chinese tourists use airBnB?

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We (she) hopes not... my missus is not too keen on Chinese.

Thanks guys.. still a ways off yet... hard to leave my Nana (94) she's alone - and I'm the only one who bothers to visit her. Do her shopping, take her to the eye clinic, house chores, etc.

I saw her just yesterday and she said "I'm not looking forward to you moving to Japan, I've just got used to having you back".

I just can't judge how long she has left... should we stick around waiting for the inevitable, then go? or should we just set a saving target with buffer, then go for it?

Thing is Cherry, she seems to like it more here in NZ... I feel like I am the motivating force/guy pulling her back there... although she did say that, just as she met me, she was thinking about going home... but we met, and she stayed...
She is insulted by the ridiculous house prices here in Auckland (as many of her friends have left) for that very reason. Auckland sees 1,000 new migrants each week! everywhere is over-crowded, traffic is spastic, that let's embrace multiculturalism back in the 90's really is biting us in the arse... when you have Asian new immigrants themselves say "fuck, holly sheet! there are too many immigrants here"

You know it's not just your own imagination... I feel some crisis looming for NZ, it's never stable here.. boom crash, boom crash cycle... houses are the most expensive in the world. Watching Bravo, millionaire listing and comparing their (for reference sake) say 2 million dollar house, to a Kiwi 2 million dollar grovel... is hilarious... sure, it's a beautiful country, I get it... great for outdoorsy people.... but hand on heart, Japan is just as beautiful, nicer people (from my experience) and given the choice to buy my dream-home, at the peak (before a possible correction/burst bubble) or buy in a country right at the very bottom of the curve, where I can buy multiple properties for the mere deposit on a million dollar shit box in Dorkland...

No brainer, for a no-brainer, like me...:bananaman:

You'll be a long time dead.

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Originally Posted by NZdick1983

Thing is Cherry, she seems to like it more here in NZ... I feel like I am the guy pulling her back there... although she did say that, just as she met me, she was thinking about going home... but we met, and she stayed... NZdick1983 is online now Add to NZdick1983's Reputation Report Post

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She stayed cuz she love you and she is who will live with you till die..so listen to her...no one good to you than her laew...I am sure...

Go for it and good luck matey.

Go for it.

How many of us "oldies" wish we could go back in time a couple of decades and gone for it? I know i do. And then it's too late.

Sounds like a good investment.

I'd do it.


Good luck with it!

Cheers guys... to be honest, I only signed up here for investment advice (as I've said in the past).. but have come to think of you as friends...

...and stalkers heh :rolleyes:

Whatyareckon, 2019 Rugby World Cup piss up @ Dickies mansion!... I can hear the anthem now "bring a hoe, lets go!"

ditto with 2020 Olympic Games.. 100 meter beer Lao sprints! and we post pics up of the goings on... epic!

I double dare yas!... :bananaman::1st::yanky::headbang::bananasexy::sasm okin::op::party::439::beerchug::fest30:

Gotta get my lily white arse over there and buy a gaff first though ey...

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Originally Posted by patsycat

Go for it.

How many of us "oldies" wish we could go back in time a couple of decades and gone for it? I know i do. And then it's too late.

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An old colleague of mine inherited enough to buy 3 London apartments at aged 18 in the 60's. The figure of 40k is in my memory. He was 18 and spent the next 12 years travelling and it was gone before 30.

He kinda regrets it now being 60+ moaning that he could be a multi-millionaire now if only he bought the apartments. :)