Okinawa Forums

So you're thinking of making the move to Okinawa? Tell us why and what you're expecting...

John

Hi,

I really don't know what to expect, although I feel I would like it.

I have traveled a little, UK, Europe, Toronto, Alaska and the Philippines. I have lived on the Shetland Isles, pretty much most of my life, So I supposae I am an islander at heart. The Shetlands are a nice place to live, but I can see a decline in the economy here, and maybe a bit of change in the standard of living as well. In the summer, it can be a very nice place, but the winters are long, dark, wet and windy, and I am growing a little weary of them.

So, after just turning 40 at the end of last year, I have decided it is time for a bit of a change in my life, probably going through my mid life crisis or something, lol.

So, considering my interest in Asian culture, and thoughts of a nice gentle life somewhere warm, I figured that I should head out to either an Asian country or a Pacific Island, well I can dream I suppose!

Now in general terms, many Asian countries, would be no good, either because their Communist, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, China. Or the standard of living is poor, Thailand, Philippines, etc. Pacific Islands I know very little about, but they seemed more of a dream to be honest.

Japan, although somewhere I have always wanted to visit, seemed to be exhorbantly expensive, until I started to dig a bit on the net. Then I started to see the other side of Japan, away from the glittering lights of Tokyo. Although I knew Okinawa existed, I never realised the length of the Okinawan Prefecture, almost all the way to Tiawan. So I Googled a bit, and found some photos, of beautiful Sub Tropical islands, and I realised that maybe, just maybe I had found paradise?

So, now I have to figure out how on earth I can move there, live there, survive there, and hopefully live out the rest of my life there?  ???

If anyone has any suggestions I would like to hear them?

Regards, Karl