Okinawa Retirement Lifestyle

Hello! I made this video to show how you can live inexpensively in Okinawa. It really is a great place. I hope you can come visit the island or live here too! Thank you for watching and I'll see you on the next one!

[@StephanieRebecca-0]

I'm 54 and my wife and I are VERY worried about our future, gas and food prices rising daily. We have had our savings dwindle with the cost of living into the stratosphere, and we are finding it impossible to replace them. We can get by, but can't seem to get ahead. My condolences to anyone retiring in this crisis, 30 years nonstop just for a crooked system to take all you worked for.

[@StephanieRebecca-0]

@christianalawal3695 That's actually quite impressive, I could use some Info on your FA, I am looking to make a change on my finances this year as well

[@StephanieRebecca-0]

@christianalawal3695 I will give this a look, thanks a bunch for sharing.

[@jshepard152]

@christianalawal3695 Victoria Carmen Santaella stole my money and is being pursued by the authorities.

[@marcusjayallen]

this is why I love Japan and always will. I’m always trying to convince people to go visit now I can show just them this. perfect video

[@billyhasbrouck487]

I was stationed at Futema in 1984. Would love to go see what has changed and what stayed the same.

[@usedcarsokinawa]

What unit were you in? I was Hams-36, T64 shop. I’m still here from 84.

[@JESSMAAY]

Perfect way to describe Okinawa 🙌🏼

[@mikethompson6713]

Stationed at Naha in early 70’s Married an Okinawa girl raised 2 boys It’s a beautiful place

[@chuckiepeoples]

You still married to her?

[@patrickgrimes8964]

I spent maybe a week or so total during 1966 and 1968 in between RVN tours and I can remember being captivated with the beauty of Okinawa while being transported in a deuce and a half from the beach to Camp Hansen next to Kin Village in 1966. I thought wouldn't this be a great place to live some day.

[@PursuingImpact]

Greetings Patrick! Wow, great memories!

[@justthefactsjack456]

Wow, you've got us hooked on Okinawa now Mark! Thanks:)

[@SoloJetMan]

Thanks for sharing. I was stationed with the Marines in 1998, but unfortunately, I didn't get to explore things outside the bases. Definitely want to go back to Okinawa when I retire.

[@NatGagui]

Mark, i found your channel thru Dan at Vagabond, keep the videos coming maybe you can talk more about the retiring budget at Okinawa, areas to stay, how-to immigration visas needed and so on. Thanks Nathan (San Francisco,CA)

[@PursuingImpact]

Greetings Tio! Thanks so much for the comment and feedback! I’ll add that to the list of video topics and ideas to work on. Thanks again and have a great day!

[@coocoocachooglin]

Ditto, thanks Dan! Ret mil here too, I didn't think about retiring in Oki, but now I'm intrigued! Thanks for sharing! Ooh Rah!

[@XYoukaiX]

Loving Okinawa, not sure if I would want to stay all year long but staying like 6 month a year on Okinawa would be a dream.

[@JuliahFL]

Great video! It looks beautiful there! My uncle (from Taormina, Sicily) has been living in Tokyo as a model for years and loves it. I'm inspired by your videos! Xoxoxo

[@PursuingImpact]

Greetings Juliah! Thank you so much for the comments! 🙏🙏. Truly appreciated! Have a great day! 😄🤩

[@Mr.Monta77]

I love Okinawa.

[@jean-francoisballieu9580]

Huge ! 🙂

[@filetmignon96]

Lived in Japan for 1.5 years near Tokyo, ventured out to a few cities but never Okinawa. Relocating to Thailand in February for consideration but will definitely go to Okinawa now to take a look as well since I'm retired military Do you know of any real estate site to look at properties to get a cost? Thanks

[@PursuingImpact]

Greetings J! Thanks for your comment! Here’s a site I’ve used before. There are other realtors you can find on google. The Yen is at record lows against the US dollar now so that helps too. www.japan-property.jp/en/property-for-sale/Okinawa Thanks again and have a great day!

[@JuliahFL]

The music festivals!!! Queen tribute band? Gary Mullins?

[@PursuingImpact]

Yes it’s a great band. They play at a club in Okinawa called “Queens”. Great show! Thank you for the comments! Have a great day! 😄

[@dealman3312]

Looks very similar to Hawaii. Are you near Naha? What long term rental websites would you recommend? Cheers

[@PursuingImpact]

Greetings D man! My place is about 30 minutes North of Naha, near American Village. Here’s an apartment website. If you open it in google chrome or Safari, you can translate into English: www.e-uchina.net/ Thanks for the comment! Have a great day!

[@jawhsuantai7536]

That's exactly the life I'm looking for as I'm a diver! I want to retire there and $1200 is exactly my budget! Can you give me some info how to rent a place there? I'm retiring in Aug this year! Thanks much

[@PursuingImpact]

Greetings! Congrats on your upcoming retirement! Okinawa is an amazing dive destination. There are dive shops everywhere. You would love it. To live on a low budget, you have to get away from the high tourist prices and live like the locals do. Best way is to come on a 90-day tourist entry visa and start asking around and getting involved with the community where you want to live. It’s not as easy as some other countries, but definitely possible. You just have to put your mind to it and find your way.

[@totallyraw1313]

Thanks man, love it! Do you live far from the track and field/football stadium?

[@PursuingImpact]

Greetings TR! I live next to the Chatan Harbor. It’s a short bike ride to the stadium near Araha Beach. Thanks for the comment! Have a great day!

[@totallyraw1313]

@@PursuingImpact You are a lucky man! I would love to visit Okinawa one day. I had no idea how affordable it is.

[@JEDIAL9]

*Great video!* I hope you don't mind that I have a few questions. One, what's the name and location of the 24-hour gym? And two, I've made five unsuccessful attempts to get an ebike in GTMO. And I see you cruising with joy. Is it easy to get ebikes shipped to Okinawa, Japan? Thanks.

[@PursuingImpact]

Greetings JEDIAL! Thank you for the comment. You can search on Google Maps “Anytime Fitness Chatan”. There are several Anytime Fitness locations. It’s nice to see a business that can allow customers to come in by themselves at night without anyone working there and be trusted to take care of the place and respect the rules. The culture in Japan is wonderful. And e-bikes are popular in Japan. I bought mine at a “Don Quijote” store. I’ve also seen them for sale at the popular hardware stores “Makeman”. Thanks again for the comment. I hope you can come to Okinawa.

[@JEDIAL9]

@PursuingImpact Hi, again. I found it! Thanks. Back in 2007 to '09, I was a PFC and LCpl at Camp Courtney. I loved it! It was so peaceful, picturesque, and beautiful like it's people. I only dreamed of returning one day after I've gained the higher education, knowledge, and experience. And I have! My potential blessing may have finally arrived... I am praying that I am selected for the position at Camp Butler. So, optimistically, I've been planning and searching for apartments, Google maps for site locations, distance, transportation, vehicle vs. ebike, a 24-hour gym, etc.

[@dr.josefudeyama64]

What visa do I have to stay there ?

[@MarcLarsson-b8l]

Which town is the best to live for being able to walk to beaches, cafes, restaurants, etc.

[@PursuingImpact]

Hi Marc! Araha beach area is great for that. Tons of cafes and things to do. Thanks for your comments!

[@MikeSoCal]

Wow I have an impression Japan cost of living is expensive. Are there any region in Japan with low cost of living like Okinawa? Can an expat get by not knowing Japanese?

[@PursuingImpact]

Greetings Mike! Thanks for your comment! You can live cheap here, or you can spend a lot, it just depends on your desires. In Okinawa, many people speak English and there are a lot of expats, so it’s no problem at all. On mainland Japan, English is not too common, but it’s no problem getting by. All signs are in English and the people are friendly and helpful. Hope you can come visit! Thanks again and have a great day!

[@MarcLarsson-b8l]

Nice video. How did you find your first apartment there?

[@PursuingImpact]

Hi Marc! There are some websites that list all types of properties. If you’re interested, send me an email and I’ll send you the links. My contact info is in the about section. Thanks!

[@83Utica]

What does an average studio or 1 bedroom apartment cost?

[@PursuingImpact]

Greetings William! Great question! It really depends on location, amenities, etc, but there are plenty of nice little apartments in the ¥60,000 range, which is about $410 at the current exchange rate. You can find cheaper like my place, and also more expensive places too. Again, it depends on what you want, but hopefully that gives you a rough idea. Thanks for your question!

[@PursuingImpact]

@@redefiningmyhappiness1764 Greetings! Thank you for the comment. I’ll be happy to show it when I return to Okinawa for the spring/summer. I’ll be here in Thailand until then. Thanks again and have a great day!

[@EverylittlethingStephane]

Hello do people practise surfing here are there many foreiners like you thanks

[@PursuingImpact]

Greetings Stephane! Yes they surf here! Actually today was a good surf day with some good waves. There were a lot of surfers out there (but not me, haha). There are lots of foreigners on Okinawa. Hope you can come visit sometime! Have a great day!

[@JGerman68]

Did you have to work in Japan and establish residency before retiring there? I'm to the point where I want to just move there and not work.

[@PursuingImpact]

Greetings jgerman! Yes I worked in Japan over 23 years with 3 different visa types. Japan visas can be challenging, but if you are determined there is always a way. Now with the yen exchange rate it is super affordable in Japan.

[@richardschneider4775]

Very nice I am looking for Part Time in Okinawa part time in NE USA home. Where do you suggest I locate a home or real estate agent/broker ?

[@PursuingImpact]

Greetings Richard! If you could send me a message or email, I’ll send you the links for the 3 or 4 agencies I’ve used before. All my contact info is in the about tab. Thank you for the comment! Have a great day!

[@SkepticalUSVeteran]

I just returned to Okinawa. My wife of 17.5 years (Okinawan) is trying to help me obtain a Japanese Spouse visa. Do you live by yourself or do you have wife and kids? I have 2 school aged kids (15 and 11). Currently we rent a place in Naha. It's nice, the kitchen is really small (big enough for locals, not for Americans LoL). Do you work? I retired from Marine Corps after 20years in June 2023.

[@PursuingImpact]

Greetings Brandon! Congratulations on your retirement and your move to Okinawa. Since you have a Japanese spouse, your visa should be fairly easy. My children are all grown now and living their own lives. I moved to Thailand and love it here now. I love Okinawa as well. It is a special place. Enjoy the beautiful island! Thanks again for the comment!

[@dkantaneza0311]

Hello Mark, Thanks for sharing your story living in Japan. My wife and I just spent a small two week vacay in Tokyo. We stayed in two different hotels in Haneda. I retired from the U.S. federal government and served in Air Force for 10years. We are very much interested in moving to Japan to stay there for at least a minimum of 1 year or longer if possible. We understand that Japan has opened up to 90 day visa wavers but we don’t want to keep making 90 trips to just keep returning and hopefully get a rental for longer periods. I’ve only been retired for two years and don’t really want to go back to work on a work visa just yet at least. Since you’re experienced in the procedures of being a US citizen living abroad, can you give me some advice as to how obtain a Visa or point us in the right direction. Your help and assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much, Dominic Quintanilla

[@PursuingImpact]

Greetings Dominic! Thanks for your comments, and great to hear you want to stay longer in Japan! 👏👏 One potential option for you could be an “extended tourist visa” which can go up to 1 year. The requirement is to show a fairly large sum of money in the bank. It can be a 401K or IRA in the U.S. The USD equivalent is much less now because the yen exchange rate is very good. Depending on your long range plans, there are other visa strategies you can use. Also, it can be fun and cheap to take a quick vacation to Taiwan or Korea if you need to reset your 90 days while working on your visa. Just come and get your boots on the ground, and see what areas you enjoy in Japan. Then, when you know where you want to stay, you can work with the local immigration office that handles your area. Come enjoy Japan!

[@dkantaneza0311]

@@PursuingImpact Thank you very much Mark, will definitely take your advise and recommendations. I will check the Japan embassy here in Florida and get started on applying for the extended visa, I was informed it’s a D-Visa (not exactly sure). We loved the prefectures just outside of Tokyo, so many shopping’s, attractions, close to major airports, shrines, gardens etc. etc. amazing. Japanese people are friendly, awesome cultures, way of living and beautiful. I Was born in Japan because my father was stationed there so I convinced my wife to take a vacation there and she’s totally want to go back but wants to stay longer this time. We are also from Guam and the flights there as reasonably priced, so we can make small trips back and forth. Once again Arigato gozaimasu. Dominic

[@louisdeleuze5569]

hello on witch visa can you stay all year around and how do you get it ? thank you

[@PursuingImpact]

Hello Louis! Thank you for the comment. There are options, but it depends on your situation. You can enter Japan on a 90-day tourist visa then work with immigration once you are in country. If you want to stay, it is possible, you just have to be willing to jump through a few hoops with the different visa options. If you have anymore questions, my contact info is all in channel info section. Thanks again and have a great day!

[@douglaseugene5224]

I am visiting in January looking for a place to retire, going to kumejima to find my birthmother, wish me luck

[@PursuingImpact]

Greetings Douglas! Wow that’s a great story! It will be chilly in January. Have a great trip and hope to hear about the journey!

[@vetsurfcampfish1616]

Hi: Are there apartments in Naha Center?

[@PursuingImpact]

@@vetsurfcampfish1616 Greetings! Yes there are many apartments. Your biggest challenge will be your visa, but anything is possible if you put your mind to it. 👍

[@RB9522]

Did you include taxes and healthcare in your $1,200 cost of living?

[@dherbman]

See you in a year from now😉

[@SwissTanuki]

Will retire in Okinawa if everything goes as planned in 2035. My pension should be around 4000$. Looks like it should be ok.

[@therehastobesomethingmoore]

Could a retired couple live there on $2000/month ? I always thought Japan was on the expensive side ? Thx !

[@PursuingImpact]

Greetings! You can live very affordably / inexpensively, or you could spend a lot if you want to. For me, Okinawa is all about the simple pleasures. There are so many things to see and do that cost nothing, or very little. I love it! Thank you for your comment!

[@Josh-fp2qn]

1200/month?!!!!! In America you’d be lucky to get a decent apartment for that.

[@chuckiepeoples]

It’s way too fuckin’ hot and humid in Okinawa.