Seattle couple buys home in Japan for $30k | FOX 13 Seattle

[@chasedownblocks1736]

$30k in the United States is remodeling your kitchen cabinets.

[@markmoreno7295]

Like not even an central a/c unit. My only fear with moving is that even if you find a decent home in Japan, it will still need some repair and the costs for that are slightly higher (not counting the current exchange rate) unless you have the tools (and know how) to do it yourself. My second fear is the cost of medical care.

[@Anjabel69]

​@@markmoreno7295 You must be joking, right? Japan has national health insurance and so you pay less than half of what you would in the US ($5,251 vs. $12,555 per capita in 2022). Of course, wages in Japan are lower, so it may balance out.

[@angelsplace]

No wonder it's so cheap. Fukushima has 4 fully blown out spent fuel pools and china syndromes and just had another massive quake resulting in another meltdown and the entire Pacific is already caput 😱🔥

[@pktrigger2873]

or fixing plumbing.

[@davidcarp5935]

Oof!

[@tpp4007]

For $30K in the United States, that’s just barely enough to buy a front door to your house and have it installed 🤦‍♂️

[@andyn2249]

you would find an issue as soon as it is installed and then you would have to pay more to fix it...

[@tamehamehaprints3604]

I recently got my cabin in Hawaii on 3 acres for $25K... and have another for B&B for $40K aloha

[@ericli2936]

They never saw the movie The Grudge

[@twdjt6245]

Lol why are you guys exaggerating

[@MThomasB]

@@twdjt6245 Because regardless as to whether they were exaggerating or not inflation and corporate greed are out of control in the USA..

[@HansensinJapan]

Hey, that's us! We've been making some videos to help answer questions about our journey, feel free to follow along! Thanks Shirah & the fox13 seattle team 💕

[@HoneySuckle123]

I just subscribed 💜

[@ZacharyRodriguezVlogs]

I’m so happy for you guys! I subscribed!

[@Taiyo_Jingu]

You got yer new sub.

[@NghiaNguyen-qq7yx]

Congrats you guys!!! im in seattle too.. and its ridiculous how everything is... 30k is what a kitchen cabinet remodel in seattle.

[@KalaGora031]

Good luck guys…

[@thefairychild]

"We weren't priced out! We just can't get what we want." That means you're priced out.

[@Cocinaughty]

No, priced out is when you can’t afford the bare minimum

[@navygirlav2012]

Bare minimum here in L.A. is like 1 mil. Who their age can afford that?

[@Cocinaughty]

@@navygirlav2012 Because the story is based in LA?

[@navygirlav2012]

@@Cocinaughty im in L.A. idk what prices are in Seattle and idc, but it's another liberal sh1thole.

[@navygirlav2012]

@@Cocinaughty The median single-family home in Seattle sold for about $927,000. So it's same as L.A....

[@BasicBeachCommunity1]

Actually on their KZbin page they said the cost of the house was between $2,500 to $3,000 and the land was $25,000.😂😂😂😂❤❤

[@georgiamarierx9682]

Dosent matter

[@osvaldovasquez9048]

​@@georgiamarierx9682Correct grammar matters.

[@Scythe_Voltage]

@@georgiamarierx9682 A HOUSE FOR 3000$ 💀 a shed in America is 5,000$ 😂

[@frankcoley1537]

RiP?

[@jerkface38]

​@@Scythe_VoltageI've see houses that need to be demolished and rebuilt (so you have to actually PAY and use TIME to remove the house) that the sellers wanted $350k for. So ridiculous lol

[@Devonellah]

People should be able to pay REASONABLE prices here in America!!! This is absurd!!

[@jumboshrimps4498]

This is an economic fallacy. The only reason you can't buy a property that you want at the price you want is because someone else is willing to pay more. Most people want to live in a city like Seattle, so how do you propose we decide who gets too?

[@TheOtherKine]

Well........ what they don't show you in this video is WHERE the house is. It's very RURAL, away from a major city, in the middle of nowhere, and it's an old house. I am sure you can get something similar in the US in the middle of nowhere that has a run down old house for a similar price

[@danasmith858]

There's lots of cheap houses just nobody wants to live there because the crime

[@RSKLove]

Nope! 😂

[@jumboshrimps4498]

@IDontBuyIt50 so how can homeowners in cities sell their home for so much higher than rural area?

[@mibox8302]

Getting the house is the easy part getting a permanent stay visa is the hard part, although if you are half Japanese the gov will bend some rules to help with their declining Native Japanese population. If you are a regular guy who isn't Japanese and isn't rich its a more difficult process

[@dmpi483]

Yes, I would definitely work this issue before you go house hunting in Japan.

[@DwightStJohn-w1l]

My wife, Chinese, attended T. Tech. Institute. SHE could probably get citizenship due to EXTREME family connections going back generations. But HALF of Osaka is Korean, 4th, 5th, generation and they travel on Korean Passports. No way they're getting citizenship. Japan doesn't "hand it out" like Canada does in two years, or the USA in five. They just don't do it.

[@isomarulor]

It has nothing to do with being half Japanese or being rich. Japanese doesn't bend rules. Rules are rules. Plenty of ways to get a long-term visa in Japan. Way easier than that of the US

[@CoolNumber1]

If your asian, easier too. Cuz asian can look japanese and get a pass. If Ur white, then no because white people doesn't increased the japanese population as white will always be considered as foreigners.

[@kristinab1078]

@@isomarulor Getting a long term-visa requires that you work full time in the country, start a business, have some very specialized skill that can be applied to your request for a visa, or participate in some sort of cultural education or university endeavor. It's not that easy at all. Getting permanent residency requires even more effort and takes years (usually 10+ years). In the case of this couple, she is half Japanese, so it is likely that their process will be much easier.

[@thefourcornerszone4286]

1:58 they have connections in Japan which makes a move like this more attainable. However, good for them.

[@jumboshrimps4498]

Wow, give up so easily?

[@thefourcornerszone4286]

@@jumboshrimps4498 No, however, a support system and or connections makes any life changes a little less stressful opposed to taking a solo, blind leap of faith.

[@TheOtherKine]

@@thefourcornerszone4286 People come to the US with pennies in the pockets and no connections all the time - you've heard of those stories! So what's the difference? LMAO

[@thefourcornerszone4286]

@@TheOtherKine Of course I've heard of those kind of stories. Coming to America is also considered the land of _opportunity_ people come for the _American Dream_ - are you arguing that moving across the world *without ANY* support or connections is the same as having family and friends along the way and on the other side? *MY POINT IS, THEIR *SUPPORT SYSTEM* PROVIDED THEM WITH _IDEAL CIRCUMSTANCES_ FOR RELOCATING OVERSEAS, AS A YOUNG COUPLE WITH A NEWBORN BABY! Can it be done ALONE, yes, is that the norm or the exception? Good day!

[@jumboshrimps4498]

@@thefourcornerszone4286 so you're offering an excuse just in case? Like you 100% could've accomplished it if you had a support system?

[@Bert439]

$30k for a an acre of land it's absolute insanity! Well done!

[@i.d.6492]

It's not an insanity, they bought the land in a forgotten place

[@asdfbeau]

​@@i.d.6492 and it's forgotten for a reason. These houses are falling apart: they're leaking, moldy, all of them need new floors, most new roofs, and were of poor quality, even when they were built. Nothing is free, and the weebs that are lusting after akiya will find out why nobody wants them. Source: I have a home, near the countryside, in Japan.

[@Avery-rb2bd]

@@asdfbeauyea it’s not “move in ready” like they say and land like that is available all over remote North America. They’ll live in rural japan but won’t move to rural USA. Definitely doing it partly for the quirkiness. Hope they both speak japanese

[@strongerthanyouallday]

You can get 5 acres for $5,000 in Colorado. It's just 3 hours away from any jobs 😂

[@cpK054L]

​@@strongerthanyoualldayplenty of rural land for 1k/acre. There are cheaper land too but you have to buy volumes of hectares. But yeah.... good luck getting a job on this land if you're not using it to farm or hunt

[@chunwong1116]

We are in Japan now in the first time . We admire their culture the street not even one piece of trash. They know how to live their country like their homes. Most Japanese are very discipline

[@JohnSmith-ti9uq]

Give it some time with the Nigerians coming in and it'll look like LA.

[@CgssCENTURY]

Why are there homeless people, stop diq riding

[@Group_Anonymous]

What kind of VISA?

[@UT48D]

@user-sz2yd2sd6stotally America is better! In Merica, Most people work 2 jobs if not 3 still living paycheck to paycheck just one medical emergency from bankruptcy. Its paradise! 😂

[@jwuhome]

Exactly why Japanese hate foreigners not living up to their standards and you are a foreigner.

[@seriouscarguys702]

Between crime and inflation the United States, is pretty wild. Life in many countries especially Japan is peaceful, quiet, humble, loving, and most of all affordable.

[@NerdyShawn]

Let's not forget the education crisis along with for-profit healthcare.🇺🇸

[@user-bodyfulness]

South korea too

[@DZ302-Z28]

Inflation only comes from one place, government spending. And there's only one party that constantly spends like drunken sailors. If you want inflation to go down stop voting for said party

[@Janabroderick]

but both parties are warmongers. there is noone else to vote for. spending goes to army and occupying other countried.@@DZ302-Z28

[@DavidBrannon-rp2nq]

@@DZ302-Z28. They would rather bitch about everything and keep voting democrat

[@consistenc51]

As someone who is planning to move there for retirement just some things to consider: 1. Natural disasters ie earthquakes and typhoons are common. 2. Cultural differences may be an issue especially if you aren’t familiar with it or can’t speak Japanese. 3. Summers are brutally humid around most of the country. Think Florida summers. 4. Driving may be weird at first. Driver’s seat is on the right and you drive usually on the left lane and overtake on the right. 5. Houses mostly depreciate unless you are in a big city or popular area. They’re cheap for a reason, supply exceeds demand in most areas especially rural parts. 6. Be wary of rural areas, schools are closing down because of population decline. If you’re trying to start a family do a lot of research around the area which you want to live in. There may not be a school nearby to commute too. Not here to yuck anyone’s yum but sometimes these news stories lack balance.

[@MartianInDisguise]

re: " Summers are brutally humid around most of the country. Think Florida summers." Does the same apply to Hokkaido?

[@juliemichael3619]

😢

[@consistenc51]

@@goulash64 sorry!

[@rickzane6433]

And you can add non existent home insulation, impossibility to dry up clothes outside, complex rules like Shaken -auto checkup, inkan-mandatory personal stamp, ATM fees, banking rules, garbage and recycling rules, tatemae or not telling "no" to people's faces... But besides that, it's great.

[@KickAssets]

I own 14 properties in Japan. My cheapest one was $4500. The market in the West is ridiculous especially considering how big it is. Just be careful folks. Buying in Japan, especially in rural, isn't that easy. I make videos on this and help clients do it. It's an amazing country. I am used to the summers. All 4 seasons are nice here.

[@CheatingZubat]

Japan has had a mass exodus from rural areas, people and small villages moving to big cities. So a TON of houses out in the woods, etc, are going up for sale for very, very cheap. The catch? You have to maintain them, and a lot of them need a bunch of work. Plus, usually, you aren't near amenities.

[@lunchgrilled7475]

+earthquake As a Japanese from the suburb of Tokyo, I'd move to near the station and I don't want to maintain the car.

[@Gingercat12317]

I just hope it's not haunted 😂

[@TL-rh1lf]

Sounds like it's for people that don't need to worry about money... what kind of work can you do out there?

[@Tgogators]

It's also occurring in some European countries too. Seeing the economic benefits of having expats, many are encouraging companies to offer cheaper housing, "clear & achievable path" to citizenship, etc.

[@Halcon_Sierreno]

So open up a Home Depot in the countryside then get stonks.

[@BerryChickenNud]

In Japan, the land is more valuable than the home. Also, remodeling in Japan is hard

[@coolaideevens8678]

What a beautiful couple… that house in Japan is 🔥! I hope all goes well especially for baby boy !

[@liorap5636]

Having lived in asia and needing to renew work visas every year or two just to keep living there (by the end we had a houseful of furniture and appliances and 7 pets and 3 kids!) - that kind of uncertainty wears on the nerves. Literally your whole life you’ve built hangs on paperwork and some competant bureaucrats making benevolent decisions.

[@marleymarl0]

Yea it’s a nightmare, just renewed my marriage visa yesterday (in Bangkok), 6 hours at immigration, then have to go back to pick it up on the day the visa expires… Wife has to report I’m living in the house I bought every time I travel and return, every 90 days I must report where I am staying. At immigration there are these old expats in wheelchairs and shit… imagine being in your 70s and 80s and having to do this crap.

[@Hi._.keikoo]

exactly what I was thinking. Maybe the house is affordable, but all the work they have to do to stay makes me wonder if they really thought this through.

[@Trgn]

That's the same experience being in any country on a visa without citizenship. It's worse in many Western countries where visas have to be renewed annually or semi annually.

[@user-s0m30n3]

Forgive me if this is a stupid question but can yall not just.. get citizenship??

[@Tonyscasa]

@@user-s0m30n3it’s extremely difficult and depending on the country it’s not even a available option

[@v22u]

Many people have bought cheap homes in Japan, but they don’t realize they must join the neighborhood board, participate in mandatory cleanups etc. if they don’t, the neighborhood will make life miserable for them. Some new owners have packed up and left. It’s a sad story, but I hope everything will be alright for this family.

[@UnkklRico]

Hopefully they’re ready for a strictly traditional lifestyle. None of that Seattle “progressive” garbage.

[@jamesdelano8735]

This! How 'sad' that they will have to live in a place where everyone actively contributes to the community. Oh the inhumanity of it!

[@Mwoods2272]

It's a great way to make friends.

[@HansensinJapan]

We're actually very excited about this part! We enjoyed the neighborhood cleanups and community when we lived in Japan previously. So far our neighbors have been very friendly too 😊

[@TyrantTiger85]

Id rather do that than live in this liberal shitfest that WA has become.

[@scettzvill]

in Japan, a house isn't an appreciating asset, it's a DEpreciating asset. in general, houses should've never become tied to the banks and stock markets, but here we are.

[@NicEeEe843]

Tied? House prices are determined by supply and demand, you ok?

[@scettzvill]

@@NicEeEe843 that's a very surface level argument as to how housing works in the western developed world, especially compared to a country like Japan. simply stating that it is a product of supply and demand, barely scratches the surface of the housing market and its issues that are currently plaguing many a home buyer. most houses on the market today are either owned by the bank, owned by a large investment firm, or used as collateral for loans from the same banks that own them. (think mortgage) I could try and go into a detailed explanation about the economics of the whole banks being tied to housing prices. but even though I am plenty informed about it, I don't think I could give more than a rudimentary summary of it all. let's just say that there's a reason they don't teach economics as a mandatory subject in schools.

[@DrawinskyMoon]

It’s definitely not supply and demand that is causing housing market crash. There are probably more houses and apartments than there are people in my area but they are all the same high price no one can afford. So people choose to live in basements or with their parents.

[@NicEeEe843]

@@DrawinskyMoon Construction has not kept up with population growth in most western places

[@scettzvill]

@@NicEeEe843 what is the reason construction has not kept up with population growth?

[@virgo4200]

dont let the house flippers know that they'll be flying to japan to jack up the prices in japan

[@NAT-turners-Revenge]

😭

[@Duo-eu4st]

Japan would never let that happen. Its not like the USA

[@jaylinmoseley3910]

That'd never happen. First off the loopholes required to be allowed to buy a house as a foreigner are crazy, and even if they did Jack up the prices literally every other surrounding house would be priced correctly. Who would pay an inflated price when right next door and a few houses down those properties are all marked so much lower. Not a single Japanese person would buy, and another foreigner would never pay their mark up when surrounding houses are cheaper.

[@UseTheSupeRsonic]

My thoughts exactly. Americans are going to ruin Japan.

[@Moonxrockzzz]

😢😂😂

[@ricardoblikman2676]

I bought an Apartment for roughly $24k 30 minute train ride from central Tokyo housing and food electronics etc are really affordable

[@CoolHand273]

:got the idea from social media -famous last words

[@ge2623]

🤣

[@juliemichael3619]

😂

[@NitoLast]

Why famous last words?? Japans is one of the safest countries in the world. Their crime rate is low. America on the other hand makes the top for most violent country.

[@pev789]

Yeah last words in America, HELLO JAPAN!

[@CoolHand273]

@@NitoLastIts not that they are moving to Japan which may or may not be a good idea depending on why they are leaving the USA. Its just that following what strangers do or say on youtube is not a good way to make decisions in your life. A lot of clowns out there just sugar coating things to sell you stuff or get views. Social media is only the greatest hits highlight roll or top 10% of people's lives.

[@asian_raisin]

This is the dream. Not only is it affordable, the place is top notch quality of life living and they can leave their doors unlocked. No one there will do them any evil.

[@rooster1012]

Ummm yea don't drink the Kool-Aid, they will never be accepted and will always be looked at as foreigners and as far as crime in Japan it happens there to.

[@ge2623]

Until a bunch of people from the U.S. move there.

[@TheOtherKine]

@@ge2623 LMAO

[@dancruze]

Idk if if call this home "Top notch" It's 30k. I'm sure the walls are thin as paper.

[@sunnymeee]

No country is perfect, every country got their own problems

[@WanchaiChab]

Those are my friends! So happy for them! They are well versed with Japanese culture and the lifestyle. I wish nothing but success for them and plan on visiting them for sure!

[@blak3brutus229]

How do you know their well versed in the culture? Sure she may be half jap, but she’s not lived there too long no? Also the guys pure American white non farming material lol, and again, like another comment section, need to point out I farm soybeans and corn feed, these people seem too used to ac and only 8-10 hour workdays, and imagine it being physical labor? I just don’t see them doin well.

[@lutomson3496]

wait till they actually live there they have never lived there

[@WanchaiChab]

@@lutomson3496 bruh did you even watch the video? They have both lived there before

[@X-Prime123]

Japan, a small country with 120 million people. Canada, an enormous landmass with 41 million people, and you can't buy a parking spot in Toronto for less than 50 000$ 😂.

[@darronpattel]

a parking spot in toronto for 50 000$?? thats a deal that would be hard to find.

[@FictionalPersonality]

He speaks Japanese and she is half Japanese so it makes more sense. I wouldn’t recommend doing this if you don’t speak the language or have family ties

[@wownewstome6123]

Yeah, and it's a gamble for people whether they will be granted a work permit or be allowed resident status. Then, will those be renewed every time? All a family builds could come crumbling down.

[@kylem1112]

Well... durrr. How could you even buy that home, let alone live out in the middle of nowhere if you don't even know Japanese/ have some sort of connections?

[@seriouscarguys702]

You used to be able to support your entire family buy a house and send everyone to college with one person working you can’t even do that nowadays with 2 people working unless you both make a minimum of 100,000 each and even then you’re going to just be spending 80% of your money on the cost-of-living, which is absurd Most people don’t make that type of income, the United States has gotten way out of control between inflation and violent crime

[@Steven-tl8fs]

Yea when was that back in the medieval times? Lol

[@seriouscarguys702]

1990s bro nowadays you both need to make $100k to support a family most you youngsters 30 living at home some even almost 40 living at home with they kids 🤣😮‍💨 I bought my first house at 23 Im 50 now OG kids living at home All BS aside companies used to pay for your retirement as well. CEOs now keep all of the money and strip the employees of the benefits raise the cost of living, and only the companies in businesses benefit. Everyone else is on the treadmill of life sweating 🥵

[@SoulShiina]

@@Steven-tl8fs 70 years ago, in the 1950s.

[@roythousand13]

If you aren't Japanese, it is extremely difficult to become a Japanese citizen or permanent resident.

[@lyndaek99]

With time.

[@roythousand13]

@@lyndaek99, even if you obtain Japanese citizenship or Japanese permanent residency, unless you are ethnic Japanese, you will not be accepted by the Japanese as one of their own. They will always treat you as a foreigner.

[@RichRich06]

Good for them I hope it all works out. It’s wild out here in the states

[@kaylagomez-ne2xt]

It's cheap because no one wants that house and my friend bought land in Colorado it's not expensive it's in the middle of nowhere

[@RichRich06]

@@kaylagomez-ne2xt California it’s outrageous right now wish I can get out of this state

[@scottduke2809]

does anyone realize those Japanese homes are only made to last a few years. In Japane it is custom to take apart the old house and assemble a new one every time someone moves there.... the houses are TEMPORARY.

[@mocochan]

Countryside in Japan could be a rough life. There are cheap houses because people don’t wanna buy. Maybe you have to drive 1 hour to a supermarket or to a hospital. Some people try to move to a countryside because of the housing prices and then some people had to come back to cities because of inconveniences and a closed social life with old people.

[@lilbench5834]

Or u could Struggle to make Ends meet In the City of LA Get charged an Arm & leg for a Hospital bill & deal with Grocery Price inflation

[@kaylagomez-ne2xt]

​@@lilbench5834inflation is a problem worldwide it's not just USA

[@rebecculousrk]

Personally, I think it's a much more safe and sane culture to raise a child in. ❤ I hope they're very happy.

[@yourmajesty122]

me too. I feel like living in America is a death sentence now and you're stuck in prison with the most dangerous criminals. id move to Japan if I wasn't on welfare

[@brianholloway6205]

30,000 is less than what I have paid in rent every year of the past decade

[@karensurgery3845]

Keep in mind these homes are paper thin walls, often needs loads of repairs and are in the middle of no where so not convenient unless you want a countryside do nothing life and have some way to make money.

[@netnomad47]

​@@karensurgery3845 Remote work 😉

[@jimstan1795]

I dont trust it. Too good to be true. Somebody probably took their life in there or it is haunted by "Yoki" Japanese mythology for demon ghost or something like that.😂

[@archprizm6066]

If you make decent money you should really try to save it and not pay super luxury rent. Please try shopping around You can make any dwelling look good on the inside for pennies

[@brianholloway6205]

@@archprizm6066 2500$ a month isn’t luxury

[@cfoster6804]

Having family there is a HUGE help!

[@thehungrygoldfish]

No duh lol

[@kassenz]

I was looking on Zillow today, I found a bare lot in Seattle off hwy 509 near burien for $30,000 but it 10x25ft with no utilities

[@janityy]

Is gorgeous homes for 30,000 in vandergrift PA homes sold look it up or ohio and west virginia u just have to look around . It doesn't matter if the home is free property taxes in some states is a crime and 20 000 for a roof I would never pay . I'll never have repair cost money and im not paying property taxes so owning is a joke . Someone pays 300k for a house pays 100,000 in interest that's just stupid do the math I'll stay renting as renting is based on what the market will bear only and my area is reasonable so . People need to a couple years research on the cons of home ownership about 3 hours a day for one year on various forums like city data forum . Noone will tell u the truth my agents never told me the truth so u have to dig and find the ugly truths ureself

[@janityy]

U don't have to move to Japan just don't become a homeowner next video

[@strongerthanyouallday]

Put a $30,000 tiny home on it. And another $15,000 for utilities. There ya go.

[@KickAssets]

I own 14 properties in Japan. My cheapest one was $4500. The market in the West is ridiculous especially considering how big it is. Just be careful folks. Buying in Japan, especially in rural, isn't that easy. I make videos on this and help clients do it.

[@archprizm6066]

If you bring Americans there they will ruin it. They attract bad merchants wherever they go and they overpay and never negotiate. Con artist in suit & ties pop up wherever you see in American

[@Randydaudt]

Very wise move, Japan is a very beautiful country !

[@sinister_sushi]

As an American expat who lives in, I got quite a laugh at the comment section. This situation is very unique…and will come with some challenges that most people couldn’t handle. Anyways, good luck to the both of them.

[@MileHighReefer]

this is awesome......my wife and I are moving to Cancun in Sept. This video just encouraged us even more!!!! Denver is way toooo pricey

[@Tonyscasa]

Hey can you please go to Casa Bonita before you go and let me know if it’s worth it

[@deepvoicebanton1]

Having a Newborn baby,a House WITHOUT Mortgage payments,NO Neighbour's that's gonna shot up any schools in Site and LASTLY being able to get a Supra an R34 an FDrx-7 or a Acura Type-R,I'm NOT saying I'm Jealous I just HATE you right now Bro,Lol

[@samuelwong6995]

It is similar to people are saying cars are cheaper in the US in comparison to other part of the world. The reason cars are sold cheaper in the US is because the manufacturers are going to milk you from maintenance costs. It is costly to own a property and to maintain one in Japan. That is also why older homes in Japan are sold off cheap cause you are going to pick up the tabs for all the deferred maintenance.

[@CoolHand273]

Cars are cheaper here in the USA because other countries like Singapore charge so many taxes and fees which adds to the price of the car. People try to smuggle in US spec cars to avoid all the taxes and fees but if they don't know the right people the cars end up in the crusher. The maintenance part is getting more difficult due to all the electronic modules and what not but with the internet and OBD2 diagnostic dongles it is not as intimidating as maybe a few years ago. You only get ripped off at the shop if there is no way you can do the work yourself or you want to get ripped off. If you think car maintenance is cheaper in other countries I suggest you make some phone calls. Last time I checked overcharging people whatever they can get away with knows no global boundaries. As for Japan wood construction homes become worthless over 30 years because no one wants to buy the home. There is no market value for the home because people won't buy a 30 year old home even if it is perfectly maintained condition. They are buying the land. What is interesting though is I am starting to see homes hitting 30 years old being remodeled instead of being rebuilt from the ground up. Not sure how that is going to play out in central Tokyo. Remodelling definitely would not work in the rural parts of Japan where the population is shrinking.

[@karensurgery3845]

It's not that it's costly, it's that very few people in Japan want to live in an old house in the middle of nowhere as it's not convenient and doen't make sense for lifestyle and there's no work.

[@gregh7457]

@@karensurgery3845 And even fewer people in japan are diy so they have to hire someone. Have you priced out a unit bathroom unit? You can easily blow $30k on a small one

[@karensurgery3845]

@@gregh7457 Yea exactly! the average Japanese family doesn't have much time to take holidays let alone DIY something but to be fair most locals have no interest to moving to the middle of nowhere anyway... there's no work. The amount of work needed to make these old homes comfortable and inlign with a new purchase is a lot, and expensive. With that said, bathrooms in Japan are pretty basic and cookie cutter so probably could get it done for around 8-10kusd here depending on the pluming and house condition

[@diegoflores9237]

There's always a catch. Like those 1 dollar Italian homes. They are sold for a dollar because that's what they're worth. They need work done and are located in undesirable locations. I could get a relatively cheap home in the US too if I buy in Arkansas in some forgotten town too but who wants to live there?

[@rachelk2457]

Yeah the countryside in Japan is half abandoned so they try to encourage people to live there. And that's why it's so cheap because less demand but the Japanese yen is currently struggling too.

[@user-dk6le9yr9p]

Still better than the US

[@demri123]

Yes. Yen has dropped 50% since 2020

[@i.d.6492]

@@user-dk6le9yr9p bot spotted, definitely ain't better than US, if it's better go live there and get off US made app

[@DrawinskyMoon]

Where as America has increased by 50% 😞

[@rachelk2457]

@@DrawinskyMoon I know, it's messed up

[@ikki3615]

Definitely the best Place to grow your children ❤

[@kaylagomez-ne2xt]

Schools are closing in Japan

[@yimtsungerjamir3453]

No one going to talk about the child snooze 😂😂

[@kittysysagal1209]

His wife is half Japanese. At least they're not totally clueless. I wish this family the best. May they find happiness, peace, and prosperity in their new home. 🙏

[@takeruyamato6703]

It would not be difficult to get a resident status for the couple, since the wife is half Japanese. There is also a resident status for her accompaning child. I have seen many cases of second and third generation children obtain a resident status for their category. The term of the resident status for Japanese children are max 3 years and renewable. The wife and the child can obtain a permanent resident status after one year residency in Japan and the husband will be required to be married for at least three years and have resided for at least one year in Japan. For the Seattle couple they should be able to obtain the permanent residency status without any problem.

[@ge2623]

I think I'm turning Japanese, turning Japanese, I really think so.

[@Tgogators]

It is doable if your spouse is native, albeit a long process (like an easy 6 months, if not a full year to get your Residence Visa, etc), easier if you plan to retire or not seek employment. There is a bit of a custom in Asian culture where you marry, work, raise your family in the city, and then you retire back to your village and pass down the tradition. Similarly, I've seen more than a few Americans married to an Asian native spouse who are expecting that or have plans to do so, retire and move to Japan, etc.

[@Mwoods2272]

@@Tgogators Instead of a work visa, the wife has family ties in Japan so she can get a Child of a Japanese national visa.

[@KennethWedin]

That’s a major change in policy because I was there from 1986 to 2002 and knew that there was no hope ever getting permanent resident status, even when I was engaged to marry two different Japanese women (1992 and 1997). I knew lots of foreigners who’d been there for more than 20 years before then, fully married to Japanese wives, but still knew they were years away from any hope of PR status. My first two daughters were born in Japan (to a Korean mother from China) and attended 保育園 and 幼稚園, but it was mandatory that they get Canadian citizenship; Japanese and Chinese citizenship would not have been possible according to the Japanese government.

[@Mwoods2272]

@@KennethWedin The wife is a Japanese citizen so she doesn't need a PR and the husband can get a spousal visa which in time they can change into a PR.

[@moniquemariemuniz]

God bless them that little boy is going to grow up to be a genius. The schools in Japan are outstanding some of the very best in the world.

[@youtubeuser5524]

Babe alert 🚨

[@sp123]

​@@youtubeuser5524 more like xes worker

[@Aee163]

The catch is I've heard. None of these homes are meant to withstand Japanese catastrophes like earthquakes. Most buildings up to code have special beams at this price...

[@Doug-rv3nr]

For people who don’t know, they were able to purchase this through cultural restoration project, the contract they signed to purchase it will require restoration to certain cultural standards set by the Japanese government. They will have to spend at least 150k to fix it within three years if they want to keep it.

[@Bhanzen216]

Sorry mate, this just isn't true. While homes like that, and that contract for renovations do exist, this was not the case with ours.

[@Doug-rv3nr]

@@Bhanzen216 keep griftin bro 😅 when you realize your house info is public record with the local bank

[@Bhanzen216]

@@Doug-rv3nr I meant no offense, just factually speaking, our contract did not contain that clause. Also factually speaking, you're not wrong that houses like that do exist. Ours just isn't one of them. I don't know what my house info being with the local bank has to do with clarifying the truth of the matter.

[@stephensoto2126]

Wow. For the 30k. Good for them. That kid is gonna be in such a good zone to appreciate life

[@bixizapatero8256]

I don't blame them, Japan is a superior and civil society. Unlike the USA.

[@j2323j]

No

[@damham5689]

Japanese homes traditionally have only been built to last 20 to 30 years. Unlike in America where its 60 to 100 years. Outside of the cities in Japan most of the property thats very cheap has been empty and not maintained too. So its akin to buying a dilapidated home out in the sticks.

[@alexbernal4988]

That kind of thinking is what got you in debt forever. lol.

[@xnwn]

a lot of american homes are already hitting the 60 year mark and we can’t even afford the cost of maintenance or repairs. it’s not about a dilapidated home, it’s because there are not a lot of jobs in those areas. if this couple has remote work which they likely do, they’re fine.

[@HansensinJapan]

This is true for recent builds, but many houses built pre-WW2 are still going strong! Our house is over 100 years old and still structurally sound :) also in a fairly populated city, so we still have access to schools, shops, etc within walking distance. Not totally out in the sticks!

[@Rina.Chan001]

Oh a lot of houses there are built more than 100 years. Traditional ones especially though expensive to maintain but they are usually protected.

[@marcusoconner2805]

That’s not true. My neighborhood is falling apart. Our bridges are collapsing left and right.

[@baa-e9v]

hopefully they dont bring their politics to japan

[@UnkklRico]

Hopefully they’re ready for a strictly traditional lifestyle. None of that Seattle “progressive” garbage.

[@Trgn]

@@UnkklRico Japan is a very liberal place just very different from the crazy version of liberalism going on the US

[@internetperson9121]

Wait until they tell the school their kid is non-binary

[@yakhalheart]

Japan isn't exactly a evangelical GOP conservative place.

[@Trgn]

@@yakhalheart exactly it's even more liberal than the West in many aspect. Just that they have more common sense behaviour and respect in the public

[@ToVisitOctober]

Houses in Japan are cheaper than you’d expect because it is an Island. The land, however, costs more than you’d expect. 😂

[@totoro3007]

I really hope they know what they're doing because that's a whole new world to be in.

[@WhatTheHe11isTHAT]

He is about to have a massive culture shock.

[@NekoAshiJapan]

We have done this! We love our old house in Japan :)

[@HansensinJapan]

So fun!! Subscribed :)

[@NekoAshiJapan]

@@HansensinJapan Thank you! Have returned the favour! Looking forward to your updates 😀

[@pnw6324]

Good for them! Beautiful family getting out of stupid Seattle… best wishes

[@j00bs]

good lord. so many people are in for a wake up call after they move to japan.

[@daaaark]

how so?

[@j00bs]

@@daaaark theres a lot to regret lol so many western influencers have moved to japan only to struggle. just because many things are cheaper does not guarantee happy life for foreigners. Japan's culture and society is less gaijin-friendly than it appears on the surface. all the tourism in the past year has made locals even more aversive to tourists. i hope they can preserve their culture because Americans ruin everything they touch. speaking as a 2nd generation Japanese American

[@j00bs]

@@daaaark just look up all the youtubers who moved and now regret it. gaijin experience isn't that great. sure some things might be cheaper but foreigners are not appreciated over there. as a second generation Japanese American i can say the sentiment is strong that Americans abroad ruin everything they touch

[@dancruze]

​@@j00bs I've never heard japan described as cheap. 🤔

[@cbl6520]

It’s true, the Japanese are hyper nationalistic and EXTREMELY protective over of their culture, to the point where they don’t take kindly to foreigners and can be quite bigoted and even unapologetically racist at times (though this doesn’t apply to all of them). In their world, you’re either one of them, or you’re nothing and they want no association with you. Getting a cheap house is not worth being surrounded by toxic people with a pathological culture of non-acceptance.

[@Nuarmy]

Nice, lets go brandon!

[@benjamingarrett9960]

30k for a house⁉️⁉️⁉️ That's like $30 in Seattle terms.

[@minhvisual4265]

Japan is way cheaper to live at the moment. Lived there 3 years, late 2019-2024. Rent is around $1,000 for a 3 bedroom 1000 sq ft, 1 hr away from Tokyo. Food is 6-10 dollars for an actual meal not fast food, ramen is around 7 dollar. 18 plate of sushi come out to around 20-25 dollar, in America that would be around $60+ and the best part is no tip. Unlike in the state you pay more than double to eat out then pay 20% tip on top of that. Japan has excellent public transportation, if you want to buy a car you can get a nice used car for under 10,000, for like 20-80k miles. Even new car are more affordable plus they don’t sell you bs at the dealership and hike the price up. Now I’m in California, where everything is ridiculously expensive.

[@kaylagomez-ne2xt]

Tokyo is expensive and the couple is living in the middle of nowhere in Japan

[@catmi3068]

I hope they don’t sell their condo. If the condo is sold, it will be hard for the.m to move back to Seattle. There is a reason why it’s cheap. Best of luck

[@KingAlphaOmega]

Ya They'll rent it

[@daphne10120]

You can buy homes in Japan for extremely cheap. You have to ask why they aren’t selling to locals as well. A lot of these homes are not earthquake safe. This at least isn’t in a multilevel complex or in the city, but be very careful buying a cheap house in Japan. People have also deserted the country side to seek better paying jobs in the city. Hopefully it’s a sustainable transition for them.

[@Dreamer10888]

I love them as a couple

[@DeathByte]

Looks comfy and all your neighbors are gonna be nice af

[@Bhanzen216]

They really are super nice!

[@tac7826]

I hope Japan doesnt lose its identity.

[@danielking104]

You can buy a toyota here for 30k.

[@DwightStJohn-w1l]

and where, we all ask across the entire world, is "here".

[@eddieg6436]

…..My Toyota Land Cruiser cost $92,000 🤔🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️

[@ge2623]

@@eddieg6436 And who's fault is that?

[@bluefungi]

​@eddieg6436 Waste of money then. If a car works it works. 😂

[@bluefungi]

​@@eddieg6436Wasted bills right there. 😂

[@SnakePlantCollector]

That's a decent house. Nice.

[@skillz1855]

Congratulations

[@danielschmitt1935]

Washington state real estate is so out of touch with reality.

[@archprizm6066]

It's the only business they have so it just turned into a price gouging festival starting in the 1990s all the way to now

[@kaylagomez-ne2xt]

Seattle is expensive the couple shouldve moved to Colorado

[@jayceewilliams5250]

Man. That baby was knocked the f*ck out😂

[@ameliam9498]

Gosh I hate life in Washington state, I should have been in Japan a long time ago!

[@Zero8880]

This house reminds me of the one in the anime movie "Wolf Children".

[@cryforthemoon]

$30K because an earth quake will knock it all down.

[@david_zimmerman]

They probably have never heard of mura hachibu...

[@andyn2249]

Even Japanese do not buy a house tagged with $30k located in the middle of nowhere. The average price of apartments with 800 sqft in Tokyo exceeded $700k. It should be way cheaper than that of NY but I don't think it is affordable.

[@jazzyg530]

It's not the middle of nowhere. It's a 30-40 minute commute to a bigger city. It's a commuter town. They are making a great choice for their family.

[@HyperKilljoy112]

My aunt and uncle did something similar back in 2003/04. When they went to my grandpa’s funeral, my uncle fell in love with the landscape and opted to move to Thailand as for retirement. He didn’t really have much saved up, nor was he getting a lot out of social security. Move there and found a home and revitalized it. It’s a nice house in Kanachaburi province. They stayed there for almost twenty years, until his tragic accident two years ago.

[@dood6647]

I'd love that environment and little country home.

[@matten_zero]

Foreigners moving into Akiya's is the only way to save Japanese economy.

[@7_of_9]

$30,000 is tax payment annually in many states

[@dex6316]

Complete nonsense. The average state(including local taxes) collects 11.2% in taxes from their residents. Annually that’s 268K for 30K in taxes which is pretty wealthy. In New York(the highest tax state) the burden is 15.9% which is 189K in income for 30K in taxes. While the numbers won’t be exact due to a mixture of taxes based on income and lifestyle, you have to be rich to pay 30K in taxes to your state and local governments.

[@strongerthanyouallday]

Dude what? For a 1,000sf house annual taxes are $800 in Colorado.

[@okhondaguy3288]

How can they live there without residency status?

[@DwightStJohn-w1l]

My guess is they work remotely , and will have to update their residency regularly. ONE issue and you're on a one way track to a plane out of the country. Welcome to Japan.

[@danielnam9026]

“Wife is half Japanese and has family that lives there.”

[@okhondaguy3288]

My DNA is 20 percent Japanese. Wonder if they will take me there. I am good at fixing Hondas.

[@noseboop4354]

@@okhondaguy3288 Go consult an immigration lawyer, when there's a will there's a way.

[@kristinab1078]

@@okhondaguy3288 You should check it out. If you have a family, that may be even more of a plus b/c they need more children to bolster their population. :)

[@xioaqiong0670]

We don't know the history of that house😅

[@napa7m115]

Hell yeah. That house is a piece of art.

[@Susanc06]

Nobody talked about how they have income to be able to pay every month. What kind of jobs they have?

[@vonniofdoom5590]

That house will likely continue to decline in price, just cuz it’s seems cheap doesn’t mean it can’t get a whole lot cheaper

[@ingodwetrustdellaware-inc8322]

Lets Go to Japan.. 😂❤😂

[@icemeoutlikeelsa]

No one is going to mention he's clearly you know!

[@sa3270]

I don't know, unless you say it.

[@Bhanzen216]

Say it 😬

[@icemeoutlikeelsa]

@@Bhanzen216 in the closet

[@icemeoutlikeelsa]

​@@sa3270 he's in the closet

[@Bhanzen216]

@@icemeoutlikeelsa nice lol.

[@toshiamiyumi2604]

Japan is a nice country to live in so I'm not surprised japanese americans are willing to go back with all the shit that is happening in the states... Idk how this is interesting or news worthy or a solution to non Japanese Americans to just move to a country with a completely different culture or live in a society that is not particularly interested in westerners outside of business.

[@kristinab1078]

I agree. As a non Japanese living and working in Japan, I would most definitely consider a property purchase or possibly permanent relocation, if I had the advantage of being part Japanese.

[@susumukawamoto2924]

Can't find a "move-in ready" house in Japan for $30,000.

[@skeezix8156]

I can’t even build a garage for $30,000 in Seattle

[@johnamacio4905]

Very good decision 👏

[@orangedrone]

But they’ll still have to pay taxes to the US tho

[@lqfr8813]

for you who are interested with cheap houses in japan's countryside, hire a consultant that can check houses problems. if you bought a house without looking at the main pillar condition, you might buy a house that is supposed to be rebuild after the main pillar got damaged by EQ. theres a regulation on how many years a building/houses must be rebuild there in japan because the constant EQ chipping down the safety to keep the structure intact from EQ impact

[@TheBulge]

That's not even the major issue with it. Japan's rapidly plummeting birth rates mean they do not want foreigners without Japanese blood to come to the country and stay. They make exceptions for half Japanese so this couple should be fine but unless you are incredibly well versed in Japanese culture and language or have Japanese blood ties, you will likely not be welcomed in their countryside.

[@rdelnaja2558]

Some folks seem to be so focus on $30k and not trying to understand at what cost? $30k house only solves part of a problem with the US housing market.

[@trex1448]

But then you have to live in the Japanese countryside... public transportation is super expensive and you're going to miss being able to going out to get a slurpy from 711 or ordering pizza, etc.

[@stevehamlin9731]

they'll probably be back in a couple of months

[@Demyn]

What part of the countryside is expensive beside a shinkansen ticket to a major city? Yeah the countryside here is mostly rice fields and mountains but there is still everything you need within a short drive.

[@WaterFruitTree]

@Demyn This dude has no idea what he's talking about and it really doesn't matter. Transportation is cheap, and if you're willing to put in the work, all of this is very achievable. But the mental barrier to entry keeps the competition low, which is nice.

[@Mwoods2272]

Most people that live in the countryside have cars to get around

[@HansensinJapan]

Sounds like you haven't been to a Japanese 7-11 yet! They're the best, totally worth trading slurpees for. Public transportation is a bit slower in our area so we'll need a car, but it's still leaps and bounds ahead of American public transport 😅

[@cheezchris]

Why is this on the news? There are tons of people have been doing this for ages, for 30k in some countries you can have a mansion with a full compound with armed guards and maids installed.

[@kylem1112]

"THE NEWS" as if all news stories are compiled onto one entity, and there isn't thousands of broadcasts around the world at every second of the day in dozens of languages. What kind of question even is that? Lmao 🤣 "the news"

[@ProxCQ]

Isn't that one of those Japanese old style houses that are set to be demolished because the structure is unsafe, but it is more expensive to demolish and rebuild than it is to sell and move on?

[@fusionryan3855]

Thats exactly what my mom wants to do but back in El Salvador. And even more so because El Salvador is pretty safe believe me I was born there. For now we live here in North Hollywood California. CONGRATS 🎉 TO THE COUPLE

[@freedyorozco8451]

Who cares

[@potleyagits]

I suppose Japanese country-side is less stressful but pays less? Japanese workers have reputation of being overworked. My husband is half-Japanese and while I love visiting, I don’t think I can work their crazy hours. 😊

[@DestinationJapan95]

🤦‍♂️

[@basicbarks]

They've been watching Shōgun, a lil too much 😅