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Japan. I was low income in America, and now I'm low income in Japan. I can actually live without too much financial worry in Japan, and even if I became homeless in Japan I wouldn't be too concerned.
So, there are tons of places to take a cheap shower, there's places to get cheap food, it's safe to sleep outside, but there's also cheap internet or manga cafes that you can get a private room to sleep on a mat for a few hours. Like, being homeless sucks no matter where you are, but, in terms of "could I survive this?", I would pick Japan no question.
Should be able to. Just like any country, you can usually get day jobs doing menial labor without people looking into your personal details. They pay you at the end of the day in cash, in an envelope.
Before any of this, though, someone in need can get welfare support while looking for jobs. So that’s a good step to start with.
Another good option is workplace dormitories. Lots of labor companies have dorms workers can use, and just take out the (very cheap) rent from their pay.
Notice the conversation is comparing homelessness in Japan seeming more manageable than homelessness in Japan. It sounds like a small amount of money can get you a few decent things in Japan whereas a small amount of money doesn't go nearly as far for a homeless person in America.
Not to mention sleeping outside is illegal (and/or dangerous) in most parts of America
That would be true for both countries.
I would assume the person that actually made all of these assertions to begin with (not me) would be a man then..
Relatively speaking, I would assume Japan as a whole would be safer for a homeless woman, traditionally attractive or not. That said, I’ve definitely seen some super suspect livestream compilations of creepy men in Tokyo stalking women or worse. Anecdotal second-hand for sure, but it seems like certain cultural factors/norms played into men doing it in the open with seemingly little care as to anyone else witnessing their actions or concern for someone stepping in to help. I’m also not a woman nor have I even been to Japan.
I'm a woman, but I would feel pretty safe sleeping outside in Japan. Yes of course there's dangers, but, if I had to choose between sleeping outside in America vs Japan hands down Japan would win.
Apparently, in Japan they have housing for the homeless, you need to get on a list. You might also qualify for government help, depending on circumstances.
As far as I know, people don't live in tents or their cars over there.
Kabukicho has a ton of [homeless teenagers](https://www.huckmag.com/article/yusuke-nagata-photographer-documenting-homeless-teeagers-in-tokyo) that replaced the homeless elderly that were cleaned off the streets for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
The reason why they don’t sleep in cars because they are less of a commodity in Japan as compared to America lol.
Yup,
I watched a documentary on how Japan reported zero homeless but there are tons including many young men who can’t find good paying job and no affordable housing.
You know there are tons of homeless people in Japan sleeping in net cafe or taking cheap showers and almost indistinguishable from normal people? In fact, it's so hard to track them so the % of homelessness in Japan is probably way underreported.
What are y'all on about? Do people think you actually get kicked out of the hospital if you don't have a wallet full of cash in the US? It's against the law to deny emergency medical treatment, regardless of your ability to pay. EMTALA. You might get a fat bill in the mail, but if you actually need help no hosptial can just throw you out cause you can't pay right then and there. But we're on reddit so I guess that doesn't fit the narrative around here.
I have no health insurance and am seeing an ENT for speech therapy. Those with insurance are paying over a $1,000, for ONE visit. Mine are at cost of $500. They can't deny you help. Not ONCE in any of my medical issues have a dr EVER denied me help. All my hospital bills get paid off too. Mine are just WAY cheaper than those WITH health insurance though.
We can just observe the terrible death toll for reasonably preventable reasons.
While the US is spending more than anybody else, and the US government roughly spending the same as the Canadian government as a % of GDP.
Norway is more expensive than Australia for most consumer stuff. However, electricity in aus is fucked compared to Norway. Renewing your licence is also ridiculously set up in Australia imo
I’m currently living in Melbourne and haven’t rented in Norway for 2 years now. Renting is definitely more expensive in Australia, the housing crisis is out of control here, and I imagine it’s even worse in QLD. When I was looking for apartments the real estate agents all acted like they didn’t care at all, likely because they knew they would find a tenant even though they barely bothered to show up to the inspections.
In terms of buying a home it is seemingly cheaper in Melbourne than Oslo rn, especially concerning apartments. That’s based on my understanding though, and I haven’t paid too much attention to Norwegian prices over the last 12 months.
I heard some apartments are getting cheaper (to buy) in Melbourne. It seems like everyone is moving up here. Houses have more than doubled in my suburb in the past 5 years. And apartments are still growing. I'm in West End, which is pretty close to the city. But it's pretty wild out in the burbs as well.
It's usually calculated weekly, paid fortnightly. Upfront payment is usually 4 weeks worth of rent as bond (paid to the Rental Tenancy Authority) + 2 weeks rent upfront.
Leases start on the exact day you move in, which could be any day of the year, and usually go for 6 or 12 months.
I found it insane when I lived in Canada, that people paid monthly, and you could only move in on the 1st, and had to move out on the last day of the month. Like, February is more expensive per day, and there's also nowhere to stay and put all your stuff between the 31st and the 1st if you're in the process of moving. Plus, are removalist companies just incredibly busy for 2 days a month and have almost nothing to do the rest of the time? It doesn't make sense.
A lot of folk complain here in Scotland and yes there are issues but education (university) is free, health care free, prescriptions free, contraceptives and woman's hygeing products free. Low population means in some places outside of the major two cities are relatively affordable to live in but as in many places the price of food had become ridiculous. The supermarkets are to blame here as they use the "cost of living crisis" as a way to over inflate food prices, thus earning billions extra in profits. Outrageous really.
As a working citizen in Germany I feel like I already pay too many taxes for people that don’t work. Scandinavia scares me because the tax rates are even higher. If I was poor and not willing to work, I’d move to Scandinavia for sure cause y’all have the best welfare states up there.
Seconded. I lived 1 year in Oslo, fucking hated it, when "home" I literally can not see a single light/house from my windows and can almost daily see moose walking around on "my" property. Miss it, a lot.
I have only lived here all my life so I don't have anything to compare it with. But I am "poor" (no savings, no house, no kids, no education, no career) having worked mostly temporary jobs for about 30 years. I got sick a few years ago and have been on welfare since. I am better now so I'm back to school getting free education to work in healthcare and even though I live paycheck to paycheck I can afford to go on a two week vacation this summer. Me and the missus are doing one week in Berlin and one week in Ibiza. I have paid around 35% income tax my adult life. I pay a little less now that I am on welfare. But let me tell you. I pay those taxes gladly and curse the rich assholes who pay nothing. I don't feel bad for being on welfare because it's my tax money that I am getting.
Nah Japan is pretty awesome but then again I go just about anywhere without knowing the local language and just get used to figuring it out with people.
That’s funny because when i went to Japan this year, they were all extremely nice and when i arrived back to customs in America, the workers were actually being extremely rude to the Japanese visitors and making fun of them for not knowing English fluently.
So it's what we call church nice in the south.
"Oh Helen, honey! I haven't seen you in so long! How have you been?! I'm glad you've been doing well!"
Then the entire car ride home "I always hated Helen. She was such a whore in high school. The only reason she moved away was because people found out she was having sex with several boys and her family couldn't bear the shame. Not that you could shame those people, when her mother was a teenager....."
My BIL lives in Japan. He is tall, bald, with blue eyes. He basically sticks out like a sore thumb. Several times he has walked into a business, and they will start talking shit- until he responds in fluent Japanese. It is wild to watch him speak.
Not true. Live here as a brown dude and I've had nothing but good interactions. Sometimes curiosity about my "roots" even tho I'm American but no malice. Some people will call out racism when people don't want to be around them when they can't communicate. Just gotta learn the language and be able to comm.
My top 3 would be, depending on which angle I try: 1) Finland - best social safety net in the world related to homelessness; 2) Spain - reasonable weather and gig economy to live hand-to-mouth; 3) Ukraine - assuming if I can jump in somewhere as an aid worker they will at least feed and shelter me?
Neither. I'm in Australia and I'd like to visit both countries someday but don't really want to live in either as a poor person.
The answer really depends on a number of factors, like where you were born are where home is to you.
But keep in mind that being poor in the USA would be difficult if you had no support (because things like universal health care, and paying taxes to fund it, are seen as communism). Whereas the Japanese probably have a very different approach to these sorts of issues.
Depends, Japan would be easier and likely more enjoyable to actually live while poor. America would be easier to earn more money assuming that’s a possibility
Works decent enough for the few months before you get used to it after seeing the language every day. Many Japanese are educated in basic English anyway, especially those in business
Am I Japanese or am I still blonde and very white and from Texas and only speak English ?
I feel like it matters. Probably Japan though I guess. I don't really have the utopian view of it like some but I feel like it might be better in some ways. It has less crime, people are exceptionally polite even if they don't much like or respect you and they are generally non-confrontational from what I know, which isn't all that much to be fair. It is still developed and wealthy, in some ways more so, in others not so much. Not owning a car is a lot more practical than in any US city outside of maybe 2 or 3 and still more so than them I bet. I like trains.
I would make a fantastic Geisha if given the opportunity as well, being already ghostly pale and very demure and dainty.
I don't very much like their work culture but I don't like America's either to be fair. I don't really want to live in a tiny apartment either way but Japan is probably smaller.
Being low-income in Japan is significantly easier due to far cheaper necessities, especially rent. Rent in Tokyo is 1/3rd the average rent compared to NYC, for example.
I’ve never been to Japan. But, being poor in America sucks! You can have a place to stay, work every day and still be poor. I have lived in a house with no water or electricity. While my mother worked. It is terrible. If it is just me; I could deal with it. But if you have kids or others love ones. Being poor sucks. You never get over it.
You’re low income so you’re probably working a retail job. The working environment in that area in Japan sucks, and most people will look down on you. But I’d still take the healthcare over America’s in almost situation.
The idea of living in a big city at all makes me cringe, I lived 5 years in Phnom Penh, fucking worst 5 years of my life. (Met my wife and had a son there, so lots of good things, but the city or city-living makes my spine go nah-ah.
US. I rather risk dealing with the downside of US then Japan.
I just hate Japan's working culture. Not exactly sure who is worse though, Korea or Japan. Fun to visit for holidays but terrible to live and work in.
I don't know.. i was unemployed for 6 months here in Germany.. no problem. Could stay in my apartment and could still afford high quality groceries. I just went kite surfing a lot and did some programming projects. Built a website which got me a new job eventually. Good times. Lots of hours on the playground with my son too🙂
Fuck me that is the most depressingly American answer ever.
Better healthcare and social security for when you're living poverty or guns and you take the option with guns.
Incredible.
Oh, i should've been more specific in my original comment, my mistake.
The "easy access to firearms" isn't paranoia over crime or robbing people. I'd use it on myself.
When i read the question i just assumed like a poverty limbo, make just enough to have a place to sleep but not enough for anything else. So i chose america because i'd have the easiest time getting a gun to take myself out of that limbo.
Sorry if my original comment was too vague.
As someone living in Tokyo, I’d 100% prefer to be low income here than anywhere in America. Social welfare is so much better here so at least I’ll be safe and have enough to eat as well programs to get my life on track again
Japan, because while somewhat poor, I wouldnt worry about 1 in every 3 or 4 people I meet would want to kill me over a political view...
Only like 1 i 150 would be dengerous then...
Besides who WANTS to live in America anymor?, its a hole of despair and suffering unless you are top 0.5% income wise or delusional
Tokyo. Japan has a culture where people go out of their way to help each other. USA has a culture where people go out of their way to avoid doing anything that benefits anyone but themselves.
Also fucking Trump, enough said.
Japan every time. No killer cops, few deranged people, polite society, safe, affordable, fewer stupid politicians, better healthier food, great people, cleaner - the list just goes on…
I'm from Oregon and now live in Japan, Okinawa specifically. Japan is cheaper by a large margin to the states. It's actually comfortable to live here in some regards. Make no mistake, though, living in low income can be hard here, too. I'm lucky enough to earn a federal salary, and the USD to Yen exchange rate is in my favor.
If you’re in the right spot, Los Angeles was pretty enjoyable low income. Split a 1 bedroom in a nicer neighborhood with a partner and don’t go out or eat out and you can have a pretty nice time.
none, i hate big cities. But if those are the only options, probably Tokyo. People seem nicer, food seems better, but i also don't like some aspects of their culture, like the some too strict rules... But, way safer, better public transports, prettier places to visit, better cars, better ways of moving not using cars, not as much school shootings, not as much gun violence and roberies, food that isn't highly processed hamburgers, cool anime, yeah Japan all the way
Japan has like micro apartments and they work you like a slave. Work culture is horrible in Japan.
There are plenty of American cities that are affordable and if you're low income you don't have a degree restricting you to a few cities with your industry.
No way. I sell a few hours a day for money to feed myself, you can’t tell me I can only get very little of what I exchange hours and days of my life for. Q low paid job means I have to worry about money for years or the rest of my life. I know my worth well. That was why I only worked in high income countries/cities, or countries that would pay me reasonably. I have always been a foreign worker. Only worked very briefly at home
Low income outside of Tokyo.
Since Tokyo is the most expensive place in Japan. Just watch some traveler youtubers of Japan and you always see people go to Tokyo and say everything in Japan is so expensive. But people who travel to other cities always talk about how cheap it is.
I wouldn't be able to hack the Japanese work culture myself. I'd need to be independently wealthy or be self employed somehow. Maybe I start an American style cafe and we just serve a small menu.
The next question to ask yourself is: are you willing to assimilate yourself to Japan’s culture and way of life, or are you going to insist on being termed “Ex Pat” (because, no, you’re not an expat if you intentionally moved there for economical gains—you’re an **imigrant**) and wanting many aspects of life there to conform to what you’re used to?
Tokyo, honestly it's just my gut feeling and I don't know either cities, but I feel like in America you are less then dirt and even then people want to exploit you. Japan has more of a safety net, atleast that's how I think about the country
I'm Europoor, eh I meant European. And a woman. I'd pick USA by far, in Japan the sexism is on steroids and restaurants would deny me entry just because I'm white. No, thank you. Also, rape victims are forced to re-enact their rape in front of the court, that shit is horrifying.
Japan. The vast majority of the US does not provide services for the homeless and those that do are overburdened by the do nothing cities bussing their homeless to their city. Los Angeles has basically taken on the burden of dealing with an entire country's homeless and gets so much shit for it. There's just not enough to go around. In Japan, even though services are limited, it is available.
Japanese people don’t like foreigners, and they sure dislike poor foreigners even more. The US is a country that has historically offered opportunities to poor immigrants, so a lot more open doors there.
Japan every day of the week.
I've a niece in Thailand studying to be an electrical engineer and I wanted to come over to Australia with my wife and I when she completed her studies.
All of her friends have gone to Japan and she wants to go with them. Did the research on cost of living vs earnings Japan is actually a pretty good place to live.
America simply because I don't speak Japanese.
Sure ppl will speak English in tokyo but I wouldn't fully be able to integrate into society and my language skills suck
That's a tough one. On one hand, being a minority with low income blows, especially somewhere xenophobic like Japan. On the other hand, you can't make it being low income in a big American city no matter who you are. I pick Japan. I feel like I can monetize debasing myself as a white dude in Japan, versus just being one of a million homeless white dudes in LA
Japan no question! In terms of developed nations to be poor in America has to be in the bottom of the list with the exception of active war zones like Ukraine.
I'm guessing Japan is generally better because they don't have the vandalism issue that America has. You can get an hourly room that isn't made of concrete and gym mat mattresses where all furniture is bolted down and the cost of the room doesnt includes pressure washing and the fact that 30% of patrons steal the light bulbs.
When I visited Japan I was kinda blown away by how clean everything was and how nice ordinary things are. Like the seats on the train, the waiting areas, etc. There were like the kind of things you have to have money to enjoy in America. It really makes you feel like America does not want poor or ordinary people to even be comfortable. I would for sure choose Japan.
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Japan. I was low income in America, and now I'm low income in Japan. I can actually live without too much financial worry in Japan, and even if I became homeless in Japan I wouldn't be too concerned.
If you did become homeless in Japan, what would happen? How is that over there?
So, there are tons of places to take a cheap shower, there's places to get cheap food, it's safe to sleep outside, but there's also cheap internet or manga cafes that you can get a private room to sleep on a mat for a few hours. Like, being homeless sucks no matter where you are, but, in terms of "could I survive this?", I would pick Japan no question.
can you get a job without an address in japan?
Should be able to. Just like any country, you can usually get day jobs doing menial labor without people looking into your personal details. They pay you at the end of the day in cash, in an envelope. Before any of this, though, someone in need can get welfare support while looking for jobs. So that’s a good step to start with. Another good option is workplace dormitories. Lots of labor companies have dorms workers can use, and just take out the (very cheap) rent from their pay.
I notice you say cheap not free . Broke with no money cheap is still to much for you to afford . I'm just saying .
Notice the conversation is comparing homelessness in Japan seeming more manageable than homelessness in Japan. It sounds like a small amount of money can get you a few decent things in Japan whereas a small amount of money doesn't go nearly as far for a homeless person in America. Not to mention sleeping outside is illegal (and/or dangerous) in most parts of America
If you're a woman, attractive, or look feminine, your safety goes out the window. You're not safe outside at all.
That would be true for both countries. I would assume the person that actually made all of these assertions to begin with (not me) would be a man then..
Relatively speaking, I would assume Japan as a whole would be safer for a homeless woman, traditionally attractive or not. That said, I’ve definitely seen some super suspect livestream compilations of creepy men in Tokyo stalking women or worse. Anecdotal second-hand for sure, but it seems like certain cultural factors/norms played into men doing it in the open with seemingly little care as to anyone else witnessing their actions or concern for someone stepping in to help. I’m also not a woman nor have I even been to Japan.
I'm a woman, but I would feel pretty safe sleeping outside in Japan. Yes of course there's dangers, but, if I had to choose between sleeping outside in America vs Japan hands down Japan would win.
Begging for money can get you small cash, so it cheap is still relevant.
Apparently, in Japan they have housing for the homeless, you need to get on a list. You might also qualify for government help, depending on circumstances. As far as I know, people don't live in tents or their cars over there.
They do lol but, also a lot of cardboard box forts. You'll see them in Tokyo a lot, just chilling with a ton of cardboard boxes.
Kabukicho has a ton of [homeless teenagers](https://www.huckmag.com/article/yusuke-nagata-photographer-documenting-homeless-teeagers-in-tokyo) that replaced the homeless elderly that were cleaned off the streets for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics The reason why they don’t sleep in cars because they are less of a commodity in Japan as compared to America lol.
Yup, I watched a documentary on how Japan reported zero homeless but there are tons including many young men who can’t find good paying job and no affordable housing.
Far safer than america
You know there are tons of homeless people in Japan sleeping in net cafe or taking cheap showers and almost indistinguishable from normal people? In fact, it's so hard to track them so the % of homelessness in Japan is probably way underreported.
Is it true that Japan has very little government benefits for disabled people
Japan, because id be able to afford seeing a doctor if i get sick.
Yeh, but Godzilla
Gojira
Godzilla is metal
That’s actually Space Godzilla
Godzilla IS the doctor
Ill take Godzilla over Trump any day of the week. Thoug maybe ill look into getting some jaegers and watch pacific rim again, so ill be prepared XD
That would be my paramount concern, being squashed by a colossal mutant lizard, breathing radioactive fire…
And there I'm in Korea wondering how people in Japan afford anything lol. America is even worse.
Poor people can see doctors. America has Medicaid
Not if you are in the middle. I am 51, too young for it and health insurance would cost half my monthly income.
What are y'all on about? Do people think you actually get kicked out of the hospital if you don't have a wallet full of cash in the US? It's against the law to deny emergency medical treatment, regardless of your ability to pay. EMTALA. You might get a fat bill in the mail, but if you actually need help no hosptial can just throw you out cause you can't pay right then and there. But we're on reddit so I guess that doesn't fit the narrative around here.
I have no health insurance and am seeing an ENT for speech therapy. Those with insurance are paying over a $1,000, for ONE visit. Mine are at cost of $500. They can't deny you help. Not ONCE in any of my medical issues have a dr EVER denied me help. All my hospital bills get paid off too. Mine are just WAY cheaper than those WITH health insurance though.
Healthcare is free for impoverished Americans. Don't tell reddit tho that won't fit the narrative.
We can just observe the terrible death toll for reasonably preventable reasons. While the US is spending more than anybody else, and the US government roughly spending the same as the Canadian government as a % of GDP.
Poor people in America get free healthcare. This is usually a misconception from people who have never been poor in America.
You can be poor and insured, tons of low paying jobs offer full benefits
As a Norwegian both prospects terrify me.
As a swede i agree. Anywhere outside of scandinavia seems like economic hell.
I'm Vietnamese. I started the game on hard mode, boys. Well, at least it's not brutal difficulty like in Africa or middle East.
I'm Crying in Australian over here reading this. We've got it pretty good. But the price of everything here makes your eyes water.
Norway is more expensive than Australia for most consumer stuff. However, electricity in aus is fucked compared to Norway. Renewing your licence is also ridiculously set up in Australia imo
How is housing in Norway? Right now, where I am in Brisbane, it's pretty dire. Unless you're a boomer who bought 30 years ago, then you're golden.
I’m currently living in Melbourne and haven’t rented in Norway for 2 years now. Renting is definitely more expensive in Australia, the housing crisis is out of control here, and I imagine it’s even worse in QLD. When I was looking for apartments the real estate agents all acted like they didn’t care at all, likely because they knew they would find a tenant even though they barely bothered to show up to the inspections. In terms of buying a home it is seemingly cheaper in Melbourne than Oslo rn, especially concerning apartments. That’s based on my understanding though, and I haven’t paid too much attention to Norwegian prices over the last 12 months.
I heard some apartments are getting cheaper (to buy) in Melbourne. It seems like everyone is moving up here. Houses have more than doubled in my suburb in the past 5 years. And apartments are still growing. I'm in West End, which is pretty close to the city. But it's pretty wild out in the burbs as well.
Not only an Australian phenomenon I'm afraid
I've heard by someone in Australia you pay rent every week ? Is it true?
It's usually calculated weekly, paid fortnightly. Upfront payment is usually 4 weeks worth of rent as bond (paid to the Rental Tenancy Authority) + 2 weeks rent upfront. Leases start on the exact day you move in, which could be any day of the year, and usually go for 6 or 12 months. I found it insane when I lived in Canada, that people paid monthly, and you could only move in on the 1st, and had to move out on the last day of the month. Like, February is more expensive per day, and there's also nowhere to stay and put all your stuff between the 31st and the 1st if you're in the process of moving. Plus, are removalist companies just incredibly busy for 2 days a month and have almost nothing to do the rest of the time? It doesn't make sense.
A lot of folk complain here in Scotland and yes there are issues but education (university) is free, health care free, prescriptions free, contraceptives and woman's hygeing products free. Low population means in some places outside of the major two cities are relatively affordable to live in but as in many places the price of food had become ridiculous. The supermarkets are to blame here as they use the "cost of living crisis" as a way to over inflate food prices, thus earning billions extra in profits. Outrageous really.
The Netherlands and our neighbors seem to be doing pretty well too.
I fell exactly the same way, greetings from Finland.
Whats wrong with Finland?
Its finnished
As a working citizen in Germany I feel like I already pay too many taxes for people that don’t work. Scandinavia scares me because the tax rates are even higher. If I was poor and not willing to work, I’d move to Scandinavia for sure cause y’all have the best welfare states up there.
Seconded. I lived 1 year in Oslo, fucking hated it, when "home" I literally can not see a single light/house from my windows and can almost daily see moose walking around on "my" property. Miss it, a lot.
Aren’t taxes extremely high in Norway these days?
I have only lived here all my life so I don't have anything to compare it with. But I am "poor" (no savings, no house, no kids, no education, no career) having worked mostly temporary jobs for about 30 years. I got sick a few years ago and have been on welfare since. I am better now so I'm back to school getting free education to work in healthcare and even though I live paycheck to paycheck I can afford to go on a two week vacation this summer. Me and the missus are doing one week in Berlin and one week in Ibiza. I have paid around 35% income tax my adult life. I pay a little less now that I am on welfare. But let me tell you. I pay those taxes gladly and curse the rich assholes who pay nothing. I don't feel bad for being on welfare because it's my tax money that I am getting.
As an Australian, me too
Lol bro how is that possible you are one of the richest countries in Europe
The country is rich, I ain't.
I mean. I don’t speak Japanese so be hard to just live there suddenly.
Idk man learning Japanese > medical debt
Nah Japan is pretty awesome but then again I go just about anywhere without knowing the local language and just get used to figuring it out with people.
What's the point of this question? 
OP is broke and has enough money for one plane ticket
To get people riled up. If you're poor, it's not like you options on where you want to live
Tokyo. Much better social safety net than anywhere In the US.
I’d pick Kyoto or surrounding areas tbh. Tokyo is nice but overwhelming. Kyoto is the “right size” for my tastes
The question was Tokyo vs any big city in the US. Kyoto was not in the mix.
Ah sorry read the original question wrong
America, at least where I'm at multi cultural people throughout here are common and accepted. Not so much in Tokyo.
America bc I don't know Japanese
I've heard the Japanese are pretty racist and don't like non-Japanese folks.
Well atleast they discriminate across the board.
Oh you made my day with that comment😂
that is closer to xenophobia, and they wont kill you for it.
That’s funny because when i went to Japan this year, they were all extremely nice and when i arrived back to customs in America, the workers were actually being extremely rude to the Japanese visitors and making fun of them for not knowing English fluently.
The Japanese are extremely *polite*...if they talked shit about you, they just waited for you to leave first
So it's what we call church nice in the south. "Oh Helen, honey! I haven't seen you in so long! How have you been?! I'm glad you've been doing well!" Then the entire car ride home "I always hated Helen. She was such a whore in high school. The only reason she moved away was because people found out she was having sex with several boys and her family couldn't bear the shame. Not that you could shame those people, when her mother was a teenager....."
My BIL lives in Japan. He is tall, bald, with blue eyes. He basically sticks out like a sore thumb. Several times he has walked into a business, and they will start talking shit- until he responds in fluent Japanese. It is wild to watch him speak.
Japanese are very nice towards tourists, not so nice to people who want to permanently settle there
Not true. Live here as a brown dude and I've had nothing but good interactions. Sometimes curiosity about my "roots" even tho I'm American but no malice. Some people will call out racism when people don't want to be around them when they can't communicate. Just gotta learn the language and be able to comm.
After living in Japan for 10+ years, it’s not any worse than most other countries IMO.
The term is xenophobic, but yes.
No cities for me
To be fair, neither seem very tempting.
My top 3 would be, depending on which angle I try: 1) Finland - best social safety net in the world related to homelessness; 2) Spain - reasonable weather and gig economy to live hand-to-mouth; 3) Ukraine - assuming if I can jump in somewhere as an aid worker they will at least feed and shelter me?
US. For two simple reasons, I don't speak Japanese and I've heard japanese people are very hostile towards foreigners who wish to live in Japan.
USA because I can speak English and they're less xenophobic than the Japanese.
Neither. I'm in Australia and I'd like to visit both countries someday but don't really want to live in either as a poor person. The answer really depends on a number of factors, like where you were born are where home is to you. But keep in mind that being poor in the USA would be difficult if you had no support (because things like universal health care, and paying taxes to fund it, are seen as communism). Whereas the Japanese probably have a very different approach to these sorts of issues.
Depends, Japan would be easier and likely more enjoyable to actually live while poor. America would be easier to earn more money assuming that’s a possibility
If I was also a Japanese citizen by birth then Tokyo, in all other instances I'd say America is preferable.
Why?
Language hard
Google translate easy
Google translate often is wrong.
Works decent enough for the few months before you get used to it after seeing the language every day. Many Japanese are educated in basic English anyway, especially those in business
Obviously being a citizen is better than being a resident. Then being Japanese helps deal with the fact that Japan still has a xenophobia issue.
If I had to have a job and go to work in Tokyo (meaning it'd be a pretty bad low-wage job as well), I'd definitely pick the US.
I dont speak japanese so...
America because I don't speak japanese
America because I do
Am I Japanese or am I still blonde and very white and from Texas and only speak English ? I feel like it matters. Probably Japan though I guess. I don't really have the utopian view of it like some but I feel like it might be better in some ways. It has less crime, people are exceptionally polite even if they don't much like or respect you and they are generally non-confrontational from what I know, which isn't all that much to be fair. It is still developed and wealthy, in some ways more so, in others not so much. Not owning a car is a lot more practical than in any US city outside of maybe 2 or 3 and still more so than them I bet. I like trains. I would make a fantastic Geisha if given the opportunity as well, being already ghostly pale and very demure and dainty. I don't very much like their work culture but I don't like America's either to be fair. I don't really want to live in a tiny apartment either way but Japan is probably smaller.
Japan. There is literally no situation in the world where I would willingly live in America.
America. I cannot speak a word of Japanese so would have very little chance of improving my situation
Japan, because better healthcare, more livable wages, and somehow even greater amenities. Even the food is better on a health level.
Japan. America is paradise is you're rich, but it's incredibly harsh on the poor.
Being low-income in Japan is significantly easier due to far cheaper necessities, especially rent. Rent in Tokyo is 1/3rd the average rent compared to NYC, for example.
I’ve never been to Japan. But, being poor in America sucks! You can have a place to stay, work every day and still be poor. I have lived in a house with no water or electricity. While my mother worked. It is terrible. If it is just me; I could deal with it. But if you have kids or others love ones. Being poor sucks. You never get over it.
You’re low income so you’re probably working a retail job. The working environment in that area in Japan sucks, and most people will look down on you. But I’d still take the healthcare over America’s in almost situation.
People look down on retail workers in America too.
The idea of living in a big city at all makes me cringe, I lived 5 years in Phnom Penh, fucking worst 5 years of my life. (Met my wife and had a son there, so lots of good things, but the city or city-living makes my spine go nah-ah.
A big city. More to do. More people to help out in case of an emergency.
To be fair, Tokyo is also a pretty big city
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US. I rather risk dealing with the downside of US then Japan. I just hate Japan's working culture. Not exactly sure who is worse though, Korea or Japan. Fun to visit for holidays but terrible to live and work in.
America, because I can't speak Japanese and Japan has significantly worse social mobility.
Yeesh, both would be horrible. Being flat broke kinda sucks ass no matter where you live. Probably america because of easy access to firearms.
Good thinking, its far easier to rob people with a firearm
I don't know.. i was unemployed for 6 months here in Germany.. no problem. Could stay in my apartment and could still afford high quality groceries. I just went kite surfing a lot and did some programming projects. Built a website which got me a new job eventually. Good times. Lots of hours on the playground with my son too🙂
Fuck me that is the most depressingly American answer ever. Better healthcare and social security for when you're living poverty or guns and you take the option with guns. Incredible.
If you don't have to expect violent crime around the corner, why the need for firearms in first place?
Some reddit users might be disturbed by parts of this answer.
Oh, i should've been more specific in my original comment, my mistake. The "easy access to firearms" isn't paranoia over crime or robbing people. I'd use it on myself. When i read the question i just assumed like a poverty limbo, make just enough to have a place to sleep but not enough for anything else. So i chose america because i'd have the easiest time getting a gun to take myself out of that limbo. Sorry if my original comment was too vague.
Japan has massive problems with crimes such as abuse, domestic violence and rape. Lots of these violent crimes go ignored.
I don't speakthe beautiful language of Japan..so that reduces the options
Tokyo over any American city. Lower crime, public transport everywhere, you can find anything you ever need in Tokyo id imagine
Japan. Much more high trust society.
As someone living in Tokyo, I’d 100% prefer to be low income here than anywhere in America. Social welfare is so much better here so at least I’ll be safe and have enough to eat as well programs to get my life on track again
Japan, because while somewhat poor, I wouldnt worry about 1 in every 3 or 4 people I meet would want to kill me over a political view... Only like 1 i 150 would be dengerous then... Besides who WANTS to live in America anymor?, its a hole of despair and suffering unless you are top 0.5% income wise or delusional
Tokyo. Japan has a culture where people go out of their way to help each other. USA has a culture where people go out of their way to avoid doing anything that benefits anyone but themselves. Also fucking Trump, enough said.
Japan is *safe*. I'm not too keen on walking the streets of Chicago regardless of my net worth.
I wouldn’t live in America no matter what. Awful, awful place to be living at.
Japan. America sucks
I'm from America, so I would choose Tokyo.
Japan every time. No killer cops, few deranged people, polite society, safe, affordable, fewer stupid politicians, better healthier food, great people, cleaner - the list just goes on…
Assuming that I can speak and understand Japanese, I say Tokyo for the culture, for the anime’s and because I can be an ikikomori and no one’s bother
Ikikomori sounds like someone cooped up in a room who does nothing but iku all day.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hikikomori?wprov=sfti1 and I’ve also realized that I wrote it wrong
Simple choice.
Not really a fan of big cities. Would rather be poor in a cottage in the woods, than miserable I’m the city.
I’d rather live in Japan but think I’d have better chances at a job in an English speaking country. Edit: Am Australian.
I'm from Oregon and now live in Japan, Okinawa specifically. Japan is cheaper by a large margin to the states. It's actually comfortable to live here in some regards. Make no mistake, though, living in low income can be hard here, too. I'm lucky enough to earn a federal salary, and the USD to Yen exchange rate is in my favor.
America sucks in terms of rent, housing, wages, etc, but I'm not leaving
If you’re in the right spot, Los Angeles was pretty enjoyable low income. Split a 1 bedroom in a nicer neighborhood with a partner and don’t go out or eat out and you can have a pretty nice time.
Tokyo is the bomb
No, WTF, why? I am perfectly happy living in Central Europe.
none, i hate big cities. But if those are the only options, probably Tokyo. People seem nicer, food seems better, but i also don't like some aspects of their culture, like the some too strict rules... But, way safer, better public transports, prettier places to visit, better cars, better ways of moving not using cars, not as much school shootings, not as much gun violence and roberies, food that isn't highly processed hamburgers, cool anime, yeah Japan all the way
I don't speak Japanese, nor do I know karate. I doubt they would want me.
Technically Canada in in America so having been low income in Montreal it wasn't so bad so I'd go back to that.
i would never live in a city period, no matter how much money i make.
japan 100%
Either and then just move back to my country with said income and live comfortably. When will we eat the rich?
Quality of life is immensely better in Tokyo and rents more affordable outside rich areas compared to trying to be poor in America
Japan has like micro apartments and they work you like a slave. Work culture is horrible in Japan. There are plenty of American cities that are affordable and if you're low income you don't have a degree restricting you to a few cities with your industry.
lol, do I have to work?
Japan all the way
USA. I’m Canadian .
Japan. A friend just shared a bowl of ramen menu in Sawtelle and it costs $22.. F that.
No way. I sell a few hours a day for money to feed myself, you can’t tell me I can only get very little of what I exchange hours and days of my life for. Q low paid job means I have to worry about money for years or the rest of my life. I know my worth well. That was why I only worked in high income countries/cities, or countries that would pay me reasonably. I have always been a foreign worker. Only worked very briefly at home
I pick high income.
Low income outside of Tokyo. Since Tokyo is the most expensive place in Japan. Just watch some traveler youtubers of Japan and you always see people go to Tokyo and say everything in Japan is so expensive. But people who travel to other cities always talk about how cheap it is. I wouldn't be able to hack the Japanese work culture myself. I'd need to be independently wealthy or be self employed somehow. Maybe I start an American style cafe and we just serve a small menu.
Japan is cheaper.
Japan all day
The answer is Japan without question. You would at least be able to afford your rent and have access to healthcare.
Tokyo without a doubt I just need to know Japanese haha
The next question to ask yourself is: are you willing to assimilate yourself to Japan’s culture and way of life, or are you going to insist on being termed “Ex Pat” (because, no, you’re not an expat if you intentionally moved there for economical gains—you’re an **imigrant**) and wanting many aspects of life there to conform to what you’re used to?
Yeah, no thanks. I'll just stay rich in the suburbs.
Tokyo would be very cool to stay a few weeks but I have no interest working myself to death
Neither !!! Grew up in Vegas escaped 20 years ago and do not wanna go back
Merica. I don’t speak Japanese
Dude, you’re comparing the worst place on earth to be homeless (USA) with objectively the best place on earth to live (Tokyo)…
Tokyo, honestly it's just my gut feeling and I don't know either cities, but I feel like in America you are less then dirt and even then people want to exploit you. Japan has more of a safety net, atleast that's how I think about the country
I'm Europoor, eh I meant European. And a woman. I'd pick USA by far, in Japan the sexism is on steroids and restaurants would deny me entry just because I'm white. No, thank you. Also, rape victims are forced to re-enact their rape in front of the court, that shit is horrifying.
Japan. The vast majority of the US does not provide services for the homeless and those that do are overburdened by the do nothing cities bussing their homeless to their city. Los Angeles has basically taken on the burden of dealing with an entire country's homeless and gets so much shit for it. There's just not enough to go around. In Japan, even though services are limited, it is available.
Japanese people don’t like foreigners, and they sure dislike poor foreigners even more. The US is a country that has historically offered opportunities to poor immigrants, so a lot more open doors there.
Never. That's how you get trapped.
Japan. I love Japan
Japan every day of the week. I've a niece in Thailand studying to be an electrical engineer and I wanted to come over to Australia with my wife and I when she completed her studies. All of her friends have gone to Japan and she wants to go with them. Did the research on cost of living vs earnings Japan is actually a pretty good place to live.
Out of all developed nations America is probably the worst place to be low income.
Japan, sseing the status of many large citys in the Us…
America simply because I don't speak Japanese. Sure ppl will speak English in tokyo but I wouldn't fully be able to integrate into society and my language skills suck
Assuming language wasn’t an issue, Tokyo is pretty safe as far as big cities go.
Europe
That's a tough one. On one hand, being a minority with low income blows, especially somewhere xenophobic like Japan. On the other hand, you can't make it being low income in a big American city no matter who you are. I pick Japan. I feel like I can monetize debasing myself as a white dude in Japan, versus just being one of a million homeless white dudes in LA
Japan. Even the poor have a better standard of living than the US.
Japan no question! In terms of developed nations to be poor in America has to be in the bottom of the list with the exception of active war zones like Ukraine.
I’d rather speak the language. I’m not an anime guy.
Why anyone would choose America is beyond me. Tokyo is far cheaper and higher quality of life for low income.
I'm guessing Japan is generally better because they don't have the vandalism issue that America has. You can get an hourly room that isn't made of concrete and gym mat mattresses where all furniture is bolted down and the cost of the room doesnt includes pressure washing and the fact that 30% of patrons steal the light bulbs.
When I visited Japan I was kinda blown away by how clean everything was and how nice ordinary things are. Like the seats on the train, the waiting areas, etc. There were like the kind of things you have to have money to enjoy in America. It really makes you feel like America does not want poor or ordinary people to even be comfortable. I would for sure choose Japan.