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What foreign residents say about quality of family life in Yokohama

By on April 7, 2016

What inspires feelings about a city is the people that make up its community.

There are 3.7 million residents (1.6M households)  including 75,297  foreigners who live and work in Yokohama,  Japan’s second largest city.

What many people do not know is that Yokohama is also the city of “firsts”.  The first ice cream, the first soap, the first English language newspaper (Japan Herald), the first Japan’s daily newspaper including Japan’s first railway, all started in Yokohama.

The city’s close proximity to Tokyo appeals to families. In fact, Japan’s efficient train service will have you at Yokohama station in less than 30 minutes from Shibuya and, more or less, the same time cruising the Shuto expressway on less congested hours.

After the city opened its ports to the world 155 years ago, the people’s acculturation to western ways explains what we see today, from rich cuisine to beaux arts.

IT executive and Yokohama resident Tim Gantz says of his community,  “ I have lived in 23 cities before coming here. I consider Yokohama to be one of the most international cities in the world.”

To me, what makes it so is not the size or the number of people who speak English but the attitude of the people. The local people’s desire to connect and learn about other cultures and ways of life. That’s what makes many foreign families here feel welcomed. And the sense of community is high.”

Tim admits that the 2 short years he had lived in Tokyo before moving to Yokohama was a learning experience.

“Tokyo has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment and cuisine. But when you start a family, your needs change and so did ours. My family needed bigger rooms for less rent, to be near the seafront and most especially to be a part of a close community.”

“Work colleagues had played a role in our decision to move here. They had urged me and my family to consider moving to Yokohama because it offers better living conditions than Tokyo. My wife drives a car and so do I.  We could never do this in Tokyo because parking lots are ridiculously expensive. We live with a Great Dane. In Tokyo, only very few real estate agencies would accept us. Here, condo owners charge rent for the dog but it’s still manageable,” adds Tim.

Yokohama’s distinct advantage over Tokyo in terms of family living has always come up in discussions with other foreigners in Japan.

Tokyo families takes a close look on what these advantages are.

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most appealing in terms of  the quality of family life, we asked foreign families in Yokohama to rate the good and not so good about living in Yokohama.

The Baker family – Yokohama life: “Culturally diverse, convenient, kid-friendly”

The Blackburn family on Yokohama life: “Welcoming school community, safe environment, and culturally diverse”

The Hunter family on Yokohama life: “Convenient, relative cost and community”

The Yeoman family on Yokohama life: ” I would love to transport some of the amazing technology”

https://www.tokyofamilies.net/2014/04/the-gennings-family/

The Simpkins family on Yokohama life: “We like the variety of food places, how accessible it is and the friendliness of the local people”

 

SUPPORT NETWORKS

Saint Maur International School  Community

Mothers’ support network

YOKOHAMA WITH KIDS

Children’s Nature Park and Nogeyama Zoo

Kid o Kid Bornelund

Hamagin Space Center

Yoshimoto Aquarium

Akarenga

 Yokohama Anpanman Children’s Museum

Yokohama Landmark Tower

Yokohama Ramen Museum (archive)

Shin Yokohama Ramen Museum

Yokohama Sea Paradise

 Zoorasia 1

Zoorasia 2

For families

Golf

Related articles:  Yokohama Time Travel

Yokohama, a city of art

Things To Do In Yokohama as a Family

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