Post #804901 by SouthSeasKat on Wed, Aug 3, 2022 11:03 PM

So, haven't had a whole lot of to update about, honestly. Thought I'd share a photo of the jungle wall around the bamboo standing desk/stereo set up thing I have going on. Inside there has been quite a lot of plant growth.

It has been so hot here that the plants outside on the patio really weren't doing well (temps in the 90s, with heat index well over 100). And not great for people either, so it hasn't seen much use. Moved most of them back inside. All but two of the palms I have tried domesticating died, except the smallest one, and one which has died back and has a new frond coming out but has been stuck that way for two months.

The BIGGEST news is The Makuhari Club will likely be moving in the next year. As long as my residency renewal has no issue this month, I will be purchasing a house! Right now there are two possible location choices:

Within Makuhari, which has the advantage of making the residency change paperwork much easier and I am close to everything. Lifestyle changes not at all. It's a small neighborhood. It has the disadvantage that as Makuhari is a dense but suburban area, fairly affluent and up and coming, houses are likely to be small, two-story, and be yardless, and style pretty much can't be a factor.

The Pacific Chiba coast (Chibafornia, as we call it). Disadvantage is that Chibafornia requires more residency change paperwork, and will be in more rural areas. No more 5 minute drives to Costco or walking down the street to the post office, salon, grocery store, or tax office. These seaside communities are more Northern California than Southern California. Advantage is American sized lots, yards, single story houses, and proximity to very nice beaches. All for a price a tenth of what it would cost you in California.

Here's the house I am currently seriously looking at, though it may not last on the market as long I would need it to. Pretty decent Mid-Century Modern vibes (though it was built in the 1980s). And you can see the proximity to the beach (7 minute drive). Next to a golf course and between two parks! But compared to US prices, it's dirt cheap, because in Japan houses are not investments, they depreciate like cars.

Three bedroom house, thinking master on the front side, guest across from the veranda, and the tiki room in the far back corner.