I moved to Japan to escape Sydney’s soaring cost of living and life has never been better (or cheaper). Here’s everything I learned so you can do the same

Christian had built a comfortable life in Australia – a secure job working for Apple, a home close to the beach and the city within easy reach.

But in April 2024, he flew to Japan on a one-way ticket, leaving Sydney’s rising cost of living behind in search of affordable housing, a slower pace of life and a far more favourable exchange rate.

‘Housing, rent, groceries and everyday expenses seemed to get more expensive every year. Australia is still an amazing country, but I felt it had become increasingly difficult for everyday people to get ahead financially,’ Christian told Daily Mail.

‘I’d been travelling to Japan regularly for around 15 years before deciding to make the move permanently. It wasn’t a spontaneous decision. Over time, I developed a real connection to the country and could see myself building a life here.’

Two years ago, Christian ‘condensed’ his entire life in Sydney into two suitcases.

He moved to Fukuoka, one of Japan’s most underrated cities, located on the northern coast of Kyushu, about a two-and-a-half hour bullet train ride from Osaka.

Christian went from renting a bedroom in a shared Sydney apartment for $425 a week to living in a three-bedroom unit with his wife and stepson in Fukuoka for ¥105,000 a month ($A940) – equivalent to just $235 a week.

‘For me, the difference has been enormous. Living in Fukuoka feels anywhere from two to four times more affordable than living in Australia,’ he said.

‘Housing is dramatically cheaper, eating out is affordable, public transport is excellent and healthcare costs are far lower than what many Australians expect. What might fund one year of living in Australia could stretch to three or four years here in Japan.’

Before his major move abroad, the Brisbane-born man was living a seemingly normal life in Sydney, working for Apple for over 13 years. 

‘I had a stable career with Apple and enjoyed living in Sydney… That said, like many Australians, I watched the cost of living continue to rise,’ he explained.

‘I still love Australia… In many ways, I miss the Australia I grew up in. It remains one of the best countries in the world, but affordability has become a real challenge.’

He sold, donated and gave away almost everything he owned, arriving in Japan with nothing more than just two suitcases.

‘I took only what I truly needed with me,’ he said.

‘Moving overseas makes you realise how little you actually need to be happy. The hardest part was leaving family and friends behind, but the opportunity to build a completely new life outweighed the challenges.’

He now calls Fukuoka ‘home’, a coastal city known for its stunning beaches that attracts far fewer tourists than major hotspots such as Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.

‘Fukuoka felt like the perfect balance for me,’ Christian said.

‘Coming from Sydney, I loved having beaches nearby while still being close to the city. Fukuoka offers that same balance, but at a much more affordable cost.

‘It’s a modern city with fantastic food, easy access to nature, great public transport and a much more relaxed pace of life than Tokyo or Osaka. 

‘After visiting many parts of Japan over the years, Fukuoka always felt like somewhere I could genuinely live rather than just visit.’

He began life in Japan as a student, enrolling in a Japanese language school.

‘I came to Japan on a student visa, which gave me the opportunity to study Japanese, adapt to daily life and gain a deeper understanding of the culture,’ he said.

‘The student visa was one of the best decisions I made because it allowed me to experience everyday life in Japan rather than simply seeing the country through a tourist’s eyes.’

Christian moved into a one-bedroom inner-city apartment in Fukuoka, paying just $500 a month in rent ($125 a week), while studying. 

It was an 18-month course but Christian left after nine months of studying to pursue a career in video content creation.

Through his YouTube and Instagram channels, Hangs with Christian, he documents travel, culture and everyday life while showcasing parts of Japan that many visitors never get to see.

‘Within just two years, my life has gone in a completely different direction than I ever imagined,’ he said. 

‘I left a stable 13-year career, moved to another country, married my wife and started building an entirely new career through YouTube and content creation.

‘The opportunities that have come from that decision have been incredible.’

His new career has opened the door to incredible opportunities, including collaborations with cities and tourism organisations across Japan, travelling off the beaten track and discovering a world he never knew existed. 

‘I created promotional content for destinations throughout Kyushu, appeared on Japanese TV and radio and met people I never would have crossed paths with had I stayed in Australia,’ Christian said.

‘What’s most surprising is how quickly it all happened. Just a few years ago I was working in a retail job in Sydney. Today I’m travelling across Japan, appearing in Japanese media and sharing my experiences with an audience around the world.

‘Moving to Japan pushed me far outside my comfort zone, but it has also been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made.’

Christian said filming content for his social media channels gave him the opportunity to meet and chat with locals and expats, which helped improve his Japanese – something he found more effective than learning in a classroom.

‘That practice was more useful for my personal learning style and becoming confident in speaking Japanese,’ he said. 

‘It gets better every day but it’s still a long road ahead towards fluency.’

He now lives in a three-bedroom apartment with his family.

‘We’re happy renting for now, but owning property in Japan is definitely something I’d like to explore in the future,’ he said. 

The family of three are spending about ¥10,000 ($90) on weekly groceries.

A major factor in his decision to move to Japan was that he believed he would have a better quality of life there. 

‘Japan isn’t perfect, nowhere is… but I feel safe here and can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without constantly worrying about rising costs,’ he said. 

‘The biggest surprise has been how welcoming people have been. The language barrier can be challenging at times, but I’ve found that people genuinely appreciate the effort when you try to speak Japanese.

‘There have definitely been culture shocks, but that’s all part of the experience of living in another country. Learning Japanese has been challenging but also incredibly rewarding, and every year I become more comfortable navigating daily life here.’

With no plans to move back to Australia anytime soon, Christian, who’s now on a spouse visa after marrying his Japanese wife, intends to live in Japan indefinitely.

‘Japan feels like home,’ he said. 

‘I can see myself staying here for the foreseeable future. I wouldn’t completely rule out moving back to Australia one day, but right now I’m very happy where I am.

‘I am excited about what the future holds.’

For anyone considering a move to Japan, the Aussie expat said it’s best to ‘spend time here first’ before committing to relocating permanently. 

‘Travelling in Japan and living in Japan are two very different experiences. Visit different regions, not just Tokyo, and think carefully about what type of lifestyle you want,’ he said.

‘I also think coming on a student visa can be a fantastic pathway. It gives you time to learn the language, understand the culture and experience daily life before making a long-term commitment.’

But Christian warned that living in Japan may not suit everyone’s lifestyle or priorities.

‘Japan isn’t for everyone,’ he said. 

‘Salaries can be lower, work culture can be challenging and there will always be things you miss about home.

‘Most importantly, keep an open mind. If you’re willing to adapt, learn and embrace a different culture, it can be an incredibly rewarding place to live.’