Kobe and Yokohama ranked among Asia’s favorite spots for expats…

kobe by night

In a recent survey conducted by ECA International a human resources firm specializing in expatriates and which operates in 71 countries, Kobe and Yokohama both rank in the Top 10 best locations in the world for Asian expats.

The survey takes into account things like safety, cleanliness, crime rate, housing, health etc. For Asian expats, Singapore took the number 1 spot with Sydney 2^nd and Melbourne tied with Kobe in 3^rd place. Yokohama also made the top 10 in 8^th place. The other cities in the top 10 are Copenhagen, Denmark 5^th, Canberra, Australia in 6^th, Vancouver, Canada in 7^th, Wellington, New Zealand in 9^th, and Dublin, Ireland in 10^th place.

That Japanese cities rank so highly says a great deal about the relative safety of Japan, and those cities in particular. It also says something about the level of general cleanliness in the cities… The two cities chosen are also two of the busies port cities in Japan as well as two of the earlier ports opened to Western commerce.

Are there any other reasons why you think these cities are so popular among Asian expats? What other cities in Japan should have gone ahead of them? Any reasons why these cities should not be in the Top 10?

http://alecinjapan.com Alec

Don’t know much about Yokohama, even though I live in Tokyo, but I really do like Kobe. It’s clean, it’s has interesting buildings (the ijinkan as well as other buildings) and is clean. Most Japanese cities are grey mounds of concrete but Kobe feels more European, and I’m not just talking about the ijinkan again.

Da Kappa

I like Yokohama as much as Kobe. They both have a similar vibe albeit slightly different sightseeing attractions IMO. Found the only DQ (Dairy Queen) while I was living in Japan (at Kobe’s Portopia amusement park). Yokohama’s Curry Museum is also a cool spot to check out. Although personally I wouldn’t travel specifically to either Kobe or Yokohama from a foreign country. It’s great to go as a side trip while sightseeing (or living) in either Tokyo or Osaka.

Alban

After reading your comment, I tried to find the Dairy Queen but I didn’t success. I searched on the website of the restaurant but they indicate a false adress near the mountain. Can you explain a little more the location of the restaurant?

Thanks for helping

The Overthinker

This is only among Asian expats, not European (Western) ones (otherwise the Australia, NZ, and Canadian cities would not be there), so I don’t know how the readers of JP, which includes many Western expats, will rank them.

I too prefer Kobe, though Yokohama is definitely worth a visit or three. Kobe has a better night view, and feels more compact, and is not nearly as big as Yokohama. But its Chinatown isn’t as nice.
D-San

Weird, they didn’t have San Francisco or New York City, but i guess they’re not as safe as the top ten.

The first time I was in Sydney, I was surprised to see so many asians in the city. it’s great though.

morpheus

so many asians in OZ
=
chinese-austrarians

Joseph K

Haha! I’ve never really liked Sydney. The only placed I’ve ever been mugged, and I always thought it was on the dirty side…

Interesting that 3 of Australia’s cities get in the top 10, and I’m surprised that Canberra makes it, though I’ve always suspected that places like Brisbane and Cairns had less drawing-power living-wise than is generally assumed…

The Overthinker

Places like Canberra and Wellington probably make it as they are the capitals and a lot of businessmen and govt officials are sent there. Can’t see the attraction otherwise….

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Normand (Québec, Canada)

Maybe I am way off base here but I lived in Tokyo for 3 months a couple of years ago and that would be the city of my choice. It was so clean compared to most European and American cities, so safe…we could walk anywhere at night…and well….so much civilized than most cities I have lived in. Japan may not be perfect but it’s a hell of a good place to live in. I would move tomorrow if the cost of living were not so expensive!
kwanlau

Its not that hard to think that Kobe and Yokohama have the two largest Asian expat population. They both contain the two largest Chinatowns in Japan.

Kobe and Yokohama ranked among Asia’s favorite spots for expats…

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