I lived+worked in Tokyo for 5 months. Compared to my experiences living in Seattle, Detroit, and Atlanta as well as visiting places like Chicago and San Franci

I lived+worked in Tokyo for 5 months. Compared to my experiences living in Seattle, Detroit, and Atlanta as well as visiting places like Chicago and San Francisco, * To me, Tokyo feels like it was designed for people, not cars. It's entirely possible to bike / walk from one end to the other without exposing yourself to fast-moving vehicle traffic (and in fact, I have done so). There is an abundance of parks, greenways, and rivers throughout the city. * Neighborhoods are blocked off from non-local traffic, making Tokyo much safer and quieter. Six-year-olds walk themselves to school! * Short commutes by bike or train mean that more of my day is my own. * Mixed-use zoning [1] means I don't need to travel as far for my basic needs. When I do want to travel far, bullet trains can zip me across the country in just a few hours. * Cost of living is lower for my lifestyle. No need to own a car. Grocery costs are comparable to a big American city, but restaurants are cheaper and more abundant, with reasonable portions and healthier options. * Rent is cheaper, since I don't mind living in a small space. There is normally no such option in American cities, especially with the "luxury apartment" fad. When I eventually want to buy a house, it will be affordable since housing is (rightly) NOT viewed as an investment in Japan. * Good national health insurance system with cheaper medical costs than the United States. * Even for non-Japanese speakers, there are plenty of opportunities to socialize and have new life experiences. [1]: http://urbankchoze.blogspot.com/2014/04/japanese-zoning.html http://urbankchoze.blogspot.com/2014/04/japanese-zoning.html So yes, for me, I am certain daily life will be better (for me) in Japan. :)