Hi! My husband and I are investigating the possibility of moving to Atsugi this summer! We have no children, a dog and a cat, so would probably be looking for a 2-bedroom. The problem is, I am a writer and work at home, and I have heard that lots of Japanese housing has very poor construction--thin walls and lots of noise from neighbors. Is this true? Is on-base housing (garden apartments) quiet?

Also, what is the health care like?

Thanks so much!

Housing in Atsugi is not quiet. It's an air base. You would have to move a ways away to get away from the noise of the jets and helo's flying overhead. Unless you do your writing after 10 P.M. when they have to stop flying. Granted it's not earth shattering noise unless you're outside, but as a writer I don't think it would be the ideal place for you. Once the carrier pulls out though the base is relatively quiet other than the occasional Japanese helo.

I live out in town in Okinawa, and my neighbors are all japanesses I have no noise. I don't know what it is like in main land Japan but the rule here is, if you want quite move away from the other americans. I have yet to see some japanesse kid bumping (what ever rapper is popular now) in his car sterio in a neighborhood. I occasionally get the dumb american guy doing it. Also unless it is a holliday I dont ever see or hear childern running around the park across from my house at all hours of the night. I mean I do see and sometimes hear them but its rare and usually they are the american kids from 4 blocks over going wild. My japanesse neighbors are very respectful and quite. They expect the same from me.

I"m in a Japanese apartment in Iwakuni. It's true that many Japanese homes have thin walls. But the other side of this is that Japanese treat their neighbors with respect. My neighborhood is very quiet. If you live near other Americans, you will get noise. Try to find a place where not too many Americans live. It's a sad commentary on our ability to fit into the culture here.