🏠 When you move to Saitama, you'll find there are surprisingly many "common experiences" you didn't realize before moving.

While access to Tokyo is convenient, travel within the prefecture is inconvenient.

You might think rent is cheap, but then you realize there are other costs involved, such as propane gas and long commutes.

On the other hand, there are many sunny days, nature and parks are close by, and childcare support is excellent.

This time, we'll introduce 20 common experiences of people who have moved to Saitama.

🔥 Highlights of this article
🚃 Easy access to Tokyo, but surprisingly difficult travel within the prefecture
While north-south railway lines are well-developed, east-west lines are limited. Sometimes, even just going to a neighboring city feels faster via central Tokyo.

🚆 Morning rush hour is more brutal than you imagined
Major lines heading to central Tokyo, such as the Saikyo Line and Keihin-Tohoku Line, are extremely crowded in the mornings, and many people realize how difficult commuting is after moving.

⏰ Even if rent is cheap, the "invisible cost" of commuting time is significant.
Even if rent is lower than in central Tokyo, long daily commutes can result in a huge loss of time over the course of a year. When choosing a property, not only rent but also commuting time is important.

🚗 Despite being a car-dependent society, weekends are a traffic nightmare.
While cars are convenient away from train stations, areas around large commercial facilities and main roads become extremely congested on weekends. Around areas like Lake Town, you might get exhausted just from traveling, depending on the time of day.

🔥 Low rent can be negated by propane gas.
Many properties in the suburbs use LP gas instead of city gas, and you might be surprised by the high utility costs in winter. It's important to check whether a property uses city gas when searching for a place to live.

💧 Some people notice differences in tap water.
In areas using water from the Tone River/Arakawa River system, some people notice a difference in water hardness or taste. Some households install water purifiers or water dispensers. ☀️ Lots of sunny days
Saitama enjoys many sunny days throughout the year, making it easy to hang laundry and bedding outside – a major advantage. Even in winter, sunny weather is common, and the abundance of sunshine is something you truly appreciate once you live there.

🥵 However, summer heat is beyond imagination
In areas like Kumagaya, and throughout the northern and central parts of the prefecture, temperatures can reach nearly 40°C. You need to consider air conditioning costs and insulation performance, otherwise summer living expenses will be high.

🌊 No tsunamis, but flood risk varies greatly by region
Since there's no coastline, there's no need to worry about tsunamis, but low-lying areas in the eastern part of the prefecture need to be careful about inland flooding and liquefaction. Checking hazard maps before moving is essential.

🏙️ "Saitama is cheap" is no longer true in some areas
In popular areas like Urawa, Omiya, Kawaguchi, and Wako, real estate prices are rising, and some people are surprised to find it expensive, saying, "I came here thinking it would be cheaper than Tokyo."

🌳 Nature increases dramatically with just a short drive
Just a short distance from urban areas like Omiya and Urawa, you'll find yourself in nature-rich environments such as the Minuma rice fields and the rural landscapes of Hanno. The ability to enjoy both urban and rural life is a unique charm of Saitama.

🥬 Fresh and inexpensive vegetables
A wide variety of local vegetables, including Fukaya leeks, are available. JA direct sales outlets often offer freshly picked vegetables at reasonable prices, allowing you to enjoy fresh produce while keeping your daily food expenses down.

👶 Childcare support is excellent, but securing childcare is another matter
While many municipalities offer generous medical expense subsidies and childcare support, competition for daycare centers around popular train stations can be fierce. There are underlying issues that can't be understood simply by saying "zero children on waiting lists."

🎓 Surprising Saitama's unique high school entrance exam culture
Systems like the "Hokushin Test" and "guaranteed admission" to private high schools are unfamiliar to those from outside the prefecture. Many families only discover its uniqueness when their children reach middle school.

🏞️ Many large parks, making it very convenient for families with children
Saitama Prefecture boasts numerous large parks and childcare facilities, including Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park. This makes it easy to keep weekend leisure expenses down and provides an environment where children can play freely.

📌 What you'll learn from this video:
・Lifestyle differences you might notice after moving to Saitama
・Points that can be problematic regarding commuting and transportation
・Unexpected living costs bey...