Ryan Ginstrom wrote:

> "Eric Takabayashi" <etakajp@yahoo.co.jp> wrote in message
> news:3F8FF9E0.8793F53@yahoo.co.jp...
> > cc wrote:
> > > Same for me. Same for anyone in Osaka.
> >
> > Untrue. Or there would not be the commute. What is the massive public
> > transportation in Osaka for, gaijin tourists?
>
> No, everyone in Osaka has what you have in Fukuyama (and probably better)
> within 300 m. It's when they want even better stuff than that that they hop
> on the old subway.
>
> Same with jobs. If an Osakan wanted to have some crappy job like you can get
> in the sticks, they could probably stay within a 300 m radius. But most are
> in the big city for nicer jobs, with more money or in their field, and so
> they commute.
>
> There is no way that podunksville can compete with a big city in terms of
> shopping, dining, work etc. That's not where the attractions of small cities
> or the country lies.

Before you respond to any more posts, Ryan, allow me to clear up an apparent
misunderstanding.

I am NOT claiming that what Fukuyama has to offer is BETTER than that in large
cities, or that my life is BETTER than that of people in large cities in terms
of salary or achievement.

I am pointing out that I need much less time and pay less rent in Fukuyama, to
get what I need and want, even if I were to go downtown to the main shopping
and business district, as almost all of it is conveniently located from where
*I* live. The vast majority of Fukuyama people are not as fortunate as I in
those regards, either.