Portland is becoming a bigger tourism hub (Japan even has a Portland mascot) so short term rentals are hot.

Hi guys, I am a real estate investor and university professor living in Shiga, Japan.

I love that building more than our Japan town buildings.

After reading a lot on RE (thanks BP) over the past year, I have decided to move to Austin (90% sure) to pursue REI sometime this year, as it is currently impossible to do here in Japan (I am a US citizen).

My first property was in a less-than-optimal area and, although in Japan, this isn't nearly as bad as it is in the USA, it was still a lot of pains for a first deal and a steep learning curve.I'd advise against it, even if it means waiting a bit longer for the right deal to turn up in anywhere that's even slightly better than what you're describing - basically a mini-warzone, from the sounds of it...

My wife and daughters are getting back from a trip to Japan on Tuesday so I am going to have my hands full for a few days. 

Welcome aboard, man :) Just a quick tip from a fellow (ex) IT geek - technology makes it more than possible to invest anywhere in the world these days - don't feel like you're limited to your back yard, by any means.We and our clients invest mainly in Japan, hold note investments in the US, cash term deposits in Euro, and are now expanding to Italy.

I've done an 8 month tour in Sangin Afghanistan, and a 7 month tour that had me travel from Japan to Thailand.

I've moved around quite a bit (NV, UT, ID, WA, HI, Japan, UK) and recently begun putting down roots here in CO after returning from 4 years in England working for NATO.

My name is Alan, and I'm a missionary in Yokohama, Japan, moved here from Hawaii.