Job Discussion Forums

[peggle]

Has anyone lived in either of these areas of Tokyo and have an opinion on the merits or otherwise of either?
Thanks.

[Apsara]

I live near Shin-Koenji and work near Akasaka. Those are 2 very different areas you are talking about rent-wise, among other things. If your accommodation isn't being provided, you would be looking at about 200,000 yen a month for the tiniest studio in Akasaka, which is one of the most upmarket, expensive suburbs of Tokyo, and perhaps 60,000 for the same room in Koenji, which is a typical inner Tokyo suburb.

Akasaka is not too far from the Diet buildings and the Imperial Palace, is mostly commercial and has good access to areas like Roppongi, Shibuya, Aoyama and Harajuku, which are all about a 5 minute subway ride away. It's a busy area, being right in the heart of the city.

Shin-Koenji is on the Marunouchi subway line in Suginami Ward, one of the nicer wards in Tokyo but nowhere near the league of Akasaka. It's mostly residential, about 10 mins by subway from Shinjuku. There are a couple of fairly decent parks (by Tokyo standards) nearby and the area around JR Koenji station is known for bars with live music. Shin-Koenji station area itself is small with not a lot going on.

If I could afford to live in Akasaka I might, although I might get tired of all the traffic and the concrete after a while. If you are just coming for a short visit, Akasaka would be a great place to stay. For the long term though, Shin-Koenji might be a more pleasant place to live, although that would depend on the individual (and the budget!)

[peggle]

Hi,
Thank you for the information, all really useful stuff. I am already in Tokyo, but currently living with my bf in his brother's apt. so need to find our own place. We have found 2 places that look affordable and don't require key money/agent's fees etc. - a 1k in a small, not so new building in Akasaka at 120,000 and a 2dk/1ldk in a pretty big block in Shin Koenji at 140,000. I work in Hibiya/Kyobashi so Akasaka looks good in that regard but I was concerned there would be a lack of 'real life' amenities, supermarkets etc. And there is rather a lot of traffic and concrete as you say! Thanks again.

[azarashi sushi]

As it is often said here, if something seems too good to be true, then it most probably is.

120 000 yen is the low end for Akasaka. For 120 000 yen in Akasaka, you can be sure that the apartment will be TINY... my guess is around 16 square metres. If they are offering an apartment with no key money and no agent's fee in a highly desirable area, you can be sure there is a very good reason for that... Most likely the apartment is a fcuking dump.

There is no point posting here. You just have to go out and look at the apartment.

[peggle]

Thanks, I have seen the apartment, it's not the newest, or the biggest (25m sq rather than 16 though ) but it seems ok, better than most of the places I've lived in in the UK, although that's not the highest of accolades. I was posting more to see if anyone had experience of living in the area, knew if it was a good to drink in but not to live in kind of place.

[poohbear]

koenji is an awesome spot! i worked there for 2 years and it is a hip spot known for amateur artists, cheap food, and great bars. shin koenji is a about 10min walk from koenji JR?