Job Discussion Forums

[Mapleblondie]

Hey guys, I know that conditions typically vary for apartment quality, price, and furnishings depending on the area you are placed, but if you have lived in, or are currently living in an ECC apartment, it would be great if you could share your input and experiences. I am going to be in the "Osaka and surrounding areas", though I have no idea as to specifics beyond that. I've heard that ECC uses a property company called Apollo in the Osaka area, and the website looks pretty decent...but how are the conditions REALLY? Pretty good? Overpriced?Worth it?

[Glenski]

Have you looked here?
http://www.apolloproperties-osaka.com/index.html

[Mapleblondie]

Yes, I have. I mentioned that in the above post...I just wanted to know if what they show on the site really exemplifies the majority of their apartments, and what people's experiences were in them.

[Ashtonmd]

I too will be moving to Osaka & area in November. And on the topic of apartments and ECC - there is an offer to "rent" a pillow, sheets and duvet. So my question is - is it worth it, are they decent or should I just buy my own when I get there....?

[Ryu Hayabusa]

I don't know where you heard about "renting" the pillow, sheets, and duvet with ECC and Apollo. Here's some info that I've been given:

OPTIONAL BEDDING:
As packing bedding can be very cumbersome we provide the service of purchasing bedding for you at cost.
Below is a description of 2 types of bedding sets. Please note that flat bed sheets are not included in the set and we suggest that you bring a sheet from home with you. Please email me at blank@blank if you wish to have bedding purchased for you. Your bed will be a SINGLE BED.

BEDDING SETS:
1. A single size set consist of a blanket, blanket cover, mattress cover, pillow and pillow case and generally costs between 6,000 and 8,000 yen. There is no flat bed sheet included in this set.

2. A double size set consist of a blanket, blanket cover, mattress cover, 2 pillows and 2 pillow cases and generally costs between 10,000 and 13,000 yen. There is no flat bed sheet included in this set.

The inclusions within each bedroom are: closet or wardrobe, base mattress or base futon (does not include sheets, blankets or sleeping bag). As an option, certain agents will prepare a new set of basic sheets and/or blankets for you, thus preventing you from having to bring such bulky items to Japan. Please note that this is a non-profit service and a complete single-bed set will not exceed 10 000 yen.

@Mapleblondie

There is some more ECC info about apartments and stuff in the ECC group on Facebook. Check it out.

[gonzarelli]

I lived in an ECC apartment when I first moved to Japan. One was furnished and the other wasn't. The apartment conditions were excellent and far better than the plae I'm living in now here in Canada

MapleBlondie I wouldn't worry about the conditions. Have fun in Japan. I'm in Japan over Christmas and New Years with my wife. Can't wait!

[gonzarelli]

Ashtonmd, you might want to reconsider the size of your avatar.

[southofreality]

Wow, I've worked for two of the big-4 and as far as living goods were concerned, both companies were more than generous. Sounds like a bunch of cheapskates regarding the bedding issue.

[Ashtonmd]

I think I totally miss understood the whole bedding thing - I thought you were renting it (ewww) as opposed to buying it.
I think it makes a lot more sense to buy it over there than bring it over.

[gonzarelli]

[papergirl]

The bedding is okay. It's pretty cheaply made, though, and after a few washes it's become kind of fuzzy and thin. Also, the bedspread is not going to be very warm for winter (it's been so ridiculously hot that it's weird to think of winter, but it's just around the corner). I'm using the bedspread I bought from Apollo to cushion my mattress (b/c the bedsprings are practically popping through) and I bought a down comforter from IKEA. Either way, it's nice to have the bedding when you arrive, since by the time you get settled into your place, you probably won't have a chance to go to the store and buy some.

The apartments through Apollo are expensive and super duper small. Some are dirty on the move-in date (from what I've heard). Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don't.

[Ryu Hayabusa]

I just moved in to an apartment in Juso with Apollo. The apartment is nice and clean. Slightly larger than my apartment in Korea but the layout isn't as good. This is probably due to the building being about 15 years old. Everyone was right about poor insulation. It's hot even with the AC on full. Winters are going to be cold inside as well I think. Like others have said, though, Apollo isn't too bad considering a person doesn't have to pay key money, and gift money. I figure that if a person stays in Apollo housing for a year and pays an extra 20 000 yen a month (I'm gonna pay 65 000 yen/month and I think the apartment is worth about 45 000), they're still coming out on top with regards to the lack of up-front costs.

I'm going to ask them to remove some furniture, though. I don't need it and it makes a small apartment even smaller. ECC says they're fine with taking furniture out or putting it back in.

I had asked ECC if it would've been okay if I didn't take Apollo right off the bat and stayed at a gaijin house for the first little while. They said it was fine, but that ECC wouldn't be a guarantor for any other apartments other than through Apollo.

Internet is another thing that needs to be taken care of as soon as I go to the ward office, apply for my alien registration card, buy a few certificate of alien registration forms, and hit up Yodobashi Camera to see what the different internet companies have to offer. I read somewhere (probably on this site) that that's a good place to go for getting internet and cell phones hooked up.

Papergirl is right on the money with the bedding. Cheap, thin, but there when you first get in to help ease the transition. I got what appears to be a down-filled pillow. I'm gonna have to buy a nice foam one that won't affect my asthma.

[fizayded]

Just remember to buy that thing (I don't know the Japanese name) to beat out your futon occasionally. Yep, I started getting red spots around my knees and thought I had some food allergy but it was just bed bugs. Gross huh? You have to beat out your futon and then hang it out in the sun, and that should do the trick.

[Apsara]

That's a "futon tataki" I think. It would be unusual to have actual bed bugs though, the main problem with futons is dani, which are the tiny dust mites you get in any country. Dust mites don't bite, but many people (myself included) are allergic to them (actually their faeces) and get hayfever-type symptoms.

If you do have actual bed bugs, you need more than just a futon tataki. It's possible you just have a more serious allergy to dust mites or maybe were just bitten by mosquitoes somewhere?

[Ryu Hayabusa]

@fizayded

Thanks for the tip. I guess I'm lucky to have an actual bed and not a futon that I have to fold up every morning.

@Apsara

Yeah, dust mites bother my asthma. I brought a special pillow case from Canada and that'll help.

I checked out some air filters at the Yodobashi center yesterday. I found some and the price range was from 20 000 yen-70 000yen+. I figure every three months I have to buy expensive replacement filters. When I get to training, or when I meet some people who can speak Japanese well I'm going to ask them if they know of any stores or companies that rent out appliances. In Korea I was able to rent out a sweet Woongjin air filter for around 5000 yen/month and a nice Woongjin agent would come to replace the filters every three months. This was included in the rental price. I hope I can find something like this. Japan, don't let me down!