Job Discussion Forums

capper · Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 61

I presently live in Japan and my girlfriend and I are in the process of looking for a apartment to share in central Tokyo. It's been a real struggle. Rent is very high and apartments are very small. If we choose to move away from the central area and the stations, we will no doubt find something suitable and within our rent-range. However, can anyone suggest a real estate company that has a really good reputation above others? We recently saw an apartment we really liked and the lcoation is very good BUT we must pay 5 months upfront before we even start paying rent. Generally, the places that go without key money and / or limited deposits are not well-located and / or smaller. We are looking for a 1 LDK / 2DK or larger, with at least 40 square meters of floor space. Any suggestions would be great! We have already seen a couple of dozen places and been to several real estate companies with mainly frustrating results. Putting down almost a million yen might be the inevitable but at least we'd like to see if there are other options out there. The place we really like requires an 825,000 yen payment upfront before the first month's rent. Yes, standard in Japan. Especially in Tokyo. But any suggestions?

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

yeah, that is the way it is.
It costs more in Tokyo than it does in Osaka, for example.

That is why so many salarymen (and women) live out in Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa.
I am moving into a new place not far from Tokyo in Kanagawa and that was 550,000 up front (including the first month of rent). But for a 3LDK I was told that I got a good price. And, it is less than 10 minutes from an express stop.
The farther you are from a train station, the less you pay. Apatos cost less than mansions.
And if you need to take a bus to the station, or have to walk 15 minutes or more, the price is less.

I hear that it is cheaper when you live near a JR line (like the Yokohama line - 3 months up front) than near a private line like Odakyu or Denentoshi.

However, I have heard that Meguro is a good place to look. Rents there are cheaper than they used to be. Tokyo`s population has gone up because people are moving back.

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

Brooks, Meguro isn't cheap!

Actually, I don't think the train company has much to do with it. If anything, I think living on a JR line is more expensive. It really boils down to three things: convenience, desirability of location and age of the building. Odakyu and Denentoshi lines are expensive because they run through desirable areas (Yoyogi and Setagaya) and run into central Tokyo (Shinjuku and Shibuya respectively). If you live on any express stop it will be more expensive. Yokohama line is cheaper because it runs from Kanagawa to Hachioji... not into central Tokyo and not very useful.

If you are prepared to live in an older building, it will be cheaper. You might want to try around Shinagawa Seaside on the Rinkai line. It's slightly inconvenient because trains don't run so often and ticket price is expensive... However, buildings are generally newer, rooms larger and cheaper and trains run directly into SHibuya and Shinjuku.

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

I'm in the process of securing an apartment in Funabashi. Chiba. The apartment is 15 minutes from Funabashi station by foot. It's a 2LDK and has 58 square meters of space. I'm not paying any key money. The rent is 95,000 a month. It only takes 20 minutes to Tokyo Station from Funabashi.

I hope this helps for comparison.

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

Tokyo station has always been my most frequently used station. My wifes family live in Tochigi, so Tokyo is a necessary station. I also frequently use the Sobu line which has an express to Tokyo.

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

I should have eloborated...

Does anyone actually use Tokyo station for anything except to take a shinkansen or any other train out of the city?

Laura C · Joined: 14 Oct 2003 Posts: 211 Location: Saitama

Hi Capper,

I've been looking into this as well, as my boyfriend and I will be looking for accomm in the Tokyo area in August. I think Leo Palace don't require key money or deposit up front, and you can specify that you are 2 sharing. As far as I remember utilities are included in the rent as well. I've never seen one of their apts though, so don't know what they're like.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on.

L

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

In that case no. However there is a good book store near the train station called Yaesu Book Center. If you're in the area it's worth a gander.

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

Hi Laura...

I haven't actually ever rented a Leo Palace apartment although I did consider them at one stage and looked into it a bit.

capper · Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 61

I have lived in Leo Palace for the past 17 months. It was great for me by myself for that time. (a) In the countryside, near my work and near my city's station. (b) By paying for a full year upfront, I got a great deal. (c) All utilities are included (therefore you can run the heater and AC 24/7 if you want). (d) It comes with a washing machine, fridge, microwave, futon, and other necessities. Since I moved twice and lived in three different Leo Palace apartments in the past 17 months, those furnishings were great for me that way too. The first LP I stayed in was in Tokyo and the latter two in the countryside. However, it is absolutely out of the question for my next apartment with my girlfriend. Leo Palace, since they have no key money, charge a lot more for there apartments than a regular real estate company charges. It's great for a couple of years and if you are living by yourself. BUT, the LP places that are larger than 1K or that are located in Tokyo are EXTREMELY expensive. Combine central Tokyo and a large apartment with Leo Palace and it outprices a lot of people. They do have such places in Shinjuku and other central places. For an apartment the size that we are looking for (40m or greater), and in or near a location that we desire, LP would cost at least 300,000 per month, but probably more. It would be at least a P ranking by there pricing system.

Again, we have already looked at several places. WE have little desire to live in Funabashi, Yokohama, Kita-senju, Ueno, or Saitama. We are looking as close to the Ebisu area as possible for various reasons. If we are unable to find a suitable place nearby, then we will likely look to the next closest convenient station.

Yes, living in Saitama, Chiba, Ibaraki, or other areas on the outskirts has it's benefits. You could often avoid key money and pay 100,000 / mo. for a HUGE place. However, in our case, it's location, location, LOCATION!!!

Thanks...

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

homersimpson · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 569 Location: Kagoshima

There's a place called "Nord House" that allows online searches (www.nord.co.jp). You might want to give it a look. Keep in mind what others have posted regarding upfront costs. I live in the sticks and had to shell out 185,000 yen before I moved in. Generally, rents are lower in the breathtaking concrete jungles of Saitama and Chiba. (I actually paid 45,000 for a 1K in Chiba City).

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

Just while we're on the subject of renting in Tokyo...

Doe anyone know anything about a guarrantor company?

I heard it was something like you pay one month's rent to the company and they would act as your guarrantor.

Has anyone ever heard of this or know anything about it?