Job Discussion Forums

ShioriEigoKyoushi · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 364 Location: Japan

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Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

mushroomyakuza · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 140

Glenski, I'd love to, but the problem is arranging an apartment in japan while im still in the UK. if you have any suggestions i'd hear them - for now, the plan is to take an apartment from Shane, who charge 100-110k for a double apartment, which i need. so if you know a good site or anywhere to arrange a decent place in tokyo from the UK, I'm all ears.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

There are definitely cheaper apartments out there even in Tokyo- by double apartment do you mean two-bedroom? Can I ask in what area and why you need two bedrooms? Your rent is almost half your income, and all the financial experts say it shouldn't be more than about a third. As it is you will be able to live on the remainder as long as you are a bit frugal, but savings and overseas trips are going to be hard to budget for.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Even in Tokyo, there are cheaper apartments. Many people (Japanese and foreigners alike) live 45-80 minutes commuting time from their jobs. It may be a pain, but it can save you money. Lots of eikaiwas save money by renting places in cheaper neighborhoods, too.

I'd like to know the answer to Apsara's questions, too, before commenting further.

mushroomyakuza · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 140

To answer your questions, i need a double (yes, 2 bedroom) because I'll be living with my girlfriend. Now I know that doesn't necessarily mean I need 2 bedrooms, but I DO need double occupancy, allowing for two people to live in one apartment, and that as a rule, means 2 bedrooms.

Plus, I don't know where I'm going to be placed to work - Shane say they won't know until about ten days before I go out...crazy I know. But what can i do? I could try and get an apartment now but chances are it'd be miles from where I'll be working.

Any advice Glenski and Aspara?

ShioriEigoKyoushi · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 364 Location: Japan

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Pitarou · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Narita, Japan

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

mushroom,
I'm with Shiori here. You and your gf can expect to live in a place with just one bedroom. I know of married couples who do! If you have indicated a strong preference for 2, that's your prerogative, but be prepared to pay dearly for it. Apartments here are cramped no matter what, but people learn to live on less and in tinier quarters.

Shane is typical in not giving you an idea where you will be until last moment. Can't avoid that.

Best advice is to tell Shane that 110,000 is far too much or that you'll be satisfied with a 1BR place. Pitarou has some good advice, too.

Coming to Japan means a big change in lifestyle for many, including adapting to smaller housing (with lower ceilings and smaller appliances) plus learning to have a lot more patience in everything.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Imseriouslylost · Joined: 09 Nov 2009 Posts: 123 Location: Tokyo

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

You said he's a manager, right? So he is definitely being paid more than mushroomyakuza will be, and will therefore be able to afford better accommodation. 30 minutes out of Akihabara could put them well into Chiba or Saitama, which are usually cheaper than Tokyo. In any case it's unlikely that a recent arrival will be able to afford a duplex and a car unless they are arriving with a lot of savings, so it's not something anyone can do.

mushroomyakuza · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 140

Guys, thanks for the replies, but now I have more questions - please clarify the 1LDK 2K 3BR nonsense - I need to know what each letter stands for.

I assume K is kictchen, BR is bedroom, D is dining room(?) and L is living room?

I'm not sure so please clarify.

Aspara, I will definitely be in Tokyo, but I don't know where in Tokyo. At the moment, I have asked to be placed as "central as possible" but think maybe this was a mistake, as it will probably lead to further expense. Ideally, I'd like to be somewhere relatively quiet and nice, and relaxed in the evening, but no further from, say, Akihibara, than 30 minutes. Anyone have any suggestions? Would be really great to tell Shane a specific area if possible.

Then there's what kind of place to request. Okay, I'm just going to confess my uselessness right now. Basically, here is what I would like: a kitchen, preferably not in the middle of a corridor, but hey, that's unlikely. I'd REALLY REALLY REALLY NOT like to be sleeping on top of a cupboard, and I want to have an actual room with a bed in, not some claustrophobic cubbyhole, if at all possible. A small living/sitting area would is also needed, a place where I can put a sofa (small) and TV, along with my PS3. And finally a bathroom that has a shower and toilet. These are necessities. Everything else is an extra, but the most important thing for me is to an actual bed area, not just in a cupboard/thing.

If you guys could please help me with the correct acronyms for this (1LK perhaps) I'd be very grateful. Again, I cannot stress enough how important the bed space is, so whichever acronym that is, make that your top priority.

Now, some of you have said that you don't need a double apartment to house 2 people, but, here is what my contact at Saxoncourt/Shane has told me:

ShioriEigoKyoushi · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 364 Location: Japan

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Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN