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[El_Mero_Mero]

This is a serious question. I will be working with Interac soon, and from what I've seen it seems like they are trying to force me to choose an apartment, or a Leopalace accomodation.

Last time I was in Japan I stayed in a guesthouse. The only reason I would want to stay in my own apartment would be for the sake of having loud sex and playing moderate to loud music every so often, at least thrice a week. Its the only way I can justify the key money, plus the deposit, plus the insurance on the building, plus the monthly rent.

Will I be able to use the apartment for what I want? If not, should I just tell them that I already found another place on my own?

Thanks.

[JL]

In a Japanese apartment, you're going to be heard having the loud sex just as much as you would doing it in a guesthouse. So cross that off the list of apartment advantages (or disadvantages). I suppose having roommates observe you, barge in on you, or join in the activities, still remains more likely in a guesthouse, though.

[elkarlo]

I thought Leopalace didn't have that key money scam going on?

As far as noise. I guess you will have less neighbors at least. But I heard my neighbors conversations threw the walls. So that could still very well be an issue as JL says. I guess you'll have to leave your door unlocked in an apartment for your neighbors to join in=)

[El_Mero_Mero]

So, what would the process for Leopalace be though? There must be some kind of cost upfront, right? Because, I'm strictly looking at it from the point of "Why would my own apartment be more advantageous. The guesthouse I satayed in before had no utilities that needed paying. I did have one girl in my room once that wanted to do a little bit of roleplaying before, and wanted to be submissive. I had to tell her that she can't get too creative as I had rooms so close to me.

Playing music will drown out sounds, but you can't play music at night. Walking into a new apartment building and handing every tenant ear plugs on my first day may seem a little awkward.

In all seriousness though, some of us go to the country for savings, some go for girls, some go for a genuine interest in teaching, etc. The ideal would be to make the most of it without having to break your bank.

[ripslyme]

[El_Mero_Mero]

I looked at the link on the bottom of that website. I don't have that kind of money right now, but when all 12 months were said and done, I would end up paying less for the Leopalace apt. then another private apt.

[elkarlo]

I have been talking to a lady in Chiba. SHe checked out the Apartments in Ichihara, which is south of Chiba. She said the average cost was 3mon to 5mon yen a month. So I think even with Key money it won't be as astronomical as some people make it out to be, Maybe a $2K start up, as oppossed to $5k like they make it sound. Which maybe true in Tokyo.

Also did you hear anything about being able to take over an apartment from the ALT that is leaving? I heard if we do that then there is no key money paid and the such.

[Apsara]

30,000 yen for an apartment, even in Chiba? Maybe so, but make sure it has a shower/bath, as many of the cheapest apartments don't and you have to go to a sento. 45,000-50,000 sounds more normal, and that is still quite expensive to move into when you usually pay 1-2 months key money, 1-2 months deposit, 1 month agency fee and 2 months rent in advance (first and last months' rent). Then you have to buy furniture, fridge, often the light fittings and gas cooker, washing machine etc. (unless you want to go to the coin laundry all the time), so you've already gone well over your $2,000 there.

My husband and I paid close to a million yen all up to move into our apartment in Tokyo- the monthly rent is 110,000, but once you have included the above and furnished it the costs get pretty high.

10,000 is "man" by the way- "mon" means gate.

[elkarlo]

[Apsara]

If you are such a terrible speller, how come there aren't any mistakes in the above post? Sorry, I'll get off your case about the spelling now

[elkarlo]

[grapejuice]

Interac sucks, find a job that provides the apt. or Key money.

[bearcat]