I have finally decided going with an apartment is the best way to go. I need an apartment in walking or biking distance to Nagahoribashi (next station east of Shinsaibashi).

I am still young so I would like a station where young people live/hang out. Not a megastation like Namba as the apartments there are too expensive. I knew a lot of cool stations in Tokyo I would have loved to live in (like Kichijouji 吉祥寺, jiyugaoka, etc.) Are there any smaller nice stations to live at in Osaka close to Nagahoribashi?

Thanks.

One station is just like another in Osaka. Just one big concrete jungle. If you are going there because your visa is sponsored by a conversation school, try to get transfered to a nicer part of Japan.

I don't mind the concrete jungle part. I lived in Tokyo before. I will be staying in Osaka somewhat long term. (Until I become fluent). So maybe up to 3 years or so.

But I know usually in ever city there are places where the hip young crowd tend to live.

I forgot Shimokitazawa 下北沢. That station is the perfect example of the kind of place I want to live at in Osaka. There has to be an Osaka version of 下北沢 or something similar. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimokitazawa