activeaero Wrote:So what I'm asking is does Osaka have something that will come close to that same type of Tokyo living environment....just cheaper?

Yes.

I live about 10 minutes from shinsaibashi by bike, 15 to umeda. Most of the language schools are located in those two areas, and tennoji (also about 15 minutes by bike).

I pay around 64,000 (after bills), and that's a bit expensive.

I've never lived in Tokyo, just visited, but I think Osaka is a lot better. There's always stuff to do, lots of friendly people, active nightlife mid week , and not everyone wants to speak English (although of course there are plenty of people).

Tokyo might have lots to see, but once you've seen it, are you gonna go again? Living in Osaka means that I can go to Nara/Kyoto/Kobe really easily, as well as Mie/Wakayama/Shiga, all really close.

It might just be one of those things though.. But everyone I know who has lived in Osaka much prefers it to Tokyo.

If you're from a small town then you might like the bright lights of Tokyo (it certainly feels and is bigger than Osaka), but I think that it might get old quickly.

activeaero Wrote:Is 90 000 yen a month really THAT much for rent where you come from? I mean yes it is expensive for the size but honestly even where I come from, which is cheap as hell in the states, an apartment in an area of town you would actually feel comfortable living in will run you in the 55 000+ yen neighborhood fairly easy.

So you're saying that paying twice for a much smaller apartment is justified because you get a safer neighborhood? Are you living in Detroit or something??
Where I live you can get a decent apartment for around 70k yen, thats usually two normal-sized rooms, bathroom, kitchen, cable, internet etc. thats why I don't see myself paying 90k for one 14m2 room just to experience Japan.

I've found something like this:
http://www.sakura-house.com/english/premise/oomori.php

With discounts its 60k for 10m+ room and its still in Tokyo. If you want to be really cheap there are shared rooms for 35k!! Sure it's outside the "ring" but its not the end of the world. In return you get to stay in Japan longer and learn the language better. If lodging sucks you just change places or upgrade, depends on your situation.

I've never been in one, but Sakura House places seem pretty run down and out of date (crank showers etc) from what I've seen & heard..

Jarvik7 Wrote:I've never been in one, but Sakura House places seem pretty run down and out of date (crank showers etc) from what I've seen & heard..

If its bad I can stay there for a month and during that time its likely I'll find something better. A month is a long time to find another place

thurd Wrote:So you're saying that paying twice for a much smaller apartment is justified because you get a safer neighborhood? Are you living in Detroit or something??
Where I live you can get a decent apartment for around 70k yen, thats usually two normal-sized rooms, bathroom, kitchen, cable, internet etc. thats why I don't see myself paying 90k for one 14m2 room just to experience Japan.

I've found something like this:
http://www.sakura-house.com/english/premise/oomori.php

With discounts its 60k for 10m+ room and its still in Tokyo. If you want to be really cheap there are shared rooms for 35k!! Sure it's outside the "ring" but its not the end of the world. In return you get to stay in Japan longer and learn the language better. If lodging sucks you just change places or upgrade, depends on your situation.

No I said it is also justified because you MUST own a car in 95% of cities in the United States. Since cars aren't free that's a huge cost of living expense that Tokyoites don't have to endure.

Let's also not exaggerate the apartment sizes. 90k yen will easily get you a newer 20+m2 apartment in Shibuya or Shinjuku.

And I actually think the Sakura house places are horrible deals. You can get apartments in the same area, in better condition, for often close to the same price while not having to share it with other people.

Well I think the main reason people choose guesthouses over apartments is because of the insane deposits, not so much the monthly rent. A friend of mine got together with a Japanese girl and they went to look at apartments but gave up, the deposit, key prize and all that stuff just cost WAY too much to be worth it for having an apartment for a year.

One should also note that many apartments aren't available to foreigners because others in the area would feel uncomfortable. This is unfortunately a fact in most countries not too used to foreigners being present.

Tobberoth Wrote:One should also note that many apartments aren't available to foreigners because others in the area would feel uncomfortable. This is unfortunately a fact in most countries not too used to foreigners being present.

http://apartments.gaijinpot.com/hikari/r...l/id/15878

¥81,000 for 24m2 room in Shinjuku. Building built in 2003. 1 month deposit + agency fee only. Open to foreigners. No key money, no guarantor required, no monthly building maintenance fees. 3 minute walk from the Seibu-Shinjyuku or 12 minute walk to Takadanobaba. That's just one example of many.

I agree if you are only going to be staying for a year or less it might can be a factor but if you are in a long term program I don't see the benefit in a guest house. If you email some real estate guys personally you'll find there are plenty of managers waiving deposits/key money fees....even for foreigners.

activeaero Wrote:

Tobberoth Wrote:One should also note that many apartments aren't available to foreigners because others in the area would feel uncomfortable. This is unfortunately a fact in most countries not too used to foreigners being present.

http://apartments.gaijinpot.com/hikari/r...l/id/15878

¥81,000 for 24m2 room in Shinjuku. Building built in 2003. 1 month deposit + agency fee only. Open to foreigners. No key money, no guarantor required, no monthly building maintenance fees. 3 minute walk from the Seibu-Shinjyuku or 12 minute walk to Takadanobaba. That's just one example of many.

I agree if you are only going to be staying for a year or less it might can be a factor but if you are in a long term program I don't see the benefit in a guest house. If you email some real estate guys personally you'll find there are plenty of managers waiving deposits/key money fees....even for foreigners.

Sounds too good to be true, which means it usually is when that's the case. Sounds like the perfect place to stay if you go to Waseda though.