Tokyo
An expat in Tokyo talks about the high cost of housing, living close to work, property searches and mansion apartments.
Tokyo
I wish I had brought more unique clothing. I never tried something special with my outfits and picking clothes became dull. I also wish I had brought more coconut oil. It's such a great ingredient and is super expensive here. I would also have brought more shorts. It's so humid here in summer and I wish I had a good pair. I wish I had left my extra pairs of shoes. I never used them and now I have to bring them back. I wish I had left my special hair products. I never got the chance to try them. I also wish I had left my extra electronic devices, like my camera and Nintendo DS. I just never felt the need or urge to use them.
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Bring as little as possible. You don't need a lot of stuff and you can find a lot of it here already. The fees to actually move into a place are insane, maybe 3-6 times the monthly rent. So save up, and consider getting a roommate or staying in a sharehouse. Choose a neighborhood that is more residential. You will have more services nearby geared towards you, like gyms, libraries, parks, and grocery stores. Things will feel more calm. You might see some trees, too. Also, find a place that is near the places you will frequent. If you work, find a place where it is easy to commute from. If you have a hobby, find a place that has access to the hobby space you want to use. If you know Japanese, I'd try to find an apartment without a real estate agent. It feels like they do next to nothing for a full month's rent price.
I live in a "mansion" apartment, meaning it's in a high-rise building. It is normal for most people in the city to live in one. Expats might live in sharehouses or pre-furnished apartments for the lower costs and convenience, respectively.
I chose my neighborhood based on my commute to work. I found something that only took one train and was under 30 minutes. I specifically found my apartment with the help of a real estate agent, which is the norm here. I told him my preferences and sent him some listings that interested me. He responded by showing me some of the listings I found and some other similar places he had found.
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Housing costs are much higher than in the US. Housing has around the same cost as New York City, though a little lower. A 20 square meter apartment here can cost $600-$1,500 a month depending on the part of the city and distance from public transportation. In Texas, apartments can be the same price for triple the space.
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Tokyo Index
An index of all of our site's Tokyo information.
Expats in Tokyo offer advice about healthcare, hospital visits, emergency rooms visits, finding a doctor and buying health insurance in Tokyo.
Tokyo has many international schools and bi-lingual schools for expat students. Here are several of the more popular options.
Japan Forum
Talk with other digital nomads and expats in Japan on our Japan forum - meet people, get advice and help others.
Contribute
Help others in Japan by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Japan.
Expats in Japan offer advice about healthcare, hospital visits, emergency rooms visits, finding a doctor and buying health insurance in Japan.
Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what digital nomads & expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Japan.
Expats in Tokyo have several neighborhoods worth considering when they move abroad. Individual needs, such as proximity to work, international schools in Tokyo and other factors will help determine the best choice for each expat and expat family.
Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
GET A QUOTE
Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
GET A QUOTE
Tokyo Index
An index of all of our site's Tokyo information.
Expats in Tokyo offer advice about healthcare, hospital visits, emergency rooms visits, finding a doctor and buying health insurance in Tokyo.
Expats in Tokyo enjoy the capital city of Japan, which is a sprawling metropolitan area. Here are some tips to help expats.navigate a relocation to one of the biggest economies in the world.
Tokyo has many international schools and bi-lingual schools for expat students. Here are several of the more popular options.
Japan Forum
Talk with other digital nomads and expats in Japan on our Japan forum - meet people, get advice and help others.
Contribute
Help others in Japan by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Japan.
Expats in Japan offer advice about healthcare, hospital visits, emergency rooms visits, finding a doctor and buying health insurance in Japan.
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