CJGuide: Where to LiveFood, Shelter, SexHitting The Beach | While You Wait | Permanent Places | Reading An Ad | Apartment Types Hitting The BeachThe Process
Once you hit the beach, you should allow at least a week to ten days for apartment hunting, keeping in mind that it will take about a week from the time you choose an apartment until you are able to close the deal and move in.
Basically, once you choose an agency, tell the agent approximately what you're looking for and he or she will hand you copies of floor plans to peruse. (For things to consider, see Permanent Places below.) After you choose a number of potentially suitable apartments, the agent will schedule a day in the near future to visit the apartments. If possible, send your requests to your employer and let it arrange the visits for the first few days you are in town. You can always ask to look at other places. Once you choose an apartment, the agent will begin "negotiations" with the landlord. The price is fixed by the advertisement, but the agent will sometimes want to see if the landlord will allow foreigners. This is usually not a problem with agencies advertising in English language magazines, but might be a problem with agencies used to dealing mainly with Japanese. (See "What Color Is Your Skin?" for more information.) Also, if you've insisted something be repaired or cleaned before moving in, don't count on it being done unless it's something major like the water heater or windows. The rest is merely waiting for paperwork to be processed. Your agent sends information to your employer who sends a guarantor form to the agent who eventually meets with you for a signing and a handing over of obscene amounts of cash. In many cases, you will probably never meet your landlord face to face. He or she will exist merely as numbers on an account. While You WaitHotels
Most people coming to work for established companies will probably already have some sort of pre-arranged accomo- dation. Therefore, hotels should be considered only in an emergency. A decent hotel will be, at best, 8,000 yen per night while most of your stuff sits in paid storage at Tokyo station. If possible, make sure your employer is footing the bill.
Gaijin Houses and Weekly Mansions
So-called Gaijin Houses are dormitory style accomodations where many foreigners arriving in Japan first settle. They are generally cheap and don't charge "key money" (non-refundable deposit). They can be rented for a week or month at a time and can be moved into quickly. Both single and shared rooms are available. Not only are they a good place to reside while hunting for a permanent apartment--they are much cheaper than staying at a hotel--they are also a good place to make contacts with other foreigners who already know their way around town.
Weekly mansions are temporary apartments which can be rented by the week or month. They are a relatively new phenomenon and most of the places are new and clean. Although they specifically cater to Japanese businessmen and women, they will also accept foreigners. Again, there is usually no key money charged.
Permanent PlacesDecisions, Decisions, Decisions
In The City Or Out Keep in mind, however, that Japan's remarkable train system starts shutting down between midnight and one in the morning and doesn't start up again until five. Unless you're one who likes to stay out all night you'll have to come home early. On the other hand, if you live in the city you're only a taxi ride away from home. Also, the 'Burbs might lack many modern conveniences: cheap coffee shops, fast food, and decent bookstores and video shops. To reach those, you will have to travel into the city. Let your partying and entertainment needs be your guide. How Much Room Do You Need? Convenience Costs The more "modern" conveniences around an apartment, the more it costs. If an apartment is near a grocery or convenience store or a major shopping area, it will be more expensive. Balance the price with the burden of having to walk ten minutes to go shopping and then drag all the groceries back. Doing The Math Reading An Ad
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