Three affordable places to live

Many people change their residence for various reasons, such as moving to Tokyo for work, or moving to a new place for a new life. In many cases, people consider living alone in a rental property.

However, it is not rare to end up choosing a property with high rent, a bad location, or that lacks cleanliness. In such a case, we recommend considering the following three facilities.

• Share House
• Youth hostel
• Apartments

Share houses are a way of living that is becoming more and more mainstream these days; they are residential properties where people can live for short to long periods of time, rather than just lodging.

Youth hostels are accommodation facilities that allow long-term stays. Becoming a youth hostel member comes with benefits such as member prices and the ability to participate in special tours.

Apartments are also residential properties, but as they do not have shared spaces, they are recommended for people who are thinking of living alone.

Share House

A share house is a way of living where you live together with other residents in one residence. Residents share common areas such as the living room, kitchen, bathroom, and toilet, except for their private rooms.

There are many different types of buildings and rooms under the term "share house." Not only single-family homes, but also condominiums and apartments are available as share houses. Some buildings are newly built for share houses, while many properties have been renovated to suit share houses.

Basically, furniture and appliances are provided, so you can move in lightly. There are also three types of rooms. Choose the type of room based on the overall factors such as rent and your lifestyle.

• Private room: Have your own space
• Dormitory: Shared bunk beds
• Semi-private: More privacy than a dormitory

The average rent for a shared house is around 50,000 yen, which tends to be cheaper than a rental apartment.

Depending on the area and type of room, the price can be reduced to 30,000 to 40,000 yen, which is a major benefit as it allows you to keep your fixed costs down.

Keep in mind that if you live in a shared house, you will also have to pay maintenance fees, which will cost around 15,000 yen in addition to the rent.

Youth hostel

Youth hostels were originally created as simple lodging facilities to provide cheap and convenient accommodation for young people. Nowadays, they are not only for young people, but can be enjoyed by people of all ages and genders.

Generally, rooms are shared by 4 to 8 people, separated by gender, so you cannot expect much privacy, but the average cost is around 3,000 to 4,000 yen per night, which is very wallet-friendly.

Youth hostels also offer their own programs and tours. Although it varies depending on the accommodation, there are plenty of activities such as cycling tours in the summer and snow play experience programs in the winter.

On the other hand, there is a facility that is very similar to a youth hostel called a "guest house." While the basic concept is similar, the main difference is the size of the facility.

Youth hostels can accommodate many guests, but guesthouses are run by owners and their families, so the number of guests is limited. The advantage is that you can get deeply involved with the local culture and the guests. Another unique style of guesthouses is that they offer both private space and shared rooms.

Apartments

An apartment is a small shared housing unit that is common in Japan.

Large-scale shared housing is called an apartment building, and the building is divided into separate rooms. Unlike a share house or youth hostel, there are no shared facilities, and each room is equipped with a living room, kitchen, bathroom, toilet, etc.

This style allows you to live alone with peace of mind, as there is no risk of your personal belongings being used or stolen no matter where you place them.

Recently, there has been an increase in companies that operate apartments with furniture and appliances. Not only are there plumbing facilities available, but also microwaves, refrigerators, beds, and other amenities are all fully equipped in the rooms. This allows you to move or change residences easily, so you can start a comfortable life with ease.

So, how much is the average rent per room for apartments and other rental properties? According to the National Rental Management Business Association's data on national rent trends in March 2024, the national average rent is around 50,100 yen. In Tokyo, it was 70,490 yen, while in Yamanashi Prefecture it was 41,203 yen, a difference of around 30,000 yen.

( Reference: National Rental Management Business Association "National Rent Trends in March 2024")

The pros and cons of shared houses, youth hostels and apartments

What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a share house, youth hostel, or apartment? We have summarized the specifics below.

	Share House	Youth hostel	Apartments
merit	Reduce housing costs ・Furniture and appliances included ・Enjoy interacting with others	・Low price ・You can interact with other guests There is a unique tour	・Can live alone ・Good location -Rent is cheaper than an apartment
Disadvantages	・Your daily routine may not match up Difficult to ensure privacy ・I'm bothered by noises from daily life	・Amenities are not provided ・Privacy cannot be guaranteed There is a risk of getting into trouble	・Low soundproofing Your security may not be up to date.

We found that all of these facilities offered lower rent than living alone in a rented apartment.

Share houses and youth hostels generally have furniture and appliances provided in the shared spaces, so you don't have to bring them yourself. This saves you money on purchasing and moving expenses, so you can easily decide to move in. Short-term stays are also possible, and there is no need to worry about cancellation fees if you don't live there for two years, as you would with a rental apartment.

On the other hand, the biggest appeal of apartments is that they allow you to live alone at a reasonable price. Depending on the operating company or management company, some properties come with furniture and appliances, so you may be able to move in with less initial costs.

[By scene] Recommended facilities

Here we will introduce facilities that fit the lifestyle you imagine. If you do not clearly define your purpose before choosing a property, you may regret it after you move in. Please take this opportunity to reconfirm what kind of lifestyle you imagine.

If you want to live while deepening your relationships, choose a "share house"

If you want to broaden your opportunities for social interaction and deepen your personal relationships, not just at work, we recommend a share house. Since residents have many opportunities to interact with each other in the shared spaces, you will naturally make friends.

If you live in a share house with people from various regions, you'll have a ton of things to talk about, like your hometown or hobbies. You can spend time together without having to make an appointment, so it's easier to close the gap than if you were to meet up outside.

Furthermore, since the people who live in a share house have a wide range of values, it is also a chance to be exposed to a variety of outlooks on life. By deepening your interactions with others, you may broaden your horizons and become interested in many different things. If all the residents are available, you can hold a stand-up party or a game tournament in the living room, which will make the interactions even more enjoyable.

Youth hostels: for short-term stays where interaction is important

If you're looking for a short-term stay on a budget and want to prioritize social interaction, we recommend a youth hostel.

The accommodation fee is cheaper than a hotel, and you can stay at a member price by registering as a member. Most people who stay at youth hostels are people who love traveling or the local culture, so they can spend time in a way that they cannot experience in the place or with friends they are used to living in.

Generally, rooms are shared, with each guest having their own space on one bunk bed. There isn't much privacy, but the appeal is that you can chat with other guests right up until bedtime. Although they are a little more expensive, some youth hostels have private rooms, so if you're staying with a couple or family, it's a good idea to check whether or not they have private rooms.

For those who want to live alone, "Furnished Apartments"

If you want independence and privacy but can't afford to live alone because rent is too high, consider an apartment property with furniture and appliances.

When you start living alone, you will inevitably have trouble getting the furniture and appliances you need. Because the expenses are higher than you think, you can't take the plunge until you have saved up a lot of money. However, a furnished apartment already comes with all the furniture and appliances you need for daily life, so you can move in light.

When you think of furnished apartments, some people may think of monthly apartments. However, the rent is said to be about 20% higher than that of regular rental properties, so it is not recommended for those who are concerned about cost-effectiveness.

Points to consider when choosing a shared house, youth hostel, or fully furnished apartment

Whether you choose a shared house, youth hostel, or fully furnished apartment, it's important to prepare in advance so you don't end up regretting your move-in. Here are some tips for choosing a facility.

Is there a women-only space?

If you are a woman and are thinking of living in a share house or youth hostel, make sure to check whether or not there is a women-only space. The ratio of male to female residents is not constant and changes from time to time, so it is not uncommon for several women to live in a share house where most of the residents are male.

If you are uncomfortable living with men, a women-only shared house or youth hostel with a women-only space might be a good option.

Shared space facilities

Share houses and youth hostels generally have shared spaces that all residents can use.

It is especially important to check the water-related facilities that are part of daily life, such as the kitchen, bathroom, and toilet. Kitchens and living rooms are often equipped with furniture, home appliances, and cooking utensils, but the level of completeness varies depending on the facility. In addition, there are cases where old home appliances are placed, which may be difficult for some people to use.

Cleanliness

The cleanliness of shared spaces and private rooms is also an important checkpoint.

In many cases, people will look at photos posted on the Internet and select the property as a potential tenant. What we recommend is to actually view the property. Depending on the management company, the photos and the actual interior may differ in many cases.

You may have seen reviews saying things like "It wasn't what I imagined" or "It's different from the photos." When deciding on a place to live, make sure you actually check the cleanliness of the place before making a decision.

Ease of access

When choosing a shared house, youth hostel, or furnished apartment, ease of access is also an important thing to check.

If you are a freelancer working from home, you may not need to worry too much about the location. However, if you go to work almost every day, you may find it difficult to live there due to poor accessibility if you don't consider the distance to the station and the commute time to work.

Also, the time it takes to walk there is different to the time shown on a map app. The time it takes to walk there varies depending on whether there are slopes, the weather, and the speed of the people walking, so we recommend that you see it with your own eyes and walk it.

Check the rules

Many share houses and youth hostels have rules in place to prevent disputes between residents.

Be sure to check the rules and make sure the residents are following them. Since people with different values ​​live together, life would not work without rules. If one person behaves freely, someone else will be stressed.

If the rules are not followed in a space, it can lead to problems such as a lack of cleanliness or fights between residents. If you are not a resident, it may seem like there is no way to check whether residents are following the rules, but if you ask the management company or the landlord when you visit, they will tell you, so you can rest assured.

If you want to live on a budget, we recommend share houses, youth hostels, and fully furnished apartments

Living in a share house, youth hostel, or furnished apartment is more economical than living in a regular rental property. Share houses and youth hostels have common spaces where you can enjoy interacting with other residents and cooking together.

If you are looking to live alone, we recommend an apartment that comes fully furnished and includes plumbing facilities.

Cross House offers fully furnished apartments perfect for living alone. The initial costs and rent are set lower than the average rental market price, so it is recommended for those who want to move while keeping costs down.

For Cross House's furnished apartments, the initial fee is set at a flat rate of 50,000 yen, so you don't have to worry about any additional costs. For shared houses, the initial fee is set at a flat rate of 30,000 yen. If you find a property on this site that interests you, please feel free to contact us.