What is a share house?
A share house is a type of housing where multiple residents live in private rooms in one building, but share common spaces such as the kitchen, living room, bathroom, etc. In recent years, share houses have become increasingly popular, especially in urban areas, and are especially popular among university students and young working people.
Differences from student dormitories and room sharing
A share house is a style of housing where multiple residents share one home. It is often confused with student dormitories and room shares, but there are clear differences between them.
- Student dormitories: These are often run by universities and generally have rules such as curfews and meal provision. While they are well managed, they can also mean that you have less freedom.
- Room sharing: This is a style of renting an apartment with friends or acquaintances, and you will need to share the burden of signing the contract and paying utility bills. This comes with certain responsibilities, such as signing the contract and dealing with problems.
- Share house: You have your own private room, but share common spaces such as the kitchen and living room with other residents. Rent is low and many properties come fully furnished, so you can start a new life with ease.
Share houses are chosen by many university students as a place to live where they can enjoy interacting with others while still maintaining privacy.
Percentage of university students using share houses
Share houses are becoming more and more popular among university students every year. Students, especially in urban areas, tend to choose share houses because they want to keep costs down compared to living alone and to expand their circle of friends.
Share house usage rates and trends
- University students in urban areas: Especially in urban areas such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka, the number of students choosing to live in shared houses is increasing due to high rents.
- Interaction with international students: There are many share houses that are designed for the purpose of international exchange, and it is common for students to live together with international students.
- Connections that transcend faculties and grades: Unlike room sharing, this environment is designed to allow people who have no relationship with each other when they move in to live comfortably.
In recent years, other benefits such as "hosting events with other residents" and "building networks that are useful for career development" have also been gaining attention, and share houses have become a new housing option for university students. Share houses are not just a place to live, but are chosen by many university students as an environment that leads to a fulfilling academic life, social life, and lifestyle.
Reasons why university students choose share houses
There are many options for university students starting their new lives, including living alone, living in a student dormitory, or sharing a room. Here we will explain in detail why "share houses" are gaining attention.
Economic benefits (savings on rent and living expenses)
A big attraction of living in a shared house is that rent and living expenses are lower than living alone. Especially in urban areas, rent is rising rapidly, making it difficult for university students to find an affordable place to live.
Cost benefits of a shared house
- Low rent: Even in urban areas, there are many properties where you can live for around 50,000 yen
- Many properties include utility fees and internet fees, making monthly payments easy to manage.
- Furniture and appliances are included, reducing initial costs when moving
- Many properties do not require a deposit or key money, reducing the burden of signing a contract
Living alone can mean high costs for rent, utilities, Wi-Fi, etc., but in a shared house you can "live comfortably with just the bare minimum."
High degree of freedom and convenience in daily life
For university students, "whether or not they can lead a free lifestyle" is an important point to consider when choosing a place to live.
The convenience of a shared house
More freedom than in a student dormitory
→Student dormitories can have strict curfews and rules, but shared houses are generally free.
Short stays possible
→Many properties have flexible contract periods, allowing you to stay for a few months.
Many properties are located near universities and stations
→ Living areas become more convenient and commuting times can be reduced.
All the necessary facilities are available
→The kitchen, washing machine, living room, etc. are shared, so you can live with only the bare minimum of belongings.
In particular, the fact that you can move in immediately and move easily is a major advantage for college students who lead mobile lifestyles.
Building a community (building new relationships)
One of the great attractions of living in a share house is the opportunity to interact with other residents.
Benefits for university students
Make friends who share the same hobbies and values
→There are social events and joint activities for residents, which naturally lead to friendships expanding.
There is an opportunity for intercultural exchange
→There are also international exchange-type share houses where you can live with international students, helping you improve your language skills and gain a global perspective.
You can share information about your studies and part-time jobs.
→If there are students from the same university, you can expect support in daily life, such as exchanging information about classes and being introduced to part-time jobs.
The distinctive feature of a share house is that it's not just a place to live, but also a place where you can make new encounters and have new experiences.
Disadvantages of living in a share house for university students
While shared houses have many benefits, such as saving on rent and interacting with people, there are also disadvantages and points to be aware of for university students. In order to live comfortably in a shared house, it is important to understand the disadvantages and think about countermeasures in advance.
Privacy is difficult to ensure
Although shared houses have private rooms, the kitchen, living room, and bathroom are shared, making it difficult to ensure complete privacy. In properties with thin walls, you may be bothered by the conversations and daily life noises of your neighbors.
In addition, if the usage times of shared spaces overlap, you may not be able to use them freely. This can be stressful for people who need their own quiet space, so it is important to check in advance about soundproofing and usage rules.
Problems between residents are likely to occur
In a share house, you live together with people who have different values and lifestyles, so it is easy for problems to arise. Some people may not follow the rules for cleaning or taking out the trash, and noise problems may occur.
In addition, small actions such as using food or daily necessities from the refrigerator without permission can also cause stress. In order to live a comfortable life, it is necessary to check the rules in advance and find ways to avoid trouble.
There are restrictions on how to use the shared spaces.
In a share house, the kitchen, shower, and washing machine are shared by multiple people, so you may not be able to use them freely. It is especially crowded in the mornings and evenings, and it is not uncommon for people to have to wait in line for the shower or use the kitchen at the same time.
Also, due to differences in awareness of keeping common spaces clean, you may feel dissatisfied with how other residents use them. Choosing a property where the rules for use are clearly defined is the key to reducing stress.
The gap in living standards between students and non-students
Share houses are home to residents from a variety of backgrounds, including not only university students, but also working adults, international students, freelancers, etc. Differences in lifestyle can sometimes be stressful, with people's rhythms not matching, such as working adults going to bed early while university students are active late into the night.
Also, there may be gaps due to differences in cultural customs and values, so it is important to check the attributes of the residents in advance and choose a suitable environment.
Troubles with contracts and moving out
Share house contracts are different from regular rental contracts, and while it may be possible to move in for a short period of time, there may be a penalty if you cancel your contract midway.
Also, if the rules for when you move out are not clear, you may have trouble with cleaning and repair costs. By carefully checking the contents of the contract and understanding the costs and procedures for moving out in advance, you can live in a share house without worry.
How to choose a share house for university students
When choosing a share house, university students need to consider not only low rent, but also various factors such as location, attributes of residents, level of facilities, and clarity of rules. In order to live comfortably, we will explain in detail the key points to consider when choosing a share house.
1. How to choose a location | Prioritize ease of commuting
When choosing a share house, it is important to give top priority to the distance to the university and the ease of commuting. Even if the rent is cheap, if the commute is long, it will be a big burden on your daily life. It is convenient to check the distance to the nearest station, the means of transportation, and the number of trains, and choose an area where you can travel by foot or bicycle. Another important point is whether there are supermarkets and convenience stores nearby. Check the living environment and ensure convenience for commuting to school and daily life.
2. Resident Attributes | Choose a compatible environment
In a share house, your compatibility with the other residents will determine how comfortable your life will be. If you choose a property exclusively for students, you will have an easier time living there as your lifestyle will be similar to theirs. In an international exchange share house, you will be able to interact with international students, but cultural differences can sometimes cause problems. Properties with a mix of working adults offer a relaxed environment, but your schedules may not match up. It is important to check in advance which residents' attributes are right for you.
3. Completeness of facilities | Ensuring a comfortable living environment
The facilities of a shared house vary depending on the property, so it's important to check in advance. Check whether there are private rooms and whether they are equipped with air conditioning and Wi-Fi. The state of management of the shared spaces is also important, and checking whether cleaning is done regularly will ensure a comfortable stay. It's also important to check whether there are a sufficient number of bathrooms and kitchens. A Wi-Fi environment is especially important for students for online classes and assignments, so it's important to choose a property with a stable communication environment.
4. Rent and contract terms | Check the total cost
Rent for a shared house is often cheaper than living alone, but utilities and management fees may be charged separately. It is important to check whether common area fees and internet fees are included in the rent and to understand the total monthly payment. Check the contract period and whether there is a penalty for moving out early. You can reduce initial costs by choosing a property that does not require a deposit or key money. It is important to carefully check the contract details and choose a property within a reasonable budget.
5. Clarity of rules | Important to prevent trouble
Share houses often have rules in place to avoid trouble between residents. Make sure to check whether there are rules about cleaning, taking out the trash, and noise levels. Rules about the use of shared spaces and rules about inviting friends over are also important. Properties with clear rules have less friction between residents and allow for a comfortable life. Checking the rules before moving in and determining whether it is an environment that suits you is the key to living comfortably for a long time.
Recommended share houses for university students
For university students, finding a share house that is easy to commute to while keeping the rent low is important. Here, we will introduce recommended share houses that have good access to the city center and keep initial costs low.
Cross Nakaitabashi 2 (Nakaitabashi, Tokyo)
Rent: From 24,800 yen | 1 minute walk from Nakaitabashi Station on the Tobu Tojo Line
Conveniently located 7 minutes to Ikebukuro Station and 16 minutes to Shinjuku Station! A cheap dormitory-style apartment, perfect for university students. There is also a 0 yen initial fee campaign, so it is recommended for those who want to keep moving costs down.
Cross Sangenjaya 2 (Sangenjaya, Tokyo)
Rent: From 28,000 yen | 7 minutes walk from Sangenjaya Station on the Tokyu Denentoshi Line
It is very conveniently located, just 4 minutes to Shibuya Station and 18 minutes to Shinjuku Station. There are also semi-private rooms that give the feeling of a private room, allowing you to live reasonably while still maintaining your privacy.
SA-Cross Togoshi Ginza 1 (Togoshi, Tokyo)
Rent: From 34,000 yen | 3 minutes walk from Togoshi Station on the Toei Asakusa Line
It is conveniently located for accessing the city center, 14 minutes to Shinagawa Station and 16 minutes to Shibuya Station. This private room shared house is also ideal for students who want an environment where they can concentrate on their studies.
Cross Nakai 1 (Nakai, Tokyo)
Rent: From 44,800 yen | 6 minutes walk from Nakai Station on the Toei Oedo Line
It takes 10 minutes to Shinjuku Station and 12 minutes to Ikebukuro Station, so it's easy to get to major stations. It's a private room, so it's recommended for those who want to study or have private time.
High Life Nakano (Nakano, Osaka)
Rent: From 59,000 yen | 9 minutes walk from Sakuranomiya Station on the Osaka Loop Line
It is ideal for university students in the Kansai area, located 9 minutes to Umeda Station and 12 minutes to Shin-Osaka Station. It is an apartment type with furniture and appliances, and can accommodate two people, so it is also an option to live with a friend.
Maison Largo (Tsukamoto, Osaka)
Rent: From 60,000 yen | 3 minutes walk from Tsukamoto Station on the JR Tokaido Main Line
It's just 3 minutes to Umeda Station and 9 minutes to Shin-Osaka Station, making it a convenient location for commuting to school or part-time work. There is also a 0 yen initial fee campaign, so you can move in smoothly.
Sera Tamade West (Tamade, Osaka)
Rent: From 62,000 yen | 7 minutes walk from Tamade Station on the Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line
It is an 8-minute walk to Namba Station and a 17-minute walk to Umeda Station, so it has good access to the city center. There are also spacious rooms that can accommodate two people, so you can live with a friend or roommate.
summary
Shared houses are an attractive option for university students who want to keep rent low while prioritizing convenience and community. Especially in urban areas, the benefits are that the financial burden is lighter than living alone and there are more opportunities to interact. On the other hand, you need to be careful about privacy and rules on the use of shared spaces. When choosing a property, be sure to check the ease of commuting, the attributes of the residents, and the level of facilities. Find an environment that suits you and enjoy a comfortable and fulfilling university life.
