Reasons for couples to live in a share house
There are many reasons why couples choose to live in a shared house, including financial benefits and a wider range of lifestyle options. In particular, it is a great way to cut costs and enjoy the benefits of communal living. We will explain this in more detail below.
Cross House offers shared houses and apartments that are suitable for couples.
Generally, share houses are designed for one occupant, but some properties can accommodate two people. There are also campaigns offering free initial fees, so you can live comfortably while keeping costs down.
Characteristics of properties for couples
- Furnished and equipped with appliances: refrigerator, washing machine, microwave, etc.
- No deposit or key money required: Reduce initial costs
- Convenient location in the city: Easy access to major areas such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, and Shinagawa
- Privacy guaranteed: Enjoy a comfortable life in your own room
- Reasonable rent: Properties available in the Tokyo and Osaka areas starting from 40,000 yen
Main properties suitable for married couples
- Cross Nakameguro 3 (Nakameguro, Tokyo): Private rooms from 64,800 yen
- Cross Kamata 5 (Kamata, Tokyo): Private rooms from 49,000 yen
- Pastel Toko (Minamitanabe, Osaka): Private room from 55,000 yen
- Grishave Asahimachi (Narimasu, Tokyo): Private room from 65,000 yen
- Liberty Palace Mejiro (Mejiro, Tokyo): Private room from 75,000 yen
If you want to make your new life as a couple more comfortable, be sure to check out Cross House's shared houses and apartments !
Economic benefits
Reduce rent and utility costs
One of the big advantages of living in a shared house is the reduction in living costs.
Compared to a typical rental property, rent and utility costs can be reduced, which can result in significant savings, especially in urban areas.
- Cheaper rent: In a shared house, a couple can rent one room at a time, which often means they can keep rent costs lower than if they were to live in a 1LDK or 2DK rental property.
- Low utility and communication costs: Electricity, water, and internet fees for shared spaces are often included in the rent, which means there is no need for separate contracts, leading to savings.
Low initial cost
When living in a rental property, the costs incurred at the time of moving in, such as the deposit, key money, security deposit, and agent fees, can be a major burden.
However, in the case of a shared house, you can reduce initial costs in the following ways:
- Many properties do not require a deposit or key money: In a normal rental property, the deposit and key money alone can cost two to three months' rent, but in a share house, these are often free or very low.
- No brokerage fees: With most share houses, you can make a direct contract and don't have to go through a real estate agency, so there are often no fees.
Many properties come with furniture and appliances
Shared houses generally come equipped with a refrigerator, washing machine, microwave, bed, table, etc.
This provides the following benefits:
- No need to purchase furniture or appliances: This can significantly reduce expenses when starting a new life.
- Lower moving costs: Moving costs are lower because you don’t have to transport large furniture and appliances.
The unique charm of a share house
Share the joys of communal living
In a shared house, you can live and interact with not only your spouse but also other residents.
Here are some fun things to look forward to:
- Enjoy daily meals and events together: Cook together with other residents and host events such as birthday parties.
- Meet people who share the same hobbies and values as you: Some share houses are community-style properties where people with the same interests gather, making it easy to form new relationships.
Interact with people with different values
Shared houses often house people with diverse backgrounds, providing an opportunity to broaden your values.
- You can have international exchange: In a share house with foreign residents, you can learn about language and cultural differences.
- Learn about diverse lifestyles: By interacting with people who work in a variety of ways, such as freelancers, artists, and entrepreneurs, you can make new discoveries.
Realizing a new lifestyle for couples
Unlike living in a traditional rental property, living in a shared house allows you to experience a new lifestyle.
- "Family + Community" Living: Living as a couple, you can maintain a reasonable distance from the other residents.
- Sharing housework and childcare: Shared spaces allow residents to help each other with housework and exchange information about childcare.
Cases where couples choose to share a house
I used to live in a share house.
- Cases where couples have lived in a shared house before marriage and continue to live there.
- You can start a new life smoothly in a familiar environment.
- If you have a good relationship with the other residents, it will be easier for you and your spouse to enjoy life together.
Want to reduce housing costs after marriage
- A newlywed couple might think, "We want to live at a low cost to start with."
- Many couples choose to live in a shared house to cut down on living expenses after big expenses such as their wedding and honeymoon.
- You can find properties suitable for couples with rents lower than those of rental housing.
Seeking an environment with ample childcare support
- Family-friendly shared houses often have an environment that supports child-rearing.
- There are also "co-parenting share houses" where residents can support each other in child-rearing.
- Choosing a shared house located close to a nursery school or school can help reduce the burden of raising children.
Disadvantages of living in a shared house as a couple
Living in a shared house as a married couple has many advantages, but there are also disadvantages. In particular, it is important to understand in advance about the issues of privacy, differences in lifestyle, and the limited selection of properties. From here, we will explain in detail the points to be aware of when living in a shared house as a married couple.
Private space is limited
Share houses have a lot of shared spaces and private rooms are limited in size, so it can be difficult to find private time.
The rooms are often small
Compared to regular rental properties, private rooms in share houses tend to be compact, so couples living there may find them cramped. In particular, properties with little storage space will require some ingenuity in organizing your belongings.
Soundproofing may be poor
In a shared house with thin walls, you may be bothered by noise from the next room, or your daily sounds may be heard by other residents. If you want to spend some time relaxing with your spouse or if you are doing remote work, it is important to choose a property with good soundproofing.
Problems due to differences in lifestyle
Since people with diverse backgrounds live together in a share house, problems can sometimes arise due to differences in lifestyles and values.
Rules and restrictions on communal living can be strict
In a shared house, there are rules that all residents must follow, such as cleaning duties for the common areas and rules for taking out the trash. For couples who want to live freely, these rules can be stressful.
You need to be careful about your relationships with other residents.
In a share house, it is important to build good relationships with the other residents. However, differences in lifestyles and values can cause stress in relationships. If you want to prioritize time with your spouse or want to maintain a distance from the other residents, it is important to check the atmosphere of the share house in advance.
Available properties are limited
When considering living in a shared house as a couple, one of the disadvantages is that there are limited property options available.
There are few options for share houses that couples can live in
Most share houses are designed for single people, so there are only a limited number of properties available for couples to move in. There are particularly few share houses for couples in urban areas, so it can be difficult to find a property in your desired area.
The options are narrower than for family properties.
Compared to regular rental properties for families, there are fewer options for share houses that couples can move into, so you may have to compromise on size and facilities. Furthermore, if you have children, your options are even more limited, so couples who are thinking about raising children need to choose their property carefully.
How to choose a share house for a couple
When living in a share house as a couple, you need to choose a property from a different perspective than a regular rental property. To ensure a comfortable life, there are certain points to check in advance, such as the size of the property, the facilities, relationships with the residents, and living rules. In particular, the article "Why is a share house recommended for couples? Introducing the benefits and things to be aware of" provides a detailed explanation of the points couples should know when choosing a share house, as well as what it is actually like to live in a share house for two.
From here on, we will explain in detail the particularly important points to consider when choosing a share house for couples.
Points to consider when choosing a property
When choosing a share house, it is important to check whether the property has an environment suitable for living as a couple. In particular, be sure to check in advance the size, facilities, soundproofing, and privacy.
Check the number of properties that a married couple can live in
Most share houses are for single people, so there are only a limited number of share houses that are suitable for couples. Therefore, when searching for a property, you should consider the following points:
- Check whether a married couple can live together (ask the website or management company)
- Check if there are private rooms or spaces for two people
- Make sure the property is comfortable for the couple (furnished, ample storage space, etc.)
Check the room size and facilities
In order for a couple to live comfortably, it is important to choose a room that is spacious enough. Pay particular attention to the following points:
- Is the private room large enough? (If it is too small, life will become cramped and cause stress.)
- Are there private kitchens and bathrooms? (Shared facilities may be inconvenient.)
- Is there enough storage space (consider the amount of luggage you have)?
Is it possible to ensure soundproofing and privacy?
In a share house, you will be living together with other residents, so soundproofing and ensuring privacy are directly linked to a comfortable life. To be safe, it is a good idea to check the following in advance:
- Are the walls too thin? (Check this when viewing the property to see if noise from daily life will be a problem.)
- Can you secure private time? (Is there a private room where you can relax?)
- Are the bathroom and toilet easily accessible (does it suit the couple's lifestyle)?
Consider your relationships with other residents
Since a share house is a style of living where many people live together, relationships between residents are very important. In order to choose a share house where couples can live with peace of mind, it is important to understand the atmosphere of the residents and the characteristics of the community.
Choosing a community-based share house
When choosing a share house for couples, they need to consider whether they want a "community-type share house" where there is active interaction between residents, or a "private room-type share house" that prioritizes privacy.
- If you want to enjoy socializing → A community-style share house is suitable (there are many dinner parties and events)
- If you want to cherish your time as a couple → Choose a property that prioritizes privacy (high degree of independence in individual rooms)
Check the atmosphere and attributes of other residents
The atmosphere of a share house can vary greatly depending on who is living there. Check the following points in advance to determine if it is the right environment for you.
- Are the age groups and occupations of the residents suitable for us?
- The atmosphere of the share house (quiet or lively)
- Check out the reviews and comments from past residents
Check the rules of living
In a share house, there are rules for how to use the common spaces and cleaning rules. It is important to check in advance whether the rules will suit your lifestyle as a couple.
Make the rules of your life clear as a couple
You can avoid any problems if you decide how you and your spouse will live together before moving into a shared house.
- Adjust your daily routine (bedtime, meal times, etc.)
- Decide who will be responsible for household chores (e.g. cleaning common areas)
- Think about ways to spend time together without causing stress to each other.
Understand the rules for using shared spaces in advance
In a shared house, you will share the kitchen, living room, bathroom, etc., so it is important to understand the rules.
- Kitchen usage hours and cleaning rules
- Manners in shared spaces (rules on noise, eating, and visitors)
- Rules for toilet and shower use order and time
Check with the management company and residents in advance to choose a share house that you are satisfied with.
Recommended areas for share houses for couples
When a couple lives in a share house, choosing the area is an important point for living comfortably. The best area varies depending on the couple's lifestyle, such as "Do you value the convenience of an urban area?" or "Do you want an environment that is easy to raise children in?"
In addition, like shared houses, furnished apartments are also an attractive option for couples. The article "Benefits and Selection Guide of Furnished Apartments for Couples" provides a detailed explanation of the benefits of fully-equipped apartments and how to choose them.
Here we will explain in detail the recommended areas suitable for share houses for couples.
Shared houses in urban areas | Recommended for couples who value good accessibility and convenience
Share houses in urban areas have the advantage of being easily accessible and have a wide range of commercial facilities, making it easier to balance work and life. Share houses in urban areas are recommended for couples who both work or who want to live an active lifestyle.
Easy access is an attraction
Share houses in urban areas are often located near train stations, reducing the burden of commuting and going out. The following areas are particularly popular due to their convenient transportation.
- Tokyo: Around major terminal stations such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, and Shinagawa
- Osaka: Properties near stations in central areas such as Umeda, Namba, and Tennoji
- Nagoya: Areas with good access to Meieki, Sakae, Kanayama, etc.
Easy to balance work and life
Urban areas not only have good access to work, but also have plenty of facilities necessary for daily life, making it easier for couples to live together.
- Plenty of supermarkets, convenience stores, and restaurants: Many options for shopping and eating out
- Good medical facilities and administrative services: Hospitals and government offices are nearby
- Many shared offices and cafes: an ideal environment for remote work
Living in an urban area allows couples to balance their work and personal lives and spend quality time together.
Area with good childcare support | Family-friendly living environment
For couples who are planning to have children or who live with small children, it is important to choose an area with a good environment for raising children. Areas with a good selection of educational facilities, parks, and government support systems allow you to live with peace of mind.
Areas with a rich educational environment
When choosing an area where it is easy to raise children, it is important to check the quality and number of nurseries, kindergartens, and elementary schools. The following areas have good educational environments and are popular with families with children.
- Tokyo: Setagaya, Suginami, Bunkyo (high level of education, many families with children)
- Kanagawa Prefecture: Yokohama and Kawasaki (good childcare facilities and convenient for commuting)
- Osaka Prefecture: Toyonaka City, Suita City, Minoh City (Many educational districts, good public safety)
- Aichi Prefecture: Meito Ward and Chikusa Ward in Nagoya City (good educational environment and abundant nature)
These areas are also ideal for couples who want to focus on their children's education, as there are many cram schools and extracurricular activities for children.
Areas with many facilities for families
When choosing a share house, it is also important to consider whether there are plenty of facilities for families nearby. Having a park where children can play safely, as well as a hospital or childcare support center nearby, can help reduce the burden of childcare.
- There is a large park: Abundant nature and an environment where children can play freely
- There are many childcare support centers: many childcare consultations and events for parents and children
- Nearby hospitals and clinics: Having a pediatrician and obstetrics and gynecology clinic nearby is reassuring
For example, areas such as the Tama district of Tokyo (Tachikawa and Hachioji), Saitama City in Saitama Prefecture, and Funabashi City in Chiba Prefecture offer comprehensive government support for families with children and are popular as areas where couples can live with peace of mind.
summary
Living in a share house as a couple has the financial benefit of keeping rent and utility costs down, as well as the appeal of realizing a new lifestyle through communal living. On the other hand, it is necessary to secure private space, build relationships with the other residents, and adapt to their living rules. To live comfortably, it is important to check the size of the property, the facilities, and soundproofing, get along with the other residents, and understand the living rules. Choose a property and area that suits your lifestyle as a couple and enjoy the ideal share house life!
