Looking for 2LDK or similar in central-ish Tokyo

[yanpa]

(a long-time lurker writes)

I'm in the market for a mansion-style unfurnished rental apartment; 2LDK or similar, around 45sqm or above, ideally well within the 23-ku close to the Chuo or Seibu Shinjuku lines. No pets, musical instruments or other special requirements. I'm house-trained and speak/read/write Japanese and have been in Tokyo a few years.

I'm not on a fancy expat package or anything, so something in the general region of 15man is what I'm aiming for.

If anyone's got any useful pointers please let me know, there might even be a beer or similar available

[Iraira]

[quote="yanpa"](a long-time lurker writes)

I'm in the market for a mansion-style unfurnished rental apartment]

Take a Japanese friend with you (a friend of the same gender) to any decent fudosan, and pretty much the keys to your dream apartment will be soon ready for pick up. Note that, a variety of other factors (ie. your occupation, number of years at said occupation, your ethnicity, whether or not you have some documentation that the Japanese government invited you to come here originally, etc) may affect the transfer of said keys into your hands, but just don't do the "bring my Japanese significant other with me to the fudosan" thing.
15 man should be more than enough to get you the size place (or a roomy 2DK) in that area. Plus, it's after the April 1st start of the new fiscal year, so a lot of the moving for new jobs, transfers, etc., has already occured.

[matsuki]

[quote="yanpa"](a long-time lurker writes)

I'm in the market for a mansion-style unfurnished rental apartment]

Seems like you don't have a language barrier I would just go to the local Fudosan of the area you're interested in, they will know the area and oyasans best. Yahoo also has listings online. If you want some more advice, let us know the type of area you want (nightlife?) and if you have a car/bike/scooter.

[edit] Iraira is right, bring a male friend and make sure they (or your work) is willing to be your guarantor

[yanpa]

but just don't do the "bring my Japanese significant other with me to the fudosan" thing.

Interesting, any reason? Not that I was particularly planning to, but...

[yanpa]

Seems like you don't have a language barrier I would just go to the local Fudosan of the area you're interested in, they will know the area and oyasans best. Yahoo also has listings online. If you want some more advice, let us know the type of area you want (nightlife?) and if you have a car/bike/scooter.

Only a bicycle.

Ideally I'd like somewhere in the Kagurazaka/Iidabashi area. I know it's bit ambitious at that kind of price level but when hunting with the ex a couple of years back we got shown a few properties in that area.

(I did come across one very nice-looking place there already at a very good price, but on further investigation it turned out it was right next to a very active construction site).

Failing that I'll work westwards. FWIW I'm living in Takadanobaba ATM.

[Greji]

Only a bicycle.

Ideally I'd like somewhere in the Kagurazaka/Iidabashi area. I know it's bit ambitious at that kind of price level but when hunting with the ex a couple of years back we got shown a few properties in that area.

(I did come across one very nice-looking place there already at a very good price, but on further investigation it turned out it was right next to a very active construction site).

Failing that I'll work westwards. FWIW I'm living in Takadanobaba ATM.

PM GomiGirl, she knows about a lot of those places and has some contacts that might be of assistance.....

[Mike Oxlong]

Have you checked out Chintai or some online listings to get an idea what's out there?

[Coligny]

Interesting, any reason? Not that I was particularly planning to, but...

Yeah... I really wonder how it can be embarrassing...


(iz joking btw)

[yanpa]

Yeah... I really wonder how it can be embarrassing...


(iz joking btw)

Mine's just a 2D cardboard cutout. You think I should upgrade?

[yanpa]

Have you checked out Chintai or some online listings to get an idea what's out there?

Yup, sorry I should have mentioned that.

I'm secretly hoping someone will come up with something like "call this number, say the secret phrase, and someone will pop by to show you the secret list of luxury apartments the government makes available at peppercorn rents for deserving FGs such as yourself"

[Iraira]

Interesting, any reason? Not that I was particularly planning to, but...

Assuming that you are looking for a place "just for yourself", if the "girlfriend" comes to the fudosan, then more than likely the girlfriend will be staying over often (eventually moving in, etc.), where, due to the nature of your enormous gaijin penis, she will make an enormous amount of noise....I accepted this as an excuse once, since after all, it is the truth:banana:
The concept is that "of course your girlfriend will help you find a place", but a "Japanese friend of the same gender" is under no such obligation, therefore, you have been given the stamp of "OK gaijin" by a local, and the fudosan will be nicer to you. That was my experience regarding the place I live in now. J-friend said all of one short sentence, "I'm his buddy." throughout the whole thing.
And the thing about making sure your work will back your ass is important. Some places do the rentaihoshonin thing, where your guarantor is pretty much on the hook for the entire duration of the contract. That scares the fuck out of most companies. Fortunately, in that case, they have rentaihoshonin companies that will act as guarantor for 1/2 of one month's rent.
I did that for the 1st 2-year contract at my present place. When it came time to sign the next contract, i was informed that the rentaihoshonin company went belly up, but as I had always paid rent on time, and ended my parties before the forever changing "reduce noise now" time, I didn't need a guarantor. Landlord is cool with "other loud noctural noises", so I'm staying until the building collapses.

[yanpa]

PM GomiGirl, she knows about a lot of those places and has some contacts that might be of assistance.....

Thanks mate.

[yanpa]

Assuming that you are looking for a place "just for yourself", if the "girlfriend" comes to the fudosan, then more than likely the girlfriend will be staying over often (eventually moving in, etc.), where, due to the nature of your enormous gaijin penis, she will make an enormous amount of noise....I accepted this as an excuse once, since after all, it is the truth:banana:

Indeed, it's almost as if you know me IRL.

The concept is that "of course your girlfriend will help you find a place", but a "Japanese friend of the same gender" is under no such obligation, therefore, you have been given the stamp of "OK gaijin" by a local, and the fudosan will be nicer to you. That was my experience regarding the place I live in now. J-friend said all of one short sentence, "I'm his buddy." throughout the whole thing.
And the thing about making sure your work will back your ass is important. Some places do the rentaihoshonin thing, where your guarantor is pretty much on the hook for the entire duration of the contract. That scares the fuck out of most companies. Fortunately, in that case, they have rentaihoshonin companies that will act as guarantor for 1/2 of one month's rent.
I did that for the 1st 2-year contract at my present place. When it came time to sign the next contract, i was informed that the rentaihoshonin company went belly up, but as I had always paid rent on time, and ended my parties before the forever changing "reduce noise now" time, I didn't need a guarantor. Landlord is cool with "other loud noctural noises", so I'm staying until the building collapses.

I'm using a rentaihoshonin now, there was some very good reason why it worked out better then, but the company should be OK with it. OTOH I'm a bit short of elegible Japanese male acquaintances at the moment, but sounds like a useful strategy, thanks.