Moving to Tokyo

[kagemusha]

[james]

completely irrelevant response, but what was the reason for the move? whereabouts in inaka are you?

[kagemusha]

Due to a promotion at work.
South Kyushu, where the sun shines every day (unless it's frigging raining again).

[Mike Oxlong]

[BigInJapan]

[Samurai_Jerk]

[kagemusha]

Cheers
The Suburbs option is on the table but I think you city slickers have the experience to value the pros and cons of commuting vs. rent expenses better.
How bad is the rush hour I know (seen the clips, met a few survivors) but how much would you agree to pay more on rent in order to avoid it?

[FG Lurker]

How bad is the rush hour I know (seen the clips, met a few survivors) but how much would you agree to pay more on rent in order to avoid it?

I live in Osaka but spent periods from a few days to a couple of weeks in Tokyo for a previous job.

Personally I would pay *anything* to avoid Tokyo rush hour. That's just me though, I basically hate public transport to begin with (especially during rush hour) and I honestly can't imagine wasting 60 to 90 minutes each way on a miserable commute.

I suggest you take a few days and go to Tokyo to see what you are getting yourself into.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Cheers
The Suburbs option is on the table but I think you city slickers have the experience to value the pros and cons of commuting vs. rent expenses better.
How bad is the rush hour I know (seen the clips, met a few survivors) but how much would you agree to pay more on rent in order to avoid it?

Without knowing where your office is it's hard to say but I'm with FG on this one.

[kagemusha]

Without knowing where your office is it's hard to say but I'm with FG on this one.

The office is in Nihonbashi. they gave us 'the tour' around the hood, looks a bit posh but maybe I'm wrong.

[Ol Dirty Gaijin]

From Nihonbashi going East you have Tozai line. Mega packed, probably one of the worst. A short walk to the Hanzomon line what make a big difference in the trains crowds and probably make for cheaper rent options also within a shorter distance. Other station options around also (Tokyo, Asakusa line etc) so could get anywhere fairly quick. I've had places in the past around 15 man/ around 15 to 20 minutes away but they were smallish. What size would suit?

[kagemusha]

[Samurai_Jerk]

I'm going to have to second Ol Dirty's recommendation if your office is a reasonable walk from Mitsukoshimae Station. The Hanzomon isn't that crowded and housing along the line to the east is relatively cheap. If you want to be in town and live somewhere reasonable Kinshicho is good. You get a lot more apartment for your money, lots of restaurants and bars, movie theaters, a park, several grocery strores and access to both the Tokyo Metro and the JR. You could get something there in the 60 to 80 sq meter range for 15 to 17 man which isn't bad for Tokyo. If you go a bit further out, say 20 to 30 mins, the housing gets cheaper.

If your office is near Kayabacho, you could go north on the Hibiya Line to Kita Senju and get reasonable housing only about 20 mins from work. Again, the further north you go the cheaper it gets. The train ride would be more crowded though.

If you don't mind more cramped conditions (40 to 60 sq meters), you can find something walking or cycling distance from work. Make sure there's some kind of grocery store in the neighborhood though since there often isn't in central Tokyo.

Avoid the west-bound morning commute on the Tozai Line at all cost!

One more thing I'd say is try to avoid paying reikin if not shikikin too. The residential market is shit in Tokyo and lot of places are offering 0 key money/0 deposit deals to fill vacant apartments. Especially some of the nice new corporate-owned mansions. You might pay a little more for rent each month but if you balance that out with not paying an extra four months' rent upfront, it could be worth your while.

[kagemusha]

Great information mate, Thanks
Now I know where to start.
Thanks again, first round is on me at the next FG convention.

[FG Lurker]

Thanks again, first round is on me at the next FG convention.

That probably cost you a few months' rent!

[kagemusha]

That probably cost you a few months' rent!

It's a much better way to spend money rather than on key money or deposit...

[Ol Dirty Gaijin]

The living around Kinshicho is pretty easy with cheap food, gyms etc. Haven't lived around Kita Senju but a couple other people on the board do, but from my time passing in and out of there it seems like it has it all, just a little further out.
My 8 minutes on the Tozai Line is enough in the morning , but for rental and size at your, you would have to go further out.

Good Luck.