Location ignorance - Help!

[irishpacker]

Consider me to be completely ignorant of the districts within Tokyo and what flavour or style each area has to it's name. I'm looking for a gaijin house in Tokyo at the moment and in my quest for cheap rent (under 75ks preferably) I'm worried if I may be winding up in the back arse of no-where with no facilites and an awkward comute.

As far as I'm concerned, as long as I'm close to a train station and within walking distance of shops/things to do at night I'm not particulary bothered. I've been told that there are not "bad areas" in Tokyo as such, so location doesn't really matter... but still I don't like the fact I've no idea where I might be ending up until I get there.

One place I found is in SUMIYOSHI, not only is it cheap but it's right beside a big park which would be very handy for jogging, reading a good book etc... What do you think of this area?

Have you any advice or suggestions for a first time Gaijin? Thanks guys, like I said, there's only so much a wikipedia description of a place can help, I'd appreciate your input a lot more!

[Iraira]

My roadmap to peace includes putting my place to play (Shinjuku) between my work place and my living accommodations. If you get wasted frequently, then putting the playpen closer to the home is wise.

[Ol Dirty Gaijin]

Lived in Sumiyoshi for a couple of years. Don't know where you are planning on working but you have two train line that give access to anywhere you would want to go. It's not exactly a thriving hub of activity at night but you are walking distance to Kinshicho for more restaurants and bars if need be. Also handy for larger shopping items the supermarket can't handle.
If you mean Sarue Park don't get your hopes up to high. Like most parks here it gets next to no maintenance through out the year other than the grass getting squashed down during Hanami, but it is big enough more a run. The wading river is nice in summer.
Plenty of gyms around Kinshicho/Kamedo and there is an indoor climbing gym between Kinshicho and Sumiyoshi.
Don't know what size or age the place you are looking at is, but 75K sounds OK-Cheap.

[GuyJean]

Take a stroll in the neighborhood..
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=sumiyoshi,&sll=35.689561,139.813557&sspn=0.009428,0.018969&ie=UTF8&radius=0.53&filter=0&rq=1&ev=zi&ll=35.689073,139.817398&spn=0,359.981031&z=16&layer=c&cbll=35.689074,139.817495&panoid=spmRdyrdRvJpqsIFDxwntQ&cbp=12,246.74,,0,8.86

GJ

[irishpacker]

As I'm here pleading ignoance, I'm for some reason thinking of heading to Osaka instead of Tokyo. Seems cheaper for rent, people have said it's got a nicer atmosphere and work seems easier to get. What do you think? Tokyo or Osaka?? (the age old gaijin question I'm sure!)

Found this place in Osaka, http://www.guesthouseosaka.com they've a few different places, Orange house, Melon appartment, etc Anyone have any experiences with them?

Thanks!

[Iraira]

Everytime I go to Osaka, girls nanpa me....sadly, I tend to have a gf in tow at the time, so it is for naught. You'd think I'd learn by now, but no, of course not. In Tokyo, I actually have to put out some effort.
Chicks aside, Osaka/Kansai is more hardcore than Tokyo. Less glitz, and many of the girls look like they can kick ass, which I find alluring. If it wasn't for work, I'd be in Kansai.

[irishpacker]

Right I really can't come to a decision as to where to live in Tokyo! So I've decided to hostel/hotel it for the first week or two so I can actually go see these districts and figure out where everything is. Also Hopefully I'll have an idea of where I'll be working by then.

I'm begining to think I should have more of a plan other than "I'm going to Tokyo for a year"... Oh well, follow one's nose I suppose!

Oh, question: How much ... my keyboard doesn't have a yen key, so how much Yen would I need to live in Tokyo for 2 months say? Assuming I'm paying circa 70k per month on rent?

Cheers!