Looking for input on Tokyo districts/neighboorhoods

[anslab]

Hi all,
My wife and I are going to move to Tokyo, permanently, this fall. Long story short, she's getting transfered within her company, and said company offered to help us in our quest for a new place to live. They also offer something like 400000 yen/month for the rent.

We have to pre-select a few district where we want them to focus the appartment search.

Given the fact that she will work in Kanagawa (next to Mizonokuchi Station), and that we are a couple of 30-something european, what do you suggest? We like to go out regularly (mostly movies/concerts/bars, not night clubs very much).

Thanks for your input.

[omae mona]

That's a pretty good budget, and I think you'll find a nice place with plenty of space, at that price. Going out to Mizonokuchi from Tokyo involves a ride on the Tokyu Den-en-Toshi train. It's possibly the most overcrowded commuter train in the Tokyo area, during rush hour. If your wife doesn't want to feel like a canned sardine, I'd suggest a place not too far away from work. Might be better to have a slightly longer commute when you want to go out for entertainment on evenings and weekends (when the trains aren't quite as crowded).

Some good nearby choices on the Tokyo side: Futako-Tamagawa (full of shopping centers and restaurants), Yoga, Sakura-Shinmachi. Nice residential areas, I think, and not completely boring in and of themselves. Don't think the train is too crowded by the time it reaches Futako-Tamagawa, and then you only have a few more stops to ride to Mizonokuchi.

All of those are within 15-20 minutes of areas like Shibuya and Omotesando, if you ride the train in the other direction.

I defer to others who know those areas better than I do. Hope this helps a bit in the meantime, though. Good luck with the move, and welcome to being FGs.

[GomiGirl]

That is a really decent budget for a couple. You will be able to get a very nice 2 bedroom in a good area.

If you are on the Den-en-toshi line, you are going against the crowds in the morning and evening when most people are headed into Shibuya for work and then out to the burbs for quitting time so you could try those areas that OM suggests. Also you could look at the funky Sangenjaya as well as that is on the line and against the crowds too. Yoga is pretty awesome and Futago-Tamagawa has that awesome new shopping area. My brother lives in Sakura Shinmachi and it is awesome.

[yanpa]

Hi all,
My wife and I are going to move to Tokyo, permanently, this fall. Long story short, she's getting transfered within her company, and said company offered to help us in our quest for a new place to live. They also offer something like 400000 yen/month for the rent.

OK, so I guess you're not looking for gaijin house recommendations?

We have to pre-select a few district where we want them to focus the appartment search.

Given the fact that she will work in Kanagawa (next to Mizonokuchi Station), and that we are a couple of 30-something european, what do you suggest? We like to go out regularly (mostly movies/concerts/bars, not night clubs very much).

Thanks for your input.

Well, Mizonokuchi is (AFAIK) not exactly the pulsating heart of urbane, sophisticated Kawasaki's hinterland. The Den'en Toshi line will speed your wife from Shibuya against the commuter flow, and the Meguro line does the same for Meguro and the general direction of Azabu-juban, so personally I'd look for somewhere convenient for one of those lines.

[GomiGirl]

BTW if you need a real estate agent, drop me a PM and I can help you out.

[Taro Toporific]

Given the fact that she will work in Kanagawa (next to Mizonokuchi Station), and that we are a couple of 30-something european, what do you suggest? We like to go out regularly (mostly movies/concerts/bars, not night clubs very much).

In Japan, it's ALWAYS best to live close to work and Mizonokuchi Station just happens to only 18 minutes to Shibuya, Tokyo and 33 minutes to Yokohama using the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line (or the Meguro line). You really want to find housing along the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line so traveling to Shibuya and the rest of downtown Tokyo is easy.

If you want slightly more greenery here in the Land-of-Concrete(tm), the stops west of on the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line such as Suginuma, Tama Plaza, Azamino are better. For a more upscale and expensive places, just east of the Tama River in the Futakotamagawa area is ok.

I have lived in Kanagawa (near Azamino and Tama Plaza) and Tokyo (Mrs. Taro once lived near Mizonokuchi station) and right now we live in the southernmost slums of Denenchofu.

Mizonokuchi Station- housing.jpg

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

...we are a couple of 30-something european, what do you suggest?

Scheisse? Fausting? Schplitzing? Hairy armpits? Faux jazz soundtracks with brush drumming? Monochrome, close-up shots of exhaled cigarette smoke.

[omae mona]

...we are a couple of 30-something european, what do you suggest?

Scheisse? Fausting? Schplitzing? Hairy armpits? Faux jazz soundtracks with brush drumming? Monochrome with close-up shots of exhaled cigarette smoke.

I tried to use Google to find out what neighborhoods feature those activities. Unfortunately, nothing came up. But I am pleased to report that Google searches for "scheisse fausting schplitzing" now point back exclusively to the FG Forum. This will definitely increase traffic. I think yanpa will be happy.

[yanpa]

...we are a couple of 30-something european, what do you suggest?

Scheisse? Fausting? Schplitzing? Hairy armpits? Faux jazz soundtracks with brush drumming? Monochrome with close-up shots of exhaled cigarette smoke.

I tried to use Google to find out what neighborhoods feature those activities. Unfortunately, nothing came up. But I am pleased to report that Google searches for "scheisse fausting schplitzing" now point back exclusively to the FG Forum. This will definitely increase traffic. I think yanpa will be happy.

Screwed-down Hairdo aka SDH will surely be happy that phrase is forever associated with his good name.

[Taro Toporific]

...They also offer something like 400000 yen/month for the rent...

If you were into a totally city/concrete experience with plenty of upscale shopping, restaurants, etc., Futako-Tamagawa and Yōga area are the best bet since it's only two or three stops to Mizonokuchi. At the moment, Futako-Tamagawa has several huge new luxury condominium towers that just have been finished with plenty of empty units in your upper price range 400000 yen/month. The view of the Tama River (which has decent bike and running paths--a rarity in Tokyo) and Mount Fuji is great---And the view of the Tama Fireworks (in the world's top five) would be commanding.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

...we are a couple of 30-something european, what do you suggest?

Scheisse? Fausting? Schplitzing? Hairy armpits? Faux jazz soundtracks with brush drumming? Monochrome with close-up shots of exhaled cigarette smoke.

I tried to use Google to find out what neighborhoods feature those activities. Unfortunately, nothing came up. But I am pleased to report that Google searches for "scheisse fausting schplitzing" now point back exclusively to the FG Forum. This will definitely increase traffic. I think yanpa will be happy.

Screwed-down Hairdo aka SDH will surely be happy that phrase is forever associated with his good name.

Oh, shit. Maybe I should have written them in European typography? (With umlauts and swastikas and all that stuff...)

[sublight]

My wife and I lived for several years in the Sangenjaya neighborhood that Gomigirl mentioned, and it is really a fantastic place for adult couples (not so great for raising kids, though). Packed with tiny restaurants, bars and other places to go, but since it's not really a destination for people from outside the area (most people will go to nearby Shibuya instead, which is 8 minutes away by train), everything has a cozy, local feel, and once you're away from the main streets it's actually pretty quiet. We rented a large 2-bedroom place 10 minutes from the station for 165,000/month (the building was old, but renovated), so 400,000 will get you a comfortable place with no difficulty.

As a bonus, commuting to Mizonokuchi from there will take you opposite the main rush in and out of Tokyo, so you'll get to laugh at everyone on the other platform getting crushed. You may even be able to sit down.

Jiyugaoka and Yutenji are also nice neighborhoods, for similar reasons.

[sublight]

The 'not so great for kids' bit isn't because of crime or other dangers, by the way. The area's just very densely built with very few parks or open spaces where kids can play on their own. Just my opinion.

[anslab]

Wow, thanks for all the replies and the kind wordsWe will look into all that carefully and try to go and visit those areas during our next trip there, thanks everyone.

@gomigirl : thanks for the proposition, but that's also taken care of
@yanpa : i'm not sure i undestand what you mean by "gaijin house"?

...we are a couple of 30-something european, what do you suggest?

Scheisse? Fausting? Schplitzing? Hairy armpits? Faux jazz soundtracks with brush drumming? Monochrome, close-up shots of exhaled cigarette smoke.

.

More like "béret, baguette, stinky cheese and suspenders", if you know what I mean.

[Coligny]

flydjinz ?

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

...we are a couple of 30-something european, what do you suggest?

Scheisse? Fausting? Schplitzing? Hairy armpits? Faux jazz soundtracks with brush drumming? Monochrome, close-up shots of exhaled cigarette smoke.

.

More like "béret, baguette, stinky cheese and suspenders", if you know what I mean.

Well, the hairy armpits and faux jazz soundtracks with brush drumming bits were right....Nothing nicer than meeting someone from the land of Plastic Bertrand, eh Coligny?

[Coligny]

Froment d'or ?

I think we might gain a new gaijin toyboy for the next pajama party...

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

I think we might gain a new gaijin toyboy for the next pajama party...

Johnny Hallyday?

[GomiGirl]

Wow, thanks for all the replies and the kind wordsWe will look into all that carefully and try to go and visit those areas during our next trip there, thanks everyone.

Let us know where you end up. Or if you have any questions about dealing with landlords etc. The experiences of the member of this board will astound you.

@gomigirl : thanks for the proposition, but that's also taken care of

No wuckers mate. Just thought I would offer.

@yanpa : i'm not sure i undestand what you mean by "gaijin house"?

Cheaper shared accommodation for slightly longer term which is one step up from a backpackers hostel.

More like "béret, baguette, stinky cheese and suspenders", if you know what I mean.

Hollanders?

[matsuki]

400000 yen/month for the rent.

What does your wifey do?

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

400000 yen/month for the rent.

What does your wifey do?

I suspect she may choose not to shave her armpits....

[DudeAbides]

With that money live as close as possible to work and within walking distance to a direct line to one of the bigger districts in Tokyo (like Shibuya, Roppongi, or Ginza). You won't go wrong. Walk to work and commute to Tokyo in the evening for your fun, shopping etc.