Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Sharing the Fun: Sharehouse Life

I received a post request about living in a sharehouse in Japan. Usually I overlook requests, as this is a space that allows me to write and think about exactly what I want... however, this may be helpful to others in Japan or those seeking to move to the city, so here goes.

PROS

  • The rent can be much cheaper than living alone, although in fancier areas (Ebisu, Omotesando, Roppongi etc..) there may not be that much of a difference.
  • There is usually someone to talk with/ watch bad TV with/eat with/ ask for help with ridiculously complicated documents.
  • As long as you get along with your sharemates, there will be parties and house-dinners. We throw a  little party for each resident's birthday!
  • You get to meet new people, and learn new things.
  • You get to have a large bathroom and living room, so it doesn't feel cramped like the rabbit-hutch apartments so prevalent in this country.
  • In our case we have a nice large garden, and the entrance is also planted with glorious flowers and vegetables, which is really lovely.
CONS
  • Especially in the winter, utilities can be a bit more expensive (but this depends on the size of the house, and attitudes of your sharemates).
  • Privacy can be an issue, although having your own rooms helps a lot.
  • Sometimes it can get a bit noisy... in many senses of the word (walls here are pretty thin, hehe).
  • Sharing a kitchen means that sometimes it will be rather messy, which drives me up the wall.
  • You have to schedule cleaning responsibilities, if not the house will become a mess. Each week one of us is in charge of cleaning everything, and it works fine.
  • Sometimes you will have to wait to use the bath/shower.
Personally, I think it is worth it. The possibility of living in a brand new house, with ample space and a social atmosphere is really great, and makes up for the occasional annoyances. Make sure you visit first, and meet the other people who live there!

Below are a few links I used when searching for a sharehouse or roomshare:
On that note, recently the four ladies of my sharehouse (yes, I am included in that definition) decided to go for a blow-out brunch at the Park Hyatt Shinjuku's famous New York Grill. They have a very classy self-serve brunch at the weekends, with a main course you choose off the menu. While rather pricy at 7200 yen, the service, food quality and view are completely worth it!

  I mean really... is this not a billion dollar view?
 A glorious selection from the appetizer buffet table, followed by fresh linguine with vegetables and green tomato sauce.
The dessert buffet with tea, and myself and Wave-chan being mysterious (but mostly really, really full).

5 comments:

  1. share house sounds like fun if you get into the right house :)
    that restaurant looks amaaaaaazing!! the view aloe is to die for! and what great weather it looks like you had!! id love to try that place sometime too~

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  2. You have not only a garden, but a LARGE garden? OK, that's it, the green-eyed monster has attacked me. Hmph.

    PS: Definitely worth a billion dollars.

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  3. I've always wondered about living in share houses. I had room-mates back in my stateside apartment, and really enjoyed myself. My friend and I used to throw themed movie-dinner-parties (that sounds weird, but thats what it was). Plus she was a night owl like me lol
    In conclusion, living with only a husband can be really boring~ lolol

    I am envious of your delicious buffet too. All that bread.. I really shouldn't be looking at this in the middle of the night when I have no snacks.. D:

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  4. A shared house experience sounds fun! Is it usually single sex or do they have married and mixed gender homes?

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  5. The company of other people, who share the similar experience of living as a foreigner in Japan, can be quite nice!! Heehee, but of course, one can only choose the location, not necessary the people with who they'll share an apartment. It can be a bit of a gamble :P

    - Greetings from Tokyo~

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