Hi! I’ve been browsing for apartments around Tokyo for a while and have shortlisted 4 units which are located in different cities, they all meet my budget and commute requirements. To further assist my decision making, I wonder if anyone can opine on how each of the following cities are as a resident? Are there any particular areas/highlights you have been to in the city which you loved?
I will be commuting to Suidobashi Station (Chiyoda City), and I am targeting a 45 minute\~ commute time (inclusive of any walks). I prefer that the walking time from the apartment to the station is less than 10 minutes, so my prospects are typically near the train stations. Commuting to Kudanshita or Jimbocho also works as a destination.
**Itabashi (Tokyo)**
\>Toei Mita subway has a direct, no transfer line to Suidobashi, and is the shortest and fastest of the four options.
\>Looking at Shimura or Takashimadaira
**Funabashi (Chiba)**
\>Along Chuo-Sobu line, I’m eyeing Nishifuma, Motonakayama
**Kawaguchi (Saitama)**
\>Along Keihin-Tohoku line, I’m looking at NishiKawaguchi, Namiki and Minamicho
**Matsudo (Chiba)**
\>Along the Musashino line, I’m looking at Higashi Matsudo
New:
**Ichikawa**
\>No prospect yet here, but noticed its in between Matsudo and Funabashi so there might be good deals in the outskirts of the city even if is nearer to Tokyo
\>Along Musashino line, I’m looking at Onomachi
I am asking for personal insights of residents on how is the experience of living in the city and what you liked (or disliked) about it. Although if you have comments on anything I am doing wrong, feel free to let me know.
edit: added more info
7 comments
This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.
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**4 city options in Tokyo for a 1 year stay – help!**
Hi! I’ve been browsing for apartments around Tokyo for a while and have shortlisted 4 units which are located in different cities, they all meet my budget and commute requirements. To further assist my decision making, I wonder if anyone can opine on how each of the following cities are as a resident? Are there any particular areas/highlights you have been to in the city which you loved?
**Itabashi**
**Funabashi (Chiba)**
**Kawaguchi (Saitama)**
**Matsudo (Chiba)**
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Funabashi is the best of the bunch IMO, but it really depends on which part of Funabashi. It’s quite a big city and there are a lot of stations on many lines there.
Matsudoite here, boring as shit place but it’s a good bedroom town with all the amenities that you need and you can easily commute to the cool places just a few stations away.
It’s also perfectly located to grab the express/rapid trains.
If the apartment is close to the station though, there’s enough stuff to keep you entertained no problem but it quickly dies out a short walk in any direction away from it.
What’s your budget and apartment size you’re looking at?
I live near Funabashi (Narashino) and work at Tokyo station. Sobu Rapid line is pretty crowded going both ways, but not having to change trains means I can usually squeeze myself into a corner and chill out. I get on the train at around 6am and there are no seats and not many ‘good’ standing positions. It only gets worse as rush hour progresses.
The area is a pretty good mix in my opinion. I have four big fancy grocery stores between my home and the station (although two of them are getting torn down soon when they redo the big mall they’re in). There are a decent number of restaurants on the Funabashi side of the station. It’s right on the border of ‘you need a car’ land, so you can get by without a car but you’ll feel the lack when you go to places like Ikea or Costco (there are frequent buses though so its not that bad).
What are your needs or requirements for where you live? Where are you commuting to? We need more information to make useful suggestions. This is not a “tell me where to live” sub. Give us SOMETHING to work with.
Updated OP with more information – let me know if there other information is needed still.