Is Takasaki really as expensive as the internet says?

7 comments

1. This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.

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   **Is Takasaki really as expensive as the internet says?**

   Hi!

   Long story short I got offered an interview for a hostel position in Takasaki for which I’ve applied only as a “why not”. I have some question on that too but I will make another post for it after some more research.

   Since they actually considered me, I started looking at whether Takasaki is cheap enough for me to be able to save money for a masters while working there for 1 year or 2.

   Thing is, the Livingcost site (which I know to be reliable) say Takasaki is more expensive than Tokyo. 1800 USD (260000 yen) a month for 1 person.
   1300 USD (192000 yen) out of those being the rent?
   Looking at some quick posts on Gaijin I see 2DK’s at 60000 yen, I don’t even need a 2DK so it could be even cheaper.

   Adding that to the rest I get a rough total of 150000 yen. (approximating to the higher value at every step of the way so it should even be lower than this)

   Is there something I am missing? I think it is a tourist destination and I know that those tend to get expensive. ( since I also live in one here)

   If anyone living in Takasaki could give me a rough estimate that would be great. I don’t spend a lot, I don’t even drink really so my living expenses are low usually.

   Thanks.

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3. > the Livingcost site (which I know to be reliable)

   Did you look at the breakdown? It says $403 for 1 bedroom in city center and $1341 for a cheap 1 bedroom apartment. That doesn’t make sense.

4. I used to live in Takasaki but not sure on rent costs as mine was subsidised by the company. I don’t really see why it would be more expensive than any equivalent city though – it’s sort-of commutable to Tokyo but far enough to make it not doable for most people, so I doubt proximity there would push up the prices. It’s not a tourist destination (well, there’s stuff you can do there, but it’s going to be very far down anyone’s list).

5. Takasaki shouldn’t be expensive. While it does have it’s own shinkansen, it isn’t even direct from Tokyo.

   In that area 1br should be around 40 to 60K a month and a 2br maybe 50% more.

6. Lived in Takasaki:
   Rent: 60,000-70,000 a month for a 2DK, and they are generally nice.
   Water:3,000 bimonthly
   Power: YMMV, average was 5,000-8,000 for me for no aircons/heating. Bumped up to around 10,000-15,000 for the summer/winter months. I had an apartment with concrete walls and it was perfect insulation.
   Gas:5,000 or so
   Phone: as the provider states

   Moved away a year-ish ago so things may have changed but thats about it.

7. For apartment prices look at suumo. Livingcost is unreliable at best for Japan.

   Groceries are likely to be cheap, because they have a massive agricultural production.

   You may need a car, which is a huge money sink.

   Otherwise it can’t be and it isn’t more expensive than Tokyo.