Currently finishing studies in another part of Japan with a job in Tokyo set to start in April. My degree is going to be extremely busy between now and mid-February and I live nowhere near Tokyo currently.
Originally, my goal was to move within about an hour of Shibuya in mid-February. Looking for a 2K/2DK but have a low budget (<65,000/month incl. fees). I’ve been looking with SUUMO and UR, but it is “too early” to start contacting realtors if the move happens in February.
As I’ve been looking into this, I’ve read a lot of articles online that say that the busy season actually starts in January in Tokyo and that most of the properties that are in any way desirable are long gone by February, even if they plan to actually live in Tokyo starting from the end of March/early April. Some of these articles are written by realtor agencies though so I am trying to understand where the line is between truth and convenient marketing.
I would appreciate perspective from those who live there/did it. Based on what I listed above, do you think there will be a decent number of places that meet that criteria left if I come to Tokyo to start the hunt and sign for a place in mid-February? Or is it genuinely so competitive that I would be wise to bite the bullet and hunt/sign in the end of December (the only other time I can actually go to Tokyo) and pay 3 months of double rent? Any advice is welcome.
by lover_of_language
