Hi reddit,
I am in the midst of planning a 1 year language school enrollment in tokyo on a student visa, starting this october. I am a 31 year old german citizen and I work as a freelance software engineer. From researching the collective wisdom of the internet (and the movingtojapan wiki) I found a student visa with an additional application would allow me to continue working for my clients at least part-time. I would really like to do that, since the hourly rates they pay are >100€ so I could comfortably make a living in the evening while going to school in the morning.
I also saved up a sizeable amount of money (approx. 200.000€) just in case. What I worry about however is renting during my stay. I have a japanese girlfriend and we would like to move into an apartment in Tokyo together. I budgeted around 2.000€ a month for rent of which I would pay 3/4 as my girlfriend is just starting out again after a career change. Most posts and guides I have found state that potential land lords and housing agencies require an employment slip – which I obviously don’t have as a freelancer working for german companies. I do however have sufficient funds, fluctuating low 5 figure monthly income through my contracts and I would be absolutely willing to put a years worth of rent money in escrow. Does anyone have experience with something like this or could share a japanese perspective on the matter? Would that convince a land lord to rent out an apartment to us?
1 comment
You would probably do well to talk to a realtor in Japan about your specific situation. There are a number of companies that specialise in finding apartments for well-to-do expats – although they’re mainly working with people coming to Japan for work, it’d be worth making enquiries with them, as they’d at least be able to tell you specifically what might/might not work for you. The fact that you can pay the whole lease term’s rent up front is bound to work in your favour. You have a massive pile of money there, you’re sure to find something! 😅