Thinking of moving out of Tokyo and maybe renting/buying a house in the Shonan area(Fujisawa, Kamakura, Zushi, Hayama, Chigasaki, Odawara).
I still need to be able to go to Tokyo on certain days but so I feel like those areas are still near enough.
Which area/neighborhood would you recommend to move to(it doesn’t have to be the ones I mentioned)?
I’ve enjoyed my stay in Tokyo but can’t continue living here as I feel like I’m just stuck in a box.
My husband and I tend to drive outside of Tokyo during our day offs, so I think it might just be better to move where there’s more greenery/sea.
Also feel like there’s more space/garden in those areas compared to houses in Tokyo.
I would also like to know if there’s an international community over there.
We currently don’t have kids and I don’t think that’s changing anytime soon but just for future reference, would those areas still be okay once our family grows?
Thanks!
2 comments
Fujisawa 1-3 km south and southwest of the station is nice. Chigasaki esp. south side is great with plenty of parks and generally chilled people. It’s very residential but a well off part of Japan, so there are good restaurants here and there. Endless options for going out exploring on weekends whether by car or bike. The commute into Tokyo is easy as long as you pay for the greensha. Scattered foreigners here and there but not much of a community. I’d recommend renting a bike or walking for a few hours to get a feel for the place.
Odawara doesn’t appeal to me too much but that’s a personal taste.
Hayama/Zushi is surprisingly affordable if you go away from the station, but the commute will be long. Traffic is awful during the weekends/summer.
Feel free to PM for more details.
We lived in Tsujido for a number of years when our first two kids were still toddlers and really enjoyed the area. Quieter than Fujisawa and Chigasaki, lots of families with small children and plenty to do with them. Tsujidokaihin-Koen was right on our doorstep and then the beach was also just there.
Our 2LDK was ¥8万 with ocean views.
Mind you this was 13~14 years ago and I have no idea how much the area has changed.
I don’t miss the commute.