Been watching people discuss finding accommodations and Cost of Living for newly placed JETs in urban areas, and it got me thinking – have any of you guys opted for sharehouses?
The discussion around them makes them seem like something to avoid, but from other sources I’ve seen, they seem like a favorable option (call me crazy). Affordable accommodation, decent location and a built-in little community in a city that could otherwise be isolating? Sounds good to me, but I was curious to hear from others.
I’m not a JET, but I’m prepping for applications to open in the fall, and considering some fall back job options in Japan as well, so any insight is helpful info either way
5 comments
I’ve heard people who did it, and some had great experiences with great house mates. But some had people living there that were violent and made them feel unsafe in their own house. Not to mention they can be messy, loud or you just don’t vibe with them. You really can get any type of person, so every situation is different. You really have to think of the cheaper is cost is worth the potential stress.
The only real situation where a share house would be *possible* is Tokyo. I’ve known people in sharehouses over the years (not JETs) and it really depends on your personality and the luck of who you’re housing with.
Since you haven’t applied yet, I wouldn’t worry about this. Most placements have assigned accommodation and are in places where sharehouses aren’t commonplace.
Ehhhh sounds like a recipe for disaster
I think it really depends on your personality. I love living alone so it sounds like hell for me personally, but if you liked dorm life in college then it could be a good option for you if you end up in Tokyo.
My friend used to live in a sharehouse in Tokyo and I visited once. “Dorm” is definitely the word I would use to describe it. There are smaller share houses that have <10 people, but his was a pretty large one with probably 50+ people. His room was the size of a small dorm room. A twin size bed, a desk, a mini fridge, a dresser, and that’d about it. All the other areas were communal. The kitchen was a decent size and had the necessities. The bathroom was quite a bit down the hall which gave me major flashbacks to college. Overall, it felt like a college dorm. Most of the people living in his were college students on exchange programs
I’m pretty sure that Sartre wrote a play about this.