Finding a place to live in Japan can be a challenge. The country is made up of three different houses: single-family homes, apartments, and condominiums.
In each of these cases, there are various options available for renting or buying a home. In addition to looking at the type of property you want to buy or rent, you also need to consider your budget and location preferences before making any decisions about where you would like to live. When deciding on an apartment that will fit your needs and desires, and those who share it with you must consider many factors!
If this sounds overwhelming, don’t worry; we’re here to help! We have compiled everything you need to find the perfect place to live. Read on, and you’ll learn all about the process of finding a place to live in Osaka!
Once you’re ready, you can begin your search for cheap apartments in Osaka!
The first step is to decide what kind of property you would like. While it is possible to find a room in a shared apartment, or an entire studio apartment, most people prefer to rent out larger apartments, so they have extra space. Decide which type of residence best fits your needs and preferences (i.e., close to work/close to friends/quiet neighborhood). It would be best to look into the surrounding area; search online for information on school districts and eating establishments, as it will be important where everything you need is located while searching for an apartment. Once you’ve done this, move forward with finding the specific properties available (see next section).
Once you know what you are looking for, it is time to search for the perfect place! Many different websites allow you to search for apartments in Osaka. Several English-based apartment listings can help guide you through local amenities and prices if you do not know Japanese.
If none of these sites offer what you’re looking for, consider checking other apartment listing sites. It can be an effective way to find what you want without going through other steps, such as finding a realtor or touring properties.
Before signing any form of a rental contract, remember that there will most likely be a “deposit” required from all tenants living in the same residence (one month’s rent is most common). It’s also important to note that many properties will require you to pay for the utilities despite them already being included in the apartment price. This fee can range anywhere between 200-1000 yen per person, depending on how much is included with your monthly charge.
When you have found your new home, it is important to set up utility accounts (i.e., gas/electricity/internet) which you will need when living in residence. In Japan, these utilities are usually billed monthly instead of annually like they are in many other countries. Most major providers have English-speaking staff, so this step should not be difficult.
After moving into your new home, another good thing is to ensure that you live in a safe area. Take a few minutes out of each month to note down any suspicious activity with your utilities by taking pictures or recording video footage as evidence of possible theft.
You need to live in a safe environment!