Well, it’s not really $10,000. It was 862,400 yen, which at today’s exchange rate is $10,646. \u00a0I’ll round down. \u00a0But the point is, I needed $10,646, cash, just to move into my apartment.<\/p>\n
Let’s break it down. \u00a0One month’s rent is about $2500, yes a little high, but for Japan, it isn’t that high. A “cheap” place would have been $2000, so I figure I’d spend a little more and live a little better. Plus since the yen is ridiculously strong right now, it increases the price by about 20%. So, first month\u2019s rent is, $2500, what about the other $7500?? \u00a0Well, part of the Japanese culture is that there is a little job for everyone, they aren’t an, “I can do it myself” culture, which means you have to go through an agent to find an apartment. There is no craiglsist to look at and owners don\u2019t post classified ads for all to read. \u00a0For their services, agents get one month\u2019s rent, plus tax.\u00a0 So that\u2019s the second $2500. The third $2500 is the security deposit, understandable, hopefully I get it back. The last $2500 is the rip-off part.\u00a0 It\u2019s the “key” or “gift” money that you give to the owner as a “thank you” for letting you rent their apartment. They pocket that, you never see it again. But, that’s the culture.\u00a0 Everyone does it. \u00a0The last little bit is renter’s insurance, about $250 for the entire time I stay at the place. Not too bad. \u00a0So, $2500 for first month\u2019s rent + $2500 agent fee + $2500 deposit + $2500 key money + $250 renters insurance is about my $10,646. \u00a0Just to move in.<\/p>\n
Needless to say, it’s very common for Japanese to live with their parents until they’re 30. That gives them enough time to get a good job, just so they can get their own place.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Well, it’s not really $10,000. It was 862,400 yen, which at today’s exchange rate is $10,646. \u00a0I’ll round down. \u00a0But the point is, I needed $10,646, cash, just to move into my apartment. Let’s break it down. \u00a0One month’s rent … Continue reading