Hi All.
So next spring I'm coming to a semester exchange in Tokyo (MBA). I will also work remotely (programmer).
I did a long research about my accomadation options, and would really like advice from people who know how it is in reality.
The official dorms (Waseda) – The pro here is mainly the value for money. I am a bit scared that these student exchange dorms would be mainly for 18-19 yo students, I prefer more late-20s to early-30s like myself. I did see the Nishi dorms have private bathrooms and are more expensive, so I'm thinking about just trying to get a place there (20% chance) and forget the rest. The price here is a huge advantage as I plan to travel around Japan. Price – 70-90K JPY/month.
Students' buildings (WID, Dormy, Uninest, etc) – big buildings for students. With friendly vibe, activities, etc. Also can include meals. Price is expensive – those that are in a good location would be around 200-220K JPY, including meals.
Small apartments – Obviously, more privacy, fewer rules, and a price of around 160-180K JPY for a good location and 20m apartments that are willing to accept short-term students.
Which one would you pick? A friendly vibe is a plus for me, but it depends on the ages. I like privacy (private bathroom) and want a nice location to explore.
by Mammoth-Tough9549