Off-campus Apartment

An alternative to an on-campus, university housing is a private off-campus apartment. One of my friend got an off-campus apartment, right next to campus (about 10 minutes by bike to his office), and the monthly rent is about 40,000 yen, excluding utilities. Yes, it is more expensive but you get a larger unit (two bedrooms and a kitchen). It is not furnished so you need to buy refrigerator and others. Gas grill is provided though. Also you need to call the gas and electronic companies to get gas and electricity(I don't know if they charge you for the connection service). In addition, you will need to buy an air-conditioner and the installation charge is about 20,000 yen. You can buy an used refrigerator (about 5,000~8,000 yen), microwave-oven(4,000~7,000). I am not sure about the air-conditioner. I would rather live on campus but if you don't have any choice, this is what you can get lowest.


Outside of the apartment. Small parking lots (you need to rent a parking space if you want a car).		Kitchen. What did you expect from a less expensive apartment? If you want a more luxurious apartment, it will cost you about 70,000~100,000 yen a month just for the rent, even in Tsukuba.

Bathroom and toilet. Make sure everything works fine as soon as you get in and if you have ANY problem, you have to report it immediately. If you don't, you will have to pay for the repair when you move out.		Seeing a mirror? No, there are two rooms, virtually symmetric.

Inside of the room. You need to let it ventilate for a while because the Da-da-mi (Japanese floor finish) makes a hay-like smell.		Living room. Yes, there is virtually no living room.