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A very similar situation there is in Tokyo: young professionals rent microscopic apartments close to work and the downtown founts of intense social life, and on

by patio11 10y ago

A very similar situation there is in Tokyo: young professionals rent microscopic apartments close to work and the downtown founts of intense social life, and only use them as sleeping pads. In Tokyo, this apartment fits reasonably cleanly in the 1DK category ([1] room, dedicated [d]ining/[k]itchen space). It's bog standard. Prices, even in the most desirable neighborhoods, would be a lot closer to $1k than to $3k, and generally coming from the downside.

minikomi 10y ago
From what I can see in the video, it seems to fall more into the 1K category - a single room with a kitchen - making this even more pricy! 1DK tends to have two separate rooms, one of which can be quite small. Agreed on the price - a quick search for 1K or 1DK apartments in the most expensive ward in Japan shows that only even the most spacious apartments ever go over that range: 1K : http://madori.chintai.net/1k/tokyo/area/13103/o=3/ http://madori.chintai.net/1k/tokyo/area/13103/o=3/ 1DK: http://madori.chintai.net/1dk/tokyo/area/13103/o=3/ http://madori.chintai.net/1dk/tokyo/area/13103/o=3/
- level3 10y ago
  Indeed, I previously lived in a 2LDK in a very nice tower mansion in that ward (in Shibaura, near Mita Station), and that was around 700sqft for under $2500. I was sharing with a friend (so my rent was only half that) but it was amazingly comfortable. My current place is a 1DK, slightly smaller than the apartment in the article, but even that feels big for one person. In any case, after living in Tokyo, I find it hard to describe a 300sqft apartment as "tiny."
- sologoub 10y ago
  Most 1-room apartments in Russia/former soviet bloc also have the 1DK layout - that extra room makes an amazingly big difference in livability.
shinymark 10y ago
I lived in a 1K apartment in Ebisu, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo for 2 years in 2007-2009. It was 270 sq feet and approximately $1,200 per month. It wasn't as nice as the apartment in the video but was vastly cheaper. For those unfamiliar, Ebisu is arguably one of the most desirable places to live in Tokyo if you're going to be in the middle of the city. It was basically a dorm room. I was able to downsize to make it work and it was freeing to reduce my possessions to the necessities. Anyway, yes, this sort of tiny apartment appeared to be the norm for single 20-somethings in Tokyo.

by patio11 10y ago

minikomi 10y ago

From what I can see in the video, it seems to fall more into the 1K category - a single room with a kitchen - making this even more pricy! 1DK tends to have two separate rooms, one of which can be quite small. Agreed on the price - a quick search for 1K or 1DK apartments in the most expensive ward in Japan shows that only even the most spacious apartments ever go over that range: 1K : http://madori.chintai.net/1k/tokyo/area/13103/o=3/ http://madori.chintai.net/1k/tokyo/area/13103/o=3/ 1DK: http://madori.chintai.net/1dk/tokyo/area/13103/o=3/ http://madori.chintai.net/1dk/tokyo/area/13103/o=3/

level3 10y ago
Indeed, I previously lived in a 2LDK in a very nice tower mansion in that ward (in Shibaura, near Mita Station), and that was around 700sqft for under $2500. I was sharing with a friend (so my rent was only half that) but it was amazingly comfortable. My current place is a 1DK, slightly smaller than the apartment in the article, but even that feels big for one person. In any case, after living in Tokyo, I find it hard to describe a 300sqft apartment as "tiny."
sologoub 10y ago
Most 1-room apartments in Russia/former soviet bloc also have the 1DK layout - that extra room makes an amazingly big difference in livability.

shinymark 10y ago

I lived in a 1K apartment in Ebisu, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo for 2 years in 2007-2009. It was 270 sq feet and approximately $1,200 per month. It wasn't as nice as the apartment in the video but was vastly cheaper. For those unfamiliar, Ebisu is arguably one of the most desirable places to live in Tokyo if you're going to be in the middle of the city. It was basically a dorm room. I was able to downsize to make it work and it was freeing to reduce my possessions to the necessities. Anyway, yes, this sort of tiny apartment appeared to be the norm for single 20-somethings in Tokyo.