Quote:
Originally Posted by BritGirl
Hi Sangestu
Thank you for your reply. 
I am sure the company do have real estate agents etc but we have had a few bad experiences with them when we have moved in the past so I think I will spend a few hours/days/weeks searching the real estate sites after we have a better idea about the different areas.
In Hong Kong we were only shown 'expat apartments' and when I found what eventually was the ideal apartment ( on the internet ) the agent was reluctant to show us because she didn't have a relationship with the management ( is didn't get a backhander) and she said because there weren't any expats there we wouldn't like it. We spent 3 very happy years there...
I need to do a bit of pricing research so we know what we want when the company put the offer on the table. Rappongi wouldn't be too bad an area as it would be close to the office and from what I remember the last time I spent a day wondering around the area there were some nice little side roads with small houses and low rises.
Can anyone tell me the name of an everyday supermarket chain that does 'online shopping' ?? Another things I did before I moved to HK was a pretend monthly shop so I could estimate the cost and factor this into the monthly outgoings.... as I love to cook I am very excited about being able to go to the fish market and buying lots of goodies...
As owning a car is looking like a nightmare - is it common to hire cars for the weekend / to go on holiday ??
Thank you for all your help in advance. |
Renting cars in Japan is very easy. If you have a UK or HK license, getting it converted to a Japan license is also quite easy. A Japanese license is not required to rent a car in most cases, but an international license/permit will make the process easier.
My GF does her online shopping at Ito Yokado, and their prices are not bad, considering the service they provide. If you prefer to do your own shopping, there are plenty of markets to choose from. My GF and I prefer Costco (about 40 minutes by train, but worth the trip). They have excellent prices, a huge variety, and they will ship anything you like to wherever you want quite cheaply.
Most quality department stores have extensive food markets in their B1 level, and the nicer stores have incredible varieties of meats, fish, and vegetables. I like Takeshimaya in Nihonbashi, but the department store markets are pretty much all the same. I believe there is a good one at or in the Mid-town shopping center in Roppongi as well.
Another good area which is convenient to Marunouchi is Shinkawa and Tsukishima (in the Chuo Ward). These are located on the Sumida River (across from each other), about 20 minutes walk from Marunouchi. I prefer this area (I live here) because it's less busy than the older parts of Tokyo, and the river offers wonderful scenery and a great place to walk dogs or exercise. It's convenient to the Keio line, Hibiya line, and Yurakocho lines, all of which run to Tokyo Station (which is in Marunouchi). Ginza and Tsukiji are both within walking distance of Shinkawa and Tsukishima.
The Millenium Towers overlook the river, and are somewhat less pricey in the current economy than they once were. Selling prices are $750k to $3 million, depending on the size, floor and view. Rental properties should be less than what you are paying now. There are other buildings in the area also, I see plenty of "for-rent" signs wherever I go.