[Sangetsu]

I recently moved to a new apartment in the heart of Tokyo in Chiyoda-ku. By Japanese standards it is large, being 54 square meters. At the moment, Tokyo housing and rentals are depressed, selling or renting for the same price they did in the early 1980's. Still, my rent is about $2000 USD per month.

Last year I visited a new housing development in Chiba, about an hour from Tokyo. This development was being built in the western style; single family detached homes with garages as well as front and back yards. Even the designs of the homes were western, with English-style brick homes, American Cape Cod designs, and even California Sanish-style plans, complete with red tile roofs. The prices of these homes were very reasonable, the largest one (200 square meters) was less expensive than my current apartment.

But buying a home in Japan is not easy for foreigners. There are no restrictions against foreigners owning property in Japan, but getting a home loan is nearly impossible if you don't have permanent residency. I would lve to buy a home, perhaps in 2 or 3 years.