KCP International thoughts (intermediate / college 300 level)

[ganbat2]

I will be at KCP International for the Winter session. I have a couple of questions.

1. Where is this located at specifically in Shinjuku? By this, I mean what is it's street address?
^ I want to ascertain the direct street address for this place because I want to find a place to live on my own that is either extremely close OR is not too far away.

2. What are some good websites that I can get a very basic but well maintained apartment for the time frame from Jan. 2 or 3 to March 29 or 30? I have already checked the websites Oak House, Sakura House, and Airbnb. Any other recommendations?

I would like to stay under $4100 if possible but I will definitely consider going over this amount if you know of something that is absolutely a steal/deal. Thoughts?

 

[lanthas]

Map with address

 

[ganbat2]

Thank you, Lanthas!
Now, at least, I know exactly where it is.

I will keep searching and I will wait a bit more to see if others have recommendations on places extremely close to this location.

 

[lanthas]

It took just a minute to find really. Find the subway station they're so proud of being close to on Google Maps and from there compare with the .pdf you attached. (Noticing on the side that the compass in the .pdf is all wrong)

Given that they're so close to the subway station, their exact address doesn't really matter though, does it? You can find a place that's somewhat further away and then take the subway to school each day.

Or you could take the easy option and stay at KCP's own dormitories, but it looks like you explicitly don't want that.

 

[ganbat2]

I am avoiding the dorms because of their curfews, size, and location (according to KCP, most, if not all dorms require a commute).

It seems like a better idea to spend an extra about ~$2K for an apartment located extremely close to the school.

 

[WonkoTheSane]

$2K per month? You shouldn't need anywhere near that much. Even for a short term rental at an exorbitant rate I'd expect it to be under $1K. Is there a homestay program they offer? If so, I've heard it can be an extremely positive Japanese language learning experience.

 

[ganbat2]

@Wonko - Those are the prices that I am seeing on AirBnB for places close to the school.

What site(s) were you looking at?

 

[Mike Cash]

I realize they're probably on the up and up, but I would be leery of any place that makes it this hard to figure out their address; their English site just refers people to a post office box in the U.S.

I had to look on google maps to see the actual Japanese name of the place, then google that, and root around on the Japanese site to confirm a physical address, phone/fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

You've been studying Japanese several years now and have at least intermediate skills. Are you doing your apartment searching in Japanese as well as in English? If you're only searching places that cater to those searching in English, then you can expect to get overcharged.

 

[Glenski]

Is KCP willing to serve as your apartment guarantor? Pretty important point for someone wanting his own place off campus.

Also, expect fairly expensive rent due to the location. Cheapest I saw at a glance was a 1K for 110,000 yen, with 3 times that as moving in fees. Just saw two more, 91,000 and 89,000.

Don't like it? Live further away.

 

[ganbat2]

@mike - I would do the Japanese search method but since I will only be there for less than 90 days then I would rather play it safe and stick with English.

@Glenski - I am referring to websites that offer all-inclusive rent options similar to those on Airbnb or Sakura House. But not places with move-in fees and utilities separate, etc.

It seems to be harder than I thought to locate a place to stay in Tokyo.

 

[lanthas]

Is there a homestay program they offer?

There is indeed

 

[WonkoTheSane]

There is indeed

Given half a chance, I'd jump at the opportunity to learn while doing a homestay!

EDIT: Whoa, just looked at the pricing, very expensive! I hope they're quite good. Over 450K for less than 3 months in a dorm seems incredibly high.

 

[ganbat2]

@Wonko - Now, you can see why I am going at this on my own instead of using their dorms.

Also, here is one video of their dorms (there are others as well):


The apartment that I found yesterday is about 290,000 Yen. It is right by the school, at a great price, and looks much better than their dorms (which are quite far from the school).

As for the homestay option, I am looking into it. But again, this is something that I can set up on my own with more options to back out if the setup is not working for some reason.

 

[Mike Cash]

290,000 yen? Per month?!?!

A quick search reveals 2,712 apartments within 30 minutes of that station for under 100,000. I found 548 for under 50,000. Heck, there are even 32 for under 30,000.

For that kind of difference in price, you'd be better of to just buy the very few essentials you'd need for the apartment and abandon them when you leave.

 

[ganbat2]

@mike - No, that is for the entire stay.

However, it seems like there is an agency fee equivalent to 1 month's rent (90,000 Yen) as well as a deposit fee equivalent to 1 month's rent (90,000 Yen). It says the lease is for two years but I only need less than 90 days.

I will have to call them and see what can be done.

But even with all those extra fees which would bring the total supposedly to 470,000 Yen, it is still a better deal than the dorms because it is bigger, almost right next to the school, and no rules.

 

[Mike Cash]

@mike - No, that is for the entire stay.

However, it seems like there is an agency fee equivalent to 1 month's rent (90,000 Yen) as well as a deposit fee equivalent to 1 month's rent (90,000 Yen). It says the lease is for two years but I only need less than 90 days.

I will have to call them and see what can be done.

Why not rent a place that is meant for short term rentals?

Here are some near Shinjuku Station starting from 3,000/day.

新宿駅のウィークリーマンション一覧｜マンスリー新都心

 

[ganbat2]

@mike - Thank you for the link!

It looks like this will do:
シャトレ四谷の詳細 | ウィークリーマンションなら東京新宿のマンスリー新都心

It is only 1.1 km (half a mile) away from the school which should be about a nice 10 min. walk.

The total cost I came up with is 402,280 Yen for 89 days. That includes everything and absolutely no hidden fees and I would be able to stay there for a complete 89 days.

Based on your experience, am I missing anything or overlooking anything? If not, I guess I just give them a call or email them to pay for the room. Although, I am not sure if the process is that straight forward...?

P.S. - What Japanese keywords are you utilizing to compile search results like this one?

 

[Mike Cash]

The keywords I used were simply 新宿 アパート 短期

See the 手続きの流れ bit down at the bottom of the page for the renting procedure. Start off by clicking on one of the yellow お問い合わせ buttons.

You overlooked the 19,500 yen room cleaning fee for when you leave.

 

[ganbat2]

Yes, you're right. I just re-did the math and it should all come out to 422,581 Yen. Nice catch!

I'm slightly worried about how trustworthy this company is but I haven't heard about Japan having issues in this regard...