Tips on Sharehouse Selection to Avoid Mismatches and Stress

There are many kinds of sharehouses in Japan. They can be categorized according to external factors such as their location and rent, as well as internal specifications like themes, concepts and rules. How do you disseminate all the available information and pick one sharehouse when there’s so many to choose from? What standards should you use? This article aims to answer those questions by providing some tips on how to choose the right sharehouse.

Mismatches are the Root of All Stress

Sharehouses are unique communities that can host all kinds of people. Thanks to the wide variety of sharehouses in existence, there’ll always be one that’s right for you. On the flip side, keep in mind that there will also be sharehouses that aren’t made for you. With so many to select from, it’s easy to choose one that doesn’t fit. Once you make the wrong decision, you’ll be living a life full of stress until the day you move out. Moving comes with additional costs and creates stress both mentally and physically. It’s also time-consuming. To avoid all the hassle, choosing the right sharehouse the first time around is paramount.

How Do You Choose the Right Sharehouse?

Once you understand that a good match is important, you need to use certain standards to help you choose the right sharehouse. Information from the internet should be nothing more than a reference. Use your own values as you think this through. Here’s an example: Generally speaking, it may seem like a good idea to choose a sharehouse that has a sense of cleanliness and tidiness to it. However, that’s not always the case. Even if things are a little disheveled, there are people out there who like that kind of free atmosphere. The same goes with the strictness of rules. On one hand, stricter rules may give the impression of less problems, but on the other hand, you may be forced to live a very restricted lifestyle. Keep in mind that these options have their own merits and demerits.

Age and Gender Ratio

Wouldn’t it be strange if a middle-aged man lived in a sharehouse dominated by young students or if a woman decided to live in an all-male sharehouse? To prevent people from being alienated, it’s important to look up the ratio of males and females in the sharehouse. If you’re the courageous type of person who can adapt to any kind of environment regardless of age and gender, then this might not apply to you. In fact, it might be a good idea to proactively interact with people who hold different values.

Concept

There are sharehouses that conduct selections based on clearly defined concepts. There are “sharehouses for creators and entrepreneurs” and “sharehouses for those who came to Tokyo to chase their dreams,” to name a few. These sharehouses are designed for a clearly defined set of people. Before you make your choice, check to see if your aspirations match with the concept of the sharehouse.

Frequency of Interaction

Check to see how often interactions occur within the sharehouse. The word “sharehouse” can connote lots of interactions, but it depends on the particular one in question . An outgoing person might end up in a sharehouse where the residents aren’t as active. A low rent might attract a newcomer who finds the frequency of interactions to be too much. Decide how much you want to interact with the other residents and use that to narrow your search down.

Cleanliness

As mentioned above, it’s generally believed that cleaner places are better. But that’s not absolutely true. Some people enjoy living freely, even if it means things are a little out of place. If you are very strict on how clean the place is, ask the manager to give you detailed information on how the place is cleaned and how frequently it’s cleaned. In addition, checking areas like the back of the toilet seat and the drain during preview sessions will give you a general idea of how well the place is administrated.

Strictness of Rules

Stricter rules will decrease the amount of people who cause trouble. However, strict rules can also restrict many aspects of your lifestyle. Those who want to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere will not have a good time if the rules are too strict.

Find the Perfect Sharehouse and Live Happily Every Day!

Use the tips above as a guide when you choose your sharehouse. Living in a sharehouse means following rules that others set and communicating well with others. Choose wisely by looking at the rent, location, type of people, atmosphere, lifestyle, and see if they match with what you value.