Reasons why a married couple lives in a shared house
There are many reasons why couples choose to live in a shared house, including economic benefits and a wider range of lifestyle options. In particular, cost reduction and the ability to leverage the advantages of communal living are major features. We will explain this in more detail below.
Cross House offers shared houses and apartments that are suitable for couples.
While typical share houses are designed for single occupancy, some properties allow for double occupancy. They also offer initial fee waivers and other promotions, allowing you to live comfortably while keeping costs down.
Features of properties suitable for couples
- Furnished with furniture and appliances: Includes refrigerator, washing machine, microwave, etc.
- No security deposit or key money required: Lower initial costs.
- Excellent urban location: Convenient access to major areas such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, and Shinagawa.
- Privacy ensured: Enjoy a comfortable life in your own private room.
- Affordable rent: Properties available in the Tokyo and Osaka areas starting from around 40,000 yen.
Main properties available for couples
- Cross Nakameguro 3 (Nakameguro, Tokyo): Private rooms from ¥64,800
- Cross Kamata 5 (Kamata, Tokyo): Private rooms from ¥49,000
- Pastel Higashiko (Osaka, Minami-Tanabe): Private rooms from 55,000 yen
- Grishuave Asahimachi (Narimasu, Tokyo): Private rooms from 65,000 yen
- Liberty Palace Mejiro (Mejiro, Tokyo): Private rooms from 75,000 yen
If you're looking to make your new life as a couple more comfortable, be sure to check out Cross House's share houses and apartments !
Economic benefits
You can save on rent and utility costs.
One of the biggest advantages of living in a shared house is that it can reduce living costs.
Compared to typical rental housing, you can save on rent and utility costs, which can lead to significant savings, especially in urban areas.
- Lower rent: In a shared house, a couple can often keep their rent lower than living in a 1LDK or 2DK rental property by renting one room together.
- Lighter utility and communication costs: Electricity, water, and internet costs for shared spaces are often included in the rent, eliminating the need for individual contracts and leading to savings.
Initial costs are low.
When living in a rental property, the costs incurred upon moving in, such as security deposit, key money, guarantee deposit, and brokerage fees, can be a significant burden.
However, with a shared house, you can reduce initial costs in the following ways:
- Many properties do not require a security deposit or key money: In regular rentals, the security deposit and key money alone can amount to 2-3 months' rent, but in share houses, they are often free or require only a small amount.
- No brokerage fees: Many share houses allow direct contracts, bypassing real estate agencies, and therefore often do not require brokerage fees.
Many properties come furnished with furniture and appliances.
Share houses typically come furnished with appliances such as a refrigerator, washing machine, microwave, bed, and table.
Therefore, it offers the following advantages:
- No need to buy furniture or appliances: This significantly reduces expenses when starting a new life.
- Lower moving costs: Since you don't have to move large furniture and appliances, moving costs are lower.
The unique appeal of living in a shared house
You can share the joys of living together.
In a shared house, you can live while interacting not only with your spouse but also with other residents.
Here are some of the things you can enjoy:
- Enjoy daily meals and events together: You can cook together with other residents or host events such as birthday parties.
- You can meet people who share your hobbies and values: Some share houses are community-type properties where people with similar interests gather, making it easy to form new relationships.
You can interact with people who have diverse values.
Share houses often house people from diverse backgrounds, providing opportunities to broaden your perspectives.
- International exchange is possible: In a shared house with foreign residents, you can learn about language and cultural differences.
- Discover diverse lifestyles: Interacting with people who work in various ways, such as freelancers, artists, and entrepreneurs, can lead to new discoveries.
Realizing a new lifestyle for couples
Unlike traditional rental properties, shared housing allows you to experience a new lifestyle.
- A lifestyle that combines family and community: a couple can live together while maintaining a comfortable distance from other residents.
- Sharing household chores and childcare: Having shared spaces allows residents to help each other with household chores and exchange information about childcare.
Cases where a couple chooses to live in a shared house
I originally lived in a shared house.
- This refers to cases where people have been living in a shared house since before marriage and continue to live there.
- You can smoothly start your new life in a familiar environment.
- If you have good relationships with your neighbors, it's easier to enjoy life as a couple.
I want to reduce housing costs after getting married.
- This is a case where a newly married couple wants to "live on a low budget first."
- Many couples choose to live in a shared house to reduce living expenses after incurring large expenses such as weddings and honeymoons.
- You can find properties suitable for couples at a lower rent than typical rental properties.
I am looking for an environment with comprehensive childcare support.
- Family-friendly shared housing sometimes offers an environment that supports childcare.
- There are also "shared childcare-type shared houses" where residents can support each other with childcare.
- Choosing a shared house located close to a nursery school or school can reduce the burden of childcare.
Disadvantages of living in a shared house as a couple
While there are many advantages to living in a shared house as a couple, there are also disadvantages. In particular, ensuring privacy, differences in lifestyles, and limited property options are points that should be understood beforehand. From here, we will explain in detail the points to consider when living in a shared house as a couple.
Private space is limited.
Share houses often have many common spaces and limited room sizes, which can make it difficult to secure private time.
The private rooms are often small.
Compared to typical rental properties, private rooms in share houses are often compact, which can feel cramped for couples. Especially in properties with limited storage space, you'll need to be creative with how you organize your belongings.
Soundproofing may be poor in some cases.
In shared housing with thin walls, you might be bothered by noise from the next room, or your own daily activities might be audible to other residents. If you want to spend time quietly with your spouse or work remotely, it's important to choose a property with good soundproofing.
Problems arising from differences in lifestyle
Because shared housing brings together people from diverse backgrounds, conflicts can sometimes arise due to differences in lifestyles and values.
There may be strict rules and restrictions on communal living.
In a shared house, there are rules that all residents must follow, such as cleaning duties for common areas and rules for taking out the trash. If a couple wants to live independently, these rules can become a source of stress.
You need to be mindful of your relationships with other residents.
In a shared house, building good relationships with other residents is important. However, differences in lifestyle and values can sometimes lead to stress in interpersonal relationships. If you prioritize time with your spouse or value maintaining a certain distance from other residents, it's important to check the atmosphere of the shared house beforehand.
The number of available properties is limited.
When considering living in a shared house as a couple, one of the drawbacks is the limited number of properties available.
There are few options for shared housing suitable for married couples.
Many shared houses are designed for single occupants, so properties that can accommodate couples are limited. In particular, shared houses for couples are scarce in urban areas, and finding a property in your desired area can be difficult.
The options are more limited compared to properties designed for families.
Compared to typical family-friendly rentals, there are fewer options for shared housing suitable for couples, so compromises in terms of size and amenities may be necessary. Furthermore, the options become even more limited if you have children, so couples planning to raise a family need to choose their property carefully.
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How to choose a shared house for a married couple
When a couple chooses to live in a shared house, they need to select a property from a different perspective than a typical rental. To ensure a comfortable life, it's important to be aware of key points to check beforehand, such as the size and facilities of the property, relationships with other residents, and living rules. In particular, the article "Why is a shared house recommended for couples? Introducing the advantages and points to note" explains in detail the points that couples should know when choosing a shared house, and what it's actually like to live in a shared house as a couple.
From here, we will explain in detail the particularly important points to consider when choosing a shared house for a married couple.
Key points for choosing a property
When choosing a shared house, it's important to check whether the environment is suitable for couples. In particular, be sure to check the size, facilities, soundproofing, and privacy beforehand.
Check the number of properties available for couples.
Since most shared houses are designed for singles, there are limited options for couples. Therefore, consider the following points when searching for a property.
- Check if it's possible for a couple to move in (inquire through the website or management company).
- Check if there are private rooms or dedicated spaces for two people.
- Check if the property offers a comfortable living environment for a couple (e.g., whether it's furnished, and the amount of storage space).
Check the room size and amenities.
To ensure a comfortable living space for a couple, it's important to choose a room with sufficient space. Pay particular attention to the following points.
- Is the private room spacious enough? (If it's too small, living will feel cramped and it will be a source of stress.)
- Does it have a private kitchen and bathroom? (Shared facilities alone may be inconvenient.)
- Is there ample storage space? (Consider this based on the amount of luggage you have.)
Is it possible to ensure soundproofing and privacy?
In a shared house, you'll be living with other residents, so soundproofing and privacy are crucial for a comfortable life. Checking the following beforehand will give you peace of mind.
- Check during the viewing whether the walls are too thin (to see if everyday noises will be a problem).
- Can I secure private time (is there a quiet environment in a private room)?
- Is the bathroom and toilet easy to use? (Does it suit the couple's lifestyle?)
Consider your relationships with other residents.
Since shared housing involves living with many people, relationships between residents are very important. To choose a shared house where a couple can live comfortably and securely, it's important to understand the atmosphere among the residents and the characteristics of the community.
Choosing a Community-Based Share House
When choosing a shared house as a couple, you need to consider whether you prefer a "community-type shared house" where residents interact actively, or a "private-room shared house" that prioritizes privacy.
- If you want to enjoy socializing, a community-style share house is suitable (they often have meals and events).
- If you want to cherish your time as a couple → Choose a property that prioritizes privacy (high degree of independence in private rooms).
Check the atmosphere and characteristics of other residents.
The atmosphere of a shared house varies greatly depending on the people living there. Check the following points beforehand to determine if it's the right environment for you.
- Are the age range and occupations of the residents a good match for us?
- The atmosphere of the shared house (quiet or lively)
- Check reviews and comments from past residents.
Checking the rules of daily life
In a shared house, there are established rules regarding the use of common areas and cleaning procedures. It's important to check beforehand whether these rules suit your lifestyle as a couple.
Clearly define the rules for living together as a couple.
Before moving into a shared house, deciding together as a couple how you'll live together can help prevent problems.
- Adjusting daily routines (bedtime, meal times, etc.)
- Decide on the division of household chores (such as cleaning common areas).
- Let's think about ways to spend time together without causing each other stress.
Understand the rules for using shared spaces in advance.
In a shared house, you will be sharing facilities such as the kitchen, living room, and bathroom, so it is necessary to understand the rules.
- Kitchen usage time and cleaning rules
- Manners in common areas (noise, eating, rules for visitors)
- Rules regarding the order and duration of use for toilets and showers.
Beforehand, check with the management company and other residents to choose a share house that you are comfortable with.
Recommended areas for shared housing for couples
When a couple chooses to live in a shared house, selecting the right area is crucial for a comfortable life. The ideal area will vary depending on the couple's lifestyle, particularly whether they prioritize the convenience of an urban area or a child-friendly environment.
Similar to shared housing, furnished apartments are also an attractive option for couples. The article "A Guide to the Benefits and Selection of Furnished Apartments for Couples" provides a detailed explanation of the advantages of well-equipped apartments and how to choose the right one.
Here, we will explain in detail the recommended areas suitable for shared housing for married couples.
Shared housing in urban areas | Recommended for couples who prioritize easy access and convenience.
Share houses in urban areas are attractive because they offer excellent transportation access and ample commercial facilities, making it easier to balance work and life. They are recommended for working couples and couples seeking an active lifestyle.
Its easy accessibility is a major attraction.
Share houses in urban areas are often located close to train stations, reducing the burden of commuting and going out. The following areas, in particular, are popular due to their convenient transportation:
- Tokyo: Around major terminal stations such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, and Shinagawa.
- Osaka: Properties near stations in central areas such as Umeda, Namba, and Tennoji.
- Nagoya: Areas with good access, such as Meieki area, Sakae, and Kanayama.
It's easy to balance work and life.
In urban areas, not only is access to work convenient, but essential living facilities are also readily available, making it easier for couples to live together.
- Plenty of supermarkets, convenience stores, and restaurants: Many options for shopping and dining out.
- Well-equipped with medical facilities and administrative services: Hospitals and government offices are nearby.
- Many shared offices and cafes: A suitable environment for remote work.
Living in an urban area allows couples to balance work and personal life while enjoying fulfilling time together.
Areas with excellent childcare support | Family-friendly living environment
For couples planning to have children or those living with young children, choosing an area with a good child-rearing environment is crucial. A region with ample educational facilities, parks, and government support systems provides a safe and secure living environment.
Areas with a well-developed educational environment
When choosing a child-friendly area, it's important to check the quality and number of daycare centers, kindergartens, and elementary schools. The following areas have well-developed educational environments and are popular with families with young children.
- Tokyo: Setagaya Ward, Suginami Ward, Bunkyo Ward (High level of education and many families with children)
- Kanagawa Prefecture: Yokohama City and Kawasaki City (Abundant childcare facilities and convenient for commuting)
- Osaka Prefecture: Toyonaka City, Suita City, Minoh City (Many educational districts and good public safety)
- Aichi Prefecture: Meito Ward and Chikusa Ward in Nagoya City (well-developed educational environment and abundant nature)
These areas have many cram schools and extracurricular activity facilities for children, making them suitable for couples who want to focus on their children's education.
Areas with many family-friendly facilities
When choosing a shared house, it's important to consider whether there are plenty of family-friendly facilities nearby. Having parks where children can play safely, as well as hospitals and childcare support centers nearby, can reduce the burden of childcare.
- There is a large park: It is rich in nature and provides an environment where children can play freely.
- Childcare support centers are well-equipped: offering childcare consultations and numerous events for parents and children.
- Proximity to hospitals and clinics: It's reassuring to have pediatricians and obstetricians/gynecologists nearby.
For example, the Tama area in Tokyo (Tachikawa and Hachioji), Saitama City in Saitama Prefecture, and Funabashi City in Chiba Prefecture are popular areas where couples can live with peace of mind, as they have extensive government support for families with children.
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summary
Living in a shared house as a couple offers several advantages, including economic benefits such as lower rent and utility costs, and the opportunity to experience a new lifestyle through communal living. However, it also requires maintaining privacy, managing relationships with other residents, and adapting to the rules of living. To ensure a comfortable stay, it's crucial to check the size, facilities, and soundproofing of the property, assess compatibility with other residents, and understand the rules of living. Choose a property and area that suits your lifestyle as a couple and enjoy your ideal shared house experience!
