“How much money do I need to save to move in with someone?”
“When is a good time to start looking for a place?”
Many couples want to live together but have no idea when to start preparing or how much to set aside for the move.
In this article, we will provide a few tips on how to find a home, what to look out for when making a decision, and a detailed breakdown of the expenses incurred when moving in with another person. We hope you will find this information useful for starting a new life together with your partner.
How Far in Advance Should Couples Start Their Apartment Search?
It is a good idea to start planning about 1.5 to 2 months in advance. From the preparation stage to the actual move, you will need time to make plans, settle your tenant screening, pack up, and move out.
If you don’t give yourself at least a month to complete the move, you may not have enough time to fully prepare everything, which could lead to problems down the line.
The Best Times of Year for Couples to Look for an Apartment
The best times of the year to look for a place are spring (April/May) and fall (September/October). If you’re able to, you should aim to move during these months.
・Benefits of moving during the spring season (April and May)
The busy period in the real estate industry lasts from January to March because many people relocate to start their new lives in April. Things settle down from April to May, which makes it the best time for couples to look for a new home.
Furthermore, June is a popular month for couples to get married, so there is usually an increase in the number of properties on the market for couples during the spring season. Having more options available will make it easier for you to search for and negotiate a better deal.
・Benefits of moving during the fall season (September/October)
Fall is the most popular season for weddings, so the number of properties for couples on the market increases during this time of year. Another reason for the increase is that many people relocate due to work transfers during this time of year.
For couples who want to start their lives together in a newly built property, many new properties will be listed in October, so it is a good time to gear up. October also has cool weather, which makes it the ideal time to search for a good place.
・For cost-conscious couples, the June to August period is best
If you want to lower your moving costs, we recommend that you look for a room between June and August. June is the rainy season, and July and August are the hottest months, so preparing for your move during these months may be an uncomfortable experience. However, this period is also an off-season, so it is easier to negotiate rent with real estate companies. Moving costs are also lower than during the peak seasons.
Recommended Apartment Layout for Couples
The recommended room plan for cohabiting couples is 1LDK (8 tatami mats or more), which consists of a bedroom, a living room, a dining room, and a kitchen area.
This layout gives couples a comfortable amount of space to live in. 1LDK apartments also have affordable rent, which makes it cheaper for couples to live together rather than separately.
For couples who prefer privacy, a 2DK with two bedrooms is a good option. But if you can afford it, we recommend upgrading to a 2LDK.
Where is the Best Place to Live for Couples?
When deciding on a place, please consider the following three points:
- Commuting time
When deciding where to live, it is important to consider each other’s commuting time to and from work. If one party’s commuting time is much longer, the stress caused by crammed train rides and long commutes can build up and lead to conflict.
On the other hand, if you have a tight budget and have to settle on a place that is further from your workplace, check the transit lines and rush hour congestion in advance, and choose an area that is easier to commute to work from.
- Safety
Even if the rent is cheaper, avoid unsafe areas. If you live in a downtown area with a lot of entertainment venues and dimly lit alleyways, you are more likely to run into trouble. Therefore, it is best to avoid sacrificing safety for cheaper rent. Rather, choose a reasonably priced yet safe area where you can enjoy a worry-free life.
- Local amenities
Check if there is a supermarket or drugstore at the nearest station. If there is a supermarket, you will be able to shop on your way home from work.
On the other hand, if the nearest station only has convenience stores, you will have to spend extra time and/or money on groceries. You will either have to go through the hassle of shopping at another station or buy your groceries at convenience stores or online supermarkets, which charge more money.
Upfront Moving Costs Couples Should Prepare Their Savings For
There is a variety of expenses involved with moving in with someone. When you sum up all the initial costs (contract signing, moving, purchasing appliances, etc.), the total cost of the move will likely set you back around 7 to 8 months’ worth of rent.
However, the cost of rent, deposit, and key money will vary depending on the area and property. Your moving costs will also vary depending on whether you lived alone or with your family before the move.
The upfront cost of a rental contract
| Item | Amount | Remarks |
| Advance deposit | ¥100,000 | 1 month’s rent |
| Key money | ¥100,000 | 1 month’s rent |
| First-month rent | ¥100,000 | 1 month’s rent |
| Prorated rent | ¥50,000 | If moving in on the 15th |
| Commission fee | ¥110,000 | 1 month’s rent + tax |
| Guarantor company fee | ¥50,000～100,000 | 0.5 to 1 month’s rent |
| Fire insurance premium | ¥10,000～20,000 | |
| Door lock replacement cost | ¥10,000～20,000 | |
| Total amount | ¥530,000～600,000 |
If you move into a place with a rent of 100,000 yen, the upfront cost will likely be equivalent to about 6 months’ worth of rent. Since the initial cost scales with the rent amount, it is all the more important to choose an apartment that is reasonably priced. In addition, if the property does not require an advance deposit, key money, or agent’s commission, the initial cost can be further reduced. Village House does not collect any advance deposit*, key money, commission fee, or renewal fee, so you can save on initial expenses when moving!
*Depending on the contract and tenant screening results, an advance deposit may be required.
Cost of moving
| Distance | Busy season (average) | Other expenses (average) |
| Less than 15km (in the same city/town) | ¥80,000 | ¥60,000 |
| Less than 50km (in the same prefecture) | ¥95,000 | ¥66,000 |
| Less than 200km (in the same region) | ¥145,000 | ¥97,000 |
| Less than 500km (in neighboring regions) | ¥198,000 | ¥139,660 |
| Above 500km (in distant regions) | ¥300,000 | ¥180,000 |
Reference: Moving Samurai｜Moving fee quotes for two people living together
Moving costs vary depending on distance and season. In addition, the costs and services offered by each moving company can vary greatly. Therefore, it is best to get quotes from several moving companies and make a careful comparison.
Cost of furniture
| Item | Amount |
| Bedding | ¥ 25,000～50,000 |
| Washing machine | ¥ 40,000～80,000 |
| Refrigerator | ¥ 50,000～100,000 |
| Dining table | ¥ 20,000～50,000 |
| Curtains | ¥ 10,000～20,000 |
| Total amount | ¥ 145,000～300,000 |
If you have furniture that you can reuse, you will not have to spend as much. Otherwise, you will need to set aside about 150,000-300,000 yen to furnish your home.
Approximate Monthly Living Expenses for Couples
The breakdown of the monthly cost of living for a couple is as follows:
| Item | Amount |
| Food | ¥ 71,933 |
| Electricity | ¥ 10,030 |
| Gas | ¥ 2,663 |
| Water | ¥ 4,095 |
| Other utilities | ¥ 227 |
| Daily necessities | ¥ 10,568 |
| Clothing | ¥ 4,988 |
| Healthcare | ¥ 15,254 |
| Travel | ¥ 24,607 |
| Smartphone and internet | ¥ 9,895 |
| Education | ¥ 684 |
| Entertainment | ¥ 25,465 |
| Outings | ¥ 16,587 |
| Miscellaneous | ¥ 25,042 |
| Total amount | ¥ 222,038 |
According to a survey by the Statistics Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, “Household Survey September 2023 by Number of Family Members (Table 3-1),” the cost of living for two people, excluding rent, is approximately 220,000 yen. It is thus safe to assume that the total monthly cost of living (including rent) will amount to about 300,000 yen.
There are many couples who want to start living together. However, even if you have a concrete plan, unexpected difficulties may still arise. If you are looking for a place to live with your partner, please feel free to contact Village House!
Village House has over 1,000 properties located throughout Japan’s 47 prefectures. In addition, we do not collect any advance deposit*, key money, commission fee, or renewal fee, so you can save on initial expenses when moving!
*Depending on the contract and tenant screening results, an advance deposit may be required.