Housing Abroad・Rent Information ～Asia～
For those of you who have gotten new jobs abroad through Washokujob's services, one of the first things you must figure out is where you are going to live, and how much it will cost.
Amongst all of the companies who have posted their open positions with us here at Washokujob, there are several main types of offerings when it comes to the housing that is/is not provided.
- Company housing/dormitory provided
- Company provides housing assistance
- Company provides no housing assistance, but offers a relatively higher salary Of course, this short list does not cover all possible cases, as there are even some companies who offer nothing in terms of housing support.
In the instance of cases 1 or 2, the candidate won't have too much to worry about, but for case 3, many candidates are concerned not only about handling the financial burden alone, but also how to even begin successfully finding a place to live.
To be of some assistance, Washokujob has compiled some data together that will outline living costs and conditions in various regions, with this article focusing on Asia.
≪1≫ Housing and Rent in Asian Countries
◆Singapore
Rent １LDK 150,000 ~ 250,000 JPY
Compared to Tokyo, this certainly seems a bit pricey. Over 90% of citizens in Singapore work with private realtors to find housing. Meaning, rental properties are geared more towards those coming to live in Singapore from abroad. Based on the experiences of one of our team members who lived in Singapore, you will need to have a good sense for house hunting, or have some support in your company to make ends meet in terms of housing.
◆Malaysia
Rent １LDK 40,000 ~ 80,000 JPY
The capital city, Kulala Lumpur, has the highest rent across all of Malaysia, but the market price is not as expensive as Tokyo or Singapore. Some apartment complexes will have free pools or gyms, and may offer furnished units as well. The minimum lease is one year, and renting in Malaysia seems comparatively easy.
China
Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzen Rent １LDK 80,000 ~ 200,000 JPY
Using mainland China as an example, we will view the housing situation of the above four cities. These are the most expensive cities to live in within China, and may even be up to 10 times more expensive than other cities, which is jarring. When you move in, you may be expected to pay a one-month's rent security deposit, and three-month's rent upfront, with the lease lasting one year. You may be able to renew your lease, but many people in China move once per year.However, unlike Japan, most security deposits end up being returned in full after moving out. But be careful, as sometimes landlords will increase your rent during your lease!
*◆Hong Kong
Rent １R 8,000 ~ 300,000
While Hong Kong may be larger than Singapore in terms of area, most housing is in the form of tall apartment complexes, and there are only a few areas to choose from where you can actually reside. The population density is 6,600/km2, which is the fourth most dense in the world. Most leases last two years, with rules in place that do not allow you to break a lease within the first year, and some will have you pay for the second year of rent in advance as well.
*◆Taiwan
Taipei１LDK 110, 000 ～ 180,000 JPY
Using Taipei as our example, many places will require a deposit of two-month's rent, with one or two year leases. Apartment size is a bit larger than Japan, but rent may be higher from furnishings or amenities. The leasing process is similar to Japan, as well. But as Taipei is very humid, a dehumidifier will be an apartment essential.
◆Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi １LDK 40,000 ~ 100,000 JPY
Rent in Vietnam is much cheaper than in Japan, and for a 1 LDK with air conditioning in the city, one month's rent is about 50,000 JPY and is much cheaper than living in the city in Japan. And if you aren't particular about needing personal space, you an even share an apartment in a complex with one or two other people, which will also help you save on the cost of other bills.
◆Thailand
Bangkok １LDK 30,000 ~ 80,000 JPY
Most leases in Bangkok are for one year. When first leasing a new apartment, the basic costs are typically [one month's rent] + [deposit (two month's rent)], and there is no fee associated with renewing your lease. Additionally, "condominiums" are the equivalent apartment complexes to "mansions" in Japan, and many include furniture and lighting fixtures. Another difference from Japan is that even if you use a realtor website in order to find your apartment, you will still need to meet directly with the landlord to sign the lease.
◆India
Delhi １LDK 30,000 JPY to 80,000 JPY
In recently years, India's economy has experienced rapid growth, and many foreign companies are opening offices there. For a 1 LDK in the heart of Delhi, you can move in for about 50,000 JPY. However, the climate in India is very warm, so if you have air conditioning in your apartment, your electric bill shoot up. You can have a lease for 11 or 22 months, without being charged to renew it. However, because many foreign companies are developing in India, rent can greatly vary from city to city.
Next, we will cover the Rent Information for Europe, so stay tuned!