Ome is a wonderful area. We love it. I’d go with the first house, but even after updating you’re still likely to freeze your butt off in the winter, even with a kotatsu. You could also tear the house down for about 2 million yen and have a new house built with modern climate tech and insulation standards for much cheaper than the US. Tokyo prefecture also gives tax credits for ZEH (zero emission homes) rated houses. You didn’t mention your budget but if financing, interest rates here are still practically free money.
We enjoyed the tours of the houses. I am half Japanese and my wife is Japanese and I am also retired military and we were stationed close to Ome so we know the area well. We are thinking about moving back to Japan and Ome is one of the areas we are considering since the houses are reasonably priced and still close to everything even though it's a little inaka. Having the train take you straight into Shinjuku is also a plus.
Nice views (1st house). How far is the walk to the nearest train station that connects to the main city? And what other costs exist? Taxes? And are handy foreigners allowed to do most of the renovation themselves? ...or do local laws require hiring locals to do the work due to permitting issues? Many factors to consider beyond just the initial purchase price.
With all of the paper doors you showed in that 2nd house, my first question is: what is the heating & cooling like there? The Tokyo area gets very hot in many months of the year, what kind of insulation is provided by those paper doors? And does the lack of proper insulation translate into super high cooling costs? I didn't even see an A/C system in your video.
Ome is a wonderful area. We love it. I’d go with the first house, but even after updating you’re still likely to freeze your butt off in the winter, even with a kotatsu. You could also tear the house down for about 2 million yen and have a new house built with modern climate tech and insulation standards for much cheaper than the US. Tokyo prefecture also gives tax credits for ZEH (zero emission homes) rated houses. You didn’t mention your budget but if financing, interest rates here are still practically free money.
I would love to move to this area. I love the west side of Tokyo so much. Either house would be a dream come true.
We enjoyed the tours of the houses. I am half Japanese and my wife is Japanese and I am also retired military and we were stationed close to Ome so we know the area well. We are thinking about moving back to Japan and Ome is one of the areas we are considering since the houses are reasonably priced and still close to everything even though it's a little inaka. Having the train take you straight into Shinjuku is also a plus.
Nice views (1st house). How far is the walk to the nearest train station that connects to the main city? And what other costs exist? Taxes? And are handy foreigners allowed to do most of the renovation themselves? ...or do local laws require hiring locals to do the work due to permitting issues? Many factors to consider beyond just the initial purchase price.
I'm buying a house in Yamaguchi! Excited but nervous. It's around 1/10th teh cost of thos Tokyo ones haha.
I think that you should continue looking. West Tokyo seems like a nice, laid back area to live in.
With all of the paper doors you showed in that 2nd house, my first question is: what is the heating & cooling like there? The Tokyo area gets very hot in many months of the year, what kind of insulation is provided by those paper doors? And does the lack of proper insulation translate into super high cooling costs? I didn't even see an A/C system in your video.
Awesome!!! I can't imagine if I can one day own such a Japanese house..! Are these houses Akiya by the way? How did you find them?
I liked the first house if I had a Family but as a single man the second house would be the better option.
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