I decided to stay at sharehouse 180 because of the cleanliness. The benefit of having someone to clean the apartment is beneficial when so many people are living in a big apartment. Also, the new facilities make it good for cooking, having amenities that are not old and dirty. It's close to Kanayama station which is a benefit to go shopping or eating out close to the house. Aeon supermarket is nearby, Sports depo and Nitori which are very handy to live next to.

I spend my time in the sharehouse, cooking, talking with other tenants in the kitchen and asking about their day. I am working so when I come home I can go to my room to chill or have a chat.

My lifestyle changed in a way that I am always surrounded by people. If you want to talk, there is always someone in the kitchen when you walk in, have breakfast, or on your way out. I have also learned more about Japanese people, and this has affected my life. There are more opportunities to go out with Japanese people here and to socialise amongst them. This is very handy when you are in Japan because the people can be pretty shy.

I want to try and speak Japanese fluently. If you work and live with non-Japanese people it can be a trap for only speaking English. Therefore, I want to try and speak a little every day and start Japanese at least three times per week. What I learn can then be put into practice in the sharehouse.

If you want to find a comfortable place, with local people from Japan. A place that has pretty much everything you need to start your life here and get started, then this is the place. I looked at some other share house companies and they were (shocked face!) not a place I would want to live in unless it was the end of the world :) Staff are amazing and she helps you with any question you need.