Inside a Greater Tokyo apartment young renters can actually afford

After moving to Tokyo, Ashley Peters discovered a level of affordability and independence that many young renters in the city experience when choosing compact, efficiently designed units.

The below CNBC Relocated YouTube vignette offers a rare English-language glimpse into how tenants her age navigates small-space living, manage monthly costs, and prioritize convenience and transit access.

For property owners, her story provides useful insight into what makes similar rental units appealing to the next generation of Tokyo renters.

Key Topics Covered

• Ashley Peters reveals how a move from Southern California to Tokyo transformed her ability to live alone for the first time.

• Her shift from a full-time teaching job to flexible digital work shows how young expats in Japan create sustainable income through multiple streams.

• A detailed tour of her Nakahara, in Kanagawa, apartment 15 minutes station-to-station from Shibuya, shows what ¥74,460 per month can afford in Greater Tokyo.

• Her everyday costs, from utilities to Wi-Fi, highlight how Greater Tokyo living can be far more affordable than many major U.S. cities.

• Convenience stores and ready-to-eat meals demonstrate how young residents keep food budgets low without sacrificing variety or convenience.

• Her experiences walking home late at night illustrate the sense of safety many women feel in Greater Tokyo.

• The freedom of living affordably alone allows her to focus on content creation, language study, and personal goals.