[Behind the Scenes Column] Why I Chose a Social Apartment After Comparing Share Houses

Nice to meet you.
My name is Uchiyama, and I work in the Information Systems Department at Global Agents, which operates Social Apartments (hereinafter referred to as “SA”).

Actually, while I’m an “insider” at the company, I’m also an SA user with five years of experience living in three different SA properties. I originally became a fan of SA as a resident, and my passion for it eventually led me to join the company.

That said, before deciding on SA, I was searching for a place to live while grappling with the conflict of thinking, “Living alone feels a little lonely, but I’m also anxious about being tied down by relationships in a shared house…”

I actually viewed about five standard share houses listed on major real estate portals, but they all fell short of my expectations. Unlike the photos online, the common areas and bathrooms lacked a sense of cleanliness, and there was a stifling atmosphere—as if they were “just places to live cheaply”—so I couldn’t imagine living there comfortably.

Just as I was about to give up, thinking, “I guess I’ll just have to live on my own after all…,” that’s when I came across SA.

In this post, I’ll share my honest thoughts—not as a sales pitch, but from the perspective of a “resident”—on the three reasons why I chose a social apartment over a shared house and have continued to live there for five years.

① It’s not “just about living cheaply.” The perfect balance of personal space created by a clear concept

The “differing goals” and sense of discomfort I felt in typical share houses

After viewing five different share houses, what bothered me the most was the “differing goals” among the residents.

In share houses without a clear concept, many people live there simply because they “want to keep rent low,” and I sensed a gloomy atmosphere where it felt awkward to even say hello, even when people were gathered in the living room.

I realized that the disconnect between people who aren’t there to socialize and those who just want to enjoy a little conversation has a major impact on how comfortable the place feels to live in.

The Perfect Balance of “Privacy × Social Interaction” Among Independent Adults

In contrast, social apartments are designed based on a clear concept that pursues a “balance between privacy and social interaction.”

When I visit the lounge, everyone there is open and shares a positive mindset of “wanting to enjoy connecting with others.” That said, there’s absolutely no atmosphere that forces you to socialize.

Precisely because your own room—a completely private space—is firmly guaranteed, you’re free to choose based on your mood whether you want to “focus on your own today” or “talk to someone today.”

The fact that this “concept of independent adults gathering at a comfortable distance from one another” is so firmly established was a major difference from other companies’ shared housing options.

② No Discrepancy Between Online Photos and Reality! Overwhelmingly Clean and High-Quality Spaces

▲The lounge at Social Apartment Nakagawara, where I lived at the time

A disappointing shared house viewing experience due to a discrepancy between photos and reality

What disappointed me most during my tours of five different shared houses was the “discrepancy between the photos on the website and the actual conditions.” Even if the photos looked nice, when I actually visited, the bathrooms and common areas were messy, or they were so cluttered with signs of daily life that they lacked a sense of cleanliness—which made me think, “It would be tough to live here every day…”

Accuracy in Reproducing the Photos, Plus a Management System and Good Etiquette to Maintain It

However, when I first toured SA, I was surprised to find that the stylish space I’d seen on the official website was right there before my eyes, and the bathrooms and kitchens were kept exceptionally clean.

Now that I’m a resident, I understand that at SA, it’s not just the in-house cleaning staff who maintain the space—it’s also the high level of etiquette among residents, who share the mindset of “Let’s all keep it clean together.” I was won over not only by the excellent design (the “hardware”) but also by how well the operations and etiquette (the “software”) are managed.

③ The staff’s passion was incredible! “Trust in the management” was the final deciding factor

They thought about “lifestyle” with me, not just the specs

When comparing with other companies, the staff’s attitude was the final deciding factor.

The staff member who showed me around didn’t just explain the floor plan and rent; they vividly described “what kind of people live here and how they live” and “how I might enjoy living here.”

That experience—where I felt, “I can entrust my life to a property managed by this company with peace of mind”—later became the catalyst for me to start working at Global Agents.

In Closing: The “Value of Choosing a Social Apartment” I’ve Experienced Over Five Years

▲ SA Asakusa ( now Eight Wine Asakusa ) during the time the author lived there

My search for a home began with a disappointing experience viewing a shared house from another company, but discovering SA allowed me to achieve my ideal lifestyle: “living comfortably as myself while maintaining relaxed connections with others.”

I’ve moved through three different properties as my life circumstances have changed, and at each one, I’ve felt that independent adults are enriching each other’s lives while maintaining a comfortable sense of personal space.

Even now, as someone who knows the inner workings of the service from the inside, I still wholeheartedly value “life at Social Apartment” as a resident.

If you’re struggling with the thought that “living alone feels lacking, but a shared house makes me nervous,” please come take a tour of SA.

I can proudly recommend this wonderful lifestyle—not as an employee, but as a devoted resident myself!