Hi again everyone,

  I received an email from the Housing Manager about the RPP.  Has anyone had any experience with the 3/4 br townhouses there?  Are they located somewhat near the base or further out?  I'd like to keep my options open and am trying to determine if this is a good deal at ¥215,000 to 255,000 without utilities fee or should I keep looking out in town?

Thanks!

Some helpful resource links from other posts:

How To Get To Sakura Hills From Yokosuka Base
http://www.japanbases.com/home/foru.../6450.aspx

Why Do Military Families Live in On-Base Housing instead of off base?
http://www.japanbases.com/home/foru.../4007.aspx

You know, I got thinking this sounds like a great deal but then I had a different thought. Meaning, one of the great joys in living out in town is having Japanese neighbors. They are peaceful & considerate, and if there is any disturbance in the community it is invariably due to some American making noise or generally being a jerk. Blaring loud music in their car, not sorting trash properly (which is a BIG deal off-base), partying in the room, and so on.

So I wonder, is this RPP turning into an "American slum"? At least as perceived by the Japanese? By "slum", I don't mean physical deterioration of the property as the management would not allow that to happen. But I mean, turning into Little America with loud, annoying people parking in the wrong spot, littering, and all the other bad habits they bring from back home.

I have no idea if this is the case or not, but I would appreciate some on-the-ground observations, esp from someone who understands and appreciates the Japanese way of life. Would it be better, for those who enjoy the Japanese life-style, to avoid this block altogether and just rent independently?

Its just easy for people... They dont have to worry about much, and this place conforms to the liking of the base having american style homes.

Posted By Adam Jones on 12 May 2010 10:40 PM
Its just easy for people... They dont have to worry about much, and this place conforms to the liking of the base having american style homes.

yeah, I understand that and it sounds tempting at first. But on further reflection, for those who appreciate the Japanese lifestyle, are you giving up "too much" for the sake of convenience?  I have no idea either way; I am truly interested in people's opinion about this, esp those who have lived in Japan for a while.

I lived in Seoul, Korea for a year out in town and did enjoy living in the community versus living in a "Little America". I had several military families that lived in the same apartment complex but there were more Koreans living there than US so I didn't see the US side as much. I was wondering about the price versus location and neighborhood, but can see that it may be more of a hassle if there are too many people that make it into an annoying experience. I may have to follow the advice of the guy I am relieving there and live out in town further away from people.

Thanks for the inputs/links Adam and ThaiGuy!

Mikel,

I am getting ready to launch a brand new housing section.

It will have all the available rental homes off-base, so you can search through them, and see what is available.

I am trying to get it ready in the next few weeks.

I have a few housing agencies adding their properties now. Its coming out very nicely, so stay tuned for this new section. Once its launched I will send an email to all of our members announcing it.

I would recommend going with something like a 4LDK property. There are some very nice properties, if you look hard enough.

Thanks for the help Adam!

Adam,

I was wondering if there would be any interior photos of the Yokosuka on-base town-houses?

Thanks!

Someone posted a video on YouTube. I watched it a while back and the house looked nice, but the floor plan was strange imo.

Seems you need a password to YouTube now to watch it... I think this works anyway. Can't be bothered to make a YouTube account =)

YouTube - Happy Mother's Day
10 May 2008 ... Tour of my family's new house in Yokosuka, Japan for my mom. This is American Housing outside of Yokosuka Base. Sakura Hills Town house.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQIw_KBa5tw

I uploaded the power point presentation the RPP sent me with photos of the townhouses on my profile. Let me know if you can't open it and I'll see how else I can get the pictures on here.

Mike,

I am an idiot, but I can't find how to see the pictures. Can you send them to me?

Mike,

I found the pictures on your profile. Are those Yokosuka on-base town houses?

Hi Everyone!

This is my first post on the site, but I feel the topic is a good one to start with. I live in Sakura Hills, in one of the townhouses, and have been there for 3 months. Yes, I have American neighbors and an Americanized house, but I live in the middle of a Japanese suburb, next to a Japanese primary school.  Our complex is fairly small, and will continue to get smaller as residents of the Towers will be relocated due to renovations over the next two years.  The complex is clean, and well managed by a very helpful and friendly Japanese staff.  There are occassional noise distrubances, but they are few and far between.  Just a short walking distance from the complex are a grocery store, a family-dollar type store, hair salons, and a dry cleaners.  About a 20 min walk will get you to the train station, restraurants, and shopping. The area around the complex has six parks (I think, it might be more) and is a very nice, quiet place.  Definitely NOT a slum!

Here is the only info that was sent regarding them, I was pretty much told in the email that I will receive all this info again when I go through the housing brief;

We have 3BR and 4BR unfurnished townhouse under the program. These are for single and family members.We work on first-come-first-serve basis, this then doesn't guarantee that we'll have an RPP unit for you by the time you get here. An RPP lease requires occupancy for at least a year; you may continue to stay after meeting the minimum if you opt to. The rent for townhouse ranges from ¥215,000 to 255,000 without utilities fee. Each unit has one parking normally located right in front of the unit; parking space is concrete so there will be no yard.

I DO have two .pdf files that were also sent that have a list of English speaking agents and walking/driving distances around Yokosuka if you are interested.

Hello, does anyone have any pictures of the interior of the three and four bedroom on-base town-houses on Yokosuka? And I tried to view the Youtube that Tirani suggested, but I was unable to pull it up. I know that I am functionally illiterate right about now while using a computer.... :-( But, does anyone have any suggestions for me??? :-)

Thanks!

There are pics of on base houses in Yokosuka here. At the very top click on the "pics" and follow the folders through on base housing then the Yokosuka folder. Or just use the shortcut below:

http://www.japanbases.com/home/pics...3-838.aspx

never mind, looks like these are external shots and floorplan layouts only. Sorry!

Try these 2 links:

http://gw.ffc.navy.mil/JapanInfo/Ho...idence.pdf
http://yokosukatdy.blogspot.com/200...dence.html

Both of them have pictures (interior) and floor plans as well as some more information.

I know that I have seen a shuttle picking up on base to take people back to the RPP Residence area...

Mikel,

 

Please send me any information on housing that you may have. My email is john.caddy@navy.mil  I will be coming with my wife and two daughters Aug 2, 2011. I am looking for both temporary and permanent housing options. Thank you!