Monday, August 4, 2008

Schwinn "Lightweights"


These are generally thought of as junk bikes by the average American.  To convert the price in the picture, just take off the last two zeros and that's the approximate dollar amount.  I realize this just supports the idea that Japan is expensive - but it's not an expensive place.  It's cheap, but it depends on how you live.  Renting a place in Tokyo is around 600 - 700 a month for a typical, nice, single person apartment.  That's not a find, it's normal, easy to come by.  Can't find that kind of deal in NY, LA or SF.  I should say, the move in fees are sometimes way too high.  Aside from that there are plenty of places that one can rent for around 300 a month, with a low move in price too.  You have to go to the public bath, or use a coin shower, but you'd have your own kitchen  and a good sized room.   The key to Tokyo life is not to use the train too much - it will take your time, eat your money and make you hate staircases.  Up the stairs to go over the tracks, down the stairs to go to the platform.  Down the stairs to go under the tracks, up the stairs to go to the platform.  I'd say the average train ride will cost you somewhere around 5 dollars.  So in one day, you can spend 10 dollars on transpo.  If that's for work only, you will spend 50 dollars a week.  But nearly all companies will pay your transportation fees, and they are paying for the troubles you go through in order to get to work, not necessarily for the express use of the train.  In other words, the amount you get is bound to the price of the train, but not to the idea that you must ride it.  In more other words, there is no punishment for not taking the train.  Which means you could make about 200 dollars extra per month by riding your bike.  If you live in a 300 - 400 dollar apartment, half your rent is paid.  Or you can save up your transpo money for three and a half months and buy an old Varsity.

1 comment:

Shyam said...

You brought your own bike to japan then? or do you use the coin shower and take the train?