A Surge in the Number of People in Their 40s Living in Shared Houses! The latest “not being lonely” situation for middle-aged and older adults after divorce or raising children.

Share houses are not for young people, are they?

This stereotype is now quietly crumbling.

Share houses used to be primarily for residents in their 20s, but the number of residents in their 40s and 50s is slowly increasing. Some share houses even have residents in their 80s.

Divorce, the end of child rearing, or moving out on their own. Or they want to live with someone again. …… Regardless of their reasons, they have chosen to live “not alone.

We spoke with the public relations manager of a company that manages share houses mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan area to find out more about the “current” share house options for people in their 40s and older.

Why are people in their 40s moving into share houses?

As the COVID-19 crisis subsides, share houses are attracting attention amidst a growing trend toward socializing with other people. With the combination of high prices, the spread of thrifty lifestyles, and the establishment of diverse lifestyles, the number of residents in their 40s and older has been on the rise in recent years.

While many share house companies have set age restrictions, recently the number of management companies that accept residents in their 30s and older has been increasing,” says one share house operator based in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

This is according to Mami Takemoto, public relations manager for Oak House (Toshima-ku, Tokyo), which manages approximately 5,000 rooms in about 220 share houses, mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Oak House itself does not set an age limit, and while residents in their 20s and 30s make up more than 70% of the core group, residents in their 40s and older account for 15-20% of the residents, with some residents in their 80s. Some residents are in their 80s. “Those in their 40s are still rather young,” Takemoto says with a laugh.

The reasons for moving in vary widely. There are people starting new lives after divorce, people in their 50s and 60s whose children have left the nest, and people who have moved to Tokyo on their own. In addition, there are many people who jump in because they cannot forget the dormitory life they had when they were students. The fact that the apartments do not require a guarantor, come with furniture and appliances, and are not tied to a long-term contract as is the case with most leases, is also a major attraction.

The type of person suited to such a share house is the “lonely person.

When you live alone, you go home and end your day quietly without talking to anyone, but in a share house you have someone to say, “Welcome home. You can eat dinner together, chat, and so on. It may seem like a small thing, but having these kinds of interactions with people is much more important than you might think. I don’t think age has much to do with the motive of ‘I want to be involved with people.

An Unexpected Role for People in Their 40s

When people in their 40’s consider moving into a share house, the first thing that comes to mind is the uncertainty of whether or not they’ll be able to get along with others. In fact, many people ask about the age of the residents when they consult with us. However, in most cases, the question ends up being a distraction.

Among residents in their 40s and older, we have many who take the initiative to participate in events and enjoy socializing with their neighbors. I get the impression that the younger residents want to spend their time freely on their own.

Events are held every weekend at the house, where residents interact with each other actively. Some events are hosted by the management company, while others are organized by the residents themselves. There’s an atmosphere at the share house where you can honestly give shape to your “I’d like to try it out” feelings.

One such resident in his 50s who came to Tokyo from the countryside is one such person. When she first came to the share house, shy and reserved, she had just closed her private business and wanted to “start something new. A few months later, however, he began planning and holding yoga class events on his own.

I think the share house environment brought out a new side of her.

It is not unusual for residents in their 40s or older to approach international students from different languages and cultures as if they were family or friends. They are also the ones who stabilize the atmosphere of the entire house.

The Evolution of Sharehouses Today

There are other attractions to share houses as well. You will be living under the same roof with people you would never have met if you were living alone. The daily life with residents of different nationalities, occupations, and ages is stimulating in itself. In a property with many foreign residents, international exchange naturally occurs, and there are more opportunities to come into contact with English and other languages.

The occupations of the residents are diverse, including engineers, designers, cooks, and yoga instructors, and according to Mr. Takemoto, “If you are a freelancer, you may even develop professional connections. According to Takemoto, “If you are a freelancer, it can lead to business connections.” Through daily exchanges of words with people from different industries, unexpected collaborations can be born.

In addition, there have been cases where residents have developed romantic relationships with each other. Not only do couples start dating as a result of events, but some even continue to live in the same house even after marriage, although they stay in separate rooms.

Another thing that is often overlooked is the change in the standard of facilities.

About 30 years ago, people had the impression that share houses were very cheap and dirty, but things have changed a lot since then. It is not unusual to find properties with gyms, theater rooms, public baths, study rooms, and music studios, and some properties have cleaning staff in the common areas six days a week. Some residents have even said, “This share house is much cleaner than I had imagined.

However, the price range is not generally “inexpensive. While prices vary depending on the area, some properties in the city center are no more expensive than a standard rental.

So what should one look for when choosing a share house? Mr. Takemoto suggests “concept” and “scale.

Oak House also produces concept-type properties with themes, such as the “Grand Series,” which aims for a higher grade of living in terms of location and facilities, and properties equipped with gyms based on the theme of “exercise and food. These themes make it easy for residents with similar values to gather together and naturally connect with each other through their hobbies and special skills.

The scale of the property is also important. The larger the property, the more diverse the people you can meet, while smaller properties tend to have a cozy, family-like atmosphere. It is up to each person to decide which suits them best, and it is best to choose according to what kind of lifestyle they want to lead.

The “Wall” Faced by Short-term Leavers

On the other hand, there are a certain number of people who move out after a short period of time because they don’t fit in with the share house. Common reasons given are “I realized I don’t like living in a share house,” or “I’m not dissatisfied with the lifestyle, but it’s too far from my work or school. In some cases, people have moved into a share house where there are many foreign residents, only to find that the language barrier makes them feel uncomfortable.

In addition, there are dilemmas unique to shared living. For example, there are relationships with tenants whose living rhythms do not match, waiting for one’s turn in the shared kitchen or bathroom, and problems caused by tenants who do not follow the rules. In addition, because shared areas such as kitchens and bathrooms are used by more than one person, it is sometimes difficult to keep them as clean as one would like them to be.

While we recommend looking for a share house based on concept and size, the honest truth is that there are many things you won’t know until you actually live in a share house. I think it’s important to first get a feel for the actual atmosphere of the share house through previews and conversations with the people in charge of the house.”

The culture of share housing has taken root in Japan over the past 30 years. At first, the image of “cheap and dirty” was prevalent, but as the first generation of residents grew older, the share house itself continued to evolve. Nowadays, people no longer have to ask, “Are you still living in a share house when you’re in your 30s? In fact, I’ve been living in a share house for over 10 years now.

In fact, I’ve been living in a share house for over 10 years. I’ve been living with a lot of people, and I’m very happy to have been able to do so. So don’t think, ‘I’m too old,’ but if you’re at all interested and can freely change your residence, I’d like you to give it a try. There are so many things about share houses that you really don’t understand until you’ve lived in one.”

Click here for the official website of Oak House