Living in Iwate

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Looking for an Apartment One of your first priorities when arriving in Iwate is finding somewhere to live. For many trainees, students and researchers, housing will be arranged for you by your host institution. However, some of you may have to make your own arrangements. There are a number of ways to do so (listed below) but the most common method is to use a real estate agency. ◆Real Estate Agencies　　 Nearly every town and village will have at least one real estate agency handling rental properties. Each agency may have different properties on their books so it is probably best to approach more than one, in order to get a wider range of options. Once you have signed a contract for a property you will have to pay a brokerage fee to the agency ( >> Signing a Housing Rental Contract ).　 ◆Magazines, etc.　　 There are a variety of magazines and local papers that carry information on rental properties.　 ◆University Introductions Colleges and universities keep a list of properties available to students to avoid a shortage of student housing. These properties often include perks like a good location and environment, or comparatively cheap rent.