Social Apartment is a new living style that combines the best aspects of “share houses” and “living alone”. We often receive requests from people who want to learn more about the atmosphere of the community in these spaces.

This time, we focus on the community in the Social Apartment and talk to Nacchan, a resident of Neighbors Esaka. Nacchan lived in multiple share houses and even experienced living in share houses overseas. Having experienced various communities, Nacchan shares with us her insights about life in the Social Apartment community.

 

Q: Thank you for joining us today. Could you introduce yourself briefly?

I currently work as an engineer at an IT company. I’m actually half-Japanese, half-Filipino, and I’m multilingual—able to speak Japanese, English, Tagalog, and Korean! I also have a middle name, Gloria (though no one calls me that… Lol). I’ve lived in several share houses, including overseas, and I moved into Neighbors Esaka about a year ago.

 

Q: You’ve lived in several share houses, and even overseas! How was that experience?

Yes, in an overseas share house, I lived with about eight people in a four-bedroom apartment. Since my room was shared with another person, it was hard to find private time, and there were times when I couldn’t truly relax. In Japan, I also lived in a share house with about 50 households.

 

Q: So, what made you decide to move into a Social Apartment?

Well, with remote work becoming more common, I wanted a space where I could have more private time, especially a room with its own bathroom while being able to meet people from different generations, so I decided to move into a Social Apartment. 

Before moving into Neighbors Esaka, I visited another Social Apartment, Terminals Takatsuki, several times. I had a great time cooking and playing games with people of different ages, and that made me think, “I’d love to live in a Social Apartment someday” . When I found Neighbors Esaka, which had a good commute to my workplace, a private bathroom in each room, and a lounge where I could do remote work, I made the decision to move in.

 

Q: What were you most looking forward to when moving into Neighbors Esaka?

I was most excited about connecting with the other residents. With over 80 households, I thought I’d be able to meet people from all walks of life, regardless of nationality or age. After moving in, I was pleasantly surprised by how many people spent time in the lounge, making it a very lively space for interaction. Because the kitchen is shared, it’s not always the same people in the lounge, so it’s easy to meet and connect with a variety of people. Seasonal events like birthday parties and Christmas gatherings are also a lot of fun for meeting new people.

 

Q: How would you describe the community atmosphere at Neighbors Esaka?

It’s very “bright,” with many “sociable people” who are “active.” When I first moved in, people gave me a warm welcome and  invited me out, which made it easy to adjust in the community. So far, I’ve gone on trips to Takeda Castle, and we’ve organized a Yakiniku party with a beer tap from a local liquor store. Casual conversations in the lounge often lead to outings or events being planned without a hitch and I really enjoy that.

 

Q: Have there been any memorable events in the building?

The most memorable event would probably be the BBQ we did together. It started with a casual conversation in the lounge about wanting to have a summer event, and it quickly grew into a full-blown BBQ. Events like these often emerge from casual ideas, and it’s something I really enjoy. Sometimes, people will decide to cook something together, like a hot pot dinner, just because they feel like it.

Q: That sounds like a lot of fun! Now, let’s talk a bit about daily life. Neighbors Esaka has a great kitchen—do you often cook?

Yes, I cook about three times a week. Before moving in, I was a little worried about whether I’d be able to use the kitchen whenever I wanted, given the large number of residents, but surprisingly, it’s usually available when I need it. 

People are considerate during busy times, and if someone is using a space, they’ll ask if it’s okay to use it too, which makes cooperation easy. I also recommend using the kitchen as a way to strike up conversations with people! Lately, I’ve gotten into meal prepping for the week.

Q: There are a lot of cooking appliances in the lounge. Do you have a favorite one?

I really like the automatic cooker. You just put the ingredients and seasonings in, press a button, and it automatically cooks a delicious meal. It’s something I wouldn’t have bought for myself living alone, so I was really excited to use it when I moved in. If I ever move out of Neighbors Esaka, I might just buy one for myself!

Q: Do you use the lounge at Neighbors Esaka often?

Yes, I use it often. The main lounge with the kitchen is where I often chat with others or play board games. We also have a working and theater lounge where we watch anime on the projector. There’s also a rooftop terrace where I sometimes go to refresh myself during work. The rooftop also offers a great view of fireworks, which we all enjoyed together!

 

Q: Thank you for sharing all of this with us! Who would you recommend Neighbors Esaka to?

I’d recommend it to people like me—who want their own private space, but also want the opportunity to interact with others and enjoy the amenities. The great thing is that you can avoid the lounge and go straight to your room if you want some privacy, so it’s easy to switch between socializing and having alone time, making it a flexible and comfortable living experience.

Q: Finally, any words of encouragement for people considering moving into a Social Apartment?

It’s a place where even adults can have a lot of fun if they change their environment! If you want to live a fulfilling life, I definitely recommend moving in!