I already mentioned in one of my updates that I moved out of the dorm. It was something I was thinking about from the start but what stopped me was that I thought that we weren't allowed to move out as a rule. However, the contract details on the dorm guidlines are fairly misleading because there is an implication that you can't because "once your place is decided you cannot cancel or change" is written.
So in October I confirmed with the international office and was told I could not move dorms but I can move out??? Stupid right. -_- The main reason I moved was because Utano is in a really really really inconvenient place lol its basically in the mountains/forests. Since I'm an active person and I skate this means it would take longer for me to get to an ice rink and also the fact that the dorm's in a such an inconvenient place the last bus is like way too early 22:30pm. The stress of missing my last bus is real and especially when you gotta get back from Osaka. Rip
In case anyone's curious about how I found my own place, I'll just explain a bit about that below →
1. I looked at Ritsumeikan University's accommodation page which should be the same page as the dorm application guidlines. There is a list of monthly mansions which is basically studio apartments and share houses. At first I had my heart set on an apartment near kinkakuji but after visiting the place I didn't really feel it was the best. It was older than some places like the one I am at now. One tip for you to spot old apartments if its not written,that is to look at the aircon ! And since I was able to speak to the tenant too, she told me there was like hole in the wall and also in the bathroom which let in some small bugs 💀 I really hate bugs and so I crossed off that apartment.
2. At first I was afraid I wouldn't understand anything at the real estate agency so I didn't go for the longest time. However, one day I decided to just go and see what they had to offer. As I expected they didn't have many rooms (furnished apartments since it's rare) but they did have the option of going for an unfurnished room and borrowing furniture (which is new btw).
The staff who spoke and helped me at the agency was very kind and since I was a foreigner and not fluent in Japanese he spoke carefully with easy to understand Japnese. I actually went to a few real estate agencies around the university but the most helpful place was "flat agency" in Kitaoji Horikawa.
Surprisingly I understood a lot when I went to speak with the agent. As long as you know words like 短期間 meaning short term assuming that you stay for a year or less in the case of exchange students; that would be your contract.
礼金is key money which you don't get back because its a gift to the landlord. This is normally a months worth of rent.
敷金is security deposit and you sometimes get it back depending on the fee.
Other fees you might have to pay is a one time fee for applying for a place, and a fee to terminate a contract if you're short term lease. Also if you get a place from the real estate agency you have to pay them a month? Worth of rent or something.
3. There is also the university's coop where you can also get a place but I never went.
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