[bruxis]

I think it's important to realize that, and it's mentioned in the video linked, individuals staying in these apartments are making a deliberate choice so that they can have a better commute.

I've lived in central Tokyo in a rather large 1BR running ~$2,300 per month and now reside a bit further out paying ~$1,600 for a smaller 1BR.

Many people in Tokyo live ~45 minutes commute to work (via admittedly crowded trains) and pay significantly less for reasonably sized studio apartments.

[discordance]

I lived in a 2 br place in Nishishinjuku. It was brand new, soundproof, had 3 floors, a rooftop terrace and I paid $2100 USD/month (225k JPY/month). About a 15 min walk from Shinjuku station, or otherwise 2 min walk to the Oedo line.

It's possible to have a decent place if you look around. Obviously a different story in the video at 80000 JPY/month (750 USD/month).

[throwaway2048]

I mean of course its a deliberate choice, that's a truism, that doesn't mean the conditions that lead them to make that choice are sensible.

[mcny]

> I mean of course its a deliberate choice, that's a truism, that doesn't mean the conditions that lead them to make that choice are sensible.

From what I understand, it is NOT a choice for the people of Hong Kong.

[CydeWeys]

The limitations are primarily one of physics (you can't have multiple objects occupying the same space). "Sensible" isn't looking at it from the right angle. This is the largest city in the world, so of course the average person is going to have less space than elsewhere. The inhabitants of Tokyo have a much smaller ecological footprint than those living in the suburbs since they almost all use mass transit to get around. How is this not sensible?