Get Latest Business News from All Over the World 24/7 throughout the Year: 2 people took me inside their affordable Tokyo apartments. After seeing what I can get in the city for as little as $500, I'd move to there in a heartbeat.

Ryan Crouse and Ryza Ry in their Tokyo apartments. — Ryan Crouse and Ryza Rynazal in their Tokyo apartments.
Monica Humphries/Insider

While visiting Tokyo, Japan, two people living in the city welcomed me into their apartments.
I was shocked by their spaces, which cost $450 and $800.
When it comes to the US, I don't have any friends who live alone in major cities for that cheap.

My New York City apartment had just enough room for me, my roommate, and her cat Mimi.

And while our narrow kitchen and living room sometimes felt tight, it also felt affordable for $2,550.

That was two years ago. Fast-forward to this year, and I toured two apartments in Tokyo, Japan.

After seeing what people could get for as little as $450 a month, I'm convinced that I should reconsider Tokyo as a place to call home.

My first stop was to visit Ryan Crouse in his 172-square-foot micro-apartment.

Ryan Crouse's micro-apartment in Tokyo, Japan. — Ryan Crouse at the doorway to his apartment in Tokyo.
Monica Humphries/Insider

Crouse has since moved, but when I visited him in March, he lived in Tokyo's Taishido neighborhood.

An arrow points to Ryan Course's neighborhood.
Google Maps

And he was paying just $450 a month.

I knew stepping into his apartment that his space would be small, but I was shocked that I never felt cramped. Instead, his apartment felt spacious with its large ceilings and natural sunlight.

Crouse's apartment was separated into three rooms.

There was a narrow kitchen, which felt reminiscent of my NYC kitchen. While he lacked an oven, he did have a smaller stove, mini fridge, and microwave.

The second room was his bathroom, which he said he "can literally touch wall to wall."

But the room that impressed me the most was his living space.

In the back of the apartment, Crouse had a room large enough for a lofted bed, desk, love seat, and TV.

Plus, he had a balcony overlooking the neighborhood.

No, Crouse's apartment wasn't huge, but for $450, it seemed like a steal.

Later that day, I visited Ryza Rynazal, who had recently graduated from the Tokyo Institute of Technology.

Ryza Ry at the entrance to his apartment in Tokyo. — Ryza Rynazal at the entrance to his apartment in Tokyo.
Monica Humphries/Insider

Rynazal was living in an even larger one-bedroom apartment in Tokyo's Meguro City neighborhood.

An arrow points to Ryza Ry's neighborhood. — An arrow points to Ryza Rynazal's neighborhood.
Google Maps

At the time, rent for his 285-square-foot apartment was around $800.

Ryza Ry's Tokyo apartment. — Ryza Rynazal in his Tokyo apartment.
Monica Humphries/Insider

And he told Insider that he loves his apartment. When searching for a space, Rynazal said he toured four different homes. The apartment he landed on was a newer building and close to work and his friends.

For the cost, I understood why Rynazal loves his space so much. The kitchen was large for one person. He had a small fridge, microwave, and stove.

He also had a spacious bathroom.

Typical of traditional Japanese homes, Rynazal had separate rooms for the toilet and shower.

And in the back of his apartment was a large bedroom. Here, he stationed his desk and created a small living area.

Overall, Rynazal said he's happy with his choice and couldn't imagine calling another space home.

I left Rynazal and Crouse's apartments impressed. I had set out to tour tiny apartments in Tokyo, but I hadn't set out to fall in love with the spaces.

Their layouts were cleverly designed and felt far more spacious than I had imagined they would.

Plus, they were affordable in my eyes. When it comes to the US, I don't have any friends who are living alone in major cities for $800 — much less $450.