# This Swiss Couple Bought a Home in Japan to See Their Kids and Grandkids Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdt03pyXuQ4 Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/rdt03pyXuQ4 Generated: 2026-02-15T12:33:27.344+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview A retired Swiss couple, Jacqueline and Andreas, purchased a condo in Yachiyo, Chiba, Japan, for ¥14.9 million ($97,000/CHF 74,000) to be close to their family, despite finding the process difficult due to not having a Japanese bank account and preferring lower maintenance than a detached house. **Key Points:** - The retired couple from Altendorf, Switzerland, purchased a 60 sqm (645 sqft) condo in Yachiyo, Chiba, for ¥14.9 million (approx. $97,000 or CHF 74,000). - Their primary motivation for buying was to live close to their children and grandchildren who reside in Yachiyo and the neighboring city of Sakura. - The condo was built in 2006, and the couple performed minimal renovations, mainly replacing wallpaper, the floor in the bathroom, and installing a new IH cooktop, costing about 10% of the purchase price (¥1.5 million/CHF 8,000). - They cited the high cost and steep stairs of detached houses in Switzerland (which cost ten times more) as reasons they chose a condo. - Ongoing monthly costs for the condo are low, around ¥30,000 ($195/CHF 150), which covers property management and utilities, simplifying upkeep. - The couple has been visiting Japan since 2015 and plans to spend extended periods there once Andreas retires (in about a year), preferring this setup over hotels or Airbnbs due to restrictions and lack of personal equipment. - The property's first-floor location with a spacious, private garden was a major appeal, as ground-level access is rare in Japan due to privacy concerns. ![Screenshot at 0:00: Jacqueline and Andreas standing outside their condo building in Yachiyo, Chiba, establishing them as the foreign owners whose family resides in the area.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/rdt03pyXuQ4/00-00-00.jpg) **Context:** The video features an interview with Jacqueline and Andreas, a retired couple from Altendorf, Switzerland, who purchased a condominium unit in Yachiyo, Chiba, Japan. They bought the property to be near their children and grandchildren who live locally. The couple contrasts the low cost and low maintenance of this Japanese condo with the high cost and physical demands (like steep stairs) of living in Switzerland, especially as they age. ## Detailed Analysis A retired Swiss couple, Jacqueline and Andreas, discuss their decision to purchase a condo in Yachiyo, Chiba, Japan, primarily to be close to their family (two children and three grandchildren living nearby). The condo is 60 sqm (645 sqft) and was built in 2006. They paid ¥14.9 million (approx. $97,000 or CHF 74,000) for the unit. The renovations were minimal, costing about ¥1.5 million (approx. CHF 8,000), focusing on replacing wallpaper, the bathroom floor, and upgrading the cooktop to an IH unit. The couple explicitly chose a condo over a detached house because they are getting older and Japanese houses often have steep stairs, and they prefer not to manage external property maintenance, which the condo management takes care of for a monthly fee of about ¥30,000 ($195/CHF 150). They noted that the low cost compared to Swiss real estate (where a similar property would cost ten times more) was a factor, but the primary driver was family proximity. They plan to spend extended time there once Andreas retires, as staying in hotels or Airbnbs is restrictive and expensive for long visits. The first-floor unit with a rare, spacious, private garden was also a major benefit. ### The Couple & Location - Jacqueline and Andreas from Altendorf, Switzerland - Located in Yachiyo, Chiba, about an hour from Tokyo and halfway between Tokyo and Narita airports - Family (children/grandchildren) live nearby in Yachiyo and Sakura. ### The Property Details - Condo built in 2006 - 2LDK layout - 60 sqm (645 sqft) living space - First floor unit with a rare, spacious, private garden. ### Purchase & Renovation Costs - Purchase Price: ¥14.9 million (~$97,000/CHF 74,000) - Renovation Cost: ¥1.5 million (~CHF 8,000), mainly wallpaper/floor replacement and kitchen appliance upgrade (gas to IH cooktop). ### Ongoing Costs & Management - Monthly ongoing costs are low at ~¥30,000 (~$195/CHF 150), covering utilities and property management (handled by Sugimoto-san). ### Reasons for Buying Condo vs. House - Avoid steep stairs common in Japanese houses due to age - Avoid external maintenance/utility setup hassles associated with detached homes. ### Lifestyle & Future Plans - They bake sourdough bread and enjoy gardening (potatoes/fruits in Switzerland) - They plan to spend extended time in Japan once Andreas retires in a year, making home ownership more practical than hotels/Airbnbs. ### Advice for Buyers - Get help from local professionals (like their property manager, Sugimoto-san) and do not try to handle complex processes like bank transfers or payments remotely. ![Screenshot at 0:00: Jacqueline and Andreas standing outside their condo building in Yachiyo, Chiba, establishing them as the foreign owners whose family resides in the area.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/rdt03pyXuQ4/00-00-00.jpg) ![Screenshot at 0:08: Map showing Yachiyo's location relative to Tokyo \(about 1 hour away\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/rdt03pyXuQ4/00-00-08.jpg) ![Screenshot at 2:25: Close-up view inside the renovated kitchen showing the new Panasonic IH cooktop and oven unit.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/rdt03pyXuQ4/00-02-25.jpg) ![Screenshot at 4:57: The spacious, private garden area of the condo unit, noted as being rare in Japan.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/rdt03pyXuQ4/00-04-57.jpg) ![Screenshot at 15:57: Image illustrating steep wooden stairs, contrasting with the convenience of having a ground-floor condo unit.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/rdt03pyXuQ4/00-15-57.jpg)