It would be really interesting if capsule-style apartments were available in NYC/SF/etc. I would absolutely pay $300-$400 a month for a permanent (not nightly, like they are in Japan) capsule in Lower Manhattan.

Can you show me where you can get a capsule hotel for $10-13 per night? I have not seen this rate, you’d probably be looking as $25 per night minimum probably more. Most actually nice capsule hotels are a tourist attraction and are nearly as expensive as normal hotels.

I didn’t say it existed, I said it would be nice. I’m comparing it to current overinflated Manhattan housing prices, where a studio is approximately $2000-$3500 depending on the location. It doesn’t seem unreasonable to me that a minimal, efficient capsule residence could get down to $400 a month.

And monthly prices are always lower than hotel-style nightly rates, so that isn’t really relevant either.

Not a capsule hotel but your very own room (also Osaka not Tokyo) $9/night: https://www.booking.com/Share-IONY8u

Wow, those rooms are passable for that cheap, although clearly on the grimy side. I don't know how this place keeps from turning into a brothel.

How about just regular apartments in Tokyo/Seoul/HK? Much much smaller than USA apartments.... Also much much cheaper, at least than NYC/SF/LA.

I think having the option of really small low quality accommodation in big cities is good, but let’s not pretend Tokyo/Seoul/HK aren’t just as expensive per sqft as NYC/SF/LA.

Checking online, the average price of an apartment in Santa Monica is $55 per square meter. SF is about $53. NYC is $65. Tokyo is about $27, Seoul is $23

So no, Tokyo and Seoul are not "just as expensive". HK is at $52 though so that was a bad choice on my part.

They aren't more expensive. But besides real-estate, they are practical. You don't need a car; and an affordable 24H 7/11 is always downstairs. Also you can stay at the cheapest neighborhood and don't get stabbed; can't guarantee the same in NYC/LA/SF.

They aren’t as expensive per square foot. Sure, Tokyo apartments tend to be smaller, but they aren’t that much smaller. It’s more an efficient use of space than anything.

Hong Kong also isn’t comparable to Tokyo, and is much more expensive.

I can’t comment on Seoul.

Sort of - I’m thinking like a college dorm, it’s probably easier to install shared showers and kitchen (they might even already be there) - rather than individually per unit, along with some other useful shared spaces like libraries.