Where are the best places in Tokyo to live?

Question:

My friend wants to move to Tokyo permanently. I am interested in going with him for 6-12 months to live there just for something different and to help him with the move and transition. He is 23, I am 25. He speaks Japanese pretty well, I do not.

We both have jobs that can allow us to be anywhere, so we will have income during the move. He will probably want to find a job there eventually.

We are both interested in living "in the city" rather than way out in the middle of nowhere. We don't need fancy living arrangements nor do we want to live somewhere that is REALLY REALLY bad.

Any suggestions on what areas of Tokyo to consider? And how to find a place to live before we arrive? Or at least start. We could perhaps live from a Hostel for a couple of weeks while we find an apartment.

Answer:

Consider this, you need a work visa to work in Japan. That requires you to have a employer sponsor you. You need a job offer before you get there. Tokyo is the hardest city in Japan to find work. Unless you have a skill a Japanese doesn't have, chances of finding work are zero at best.
Renting a place isn't easy. as many landlords won't rent to a non-Japanese. They can say I don't like your face & get away with it. You'd need an agent. Many landlords want two or three months rent in advance, as well as ' key money '. Key money is more or less a bribe to allow you to rent the place. This can be as high as a months rent.
I can never understand why so many people want to move to a country they've never been to.