Taipei, Taiwan Report of what it's like to live there - 08/02/15
Personal Experiences from Taipei, Taiwan
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
no, previously lived in China and India
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
I'm from the East coast of the U.S. So it is a long trip back home but doable. Best route is Tokyo to Atlanta.
3. How long have you lived here?
2 years
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Government
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Housing is mostly apartments with a few stand-alone houses with yards in Yangmingshan. People with large families sometimes like the houses but they are far away from work and a bit isolated from the city. You would definitely need a car. Tienmu is close to the American School and a very western neighborhood, but does not have its own metro stop. Dazhi is a great neighborhood with malls, restaurants, and very close to both hiking and the river biking paths, but apartments are smaller. Dazhi housing is the closest to the metro stop and is a 30 minute commute to work on the metro. There are also some apartments downtown but not necessarily close to work. A lot of single people live downtown but there are also some large apartments for families.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
I would say that food here costs the same or a bit less than in the U.S. There is a Costco here so you can get pretty much anything you want. It is not as cheap as the U.S. Costco but not too expensive.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
you can basically get everything here. I even brought a ton of shampoo and conditioner here but was able to find the same brand here. There's even an Aveda store in Taipei. The one thing I could absolutely not find was tampons! At least you can order those online.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
many great Japanese restaurants that sell ramen noodles or sushi or Japanese barbecue that are good quality and much cheaper than in the U.S. There are also many Western restaurants that are cheaper than similar places in the U.S.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
mosquitoes are everywhere and bite a lot but they don't carry any diseases that I know of.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
AIT only has pouch, which is a bit slow. It takes about three weeks to receive mail from the U.S. And you cannot send things to the U.S. Through the pouch.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
almost everybody has some sort of domestic help whether it is someone to clean once a week or a live-in nanny.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
there are more and more gyms opening in Taipei. World Gym is a large gym that has everything. There are two crossfit boxes. There are a few yoga studios and there is even a pole-dancing studio. Most local Taiwanese enjoy running and biking. There are many running races in and outside the city that are fun to participate in.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
There are ATMs around the city and you can use credit cards at most large stores. Cash is required for smaller shops and the markets.
5. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Some basic Chinese definitely helps but I do know quite a few people who get by with no Chinese at all. There are quite a few people here who can speak English.
6. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
the city seems very accessible. I have seen blind people and people in wheelchairs on the metro.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
The metro in the city is reliable, safe, clean and much better than any metro system in the U.S. Taxis are safe, clean, reliable, and the bus system is also very convenient and clean. The trains are fast and convenient.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
i have a small SUV that has been great. It's small enough to navigate some of the tiny alleys but large enough to drive into the mountains. We love having a car here and have driven around the whole island. No security concerns at all.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
High speed internet is available for cheaper than in the U.S. Taipei even has free wifi throughout the city.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
everyone here has an iPhone. The plans are cheaper than in the U.S. and the Internet here is fast.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
There is a 3 week quarantine for all pets entering Taiwan. It is very expensive, but the facility is clean and the vets and caretakers are knowledgeable and friendly. Once the pets are out of quarantine, Taiwan is a very pet-friendly post. Plenty of places to walk dogs (and even cats!), and there is a huge dog park near Dazhi. People in taiwan love animals.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
aside from teaching I do not know of any other good jobs.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
there are many animal welfare groups here that you could volunteer for.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Work is business clothes for Americans but locals dress very casually. Even at a nice restaurant you will see people in cutoff shorts and flip flops.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Taiwan is extremely safe! The only danger is that it is so safe it will make you lazy and careless about security. You could leave your apartment door unlocked and never have a problem. People have lost their wallets and had them returned with all of their money inside. I have seen people drop money on the metro and then be chased down by someone returning it. The only danger might be the traffic which is more chaotic than most Americans are used to.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
medical care here is excellent and cheaper than in the U.S.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
the air quality is getting slightly worse because of pollution from mainland China, but it is still always within safe levels. Some people with asthma have mentioned breathing problems, but most people who do not have a condition have not had any problems.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
The climate is warm and tropical with a lot of rain. Summers are miserably hot and humid. Winters are cold and damp. In the spring and fall you will suddenly have days that are just gorgeous, but they won't last long!
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
there is the American school and the European school. Most families send their children to one of those. There are also some local or bilingual schools.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
AIT is much larger than any other foreign mission in Taipei so most of the expats are American. There are quite a few expats here who are teachers. It is easy to make friends outside of AIT which is nice.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
many great restaurants and some decent bars.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Families love it here. Taipei is definitely very kid-friendly. Couples without kids also enjoy going to restaurants and bars. People who like outdoor activities have a lot of fun. The dating scene might be tough if you are single. While there are more and more expats here every year, they tend to be college-aged students or people who have recently graduated college and are here teaching English. Older singles might not have many opportunities to meet people. People who do not like outdoor activities might be bored. There are some good bars and restaurants but maybe not enough to go out every night. Taipei is not a huge nightlife center but there are more and more bars popping up.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
yes, Taiwan is very gay-friendly and there are a few gay bars where you can meet people.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
No, people in Taiwan are very friendly and polite to everyone and there is religious freedom here.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
outdoor activities in and around the city such as running, hiking, biking, walking the dog, waterskiing, surfing, stand up paddling and just hanging out at the beach.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
strolling around the little alleys you can find cute cafes, restaurants and boutiques. If you have a car getting out of the city is a lot of fun. The hiking is great and there are beautiful spots north of the city. Jiufen is a great spot to enjoy the view, drink tea, and buy pottery.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
ceramics, pottery, crazy tshirts from the night market
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Living in Taipei gives you the convenience of living in a small city as well as the opportunity to enjoy nature (something I have realized is rare when living in big cities in Asia). Taipei is a very comfortable city with all the conveniences you can imagine including a wonderful metro system and plenty of safe, clean cabs and reliable high speed rail. Along the river that runs through the city are miles and miles of bike paths and parks that are great for running, biking, and other sports. Yangmingshan national park is 30 minutes outside of the city and has many beautiful hiking trails. There are beaches an hour's drive from the city.
10. Can you save money?
yes, if you don't travel off-island you can save a lot of money.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
I wish I had known how wonderful it was. I wouldn't have joined the foreign service - I would have just moved here! Most people here try to extend and now I know why. I don't want to leave!
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
YES! Definitely.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
snow gear, ski equipment
4. But don't forget your:
raincoat and rain boots and thick sweater for the cold, damp winter
