Taipei, Taiwan Report of what it's like to live there - 07/14/18
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?
We've lived in China, Ethiopia, and Belgium.
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?
The Netherlands. There's a direct flight from Taipei to Amsterdam, or if you want to save money you can fly via a number of connecting airports, the ones in China being the cheapest.
3. How long have you lived here?
Four years.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Business.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
You can find all kinds - big and small apartments in serviced flats with pools and recreational facilities, townhouses, houses with gardens, all either furnished or unfurnished. We pay about 1,200 USD for a nice 3-storey townhouse near the MRT, five subway stops north of Main Station. With the subway system being so great, location is not very important, since you can go anywhere fast and cheap, but proximity to an MRT station is recommend when choosing a place to live, although that will be reflected in the rent price.
For some reason most expats choose to live in TianMu, which is comfortable, and it is where the two main international schools are located, but it's not the cheapest or most central part of the city to live in. It's a bit of an expat bubble, although expats are still a small minority there.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
You can find everything you'd like, with shops like Costco, Carrefour, IKEA, and lots of import supermarkets. If you shop at local supermarkets and fruit and vegetable markets, you'll save a lot of money though. You can order online from Carrefour, and they will deliver to your house.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Nothing, I've been able to find everything we need or crave.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Taipei has so many restaurants that you can find pretty much any kind of cuisine you desire. It seems Japanese restaurants are especially popular (Taipei supposedly has the best Japanese food outside of Japan), so plenty of those around. There are many great restaurants, and you'll never run out of new and interesting restaurants to try. Eating out is cheap (western restaurants will be more expensive), and there are many colleagues that eat out 4-5 nights a week. Lots of vegetarian restaurants as well, and it was voted 'Best city for vegetarians worldwide'.
Almost all restaurants offer take-out, and quite a few restaurants deliver (several apps available for that, including Uber Eats, and Food Panda), and many big chains are present, although why would you go to KFC when there are so many better options not more than a stone's throw away?
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
There are quite a few cockroaches during the summer, but as long as you don't leave any food out, clean regularly, set traps, and kill the few that have managed to enter your house, you shouldn't have any problems. We had quite a few after first arriving (I think the previous tenants were not very big on cleaning), but having taken the steps outlined above, we rarely see one anymore. If you live at the edge of the city, you'll occasionally see a snake in your garden.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
The local post office is cheap and reliable, for both sending and receiving. Sending a postcard from Taipei to Amsterdam is cheaper than sending one within The Netherlands itself. All the mail sent to us to our Taipei address has reached us without problems, usually taking 10-14 days.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Filipino maids are easy to find, and cost about 10 dollars per hour. Filipino nannies are about the same rate when hired part-time, or you can pay around 1,300 USD per month for a full-time live-in nanny.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Many gyms, with World Gym being the largest chain. Every district has a government-run sports centre, that will have gym as well, in addition to many other facilities.
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?
No problem using credit cards, and ATMs are everywhere. Not all ATMs will take foreign cards though, but opening an account at a local bank is easy.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Not religious myself, but Christian friends have no trouble finding English-language services around the city, although in some parts they will not be available.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
You can make do with only English, but of course it helps greatly if you know some phrases in Mandarin. Language classes are easy to find, and about $10 USD per hour I think.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
I don't think so. Public transport is very accessible for wheelchairs (especially the MRT), and many streets have well-maintained sidewalks, apart from the smaller ones.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes, yes, and yes.
Public transportation is near-perfect in Taipei. The MRT trains are clean and fast, with short waits (usually 3 minutes at most), and low ticket-prices. Stations are everywhere, and the staff is very helpful. There are also cheap and easy-to-use rental bikes (YouBikes) at every MRT-station (and lots of other locations) to make it even easier to get around. I haven't seen a better MRT system anywhere in the world.
Taxis are affordable and plentiful, and Uber is also available. Scams are extremely rare, and there are many stories of people who forgot their phone or bag in a taxi, only to have it returned by the taxi driver at no charge.
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?
Any normal car will do, although you don't really need a car with the public transportation being so convenient. It might be nice to have a car to take trips across the island though on weekend and holidays. If you do get a car, you'll find that parking can be difficult sometimes.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, our was installed within three days, and the speed is great.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Local providers offer affordable plans, and reception is good almost everywhere.
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?
Many kennels and vets available, and I think there's no quarantine upon entry. If you have a big dog that needs a lot of exercise, choose the location of your house carefully, as not all locations have big parks or beaches nearby. Lots of little parks everywhere though, but leashes are required.
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?
Local salaries are quite low. There are some opportunities, but it will take some time and energy to find them.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
There are local orphanages and animal shelters that can always use volunteers.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Taipei is a very, very safe city, and one of the safest ones worldwide, if statistics are to be believed. Of course, crime still exists (rarely violent though), but I've never encountered it, and feel extremely safe anywhere. I don't think there's any part of the city where I would be hesitant to go after dark. People are very respectful and polite. Women walking by themselves after nightfall will feel safe as well.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care is good and cheap, no need to fly abroad for treatment. I do feel GPs prescribe medicine too generously, as though a doctor's visit wouldn't be complete without leaving with at least two types of medication.
Everyone that legally resides in Taiwan is insured via the national health insurance, which covers all the basic treatments, although you still pay 5 USD per visit yourself. Basic dental work is also covered.
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?
Overall pretty good, but there are bad days. Air quality apps will tell you when it's better to stay indoors, although 'red days' are rare. It's great compared to Beijing, but obviously not as good a Swiss mountain village. We have kids, and don't feel the air quality warrants a move to elsewhere.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
The only real negative for this city is the hot and humid summers. Indoors you'll need ACs (almost all houses will have one in every room), and outdoors you'll sweat a lot. This weather lasts from late May till half September. During the summer there will be an occasional typhoon, which aren't as bad as I previously imagined (lots of rain and heavy winds), but nothing close to Armageddon. The rest of the year the weather is quite pleasant; shorts and t-shirt weather for most of the year, and a mild winter that sometimes requires a sweater or coat. Occasional showers year-round.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There are two big international schools: Taipei European School (TES), and Taipei American School (TAS). Academically, TES is a bit better, but they're both good schools with excellent results, with a steep tuition however. Both have plenty of after-school activities.
For high school, TES has IB Diploma Program, while TAS has AP. Both schools will get your child into good US colleges, while IB is better for European universities. Most parents of course choose the school that is most in line with the school their kids attended before moving to Taipei, or will possibly attend after. TES has more international students, TAS has a nicer campus (TES is building a new one) and has a more convenient location.
You can't go wrong with either school, if you can afford them.
There are also some (very) Christian (more or less international) schools around the city, if you want religion to be a big part of the education.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
TES accommodates special-needs more than TAS, but both could do better, as I understand it.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Yes, there are many pre-schools and daycare facilities, but they're not cheap, although some budget options exist. Local schools can accommodate kids from 3 years and up.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes, many options. Lots through school, but also other options exist.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Plenty of expats from all parts of the world, but given the size of the city you'd expect more. If you live your life mostly in TianMu, you'll see more than enough expats. Morale is high; 99% of the expats loves living in Taipei, and there's very little to complain about, apart from the hot weather in the summer. Also, the Taiwanese are so extremely friendly and helpful (but not pushy), that you feel very welcome.
2. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Single people won't be bored, although it's easier for single men than for single women to find a partner – single expat men find it relatively easy to date local women, but local men don't seem that interested in expat women, so single women have a smaller pond to fish in. Nevertheless, many of our (previously) single female friends have found someone here.
Couples have lots to see and do here, and Taipei is very well-suited for families: there are free government-funded play centers for small children in every district, the city is generally very stroller-friendly, and there are many activities for kids. I'd say it's one of the best places in Asia to start/have a family.
3. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Yes, gay marriage is about to be legalized, and they are many bars catering to the LGBT-community. Taipei has the biggest Pride parade in Asia, after Tel Aviv.
4. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Exploring the city, with surprises to be found everywhere: nice independent shops, small temples, cute parks, riverside bike lanes, night markets, etc.
The rest of the island has lots to offer, both nature and culture, and it's all very accessible. If you like hiking, you can spend multiple lifetimes in Taiwan, never walking the same hike twice.
5. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
- Songshan Creative Park (including Eslite store)
- Huashan 1914 Creative Park
- Maji Maji
- Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, but after the sun goes down, when hordes of teenagers practice their dance routines.
- Elephant mountain
- Wistaria Tea House
- Millenium Public Hot Springs (2 USD)
6. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Not really, Taipei doesn't really have obvious souvenirs. Plenty of nice things to buy here, but I always struggle to recommend typical Taiwanese souvenirs for visiting friends. Taiwanese pineapple cakes comes closest to being the souvenir of choice, but I'm not a big fan myself.
7. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Biggest advantages:
- Friendly and helpful locals
- Great MRT system to get anywhere fast, it really makes that you can take full advantage of the huge city that Taipei is
- Bike friendly, and the YouBike bike rental system is very convenient and cheap
- Lots of activities, fun shops and interesting neighbourhoods
- So many good restaurants
- Cheap, apart from rent prices
- Easy to fly to other Asian destinations, with cheap tickets to The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan, China and South Korea.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Absolutely, in a heartbeat. I can't think of a nicer city to live in.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Appliances that need 220V (Taiwan has 110V outlets) and very thick winter clothes (it gets a bit chilly a couple of weeks each year, but nothing serious).
3. But don't forget your:
Shorts and if you have a generous shipping allowance, I might recommend bringing some nice pieces of furniture. There's an IKEA, but not many obvious shops to get well-designed furniture. They're there, but you won't find them immediately. If you care about nice furniture, opt for an unfurnished apartment/house as the ones that are furnished usually come with ugly couches, tables and chairs.
