Hi All,
Just joined the site but couldn't wait to post this thread!
I'm hoping to work abroad in a few years, Taiwan more specifically then after a few years try somewhere else. Nothing set in stone yet i could be going anywhere really.
What im asking for is a bit of a summary from some expats living in Taiwan (or anywhere in that region of the world)
I have stable(ish) job so i wont be going soon, Im also quite young so it would be wise to save up and wait. I just hope that wait doesn't take a lifetime like it has for some people.
TOPIC
Living in Taiwan
Discussion started on 16 Apr 2014
ID: #79
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AaB13
COMMUNITY MEMBER
AaB13
Posted on 03 Oct 2013, 19:53
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bakedbean
COMMUNITY MEMBER
bakedbean
Posted on 04 Oct 2013, 20:00
Hello again Joe. What kind of visa are you planning to get? Do you speak Chinese? I imagine that would be kind of handy in Taiwan.
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AaB13
COMMUNITY MEMBER
AaB13
Posted on 04 Oct 2013, 20:01
I know Taiwan allow working holiday visa so I would be interested in pursuing that. About speaking Chinese, I took a small course in school so can get by (sort of) and from the one person I've spoken too who lives in Taiwan said he had no knowledge but picked it up to a good standard.
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bakedbean
COMMUNITY MEMBER
bakedbean
Posted on 04 Oct 2013, 20:02
Sounds like you've researched well. Hope it works out 
I'm not sure if we have many Taiwan posters on the forum. If you don't get any response, try doing a search (search box on top right) for other Taiwan threads and try tagging on to an older thread. That might wake up somebody there.
I'm not sure if we have many Taiwan posters on the forum. If you don't get any response, try doing a search (search box on top right) for other Taiwan threads and try tagging on to an older thread. That might wake up somebody there.
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1986mlob
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1986mlob
Posted on 04 Oct 2013, 20:02
I realy like it .I appericate this thread.
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bakedbean
COMMUNITY MEMBER
bakedbean
Posted on 04 Oct 2013, 20:03
Hi Stefan and welcome to the forum 
. Are you living in Taiwan?
. Are you living in Taiwan?
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AaB13
COMMUNITY MEMBER
AaB13
Posted on 04 Oct 2013, 20:03
I'm glad someone other than me will be able to get a lot of information. Still not had much luck finding a lot of information on this forum so to help others I'll continuously update this like a mini blog
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petrichor
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petrichor
Posted on 24 Oct 2013, 20:29
I've lived in Taiwan for more than two years and love it here. What would you like to know? Speaking Chinese isn't essential if you live in Taipei, though speaking some helps a bit. I think Taiwan is a well-kept secret. Few places are so safe, friendly and relaxed, with a good standard of living, good health care and lots to do.
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AaB13
COMMUNITY MEMBER
AaB13
Posted on 25 Oct 2013, 20:29
Thanks Petrichor, just general day to day life. I've had different sources each give a different amount on how much an average year will cost etc so if you could shed some light on that would be appreciated. Also would it be wise to stay in taipei for a while at first and then move to another city such as Chung-li or Kaohsiung as 2 random examples?
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petrichor
COMMUNITY MEMBER
petrichor
Posted on 25 Oct 2013, 20:41
It's a little difficult for me to tell you because we're a family and presumably you'll be here by yourself, but one figure frequently mentioned is an English teacher's wage, which people say is about NT$60,000 a month (or that's what you should aim for). The conversion rate to GBP is usually around 1 = NT$45. Single expats seem to live comfortably on that in Taipei. Students scrape by on less. Rents are much cheaper elsewhere in Taiwan.
As to living elsewhere in Taiwan, I've only ever lived in Taipei, but I've visited lots of places. I prefer Taipei because it has easy access to the mountains for lots of great hiking but all the modern conveniences of a city. Life is more difficult without speaking any Chinese outside of Taipei (I do speak some Chinese and have to use it if we go to smaller cities such as Hualian), but spoken Chinese isn't that hard to learn if you put some effort in. You could probably get away with using English in Kaohsiung and it has a more relaxed vibe but suffers from air pollution.
It really depends on what you're after - immersion in Chinese culture/relaxed lifestyle/scenery/beach life(no beaches in Taipei) etc.
As to living elsewhere in Taiwan, I've only ever lived in Taipei, but I've visited lots of places. I prefer Taipei because it has easy access to the mountains for lots of great hiking but all the modern conveniences of a city. Life is more difficult without speaking any Chinese outside of Taipei (I do speak some Chinese and have to use it if we go to smaller cities such as Hualian), but spoken Chinese isn't that hard to learn if you put some effort in. You could probably get away with using English in Kaohsiung and it has a more relaxed vibe but suffers from air pollution.
It really depends on what you're after - immersion in Chinese culture/relaxed lifestyle/scenery/beach life(no beaches in Taipei) etc.