Taipei, Taiwan Report of what it's like to live there - 05/28/12
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?
My third.
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?
USA: about 24 hours through Japan and one stop in the States.
3. How long have you lived here?
Two years.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Spouse of a U.S. Foreign Service Officer.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Lots of apartments in the cities. If one is with AIT, they have apartments near AIT, apartments in Tienmu and then some 3-5 bedroom, single-family houses on Yangmingshan. The commute from Tienmu is about 30 minutes, from Yangmingshan, 45 minutes.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
You can find just about anything here if you are willing to pay the price. There are a few little stores that carry hard-to-find groceries, but you pay for them: $1 for a Dr. Pepper, $11 for Crisco and such. They also have Costco for bulk purchases and Wellcome and RTMart that are more typical grocery stores. Lots of fruit and veggie stalls in the city.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Anything liquid you really want to have. Medicines, sunscreen, favorite conditioners.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
BK, McD, KFC, dumpling stands, fried rice and all kinds of stalls if you walk through the nightmarkets or tourist towns. Plus lots of sit-down places everywhere.
5. What kinds of organic, vegetarian and allergy-friendly foods are available, such as organic produce, gluten-free products, meat substitutes for vegetarians, etc?
I think gluten-free items would be hard to come by.
6. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
We have plenty of ants and spiders, but you just have to stay on top of treating for the ants.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
We have DPO for receiving mail and sending letters, but we have used the local post office as well. A bit expensive, but not terrible.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
It isn't as cheap as where I have been, but somewhere around $600 for full-time or $30 for half a day.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes, throughout the city.
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?
They have the machines everywhere, but we choose not to use them.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Plenty.
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
I know little and have done okay. There is usually someone around who will help you out if you really need it.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
It would be hard, as sidewalks are limited and don't always have ramps.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
All is readily available. Buses and metro rides are cheap and easy. Taxis, I think, are a bit expensive, and you never know if the driver will speak English or not.
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?
Smaller would be easier, but we have a minivan and do okay. For repairs or oil changes we just give it to the motor pool and they take care of it or get someone to do it. It has all been done without much expense.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
I think we pay $30 a month and it is fast and decent internet.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
We pay US$30 a phone for unlimited usage. There are cheaper plans as well.
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?
Yes, and lots of paperwork ahead of time.
2. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Lots of nice vets. But no kennels.
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?
Maybe teaching.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Suits and ties or women's equivalent for work. After work you will see jeans, shorts, and skirts.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
None.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical and dental care here are good.
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?
Moderate.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Rain, rain, rain, with cool winters. We saw some dips into the 30's during our first winter and plenty of 40's. Hot humid summers. The rain here isn't a shower and then sun. It rains for days. It made Dec. and Jan. particularly hard for me, as the sun only comes out for a few days for the entire month, and it is too cold to just play in the rain. Even during the rest of year, it is usual to have weeks of rain with a few days of sun and then more cloudy rainy days.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
The three I know something about are Taipei American School, Taipei European School, and Taipei Adventist American School. It seems they all have their issues, but they are still good schools.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
TAAS seems willing to take on kids with issues, but you need to make sure they can offer the support your child needs. The classes are small. TAS and TES will take special-needs kids on a case-by-case basis, with TES seeming a tad more willing. They have a speech therapist and reading help in the lower grades, at least. They, however, were unwilling to take my son, who has a severe speech issue and needed speech daily.
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?
Preschools are around in Chinese, or if you don't mind paying, TYPA at TAS and TES have preschools. There are none on Yangmingshan-
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
TYPA offers lots of classes for elementary and middle school. The schools offer them as well.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Huge.
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?
3. Morale among expats:
Seems great for those I have talked to.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
I think it could be good for all. There is a nightlife, if you like, and activities for kids and places to visit.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Yes.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
I haven't heard of any, unless you look Chinese and don't speak it.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Temples, beaches, night markets, beaches, Taipei 101, the zoo, movies.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Travel.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
11. Can you save money?
If you are single or a tandem couple.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes, we have enjoyed our time here. We are on Yangmingshan, and the kids love having other kids to play with close by.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
snow gear.
3. But don't forget your:
rain gear and some cool-weather clothes. It gets colder here than I thought it would.
