Taipei, Taiwan Report of what it's like to live there - 09/18/15
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?
In Asia, Europe, and Africa
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?
D.C. We used to take a direct United flight to San Francisco, 12 hours, or fly to Tokyo and then direct to Washington. However, now Delta has the contract and people have already had to fly to Tokyo to NYC to Washington, so at least 17 hours in the air without the transfers.
3. How long have you lived here?
Over two 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?
Some houses on Yangmingshan mountain, former U.S. military housing. But it's about 45 minutes from downtown. Many people like to live by the 'American' school in Tienmu. Apartments are nice, but smaller than what most people are used to, so every fall there are several appeals to the housing board, until people realize how expensive housing is here and that no, other people are not living in larger housing than what they have. Same as with Dazhi and Neihu, newer neighborhoods closer to the new AIT site that will be in use in 2017 or 2018. And some people of course like living in downtown.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Several Costcos are here, which is a great benefit. But there is also Carrefour, and other very good supermarkets. Also of course local wet markets for a large variety of vegetables.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Really nothing. Can get just about everything here.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Many decent restaurants are available, people eat out all the time. Everything from McDonald's to Outback to Chili's is here, and many Japanese/Indian/Italian//Vietnamese restaurants are everywhere. One can certainly go to places over a hundred dollars per plate, but also many many places for five dollars.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Normal insects as a result of a lot of humidity and rain. Mosquitoes and cockroaches if one is not diligent.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Dip pouch.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Many couples with young children have nannies, but have to sponsor them. Others share a maid, for I think about US$300 a month part time.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Many of the apartment buildings have gyms. There are also chains, which usually appear to be busy, but I don't know the cost.
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?
We used to use our credit card almost exclusively to rack up United miles. Some smaller places don't take credit cards, but most places do. Some restaurants and taxis even take the easy card, which one uses to travel on the subway and buses. And to pay at some parking lots.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
It is very useful to be able to ask questions and to direct taxi drivers. However, a lot of Taiwanese have studied in the states or Australia, and are almost always helpful.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Very safe and affordable. Subway and buses have English directions and will, among four languages, state in English the next stop. Most taxi drivers do not speak English, so best to have the address you want printed in Chinese. We have used Uber about three times, but the availability is low, probably in large part because there are so many taxis and they are very affordable.
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 would not bring a large SUV, as some streets are small with scooters parked everywhere. Having said that, one of the 'in' cars now is the Toyota Sienna, limited edition, so plenty of people are driving minivans. But I would recommend smaller if your family size allows. Several people at work did not even bother to bring a car, Taipei is certainly doable without one. Unless one lives up on Yangmingshan mountain.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
We have it included in our cable bill, pay about fifty dollars a month. Although the last few days it has been frustrating, usually it's fine for streaming video. We usually use Hulu or Netflix every night with no problem.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Either bring an unlocked phone and buy a SIM card or can sign a two year contract and get a new iPhone with it. We did both. Unlimited internet for twenty five dollars on the phone per month. Everyone has a cell here, so very easy to buy one or just get a sim.
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?
Taiwan has strict rules. People usually have to start paperwork six months before they come, and their pets will be quarantined I think for three weeks. But they allow family members to visit the pet every day. One will see many people carrying their dogs or pushing them along in doggy strollers. Many vets and pet stylists here.
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?
There are many English teachers here, but I don't know the salary scale. None needs a work visa to work here, and I think most jobs would require fluency in Mandarin.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
In public usually relaxed. It is pretty hot most of the year, so shorts are common among all ages and both genders. Even very wealthy Taiwanese away from work are casually clothed.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Complacency is the biggest problem. Crime is very low, but the last couple of years have seen mentally ill persons attack people with knives on the subway. Everyone is so engrossed with their phones that they don't pay attention to events around them.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Very good healthcare here. Several doctors and dentists received their medical degrees in the States so no need for interpretation. When my wife had to spend four nights in a hospital she got her own room for basically US$330 a night.
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?
Pretty good. Taiwan has moved many of its factories to the mainland or down south. Also, Taipei has an abundance of trees, everywhere.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Similar to a lot of SE Asia. Warm in the summer, up to 38C or so. Quite pleasant from late October through March. It does not go below 15C or so, although January and February can feel chilly with the rain. Typhoon season brings four or five typhoons, but the city is very well-organized with great infrastructure so it never floods in the city.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Taipei American School, which is about 85% rich Taiwanese kids who have an American or Canadian or Japanese passport, and the Taipei European School. TAS is good, although not as good as they revel in telling you they are, every week. The gap between TAS and a good Fairfax county high school is not that high. The school manages to confuse frequency of communication with effectiveness, so despite a multitude of emails each week they mange to leave out useful, needed information. And if your child likes to play sports, know that the school does not care about athletics. Parents will have to provide all of the support for the team. The kids sometimes get disheartened because they see how little support they get from the school administration.
We do have more kids now going to TES, for a variety of reasons. I am not at all sure that if we had the decision to make over again that we would not send our child to TES instead.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
TAS makes very little, and although TES is a bit better, they don't have the staff to really accommodate special needs. Families really need to research this before coming, I have seen two families really struggle here because they probably should not have come here for this reason.
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?
I know several parents have used Dalton, a chain here of preschools, but we have no direct experience.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Not that large, many of the former expat positions have been moved to Shanghai or Beijing or Singapore. Morale is very good, most people fully realize the safety and ease of living in Taipei. If someone is unhappy here, it can usually be traced back to their boss.
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?
Eating out. Many eating out some more. Taipei is so big with so many restaurants one can never know them all. Also plenty of nice movie theaters. And lots of sports and hiking opportunities.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Certainly good for families. I have never heard singles, female or male, complain about life here either.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
None that I have ever heard about, which certainly doesn't mean they don't exist. But in the main Taiwanese are too polite to really express prejudices.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
The people are very friendly and polite. That is one of the reasons I think this is one of the better posts in the world, along with the transportation and safety.
7. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
It is a very easy city to live in. Great public transportation, safe, with lots of good food. If one does not want dumplings every day there are many American food chains, but even better lots of Japanese and Indian restaurants. Unlike say Tokyo, the subway system has English everywhere so if one does not read Chinese, it is still very easy to get around.
8. Can you save money?
Yes. Eating out can be relatively cheap, and travel on public transportation and the high speed rail down south is too. I think most expenses are incurred because people take advantage of the comparatively short flights to most of Asia for tourism.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes. This is such a safe and easy place to live.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Snow gear. And belief that this is China. It is not the mainland, people here are polite and friendly.
