Taipei, Taiwan Report of what it's like to live there - 07/26/20
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 have lived in Asia, Southern Africa and Central Europe.
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?
It takes about 12 hrs to fly directly from the west coast of the US.
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.)?
American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
We live in the Neihu/Dazhi area in a high-rise apartment, (3 bed, 3 bath) with amenities such as a lounge, pool/sauna/kiddy pool, gym, toddler play room, library and kids’ library. It is next to a park with a small playground where people do tai chi in the mornings and walk/run/jog around our block since it has wide sidewalks and shade.
It is about a 10 minute drive or 20 min MRT subway ride to AIT and 20-30 minute drive to Taipei American School (TAS) and 20 min subway ride to downtown.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
We have Costco! International food/groceries are easy to find, but can be more expensive than in the US. You can find western food/groceries in Carrefour or Jason’s. Higher priced international grocery stores are commonly found in the basement of malls, which are plentiful in Taipei. Fresh produce, meat and tofu can be easily found at your neighborhood wet market. Prices at the indoor (A/C) wet markets are about the same as or more expensive than in the US. Perhaps the increase in price is because the indoor wet markets are regulated by the government to ensure food safety.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Rice Krispies, Kraft Mac n Cheese (I have kids!) toiletries such as American deodorant, wrapping paper, tissue paper, but really, nothing that I can’t live without! (Except deodorant!)
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
UberEats and FoodPanda are the most popular food delivery services. There are a wide variety of food choices -- Gordon Biersch, American BBQ, Italian food, Asian food, bubble tea and Starbucks. UberEats and FoodPanda take American credit cards. Some expats have found it easier to use apple pay to make online purchases.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
No. If there are problems, it is generally manageable with bug traps or spray. Yards in Yangmingshan sometimes have snakes.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
If we’re mailing to the US, we use the DPO in AIT. If we are mailing to other countries, we use local postal service, which is cheap and efficient. I’ve also used DHL to express ship packages.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
It is easy to find household help in Taiwan. Most household help are from third countries. You will need to sponsor them and AIT will help you submit the proper paperwork. For part-time work (cleaning and/or babysitting), you can expect to pay 300NT (about 10USD) per hour. We do not hire anyone full-time, so I am unsure about their salaries.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
There are Taipei city sports centers in each neighborhood, as well as private gyms. At the city sports centers, you can hire instructors for a reasonable rate (cheaper than the US).
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?
Most large stores/restaurants accept credit cards, however it is still a cash-based society. ATMs are common and safe to use. In general, Taiwan is very safe and you can leave your phone or wallet in a taxi and expect to get it back.
5. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Knowing basic Mandarin will help you get around via taxi, at the wet markets and mom and pop restaurants/stores. The younger generation knows English and Taiwan people are very friendly and helpful if you need assistance. You can easily find quality language tutors/classes such as Taipei Language Institute (TLI) or Survival Chinese at the Community Services Center in Shilin.
6. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
I believe it would be somewhat difficult as there are a fair amount of older buildings around the city which have narrow doorways and only stairs. Newer buildings, malls and public transportation (subways, buses) have elevators and wheelchair access.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes! Convenient, clean and affordable public transportation is one of the best things about Taiwan! There is a high-speed railway that will take you to the south to Kaohsiung in 2hrs or less.
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?
Roads are well maintained, but parking spaces are often small. But we drive an American made Honda Odyssey and can get around almost everywhere.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, DSL. You can get it installed within 1-2 weeks of requesting this service through AIT and Chunghua Telecom.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Bring your unlocked cell phone and buy a local SIM card. No, we did not keep our home country plan.
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?
We do not have pets at this post.
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?
Some are telecommuting and some work on the local economy (part-time) at the international schools, or at the Community Services Center (teaching courses, coordinating classes/events/communications). There seem to always be full- and part-time jobs available at AIT for EFMs.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Pet rescue shelters, beach clean ups, etc.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Business at a typical office, business casual at a school, fairly casual out in public probably because of the high humidity and heat 9 months out of the year.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
No.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Taiwan’s public health system and medical care is exceptional. Several Taipei hospitals have international clinics catering to those paying in cash and do not have Taiwan’s National Health Insurance. English and other language services are available at those clinics as well as some other public hospitals. We’ve had very good experiences at Taiwan Adventist Hospital, National Taiwan University Hospital, and Tri-Service National Hospital in Neihu. Most of the doctors from those hospitals were recommended to us by the AIT Health Unit. The only time I could see a medical evacuation being an option is if the patient’s support system was in another country.
It is worth noting that the Taiwan government’s response to COVID-19 was one of the best in the world, if not the best. Taiwan learned from its experience with SARS in 2013 and infectious disease protocols were already in place and followed when COVID-19 hit. The government rationed masks and critical supplies so hoarding was not a problem. There was already high public awareness of how to handle an epidemic—not to gather in groups, wear masks if you must go out, wash hands often and sanitize surfaces were all practiced. Regular reporting by Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) about COVID-19 and their transparency prevented panic and built trust in the government.
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?
Good AQI. There are only a few of days out of the year with bad AQI and in those cases, they cancel outdoor activities for the kids at school.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Pollen allergies tend to be fairly bad in Taipei. Peanuts are somewhat common in Chinese cooking. Taipei American School is a nut-free school.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
No.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Extremely hot and humid for 9 months of the year.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
The 2 most popular international schools are Taipei American School (TAS) and Taipei European School (TES). We also know expats who send their kids to the Taipei American Adventist School and Dominican International School.
Our kids attend TAS. The last two years they have been in grades 2-3 and grades 1-2. It was a big adjustment as they came from a much smaller school, but have come to really love TAS! Their teachers have all been excellent—caring and dedicated to their students. It is academically rigorous, but there is minimal homework for the lower school grades (mostly reading and Mandarin). When TAS closed for a few weeks in 2020 due to COVID-19, teachers went above and beyond to ensure all kids were on target.
Extra curricular activities are handled by a separate organization called, Taipei Youth Program Association or TYPA (https://www.typa.org.tw/) TYPA activities are located at the TAS campus.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
There is an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) for those students who need the extra help. My children have benefited from reading specialists and speech therapists. There are English as an Academic Language (EAL) specialists as well.
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, many preschools are available! Some expats in Neihu/Dazhi enroll their preschool age kids at Little Lily Montessori Preschool or Tinkerseeds in Dazhi. Some expats in Tianmu enroll their preschool age kids at TYPA Tiger Tots.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Many are available especially if they are Mandarin speakers. My non-Mandarin speaking kids do a combination of TYPA activities at the TAS campus, piano lessons at a Yamaha music center near our apartment and FC Tigers soccer at TAS. There are private tutors galore for all subjects/activities/sports!
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Large expat community, especially concentrated around the international schools in Tianmu. Moral is great! COVID-19 is under control so people are cautious, but out and about doing normal meet-ups and activities.
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?
You can meet new people through classes and activities at the Community Services Center (www.communitycenter.org.tw) in Tianmu. There is also the American Club Taipei (americanclub.org.tw) and Taipei International Women’s Club (http://www.tiwc.org/activities/social.html)
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
All! It is safe and there are so many thing to do in Taipei.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Yes! Taiwan is the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage in May 2019.
5. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Somewhat difficult because I don’t speak Mandarin.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Not that I’ve experienced. Taiwan people are very polite and enjoy interacting with foreigners.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Sampling all the good food along Dihua Street during Chinese New Year! Watching the Taipei 101 new year fireworks from the roof of our apartment building! Fun beaches are only 1 hr away - Baishawan and Waiao Beaches have fun waves, Fulong Beach has a sand castle festival in the spring, Heping Island Park has fish pools you can swim in! Visiting Taroko Gorge in Hualien is a must due to its beautiful scenery and hikes!
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Hiking gorgeous waterfalls near Sandiaoling Station, about 1 hr away from Taipei. Seeing the volcano steam vents in Yangminshan (Xiaoyoukeng Visitor Center) are unique and only about 30 min away!
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Some people buy antiques. There isn’t a ton of handicrafts or artwork like in Thailand, Malaysia or Indonesia.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Extremely safe, reliable and convenient public transportation, good medical care, cost of living is lower than the US, there is a good amount of green space/public parks within the city and mountains/beach are within easy reach of the city. Because it is so safe, it is an excellent place to let your pre-teen/teen explore on their own!
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
To be honest, I would have lowered my expectations about food. There are many excellent high-end restaurants around town, but of course they are pricey. Local Taiwanese food is very different from the Cantonese-style Chinese food in the US. It is still quite tasty, but just not my favorite. Night markets are also very popular among locals and tourists. I am not a huge fan, mostly because I don’t love Taiwan street food (which was a surprise for me because I generally love street food elsewhere).
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
YES! It is a fantastic post.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Big American-sized SUV.
4. But don't forget your:
Sense of adventure! Try some stinky tofu!
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Green Island by Shawna Yang Ryan
6. Do you have any other comments?
I was initially worried about island fever, but Taiwan is so large with many things to do! If you love city life, there are many malls, cafes, restaurants and museums. If you love nature, there are many hiking trails, beaches and diving/snorkeling places to visit.
