Taipei, Taiwan Report of what it's like to live there - 06/10/09
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?
First time.
2. How long have you lived here?
Since August 2006 - almost three years now.
3. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
US State Department.
4. Travel time and best routes to this city from Europe or the US:
Direct flights to LA and San Francisco on Taiwan carriers, but most US diplomats fly via Tokyo on United. With a layover in Tokyo, the trip from the East Coast takes almost 24 hours.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Very spacious and modern. Housing is scattered across the city, but most families live on Yangmingshan Mountain (30-40 minute commute to the city) in well-maintained houses with yards. Couples and singles are housed closer to AIT (20-30 minute walk) in the Da-An district. Tienmu is another housing location set in the foothills of Yangmingshan with one of the biggest concentrations of ex-pats in the city - close to the schools.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Dairy products, beer, wine, liquor, and cereal will set you back more than in the US, but you can't beat the price of local veggies, fruits, fish, chicken, pork, tea, rice, etc. Costco has lots of American hard-to-find goods in bulk prices. Sour cream, buttermilk, cottage cheese, western yogurt, baking supplies can be difficult to impossible to find.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Good beer, wine, and liquor all of which are expensive and hard to find.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
CHEAP! My wife and I rarely spend more than $10 for two eating out in Taipei. More varieties of Chinese food than you'll ever find in any big mainland city. Every block has at least 2 or 3 places to eat. Lots of great cheap international food as well in Taipei. Most of the usual American fast food chains are here of course.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Taiwan Post can be a bit pricey to send packages to the States, but AIT has a pouch service for mail (2 weeks each way).
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Many affordable and highly qualified domestic workers available.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Lots of big fancy gyms all over the city. Lots of parks also have simple workout machines. There are running tracks and pools all over as well.
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 small stores and restaurants are cash only, but there are ATMs at every 7-11 (which means every corner - sometimes 2 or 3 on a corner).
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Cable TV has CNN, Discovery, National Geographic, and a bunch of movie channels in English. The China Post and the Taipei Times both have English versions, plus the Herald Tribune can be found some places.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
It definitely helps to be able to speak some Chinese - numbers, directions, etc. Many people speak English in the cities, but it gets a bit tougher in less populated areas. Luckily Chinese is a pretty forgiving language and the Taiwanese love helping foreigners learn. Set up a language exchange to get free lessons!
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Only the major streets have sidewalks (which can be sloped and have small steps), so getting around on foot can be a hassle on the smaller alleys and lanes where pedestrians are low on the pecking order behind scooters, cars, and taxis. The MRT (subway) is very accessible for people with disabilities, but buses rarely have lifts for wheelchairs.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Very very cheap and safe. Basic fare in cabs starts at around $2.50 - most rides are less than $5.The subway (MRT) costs a dollar or two for most trips - half that for the bus.
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?
A small compact car is nice to have for trips outside the city, but you don't need a car for trips around town - the MRT and buses go everywhere. Parking is cheap, but not very easy to find.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
We have a speedy 1MB/s DSL connection for $35/month.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Every model ever made is probably available for sale in Taipei. Lots of prepaid options, and very affordable monthly plans. I paid $9/month for plenty of minutes and texts.
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?
2. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
There are lots of vets in town. Check out Animals Taiwan if you're interested in helping with rescued cats and dogs.
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?
Lots and lots of English teaching opportunites that pay pretty well.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Health & Safety:
1. Pollution index (Good, Moderate, Unhealthy, or Very Unhealthy)?
Taipei is stuck in the middle of a basin, so smog accumulates frequently - especially on hot humid summer days. It's still a far cry from the pollution levels on the mainland, but clear crisp air is fairly rare. The cities along the coasts have better weather and air quality.
2. What immunizations are required each year?
3. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Taipei is one of the the safest cities I've ever spent time in. I've never felt hesitant about being anywhere in the city at any time of day. The roads can be dangerous, however, so watch out for scooters careening down city streets (and sidewalks) at 80kph.
4. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Generally high quality hospitals and health care - much cheaper than in the US, although submitting paperwork for insurance reimbursement is a bit of a pain. Our son was born at the Adventist hospital, and we were very satisfied with the doctors and care provided.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Very hot, sticky, and humid during the summer, which can last from May to October. Cooler (in the 40s-50s sometimes) and damp during the "winter" months. Lots of heavy rain and typhoons during the summer.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
No school-age children yet, but lots of families are starting to switch to the European School instead of the bigger American School.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
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?
Lots of excellent household help/nannies available to work.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Lots of English teachers and diplomats. Join the frisbee team (Renegade Province), a soccer/baseball/softball/basketball team, the hashers, hiking clubs, etc. and you'll meet lots of great people.
2. Morale among expats:
Very high.
3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Some fun bars and clubs downtown. Nice movie theaters with all the latest Hollywood productions. Bustling night markets.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Excellent! Lots of interesting museums (one of the biggest collections of Chinese art in the world), parks, playgrounds, water parks, glitzy shopping malls, amazing restaurants (very affordable prices), fun bars and clubs, bike paths along the rivers, hiking trails and hot springs within city limits, great public transportation, and incredibly friendly people.
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?
None that I've noticed.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Loads. Night markets, bike paths, hiking, hot springs, observation deck on the world's tallest building, shopping malls, rock climbing, mountain biking, movie theaters, IMAX, paintball, laser tag, karaoke, beef noodle soup, flower markets, giant bookstores, ferris wheels, SCUBA, potstickers, Chinese cooking classes, wet markets, surfing, beaches, bubble tea, the zoo, baseball games, ex-pat sports teams (soccer, baseball, rugby, frisbee, basketball, etc.), golf, tennis, hash house harriers, antiques, electronics, bowling, mahjong, Tai Chi, dragon boats, firecrackers, lantern festival, water parks, golf, tea houses, comedy clubs, Chinese lessons, teaching English.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Beautiful furniture and artwork from the mainland, caligraphy,
9. Can you save money?
Definitely. 30% COLA. Super-cheap food and restaurants. Depends on how much you travel, but most places in SE Asia are pretty cheap anyway.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
For sure!
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Skis, down parka, traffic rules, clear crisp skies, wide open spaces
3. But don't forget your:
Umbrella, hiking boots, swim cap for hot springs and pools, surfboard, SCUBA gear, bike, sunblock
4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
6. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
7. Do you have any other comments?
Must see/do: Taroko Gorge, Green Island, Sun Moon Lake, Kenting, driving the east coast road, rock climbing at Long Dong, Wulai hot springs, Beitou public hot springs, Yangmingshan hiking, eating Xiao Long Bao at Din Tai Fung, people watching at Ximending, Taipei Main Station, all the night markets, all-you-can-eat hot pot, handicraft market, exploring the bike paths, beef noodle soup festival, lantern festival, western breakfast/brunch at The Diner,
