I’m moving to Kaohsiung. I did the math and, after paying for fixed expenses (e.g. rent, student loans), it looks like I will have around $600 USD a month ( NTD 18,124.50) for utilities, eating, entertainment, travel to/ from work, dating, clothes, etc. Assuming that I try to eat out at a good restaurant with local food (rather than American style chains), do you think my budget will be out of whack? Will I need to do a bit more cooking at home, scrimp somewhere, or tutor for extra cash to make it all work out?
Cook at home will cost you more. Many people earning NT22000/mo minimum wage in Taiwan, so, you’ll be survived.
Yeah but those people live at home right?
NT600 a day then. You’re not going to be living large, but it’s definitely enough to be comfortable, especially down south.
Debates rage for several pages on this issue, but IMO it’s cheaper for a single person to eat at least one meal a day outside. Even if it isn’t, NT200-300 buys a really good restaurant meal. NT100-200 buys a very reasonable one. So well within your budget.
[quote=“finley”]NT600 a day then. You’re not going to be living large, but it’s definitely enough to be comfortable, especially down south.
Debates rage for several pages on this issue, but IMO it’s cheaper for a single person to eat at least one meal a day outside. Even if it isn’t, NT200-300 buys a really good restaurant meal. NT100-200 buys a very reasonable one. So well within your budget.[/quote]
I agree on both points. Consider getting a bicycle as Kaohsiung’s weather is bike-friendly (dry, but of course often hot). Make a point of finding the best local-buffet restaurants in your neighborhood, as at these places you can eat well and quite healthily for under NT$80 a meal.
A good place to go on a hot day in Kaohsiung:
guidegecko.com/taiwan/exhibi … ,608183789
Thanks for the info, everyone.
Here in Yilan 600$ would be enough, and as others mentioned the are kinds of outside meals that can actually save you money compared to cooking at home.
600NT/day will get you by. You will have to be a little stingy with your cash and make choices but you will have enough money. And of course very little alcohol. That adds up quickly.
Cooking doesn’t have to be more expensive than eating out and eating out doesn’t have to be more expensive than cooking. I can make a higher quality meal than most of the 50-75NT crap that is sold. The difference between Taiwan and the US is that it’s possible to eat out cheaply.