so these people aren’t even looking for jobs teaching English? I mean, I remember coming to Taipei a dozen years ago and staying at Taipei Hostel and seeing some really destitute travelers but they were at least all trying to get some work, or in the case of one guy, had just retired. I guess I could count myself as one of the destitute travelers at that time considering how little money I had, lol… but I was also looking for work.
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I think you missed the point. Take a walk around Main Station or Long Shan Temple next time you’re in town.
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Yeah I mean the ones not looking for work. If they’re at least trying to land a job that’s clearly different
If this is the caliber of your response, then all I can say is go back to your Archie comics, mate! 
Reminds of the episode of Border Security Australia where an American guy tried to enter Australia on a one way ticket as a tourist
He told the border officers that ‘Money isn’t needed, I can get by with no money and no job’
The border officer replied ‘You don’t have enough to buy a ticket out or 1 night of accommodation in this country.’ And deported him 
It’s a funny episode. He was like an entitled hippy. I tried to find a link to the video but couldn’t
There are some places and times where you could find a very noticeable down and out demographic. It’s much more than it was ten years ago. Like where you would have had a homeless guy outside a station or in a park, you would now get 10 or 50 homeless guys.
I noticed at my parent’s place on the waterfront on Van Island. Very affluent but when you cross the street and enter the mall. Medical clinic with lineups like Soviet supermarkets. More bums than a German sauna. The smell of piss and BO. Shoplifting abounds. I’d love to see martial law. But you would need to kick out the Commies.
Yea its definitely on a whole other scale level in North America. I was shocked when I saw the videos of the down and out areas and drug addicts who move like zombies. Kinda scary post apocalyptic vibe to it.
That almost happened to me once. Hitchiking, the last ride before the Canadian border happened to be with a Canadian border officer. Got a ride AND a tour of their offices… Despite me having a grand total of $300 in cash, he let me in and even gave me a ride to the first town on my travel itinerary. Didn’t consider myself destitute at the time, though in retrospect I might should have.
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Victoria has lost its granola birkenstock vibe.
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I worked in government there right downtown and in the late 2000s it was a really mixed Yuppie/bum vibe in the downtown core. Haven’t been back in 8 years (when I visit it’s always Seaplane to Nanaimo from YVR) but I bet the bums won as you mention.
Well maybe Taiwan is cheaper than Japan or Korea and about as safe and more friendly. In Japan a person like this would stick out so not a good choice this kind of traveller.
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Is Taiwan cheaper than Korea?
Other forumosans have more experience than I do on this topic, but based on what I’ve heard it seems Korea followed a higher cost, higher tax, and higher salary route than Taiwan. So yes generally speaking Taiwan has been cheaper than Korea.
Guy
Which is self evident on any cost of living calculator. Google is everyone’s friend! 
Cost Of Living Comparison Between Taiwan And South Korea (numbeo.com)
Wow ok I didn’t realize. Then teaching in Korea is much worse than Taiwan. I’ve seen lots of Korean jobs paying under the entry level 650 ntd rate Taiwan pays (fir cram school)
But don’t they pay for housing?
In general yes (some variables on how your life is).
In Japan I could not guess they welcome “Destitute” travellers as they check like where you will stay, if no place they send you back.
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most jobs I’ve seen in Korea do, yes. and those that don’t include an accommodation stipend.
That’s like an anti China propaganda video though, kinda different topic