Dream of Taiwan and a Five-Year Plan

Taiwan Living in Taiwan
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Greetings!

I am at the beginning of a journey to relocate to Taiwan. I’ve made two exploratory trips this year and I REALLY like Taichung. My reasons don’t revolve around work (I plan on—what else?— teaching English) or family (no living family or children), but I do have them. I have traveled solo my entire life and my degrees are in Anthropology and History (I am hoping that will prepare me for ubiquitous culture shock). I am doing my research and would LOVE to hear real opinions from folks who have experienced positive experiences as well as pitfalls. Will you share? What do you wish you’d known before relocating? I am also interested in any resources or references.

Of course, I’ve already followed a number of discussions here and am impressed with the sense of humor some of you display. I have cross posted-most of this onto the Taichung Info Exchange on FB.

Any commentary or dialogue may offer valuable perspective. Tips, tricks or just plain pragmatic stuff?

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Why Taizhong? It doesn’t have much in the way of redeeming qualities.

Taipei is becoming more and more expensive. Teacher salaries are also rising, but it’s not enough to cover the rise in the cost of living.

I would try Kaoshuing. Far more interesting city than Taizhong. They’ve done a great job with urban redevelopment in the last decade.

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This website is a treasure trove of complaints about Taiwan :slight_smile:

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If one experiences anal bleeding it’s almost certainly haemorrhoids. Don’t panic and go to the hospital for a check-up. It you do they’ll stick a camera up your jacksie and tell you to relax as they do it (like that’s possible?). Happened to me today and I can assure you it is the most unpleasant experience.

Taichung has really improved a lot in recent years, although I’m told the nightlife has gone seriously downhill. That doesn’t really interest me, but if it’s a selling point for you then another city could be better.

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Haha…there’s that sense of humor…jes’ bleeding through…

While in Taichung, I fell down a traffic overpass stairway on “typhoon day” Friday (last week) outside of the Confucian Temple. I am generally healthy (no chronic conditions and blessed with strong immunity), but I ended up going to the China Medical University ER to have my thumb reset and stitched up. More’s the pity it was my working left hand I used to catch my fall:( I did not see much difference between the care I got there and what I get here (except, even with insurance through my labor-represented job here, my follow up co-pays already almost equal the entire cost of x-rays, bone setting, stitches, and follow-up medications at the Taiwanese ER).

The next day I was using the bus system to navigate from Xitun area to the Earthquake Museum.

Shall I mention that I don’t party like a rockstar even in the U.S.? I am an odd, old lady interested in my intrinsic motivations and those small, beautiful moments we may have in life. Pragmatic enough to realize those moments are often set against a hell of a lot of challenge and some downright misery:) But hey? I live in Trumplandia and I only seek to mitigate reality a smidge.

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I will admit, I am unfamiliar with Kaoshuing. I will look into that!

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I have seen that!

However, are you familiar with the interwebz in general? I really am trying to parse the salient points from the really dire shit:)

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  1. Take Chinese lessons immediately and stick at them.
  2. If teaching is going to be your career think long-term. A seemingly impressive xk an hour means f’all in the long run.
  3. Remember that a five-year plan can become a life-long plan, so save for your future.
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To be honest, if you’re moving to Taiwan to escape ‘Trumplandia’, don’t

The average Taiwanese person’s knowledge of the broader outside world makes a US community college graduate look like a Rhodes Scholar.

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Relevant youtube videos.

A bunch of Rhodes Scholars indeed. You must feel proud.

Bonus: if you want a college edition.

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while my ID may imply biasedness, in all boy scout honesty, you really should consider Kaohsiung over Taichung.
-Expanding MRT lines now
-Harbor life/scenery 100x better than Taichung’s (heck, does RMQ even have a harbor life like KHH?).
-Laid-back lifestyle
-No world’s largest coal powered plant (like in RMQ)
-Two hours from Kenting
Very soon under 3hrs to Taitung after they electrify the southern rail line
-cheaper food
the list goes on…

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Your average Taiwanese would have totally voted for Trump.

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You just get most of the emissions.

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after RMQ citizens take the bulk of first inhale :slight_smile:

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Get a teaching license to land better jobs. Even if it’s just a sub license from another state they won’t know the difference. Otherwise teaching can get pretty grueling with no vacations.

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Let’s do the same, but in Pingtung County. If you really think that is a representative sample, after all.

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KHH isn’t bad , if there were jobs there I would prob be there, but it’s air is pretty filthy.

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Taxi drivers in Taiwan lately love to talk to me about Trump. They love him. “Trump is different, he’s a businessman! Good!”

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Thanks for this. I already have a BA, but I am looking at programs right now to get a TEFL/ TESOL certificate.

The reason it will take me a bit to actually move is that I want a $$ cushion in place so that if it is tough to find a place (or maybe I start out subbing to build a bit of experience). I’ve got work history behind me, but I’m not sure how any or which of my skills are “marketable” in Taiwan, since I currently do not speak Chinese. I will definitely be addressing that; again, I am laying groundwork.

I could mention that I am somebody who has always depended only on myself to pay bills and make my way. Unfortunately, my parents passed away in summer of 1994 (when I was in my 20’s). Because of this, I plan carefully to accomplish everything I do.
All of these thoughts others are sharing really help!

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Super Fire: I loved this because there was no “haha” icon…