FAQ and TOPICS - CHECK HERE FIRST

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Please remember that many of your questions have probably been asked before: use the search function in the top right hand corner, or see the topics below and consider adding to already existing threads, so that we can benefit from the most recent information. When looking for advice, pay attention to the dates of posts and remember that later posts are the most up-to-date.

ADVICE ABOUT THE MOVE
New to Taiwan: Some Questions
Somewhere to Live
Accommodation in Taipei
What to Bring
Shipping to / from Taiwan
Mobile Phones
How much money
… I bring with for the first month?
… I need for a year without working?
… one needs to earn per month to live comfortably?
… is the minimum for survival?

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INFO AND PERCEPTIONS ABOUT …
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… [url=http://tw.forumosa.com/t/retiring-in-taiwan/12475/1 in Taiwan[/url]
… [url=http://tw.forumosa.com/t/gay-taiwan/372/1 gay in Taiwan[/url]
… being black in Taiwan
… being Japanese in Taiwan

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COMPARISONS (TAIWAN & ELSEWHERE)
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Weighing things up and wanting to compare Taiwan to someplace else? How about …?
[url=http://tw.forumosa.com/t/taiwan-or-china/40710/1 vs. China[/url]
[url=http://tw.forumosa.com/t/taiwan-vs-japan/48259/1 vs Japan[/url]
[url=http://tw.forumosa.com/t/flipping-the-coin-taiwan-or-thailand/28753/1 vs. Thailand[/url]
[url=http://tw.forumosa.com/t/so-is-it-better-to-live-in-taiwan-or-britain/56114/1 vs. Britain[/url]
Taiwan vs. Korea

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CULTURE SHOCK & LOVE OF THE LAND
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[url=http://tw.forumosa.com/t/dealing-with-the-shock-of-just-arriving/55065/1 of Arrival[/url]
[url=http://tw.forumosa.com/t/how-do-you-long-timers-deal-with-living-here/337/1 Term Survival[/url]
[url=http://tw.forumosa.com/t/anyone-else-really-attached-to-taiwan/62642/1 to Taiwan[/url]
[url=http://tw.forumosa.com/t/when-rome-is-in-you-long-term-effects-of-lit/62680/1 Adapting[/url]
The Good
[url=http://tw.forumosa.com/t/whack-things-in-taiwan-part-3/38330/1 Crazy[/url]

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PLACES IN TAIWAN
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For living in a specific area click on the links below:
[url=http://tw.forumosa.com/t/what-is-the-best-place-to-live-in-taiwan/21681/1 Place in Taiwan[/url] and the [url=http://tw.forumosa.com/t/where-is-taiwans-armpit/27154/1 Place in Taiwan[/url]

TAIPEI and its environs:

Living in Tianmu

Original Title: Tianmu: Why? What's the attraction of Tianmu? Other than the fact that TAS is there, why do so many foreigners like living there? Actually, judging by the house prices in Tianmu, it's not foreigners that want to live there! There's no MRT, it's old, boring-ish, the elementary schools are so-so, the restaurants are aging, etc. I've heard people say the weather is better and there's less pollution, but come on! How much better can it be? It's only a few miles away from cent…

Thoughts on Da an district

Hey everybody I'm looking for a place to stay starting in August. I will be attending CCU's MLC starting in September so I was thinking of renting a place in Da an district. Does anybody have any knowledge of this area? Is it a good place to live? Stuff to do? Thanks for any feedback!

What's Jingmei Like?

I've got a new job in Jingmei and am considering moving there. The daily commute from Sanchong is somewhat debilitating. What's Jingmei like? Xindien? Are those nice places to live? What are housing rental prices like? Thank you, my furry friends.

Living in Danshui & Beitou and Beitou[/url]
Sanchong - does anyone live there?
Jonghe? Good Place?
A Pictorial Tribute to Lovely Linkou
Banqiao
Working in Tucheng ... Where should I live?
Anyone live in SanXia (三峽)?

NON-TAIPEI (too many foreigners in Taipei anyway)
Dong Shi
Taidong, Hualien, Ilan

What's Living in HsinChu Like

I was just offered a good job with a tech company in the Hsinchu Industrial Park and wonder what life in Hsinchu is like. First, it looks like I've got to buy a car because there's no public transport to the park. Right? Then, most of what I saw looked run down and dirty (though it does have Binglang girls to beautify the neighborhoods). Is that true for the most part? Pretty ugly? Are there any nice parts aside from the Industrial Park? Are there decent restaurants, movie theater, gym, s…

Living in Taoyuan

Hi All, I have been applying to schools in Northern Taiwan in the hopes of becoming an ESL Teacher. I was aiming for Taipei City or Taipei County (I have friends there), however I've found many job opportunities in Taoyuan County. Can anyone who is familiar with Taoyuan County or anyone who lives there, let me know what life is like there in comparison to Taipei City? How far it is from Taipei? How easy is it to get around via transit (I don't plan to use a scooter)? My friends are rel…

What's the deal with Pingzhen...?

So a friend of mine from the States was recently offered a job in Pingzhen, and I'm trying to find out exactly how far out in the ass middle of nowhere it actually is. Of course, the school rep is trying to tell him that Pingzhen = Zhongli, but that doesn't seem right to me. Is Pingzhen actually a one-horse backwater, or is it close enough to civilization that it doesn't matter?

What's Changhua like?

Does anyone know about ChangHua, Taiwan? I may be teaching English there at a SHANE school. I've looked it up on the worldwide inter-web, but I haven't found a lot of useful information. Thanks!

Is Taichung the best place to live in Taiwan?

hi Y'all I'm getting a teaching assignment with the Joy Schools in Taichung. Most stuff on this web site is directed towards activities in Taipei. Can anyone respond to my query on: What is there cool to do in Taichung? Any sports activities? Clubs? etc. Thanks, Mary

Nantou rocks!

Just spent the day driving around Nanotou, Puli outskirts, visited a great environmental project area called Taomi. Have to say Nantou is an under appreciated county as is the Puli region, lots of beautiful fruit and veg being grown everywhere, fresh water, fresh air, blue skies, fantastic scenery! Just got some passion fruit, mushrooms, cabbages and a bunch of other weird and wonderful stuff from there. Let's have a shoutout from anybody living in Nantou!

The Jiayi Thread

After 2+ months in Chiayi, I've compiled a list of recommended restaurants and other living resources in an RTF file I can email to others who are interested. I'll be starting on a similar guide for Taipei based on a year there. Please email me via Forumosa if you'd like to view this file. I could just email it to you. Additions welcome!

Kaohsiung - A place for expatriates?

I'm arriving in Taiwan in January and really want to live in the south, but I can't seem to find much information on the cities. I have found many good posts on "clean/nice/mild air pollution" locations to live in or around for Taipei, but I need that kind of advice for Kaoshiung. Are there any parts of town that people find healthier or have more amenities. I value a decent view, a close park, and "cleaner" air as well as good times and bars. Is the air better south/east of town? Is th…

Living in Tainan

My Job is likely moving to Tainan, (High Speed rail) in the next few coming months..... I have to uproot the family and dog.... and move to Tainan I have a few questions for anybody who lives in Tainan... or the surrounding area. I'll be looking for a 4 bed apartment Minimum.... what are the choices, are there many good apartments in Tainan and what it's likely to cost. My concern is that as High speed rail testing starts (The Test track will be in the Tainan area) ... that 150-200 expats…

Anyone in Gangshan, Kaohsiung County?

Just curious, anyone live around Gangshan, or that general area of Kaohsiung county between Kaohsiung city and Tainan? I'll be moving there from Taipei in a few months with the wifey and might just lose mind being in the country side with no foreign friends. Honestly don't care where you are from as long as you speak english or chinese.

Kenting

Just wondering. In this particular daydream I work from home as a freelance translator, and every day I go out swimming and cycling. I eat seafood all the time. The air is fresh and clean. Am I crazy? Thoughts? [image]

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SOMETHING PEEVED YOU?
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Peeved about something? It happens. What’s irking you? Is it …
[url=http://tw.forumosa.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-staring-and-pointing/5880/1 people staring at you?[/url]
[url=http://tw.forumosa.com/t/foreigners-who-dont-acknowledge-other-foreigners-on-the-street/533/1 another foreigner not staring at you?[/url]
[url=http://tw.forumosa.com/t/the-face-thread/435/1 about face?[/url]
[url=http://tw.forumosa.com/t/taxi-driver-shenanigans/16451/86 a bad taxi experience?[/url]
[url=http://tw.forumosa.com/t/pedestrians-in-peril/9877/206 that someone nearly road you over?[/url]

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EMERGENCIES
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Has something bad happened? Did you …
… lose something in a taxi?

NOTE: Please use the Business and Money forum for banking concerns and visit the Working in Taiwan forum for job-related posts and queries. And don’t forget to make use of the Where Can I Find … ? forum.

This post will be continuously adapted. Please send a personal message to bismarck or ThreadKiller if you have any suggestions or if there is anything else you feel should be added to FAQ. Enjoy Taiwan and Living in Taiwan.