I’ve lived in Kaohsiung for 8 years. And all I have to say is…
Taipei is soooo much better. It’s a global city. Better restaurants, more interesting historical/cultural areas, better shopping, more expats to connect with, better public transport, better choices for education, better entertainment venues, proximity to airport, etc, etc. Kaohsiung has two or three interesting areas and the weather is a bit better (well… less rainy, still hot as balls). Housing is also generally cheaper. But I’m constantly visiting Taipei because I prefer it. Right now, work is keeping me in K Town. I’ll probably move to Taipei one day if I stay longterm.
On the flip side I grew up in Taipei and I would now prefer to live in kaohsiung
Used to visit a lot and loved it
Course I never lived there so there is that
Some say Taipei / kaohsiung is like
Tokyo / Osaka
Seoul / Busan
Heard many Koreans say it’s like Busan and many go straight from Korea to kaohsiumg and by pass Taipei
Kaohsiung has kenting and that’s a huge plus in my book
Course ultimately if you have a car or scooter there is so much more to do in Taipei
So much more
And so many more places to go
Or balance it out and go to Taichung you are halfway between the two
hahahaha I like your perspective, but unfortunately the little I’ve read about Taichung in other forums hasn’t been very positive. I still need to ask my Taiwanese teachers when I see them. I’ll present them with different cities and use their insights along with the information from this forum to make a decision. Thanks so much for this other option, it could be a possibility.
I’ve also thought about adding Keelung to the equation: very close to Taipei, more affordable prices, a great night market, a nearby university center… I still need to read more, but it sounds like a possibility.
If you can swing it, I’d pick Taipei every time. Just so much more to do. More lively, more fun. Super easy to get around to every single interesting spot.
In that case check out Hualien, especially Tzu Chi University. Low costs, small classes, quiet environment.
Fu Jen University also has good offers and though the Xinzhuang area is as gritty as urban New Taipei can be, costs are reasonable, there are many sports venues and parks, and it has great transportation, offering a quick respite.
Keelung does not have a quite established language program, as a port the university is focused more on oceanography. But you can visit the archeological dig at the Spanish settlement, quite interesting.
If I were you, I’d first choose the language program. That would guide where to live.
And you’re not going to get that work permit within the 6 months you’re here. I believe they do have regulations for uni students that prevent any work permit issuance until like 6months/1year.
Go Kaohsiung. It’s a place to live and a more economical place to live.
Don’t worry so much about the 外省人/本省人 stuff. All the young folks will be pretty much comprehensible, and you’ll - hopefully - be putting in effort to chat with them… U got three years of prep, you’ll get used to it.
I came here with basically nothing in terms of Chinese classes. It took me maybe 3 months to get used-ish (it’s a bit of a constant struggle with the zh,ch,sh,ri and zu ci si sounds ㄓㄔㄕㄖ ㄗㄘㄙ I’m not good at pinyin forgive any errors, as they all tend to sound very similar) to the pronunciation here. Haven’t noticed a particular difference between Taipei and Taichung tho.
In two years I’ve managed to make it to a conversational level - I can go on dates in Chinese, for example, with some patience from the other side:sweat_smile: For basically no uni courses, I did ok. You got all the time in the world to study and grind these six months. You’ll be fine If you’re really concerned about the pronunciation, get a language exchange partner. You’ll get used to it real quick like.
That said, do it somewhere where you don’t have to worry as much about costs.
i mean in its relationship versus its bigger more famous sister.
Ktown is to Osaka as Taipei is to Tokyo would you say?
You have lived in ktown 8 years so you are the authority here, not me. I just liked it all the times i visited the place (and there were many times). I liked the “vibe” of the place.
Verus rainy Taipei. But yes Taipei had many things to do with a car. I am talking about the outskirts of Taipei. One could drive up to YMS via the main road or the back roads (more fun the back roads) and visit many hot spring places and have three cup chicken, etc. YMS and all its hotsprings is fabulous. One could drive to Ilan and all the places to and beyond. ONe could drive to Shihmen dam or Wulai or around the north coast from Tamshui to Keelung and further to fulung , etc.
There were so many more places to go in the outskirts of Taipei. But Ktown had kenting two hours drive away and that is maybe its trump card.
Overall growing up in taipei i was always happy to be “home” when back in taipei. But now that i have lived in the small towns of the east bay and SF itself I have come to like small town charms. While ktown is no small town it is compared to taipei.
Theres lots to like about Taipei but now im thinking theres lots to like about ktown too.
things change and all that but i remember one very nice large ground floor cafe in ktown that offered free cakes and biscuits all hours of the day while you sip your fruit tea or other refreshments and even offered a free bento box lunch from its sister store . FREE and of very good value. I have never heard of such charming accomodation and represents the more laid back and down to earth and friendly atmosphere existing in ktown that taipei lacks. Taipei is “all business” less “rustic” charm. To me anyway.
Ktown had that certain “donno what” and slight sense of adventure that leads to affairs and what not (dont ask me why i know).
Kaohsiung wishes it was Osaka.
)
If you’re really concerned about the pronunciation, get a language exchange partner. You’ll get used to it real quick like.