Hello!
Arriving in early July, but I am uncertain about temporary accommodation.
Youth hostel? YMCA?
How about AirBnB? Any bad stories about AirBnB in Taiwan?
I plan to be based in Taipei (or perhaps Taichung) while looking for work / setting up interviews.
Any advice about short-term accommodation would be hugely appreciated! (Any advice about the first few weeks, in general, would be great!)
Please and thank you!
Heh, for what it’s worth, I’ll respond to my own posting…
I decided to take a chance and book a well-reviewed and well-rated Airbnb apartment in New Taipei City. It’s a private room, complete with bathroom, small fridge, A/C, WIFI, cable TV, and laundry. True, it’s in a basement. (Yep.) But it’s also quiet and $9000 NTD/month, which seems pretty decent for the location. The neighbourhood couldn’t be described as scenic, but an MTR station is very close and just one stop outside of Taipei. Also nearby is a small, lively street market.
All in all, newcomers might consider Airbnb as an option instead of a youth hostel, tho obviously there are different pros and cons. Hope that’s of help to someone!
YMCA is older than dirt, and located in a not so pleasant -OK, very unpleasant- part of town -downtown. Th eother “famous” accomodation, the Taipei Youth Hostel, is in the hills of Xindian, bit challenging to get in or out.
Airbnb is big in Taiwan, plenty of choices, prices, locations, etc. Better avoid basements, though, they tend to harbor viruses too well, and in summer, we suffer from plenty of bugs going around: enterovirus, tuberculosis, etc. Hence, wash your hands frequently, and choose a well ventilated and sunny place -BTW, air conditioning is a MUST in summer, non negotiable, sino qua non to choose a place.
I got a pal who rents out in Airbnb a spacious room in Danshui, a short ride or a brisk walk to the MRT. Place is neat but he has a leg up with the extras - breakfast, personal knowledgeable guide. He has made a lot of friends among his customers, so you can see why Aibnb is preferable these days.
There are a couple of hostels in the Shida area -on Shida road- that have been well recommended, you could have a look, but they fill up fast these days with all the incoming summer programs folks.
Let us know if you have any other questions.
On a side note, one begs to differ on this.
I think all that big city living has made you soft, Auntie Panic.
My first 5 years here I never lived in a place with AC, right in the heart of stinkytown (and I have fur, FFS).
Even now we only have it in the bedrooms.
You can survive just fine with fans.
[quote=“Rocket”][quote=“Icon”]
BTW, air conditioning is a MUST in summer, non negotiable, sino qua non to choose a place.
[/quote]
On a side note, one begs to differ on this.
I think all that big city living has made you soft, Auntie Panic.
My first 5 years here I never lived in a place with AC, right in the heart of stinkytown (and I have fur, FFS).
Even now we only have it in the bedrooms.
You can survive just fine with fans.[/quote]
My dear sir, when you live in the mountains, that may be possible. Heck if it is recommended for a newbie in the middle of the city. Yes, we can survive, but this guy is not leaving a confortable place to “just survive”. Yes, many people like it hard, to play tough and show off to their friends, but Taipei is not some lost 4th world jungle fare. Why should he have to suffer when it is not necessary? He has to know there are options. Convenience is the word.
It pains me to see newbies in shacks where pigs would be unconfortable. Worse: they are probably overpaying for the “privilege”, meaning a newer place next door is cheaper. Yet, they are led to believe “that is the only choice”, all places are the same. Yes, there are horrible things out there. Like taxi cabs. You are a paying customer, get your money for it. I only ride reputable companies. No hassle. No cheap tricks. I do not undertsnd why people get on pinglan stained, stale cigarrete stench creaky, leaky and stinly cabs “because all cabs in Taiwan are like that”. Nope, I only ride brand new Toyotas or Mercedes. I choose to breathe.
Most importantly: he doesn’t have to. It is not as they are going to charge him extra for it. On the contrary: an Airbnb place -or any rental for that matter- that does not have A/C means it is not a good place, as a stingy landlord that won’t bother with bare essentials will definetively try to stiff you in other areas. With all the mosquito halls in Taipei, why would he not be entitled to pick the best accomodation for himself?
Finally, Auntie Panic is quite worried about getting sick. Remember when you got here that you were sick one week in and the next week too? Having A/C makes recuperating from a cold a lot better.
[quote=“Icon”][quote=“Rocket”][quote=“Icon”]
BTW, air conditioning is a MUST in summer, non negotiable, sino qua non to choose a place.
[/quote]
On a side note, one begs to differ on this.
I think all that big city living has made you soft, Auntie Panic.
My first 5 years here I never lived in a place with AC, right in the heart of stinkytown (and I have fur, FFS).
Even now we only have it in the bedrooms.
You can survive just fine with fans.[/quote]
My dear sir, when you live in the mountains, that may be possible. Heck if it is recommended for a newbie in the middle of the city. Yes, we can survive, but this guy is not leaving a confortable place to “just survive”. Yes, many people like it hard, to play tough and show off to their friends, but Taipei is not some lost 4th world jungle fare. Why should he have to suffer when it is not necessary? He has to know there are options. Convenience is the word.
It pains me to see newbies in shacks where pigs would be unconfortable. Worse: they are probably overpaying for the “privilege”, meaning a newer place next door is cheaper. Yet, they are led to believe “that is the only choice”, all places are the same. Yes, there are horrible things out there. Like taxi cabs. You are a paying customer, get your money for it. I only ride reputable companies. No hassle. No cheap tricks. I do not undertsnd why people get on pinglan stained, stale cigarrete stench creaky, leaky and stinly cabs “because all cabs in Taiwan are like that”. Nope, I only ride brand new Toyotas or Mercedes. I choose to breathe.
Most importantly: he doesn’t have to. It is not as they are going to charge him extra for it. On the contrary: an Airbnb place -or any rental for that matter- that does not have A/C means it is not a good place, as a stingy landlord that won’t bother with bare essentials will definetively try to stiff you in other areas. With all the mosquito halls in Taipei, why would he not be entitled to pick the best accomodation for himself?
Finally, Auntie Panic is quite worried about getting sick. Remember when you got here that you were sick one week in and the next week too? Having A/C makes recuperating from a cold a lot better.[/quote]
Pfft, you’re a weakling. Hard to believe the blood of Cortez runs through your veins. :no-no:
And Rocket doesn’t get sick.
The blood of Cortez is heavily dilutted with Cantonese, Sephardites, Mayans -they went extinct- and everyone else in between.
To all who work without AC at 30 degrees indoors, 37 degrees outside, I salute you!
Thanks for the health warning, Icon!
Expense is a greater concern than comfort right now but, as a new kid on the block, I don’t want to pick up any health concerns! Heat, I can deal with pretty well, having lived in Thailand for a couple of years. But bugs? No, no, don’t want 'em, thanks!
Mercifully, there are no mosquitoes in my room. But, no, it is NOT all that well-ventilated. And, good crickey, I certainly don’t want to begin the Taiwan chapter of my life by picking up a bug or two!
Hopefully, I’ll find some work sooner rather than later - and then I’ll be able to move into a proper apartment pronto!
If you end up sticking around in north Taiwan (in contrast to Taichung, which you mentioned in your first post), you might consider getting a dehumidifier. I’d also advise no ground floor or basement flats. Your books, clothes, and general health will thank you.
In the meantime, good luck finding work and getting settled in!
Guy
Unpleasant? That’s the part of town where I work. Overrun by students, but really, not a bad place.
Unpleasant? That’s the part of town where I work. Overrun by students, but really, not a bad place.[/quote]
Run down past its prime then? Taipe Main Station is messy and the air quite polluted. Food is cheap but seriously, not healthy.
I’m with Icon. That part of Taipei sucks. It may have been good at one time, and it may again be awesome down the road. But it is not up to speed now.
Guy
Dang, you funny! :roflmao:
Guy
Thanks, Guy. (Also, Icon, Chris, and Mr. Rocket) I do hope to stay in or around Taipei, for its different forms of culture. It’s a bit of a grand mess, but in a way that I find fascinating. And, coming from Vancouver, I’m in no way put off by the rain. (I like them storms.) I’m certainly looking forward to getting settled, but all is on hold until work is arranged.
Unpleasant? That’s the part of town where I work. Overrun by students, but really, not a bad place.[/quote]
Run down past its prime then? Taipe Main Station is messy and the air quite polluted. Food is cheap but seriously, not healthy.[/quote]
I gotta agree with Auntie Peng on this one.
If you look at PM maps of Taipei on good or bad days, the Gong Guan/Wanhua/Tp Main are usually the worst parts of the city.
It’s not hard to see why the PM levels there are so bad in those areas though.
Personally, I would choose Song Shan District, Nangang and maybe even Neihu for lower PM levels.
[quote=“ranlee”]
If you look at PM maps of Taipei on good or bad days, the Gongguan/Wanhua/Tp Main are usually the worst parts of the city.
It’s not hard to see why the PM levels there are so bad in those areas though.[/quote]
Just so.
Unless, of course, you’re coming from like Zhonghe or, heaven forbid, Tucheng 
.
In which case they look like friggin Borocay.
I have a trauma from looking out the window at the YMCA my first night in Taipei. I cried myself to sleep, thinking I left my job for this!!! The buxiban area was quite shocking. It is still quite decrepit, as a matter of fact.
I was there a few days ago and my coworker called me because he wanted McD for lunch. I entered the one right next to Mitsukoshi… and came right out. McD is normally icky but that was downright disgusting. Turned on my heels, went downstairs to the McD at Eslite Mall. Still poison but not that unpleasant ambiance. Choices, people, there are always choices.
And first impressions. I remember when the airport buses did not even have a bus stop, but dropped you off in the middle of the street. We had a newcomer get of the bus, have a look around… and had to hold him to refrain from getting back on and leaving the Island on the next plane available. Take me back to the airport! he said.
[quote=“Icon”]
And first impressions. I remember when the airport buses did not even have a bus stop, but dropped you off in the middle of the street. We had a newcomer get of the bus, have a look around… and had to hold him to refrain from getting back on and leaving the Island on the next plane available. Take me back to the airport! he said.[/quote]
I call your no airport bus stop and raise you median bus stop in front of the Mitsukoshi building.
Oh fine, it wasn’t that long ago that Clown Ko got rid of it but it was there for a long time, but not in operation!
[quote=“ranlee”][quote=“Icon”]
And first impressions. I remember when the airport buses did not even have a bus stop, but dropped you off in the middle of the street. We had a newcomer get of the bus, have a look around… and had to hold him to refrain from getting back on and leaving the Island on the next plane available. Take me back to the airport! he said.[/quote]
I call your no airport bus stop and raise you median bus stop in front of the Mitsukoshi building.
Oh fine, it wasn’t that long ago that Clown Ko got rid of it but it was there for a long time, but not in operation![/quote]
Taiwan was so much funner then though. :
[quote=“ranlee”][quote=“Icon”]
And first impressions. I remember when the airport buses did not even have a bus stop, but dropped you off in the middle of the street. We had a newcomer get of the bus, have a look around… and had to hold him to refrain from getting back on and leaving the Island on the next plane available. Take me back to the airport! he said.[/quote]
I call your no airport bus stop and raise you median bus stop in front of the Mitsukoshi building.
Oh fine, it wasn’t that long ago that Clown Ko got rid of it but it was there for a long time, but not in operation![/quote]
At least it was in front of Mitsukoshi. We were dropped unceremoniously where now the police station on Zhongshin road stands.
And at that time there was a pedestrian bridge in front of Mitsukoshi. Ah the good ol days.