Could anyone please comment on the above topic?
Thanks!
Bonuses:
-nicer and more accessible beaches and other natural spots,
-more laidback atmosphere,
-better job opportunities and more affordable housing,
-less rain,
-easy access to other locales like Kenting
Cons:
-Really bad pollution,
-food kinda sucksā¦ local food not as good as places like Tainan and international variety not good compared to Taipei,
-only 4 or 5 really cool or interesting districts,
-sweltering heat in summer,
-a little bit more of that old-fashioned mindsetā¦ the kind that bombs down roads in blue trucks, burns the ghost money every weekend, and loves spitting betel nut on sidewalks (we did elect Korean Fish as our mayor after all)ā¦
overall Iād rather live in Taipei (I live here, because of job and my wife is a Kaohsiungite), but some people I know who have lived in both places prefer Kaohsiung. So it really depends what kind of person you are and what experience youāre after.
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Where does this not happen?
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Everywhere, but happens less in Taipei imo.
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Thanks again.
What are the interesting districts?
What are the best districts to live in KHH?
Howās the humidity?
Are people friendlier and more welcoming down south?
Central Park
Pier-2
Monkey Mountain
Lotus Pond
Aozihdi Park
Kaohsiung Arena (in the news lately due to the covid-19 infected sailors romping around in there)
Cijin Island
Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts area
Formosa Boulevard
Okay, so more than 4. But a few of those are really stretching it. Pier 2 is my favorite area. A cool, artsy creative park with a lot of cafes and restaurants.
Aozihdi Park area is nice, but expensive by Kaohsiung standards (probably not too bad by Taipei standards).
Bad.
Generally, yes. But also a little less worldlyā¦ again, speaking generally.
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Didnāt you already decide to move to Kaohsiung a year ago?
Donāt forget Taroko Park! Bowling! Dream Mall! The one T.G.I. Fridayās that remains!
You left off the mountain places like E-Da, Meinong, the hot springs and Foguang Mountain but I think you were going for more MRT-accessible places.
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Iāve lived in Taipei 5 years and lived in Kaohsiung 6 years. Basically, Taipei has higher rent, but great transportation. Kaohsiung has cheaper rent but crappy transportation. Youāre gonna pay more on purchasing a car, up-keep and petrol in Kaohsiung, but youāll pretty much spend a similar amount on rent in Taipei. (Oh, you can scooter around, but every single friend I had was involved in some sort of accident down thereā¦Iāll take the metal casing around me, thank you.) There is the stress of driving in Kaohsiung/down south, too. Basically, itās the Wild West. The pollution is bad, but I wouldnāt say the food is bad. The food is great, actually. I guess Iād fall into that category of people who prefer down south. The weather is better, the winter milder and overall it is more laid-back. One day I would like to returnā¦but not sure thatās in the cards. San Min District would be my pick to live in down thereā¦Access to the highway, department stores and loads of food places. 
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Thanks a lot!
I was only trying to decide last May/June. I havenāt moved yet. At this point Iām also exploring Taipei.
Thanks!
Thank you.
Could you please tell me more about Taipei?
If anyone has more advice about Taipei and Kaohsiung Iād truly appreciate it. Thanks!
I have only been there on a few trips and never stayed long. Less option for fine dining and craft beers and wine. Not as easy as Taipei walking around, feeling you really need a vehicle to get around. I feel there is more people smoking there? Anyway always been happy coming back to Taipei after being there. Not a terrible place but donāt see myself living there as long as I can live in Taipei.
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The air pollution in Kaohsiung can literally kill you. I donāt see how any pros make up for that.
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Iām not a good person to ask about Taipei. I know Kaohsiung way better. Iāve never lived there, but I get out that way about once a month. Taipei? Maybe once or twice a year.
Keep in mind that a lot of people saying negative things about Kaohsiung donāt really know the place. The air pollution argument has been circulating (ha ha) for a while, but a lot of the people using it fail to realize that Kaohsiung is BIG, and some of the parts nearer the mountains or on the north side of the industrial stuff are not that bad.
Granted you probably wonāt be living or working in those areas, but you never know. Most of Kaohsiung isnāt paradise - itās a port city with an adjoining industrial sector thatās swelled to monstrous proportions, but I know people who are happy to live and work in Kaohsiung. Like anyplace, it depends more on the friends you have there, and what you like to do.
Are you looking to get a job there? Many jobs donāt exist or are poorly paid there, otherwise I would be down there years ago, most likely.
If you like bigger open spaces, some nice parks, American style massive roads and harbour city feel Kaohsiung could be for you, but its as far from āinternationalā as you will get for a big city.
Only way to know is visit yourself. I know many HK ppl have moved and continue to move to Taiwan including many entertainers .
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Most of Kaohsiung, like Taipei, was laid out during the Japanese colonial period. Broad streets, rational grid, totally different from the older Ming and Qing design in older cities like Tainan and Hsinchu.
Overall, I would say the layout of Kaohsiung is definitely on the āproā side!
Guy
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Driving a scooter from downtown Kaohsiung to Lu Jhu č·Æē«¹ can be like a journey into the depths of your own psyche. I wouldnāt recommend it, but itās definitely an experience.
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