For those that have lived in Taipei and left for another city, what were your motivations?
And for those that lived elsewhere and later returned to Taipei, why?
I’ll go first:
I should be getting my scooter license in the next week or so and will probably begin my process of moving out of Taipei, beginning with some initial exploratory trips.
Taipei, for me, has the following pros and cons that lead to my decision:
Pros:
Convenient to get around, no scooter needed.
Easy to get things done or buy things, everything is here.
More foreigners if one wants to make like-minded friends.
Many people, ostensibly many people to meet and friends that could be made.
Extensive network of trails that are accessible by public transit.
Many concerts and cultural events are centered here.
The only truly “international” city in Taiwan.
Cons:
The dense nature of the city that allows a metro to be profitable and operable means there are always crowds.
If you don’t buy many things, the shopping convenience is not that important.
Most people are too busy to make friends. Those that are not (tourists or English teachers in a short gig) often leave all-too-soon.
Extensive trail networks in proximity to public transit also ensures that there are always people on them. Though this can be mitigated by going early-mornings on a weekday.
The concerts and events are not very noteworthy. Very few foreign acts come through.
More foreigners, making it easy to fall into a “foreigner bubble”.
Though “international”, not very “diverse” and not very “inclusive”. Everyone thinks, says, and asks the same things. For the latter, the question “when are you leaving Taiwan?” for those who have decided to live here permanently starts to grate after a while. Though other cities will have this, it is IMO less “excusable” in Taipei, or maybe I’m just an ass.
I grew up in Taipei and every time I went outside of Taipei when I came back to Taipei, I felt I was home
But I lived a whole year in Taichung, and that was really a very good experience for me, and I felt sort of disconnected at some stage almost an out of body experience, and I felt I had to return to ttaipei as much as possible, but gained from that experience
Now I live on mars otherwise known as San Francisco
Those are my two top candidates currently. I think there is a chance I’ll end up in Taitung first, and after a while be a tiny bit too bored and feel a tiny bit too isolated. Then probably move to Taichung to find a middle ground between the big and small city. We’ll see! Either way, will be a nice change of pace.
Personally if I was single I would most likely move out of Taipei. Find a more laid back countryside minded curvaceous woman and settle down.
Worst thing about Taipei is the shitty weather, oppressive density and stuck up tian long guo people.
The other cities both have a lot of pollution, but better weather and are more laid back. K-town feels more run down but its on the sea and also has some close mountains. Which just feels nice. Taichung doesn’t, but it does have more of a vibe.
Both of these places both have more Taiwanese spoken which is a negative in my book, so there’s pluses and minuses for all the options, you just have to weigh up whats most important to you right now.
And a 50 minute plus commute plus horrible traffic and lame urban planning even by Taiwan standards.
The seaside, estuary, and especially access to the less crowded back of Yangmingshan are all real plusses. And it does have good old down home Taiwan vibe in the old parts of town.
But let’s face it. It’s Greater Taipei the way Taoyuan is Greater Taipei.
If you live where I think you live, it is a 50 minute commute to core areas of the city like Dongmen or ximending. Especially if you don’t live right next door to the mrt station and have to travel to get to the station.
I don’t get the „it rains all the time in Taipei“. Does it? Don’t think so. Whenever I go south there is pollution in the air. Have yet to see a dark blue sky in Kaohsiung.
