Life Hacks for Living in Taipei / Taiwan?

Taiwan Living in Taiwan
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I’ve been living in Taiwan for a while now, but I’m curious to hear some practical life hacks that others might have discovered.

Specifically looking for tips that make day-to-day living in Taipei or other parts of Taiwan easier or more enjoyable.

What are some things that you’ve found particularly useful?

Thanks in advance!

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Get an easy card day 1

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Load all your spare change on the Easy card

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Carry an umbrella, always. I don’t care if it looks bright and sunny out now. That could change and you may need it, any day of the year.

Eat fruit, follow the seasons from mangos in summer to persimmons in fall to pongan / oranges in winter to (at least for me) despair in the spring. I guess these locally grown fruits could be supplemented with kiwis from down under or apples if that’s your thing.

Don’t drink bubble tea. Yes I know the locals drink it. Trust me don’t drink it at least if you want to retain some semblance of your current body shape. :joy:

Learn to love the south, learn to love the east, learn to love the mountains, learn to love Taiwan.

Guy

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Convenience stores are everywhere. Get your beer at 7-Eleven and have it with your lunch at McDonald’s.

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Noise cancelling Bose earbuds.

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I struggle with this. Anyone healthy alternatives to bubble tea?

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Here’s how I did it: my strategy was to train myself to like and enjoy the clean bitter taste of good tea without sugar, without that faux white powder passing for “milk.” Honestly the cleanness of a decent sugar free version completely smashes the sticky sweetness of bubble tea anyways, especially when paired with any kind of Asian food (Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean, Japanese, etc).

Guy

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Ginger and lemon tea, with gojis. But better to make it yourself… There are also good soup medicine herb packs like SiWuTang in all the TCM stores.

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In Greater Taipei, 900 series buses take the highway

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冰拿鐵

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Book tickets and hotels months in advance

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Invest in a completely waterproof raincoat and shoes. I wish I did that here earlier honestly.

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Get all the payment apps and zaiju

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Get a dehumidifier and if your house is big then more than one.

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Orange in Taiwan? Maybe tangerines/mandarines but I don’t think they have local oranges.

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I was glossing the word pongan that appears before it, as I wasn’t sure if everyone would understand.

Guy

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Buy a pair of 藍拖鞋.
Know where the 7-Elevens are that have draft beer on tap.
Use convenience store apps so that receipts go right to you (and a separate app that collects them) when you just give counterperson your cell #, and you get member points.

Leave Taipei if able to and live cheaply elsewhere in central, south, or east.

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Move to a place down south where there are very few foreigners

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Some ideas :

  • Minimize Wallet Contents: Don’t carry too much stuff in your wallet. Leave at least one debit/credit card at home in case of emergency.
  • Make Spare Keys: Have spare keys for your home, scooter, or car.
  • Explore Local Stores: Get to know your surroundings. You might find what you need at a nearby store instead of always going to Carrefour, PXMart or Costco
  • Beer Choices: You can find cheaper and interesting beer options at Simple Mart.
  • Invest in Quality: Invest in good quality clothing and shoes. Good insoles can make a big difference when you walk a lot.
  • Tourist Visits: Visit tourist spots on weekdays or early in the day to avoid crowds.
  • Avoid Peak Public Transport Times: Avoid using public transportation during peak times or on public holidays.
  • Plan Ahead for Outings: Plan ahead for outings as there can be traffic jams, road closures, or limited YouBikes.
  • Carry Napkins: Always bring napkins or wet tissues as they can be hard to find when you’re out.
  • Restroom Access: Not all convenience stores have toilets. Temples and gas stations are good alternatives as well MRT stations
  • Road Safety: Don’t trust Traffic lights. Always check both sides of the road and avoid distractions like checking your phone while walking.
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