Good point! I’m semi-ready for that too…just. Her mother came over for the wedding and stayed with us - one evening I thought I was cooking pasta but was asked to “use up her (mother-in-law’s) leftovers”. Jesus Christ, how do I re-use two TW dishes I’ve never seen in my life. Wasn’t sure if I felt like I was in Die Hard or MasterChef.
you have thick blood. you’ll sweat like a horse racing the Kentucky derby just walking the humid streets of Taipei in the first summer. On the plus side, you’ll lose a lot of water fat. By the second summer you’ll be able to skip past every other convenience store without having to dart in to enjoy the A/C.
Some people on this forum have complained that they never really got accustomed to the heat over time…
I think it can be done though, if you believe in yourself.
that was my experience. first summer sucked.
each succeeding summer my blood got thinner.
I’m okay with it now, but south Taiwan is much better in the summer than Taipei.
sounds like your missus works for MoFA, and never knows the next posting until right before.
There are some cheap, excellent VPNs out there. They are useful if you have to appear like you are in the UK to buy something or whatnot.
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I am from somewhere with very similar weather to Taiwan and I never got accustomed to it…sad face. Get a car with A/C is my suggestion, you will die if you get a scooter or decide to walk places.
None of you have air conditioning or something? Utilities are relatively cheap if he’s coming in from london. And you’re probably not living in a country estate so not that much AC is needed to keep a house cool.
@MyManInTaiwan, Yeah silly rhetorical question. Just found it strange why she would be particularly concerned with women talking to you if you go to Taiwan. I don’t really feel like people are that talkative. But I live in Taipei and I don’t really find much reasons to venture outside of it and avoid it unless i’m leaving the country. People in Taipei are like most city folk but less rough imo. Won’t have fears of getting mugged and stabbed in the wrong part of town or walking late at night. I personally don’t like to talk to strangers in most days so i’m fine with that.
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Don’t feel like a star or super handsome when locals randomly ask to take pictures with you when you travel alone or with your wife, you are not. It happened to most of us.
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Welcome!
Make sure youse get an apartment with a/c in the living room and your bedroom. The temp outside will begin to become uncomfortable sometime in April, most likely. Try hard not to use the a/c for as long as possible; use a fan to hold out at night until you can’t take it anymore. By early summer you may need a/c at night, but try to go without during the day. Reason being that once your a/c is turned on it probably won’t be turned off again until late October (if then). Keep in mind that July through August the temperature will rarely fall below 28C or so, even at 6am (it will also rarely rise above 35).
In some ways Taiwan revolves around its 7/11 and other convenience stores (things you buy online can be delivered there - you’ll notice the clutter and the long line at checkout, trust me -and you can pay nearly any utility bill there as well), and 7/11 in particular provides icy good a/c until autumn rolls around.
Wear a hat outside. Dry-Fit fabrics help a lot. Clothing sizes are too small here, and you may find some good prices for dry-fit stuff now in the UK - stock up on t-shirts and trousers. Keep in mind that most Taiwanese men don’t need to shave often (not much selection in stores) and plan accordingly.
Doing without a/c is sweaty but it’s a good way to acclimate. Eventually you’ll adjust as best you can, as others have pointed out.
Best.
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did anyone already say to get your ARC at NIA?
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What to do first?
Get from the airport. Is someone meeting you? I’m assuming your wife. Exchange money at the bank you see before immigration. Get a cell phone plan before you go through immigration. The airport is huge. Being able to call really helps. Yes, there’s WiFi at the airport but after 20 hours of travel time, simple is best to get you to where you’re going.
Things go wrong. Don’t risk a mishap. You don’t want to be stuck in the airport not meeting up with your ride with no phone and no cash when you’re tired and just want to go to bed.
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fixed that 4u
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Grab an international driver’s license before you leave and if you haven’t sorta your required visa criminal report - better get on that pronto - as it is huge pain to manage it from TW! Also, bring along certified copies of any diplomas/certificates you might have. Another thing - if you have big feet, better stock up on any desired shoes - TW is sparse when it comes to large shoe sizes… Just thought of something else - if you have any plans to visit China - it is easier & cheaper to get a China visa in your home country than sorting it out in TW. And make sure you keep a current bank account with ATM privileges in case you need to send/access funds to/from home…
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KISS THE GROUND!
Beat me to it, I was going to say about 2 weeks.
Oh you guys are babies. It’s perfectly fair to call weather that doesn’t make you start sweating immediately “nice” by subtropical standards. 
You are from Engerland? Great. YOU shall be extremely hot come summer and then you will actually be cold come the next winter in TAiwan because you will grow used to the heat (or DIE) and then you become COLD the next Jan. . If not? you are different…and it must be the cheese.
OH, and you are going to where they make Taiwanese girls…so keep walking… whatever you do…DON’T LOOK.
reading this comment is a fun ride
Were you married in your home country or in Taiwan?
If you were married in your home country, get your marriage certificate authenticated by TECO in your country. If you were married in Taiwan, get your fingerprints/background check done in your home country.
This, all important, bit big feet, try finding a size 14 like mine here, impossible ahahaah