[quote=“micahjrowe”]Thanks for your response.
It’s hard for me to forumulate a realistic budget having only been here for 2 weeks.
Right now I’m assuming
70000 gross
56000 net
-12000 rent
-2000 electricity
-2000 phone/MRT/bus
-10000 food
Saving 20k is probably much more realistic as I’d like to also go out on the weekends and explore this beautiful country.
I went surfing this weekend and taking the express train to Yilan and back, taxi, renting a surfboard, lunch and snacks costed me about 1k.
I’ll probably be in debt the rest of my life… It’s ridiculous how much college costed me in the States.
Best wishes, Micah[/quote]
Hello Micah, welcome to Forumosa.
I live in the same area and used to pay more or less the same for an older apartment, with kitchen, but utilities/Internet are paid separately. If you are paying that for an independent studio seems OKish, but I am afraid I don’t quite understand the measurements you wrote.
Tapinglin is considered “prime” area because of the double MRT line -I know, it is not working yet, but they are charging top real estate prices anyhow. Plus it is very convenient -transportation hub, shopping areas, hospitals, etc. It used to be much cheaper before, but still it is better prized than other areas of Taipei City, while still being close enough to downtown.
Most studios I’ve seen in the area are 8 to 10K, all included, but tend to be small. If your is bigger/newer/in a building with elevator and garbage service, then it is OK.
As to budget/savings I think you are being quite realistic. I would just suggest to start slowly, as usually during the first months there are many expenses. For instance, winter is coming and you may need a comforter or a heater. Open a separate account, hopefully in a different bank, and start by putting 10K there. Second month put 15, then 20, then … you catch my drift. See how much you can put without straining too much.
I think you will take home more than 55K, maybe close to 60K, after taking away taxes/national health insurance/retirement funds/etc. Don’t worry: you will probably also get a nice tax refund -make sure you get a receipt of your rent- and helath insurance ehre is cheap and services are good and cheaper so it is a good investment and trust me, you will be using them somewhere down the line. BTW, both Tzu Chi Hospital and Cardinal Tien have English speaking doctors, if so required -hopefully not.
Feel free to ask any other questions.