An option in Hua/Dong is opening a B&B. This is not without its risks or difficulties.
The market is now overly saturated in many areas of the east coast as pretty much every right-minded person with extra cash and a loathing for a 9-6 work day has run out there to open a hotel, a B&B, or some kind of inn. It’s difficult to compete and difficult even just to find a convenient and appealing plot of land, according to a friend of mine who runs one in Taitung.
Of course, there’s the bigger picture, too. The beautiful coastline is filling up with quirky inns, which isn’t an entirely bad thing as it gives a needed boost to Taitung’s economy. At the same time, the truly natural beauty is slowly disappearing underneath artificial landscapes.
So, there’s that. Teaching still seems to be the most promising route, although if you can open a unique, reasonably priced restaurant in Hualien City or a popular spot in Yilan, you could have a ton of curious customers (many form China) coming in every day.