Think same can be said about anywhere.
I lived in Jhongli for about 3 years commuting to taipei, longtan, taoyuan, dayuan,etc pretty mcu everywhere in the north. While i was there i loved it, now that im out, i would never move back, mainly due to the weather in the north being upmost crap.
Im in Shalu now. Been all over taichung city and its not bad. Each area has its charm. Pollution SOME days is bad, but in general its not so bad. Before i get hopped on about this, i dont smoke and everytime i have come to Taiwan (i return home a few times a year) i have been caughing up these mucus crap and about 2weeks or so after coming back, everytime like clockwork, i get have to call into work because the coughing mucus turns to mucus and blood due to the pollution everytime except when i moved out here to Shalu. I havent had this problem since then…granted Shalu is outside the big city, but im in the big city daily. Previously i had investd in air fliters and such when i was in the north with no luck, but now that im in the south i have no need for them.
People, foreigners and taiwanese are vy different in taichung than else where. Ive come to enjoy them much more. The north seems to be very click operated, especially with foreigners who tend to be white blind (act like they dont see other foreigners on the street and maytime goto great lengths to ignore them on purse) unless you are a part of their “crew”. The taiwanese people are very friendly with less of a “what do you want from me” guard or “what can i get from you approach”. Also taiwanese people down this way dont have their head up their ass that Taipei = Taiwan, and oddly enough the people here in Taichung seem to know Taiwan better than anyone ive met in the northern parts. Something i appriciate when i ask about places or tell them where i have lived in taiwan before. Also something noticable, when there is a car accident ive noticed people tend to stop and help, or stop and offer to make phonecalls, a phenomena i have yet to witness anywhere outside of here. Also a side note…while Taipei and other cities might have more foreignersz, i have found Taichung seems to have more than just teachers and students, who may or may not be around a month later, but this also gives access to a different group of people capable of more than drinking. Many of the guys here do triathalons, marathons, cycle around taiwan, own businesses, work in the business world, etc.
Food is readily available in diversity at any hour day or night, especially if you like local food.
Tons or parks and market areas as mentioned before, but whats not mentioned is, unlike some other places the night markets in taichung actually seem to diversify their goods, this is good if you want a selection, bad if you want to bargain.
There are alot of Sex KTV amd such places for the less than savory needs of people, one is even owned by a foreigner, who is also an english teacher. But unless you go looking for that fun, its not something that comes looking for you, especially if you are a foreigner.
Taiwan essentially is a gangster country, where everyone knows someone or has family who is a gangster or if the first two are ot the case, which is super rare, they pay gangster taxes. Its just how things are done here. But not all gangster business is bad business, afterall temples gotta be built right? With that being said, gangsters are not a problem in Taichung, or most of taiwan for that matter, unless you make yourself a problem. Most foreigner sob stories leave out what they did, or they paint a skewed picture of what really happened, rather this was done on purpose or due to the alcohol effect, one will never know. Unlike the gangsters in the usa, taiwan gangsters are more keep to themselves.
Police…oh taiwan and your police department. While ive enjoyed getting away with tickets and being less than legal on a few occasions, the police are something you cant really count on in this country, but ive also found when im not in trouble prone places, i dont really need them. Just think of the police here as on a perminent donut break.and yes taiwan’s gem taipei has the same problem, its all about who you know, when you dont know the people in power it seems more policed than it is. Taipei police speak english usually which sucks for those driving without a license or breaking traffic laws, but is an asset when accidents happen or help is needed. Taichung police quite often speak some level. Of english, but if you want out of a ticket, be polite in english or chinese and it goes along way here.
Rent, far cheaper than other places and the cost of living in general is cheaper, allowing for higher standard of living or travel.
Overall ive enjoyed Taichung in the time ive been here, im not defending it or in a fight to the death to make it seem so awesome, because i could live in many places in taiwan without a problem. Also i know everyone has their own perspectives, points of view, experiences, etc. Im just adding mine and trying to be a little more balanced.