I got my Gold Card. I’m planning to move from Singapore to Taichung. May I ask what will be the most cost effective and efficient way of finding a place to rent as a single person?
Plan A: Bring everything over. Stay in hotel until I found a place to rent.
Pros: Save airfare
Cons: High risk of not able to find suitable place and ends up staying in hotels for prolonged period.
Plan B: Do a recce trip in Taichung as a tourist. Stay until I manage to find a place and rent for one month first then return to Singapore before flying over again.
Pros: Avoid getting stuck in stressful situation in case I can’t find a place.
Cons: Waste airfare and rental
Other questions
Do I need a Taiwanese as a guarantor?
I believe I can’t open a bank account without a residential address.
What other considerations do I need to be aware of?
No guarantor needed. Yes, need address on your gold card to open account. Other considerations, you’re gonna need a car or taxi around a lot in Taichung.
I recommnd option B. Come to Taichung as a resident, stay in hotel, find an apartment and sign lease. You don’t need bank account to sign lease. Many landlords accept rent by cash (you pay directly into their bank account by visiting a teller at their bank).
Once you know the apartment size and furniture, go back to Singapore and bring the correct things, now that you know your exact apartment.
Look well before locking into a contract/location. Especially Taichung, which is huge, and could end up far from desired interests. Public transit isn’t great even to point of avoiding moving around the city as much as wanted.
Stay in hotel or maybe BnB if bringing things, go scout out areas and interests daily, then lock into some place you like.
If you’re moving from the US or Europe, then option A is often the most feasible choice.
Between Taiwan and Singapore, airfare is often much cheaper, though, so as others recommended, better plan two flights.
Also, do consider carefully what to bring: Often, it’s cheaper to sell and re-buy things vs. shipping them. If possible, try to do with only checked luggage and avoid hiring a moving company as this would be much more expensive. Consider flying business class for the increased luggage allowance.