As a foreigner, I prefer newer ones. The windowpanes are newer and better sealed preventing leaks. Plugs are grounded and the same three pronged ones we have in Canada/USA which means its safer. Newer buildings come with newer building codes. They often have heat pump AC units instead of those window AC units which are often cheaply installed and leak heat(and thus hydro) out the window, wasting money. I went from an old building to a new building and my hydro bill dropped from $4000-7000 to $1000 bimonthly and I USE my AC units…a lot to keep things dry and cool.
I prefer buildings with a dedicated natural gas line because it’s cheaper and easier to cook with. Hot water is cold until needed and never wasting hydro stuck in a water tank leaking heat.
Internet, most companies want a two year contract. Water is cheap.
591 is easy cause it is a bunch of people and real estate offices all putting houses on one classifieds site. You can also check www.housefun.com.tw. If your Chinese is good, you can call the number listed in the ad or see if their number adds their LINE, of which most agents tie their number to and message them that way.
I understand locals have those opinions, but I live there. I know what it’s like and I’m approaching 10 years in this wonderful country, almost all of it in Danshui with some of it in Sansia.
Everyone has their own preference. It’s a good thing we have different opinions. My Tainan friends can’t stand the humidity in any city in the north. I hope they didn’t make half of taiwan cry about that
So, let’s say I find a place that looks nice on 591. Is it safe to try and rent it before we’re actually in Taiwan? Or do we also need to find some short-term housing? How long does it generally take from seeing a place to being able to move in?
You’re probably gonna be quarantining first. That will give you time to research and look at places when you get out of Corona Jail. I prefer looking in person.
It will be easier to help find and suggest places when the date is closer, so you’re welcome to revive this topic then.
Then @MadamBroccoli and I can playfully compete and throw ideas at you
I agree on that too. The molds. You just have to check the molds in the bathroom… yikes!!and the illegal structures, and the water leak, and the window bars… so many things that could go wrong.
That’s why I suggested Japanese agencies. A good agency saves the trouble.
