For anything about visas, work permits, leasing agreements, etc. you shoud look in the legal forums here, or check out tealit.com.
There are plenty of threads about jobs and salaries in the Teaching English forum (here), and you could also look at the housing classifieds here and on tealit.com to get an idea about apartments.
Not doing thorough research on your own before arriving would, I think, be foolhardy.
Here’s my situation:
I work an average of 21 hours a week and am paid between NT$58,000 and NT$68,000 per month. I found my job as the Fall semester last year was commencing. I hear the job market is quite tight right now. I have a work permit and ARC from my current employment; in exchange I am contracted to work until the end of June.
I know at least one person who is able to renew his visa once a month (without leaving the country) based on his enrolment at a school here. He does, however, have to leave the country every six months.
I am renting a furnished room in a 3-room apartment for NT$8000 a month, all utilities except A/C included. It’s in the Da-An district, which is considered by many one of the more expensive areas in the Taipei metropolitan area. I found it with the help of a friend of my mom’s, who could read the Chinese newspapers. My initial housing search was also done with a friend, but we found it too difficult to find suitable, affordable units for only two people. More common are studio-type arrangements, or 3+ bedroom apartments. But give it your best shot anyway.
My boyfriend’s apartment would be perfect for two people, and he intends to vacate it in the middle of May. Each month, his rent and bills come to about NT$18,000. It’s sunny, beautiful and convenient to the MRT. If you think you’ll be interested, PM me your contact details once you are here.