Expatriate Forums in Taiwan

Taiwan information · Guest Home Country: countryx

Living in Taiwan

What defines the expat living experience in Taiwan and sets it apart from other places? One thing is the country's size -- it's quite easy to drive the entire length of the island in under six hours. This means that whether based in the north or the south, for expats the entire island has a sense of community. Taiwanese society is generally egalatarian, people are warm, friendly and interested in visitors from other countries -- foreign nationals living in Taiwan often remark on how easy it is to fit in here. In addition, Taiwan's unique blend of Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian traditions creates an atmosphere that is particlularly tolerant of other religions and denominations.

HOUSING

Due to a long and energetic construction boom, housing is relatively inexpensive and rents have actually come down over the last 5 years. A commonly cited average for Taipei housing rental is NTD1,000 per ping (about 3.3 sq metres). A security deposit of at least 2 months is generally required. Many corporate expats live in modern security apartments in the Tienmu district in North Taipei and Sindian (formerly spelled "Hsintien") in Southern Taipei. Prices of course vary according to inclusion of amenities and facilities such as air conditioning and swimming pools. Rental is proportionately less expensive in Taiwan's other cities.

UTILITIES

Basic utilities like electricity, water, gas, phone and trash collection can depend on the type of building and location but overall these ammenities equal standards in most developed countries. One difference is that homes in Taiwan don't usually have central heating and additional appliances may be required during the short winter season. Natural gas, home delivered, is preferred for cooking and water heating.
Recommendations for online information / websites:
Power: http://www.taipower.com.tw/
Water: http://www.water.gov.tw/
Gas: http://www.taipeigas.com.tw/

SHOPPING

In Taiwan shopping is convenient and prices are competitive with other countries in Asia. International retailers such as Carre Four and B & Q have numerous outlets all over the island. Supermarkets, shopping malls and department stores are all part and parcel of modern Taiwan. Surprisingly Taipei is one of the cheapest places in the world to buy photographic equipment. In the area south west of Taipei Train Station prices can be cheaper than HK, NYC or the Internet.
Recommendations for online information / websites:
http://www.taiwanho.com/shopping/
http://www.marimari.com/content/taiwan/shopping/main.html
http://www.sinica.edu.tw/tit/shopping/
http://www.taiwanfun.com/central/taichung/shopping/index.htm

DINING

Taiwan is renowned for its delicious food all over Asia. In addition to the island's own unique cuisine -- a myriad of fine foods and dining experiences -- most the world's favourite foodstuffs and beverages are available here. Not just American hamburgers but juicy prime rib steaks, Italian pizza and pasta, sea-fresh Japanese sashimi, German pig knuckles and sauerkraut, spicy Korean Kim-chee, Swiss fondue, chocolate and more are all handy at various restaurants and markets, making Taiwan a virtual gourmand's paradise. And for those who like a drink, there are many cosy bars, outdoor beer gardens, plus traditional British and Irish pubs to quench thirst after a busy day.

Recommendations for online information / websites:
Taiwan Fun: http://www.taiwanfun.com/
Dining Guide: http://www.eyp.com.tw/yp/dining/dining.php

RECREATION AND LEISURE

Taiwan boasts a complex and diverse topography. Apart from natural and cultural tourist spots and destinations, Taiwan offers active recreational opportunities for the more ambitious, like mountain climbing, hiking, fishing, camping and other activites. In the warm summer months there's dragon boat racing as well as other water sports and activities such as whale and dolphin watching, snorkelling, white water rafting, wind surfing and surfing, while air-born sports such as hang gliding and paragliding are also enjoyed in Taiwan. Golf is a preferred sporting pastime of Taiwanese businessmen.

Recommendations for online information / websites:
http://www.rocgolf.com.tw/
http://www.settlement.org/cp/english/taiwan/sports.html
http://www.1uptravel.com/international/asia/taiwan/recreation.html

CULTURE

A rich historical legacy has created Taiwan's diverse cultural environment. In Taiwan, not only can aboriginal, native Taiwanese, and Chinese culture be experienced, there are also historical landmarks and relics left by the Dutch and Japanese. The first-time traveler to Taiwan is sure to [spam word detected] by all there is to see and even long time resident expatriates are always discovering previously unknown facets of this exciting and varied culture. From quaint yet holy anamist shrines in rice paddy fields to colorful mobile opera, puppet shows and pig festivals to Taipei's National Palace Museum containing world-famous Chinese art and cultural treasures.

Recommendations for online information websites:
http://www.npm.gov.tw/
http://www.sinica.edu.tw/tit/culture/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/north_east_asia/taiwan/culture.htm
http://www.taiwanrooms.net/taiwan-travel-guide/culture.html

EDUCATION

Many foreign businesspeople who come to work in Taiwan are concerned about their children's education. Taiwan has many worthy international schools, including the Taipei American School, Taipei Korean School, Taipei Japanese School, Taipei German School, Taipei French School,
Taipei British School and there are more in Taichung and Kaohsuing.

Recommendations for online information websites:
http://www.virtual-asia.com/taiwan/lifestyle/schools.htm
http://www.edu.gov.tw/

For those considering learning Taiwanese or Mandarin to improve business communication and understanding there are of course various institutes and colleges that will tailor their tutoring to the schedule of busy executives and their staff.

Recommendations for online information / websites:
http://www.languageschoolsguide.com/Taiwan.cfm
http://taiwan.8m.net/study.html

PERSONAL TAXES

Taxation is an issue that foreign nationals living in Taiwan will sometimes face but compared to many other countries personal tax is realtively light. In Taiwan, the main taxes related to foreign
nationals are income tax, business tax, inheritance tax, and capital gains tax.

Taiwan Tax Sites:
http://www.taxsites.com/international/taiwan.html
Taipei National Tax Administration:
http://www.ntat.gov.tw/
An introduction to the Taiwan Tax System:
http://www.prctaxman.com.cn/taiwan.htm
Ministry of Finance:
http://www.mof.gov.tw/

TRANSPORT

Public Transport

Taiwan has a complete round-the-island railway network, making rail transportation highly convenient. The high-speed railway, slated to go into service by October 2005, will significantly shorten travel time between north and south Taiwan. The island is developing urban mass rapid transit systems -- Taipei's has already become a major success changing the traveling habits of an entire metropolis in just a few short years. The captital city's bus routes have recently been streamlined and it's even possible to travel by ferry in some areas.

Driving in Taiwan:

Taiwan's highway system forms an extensive network of convenient transportation routes and as car ownership increases so do the skills of Taiwanese drivers. Many foreign visitors to Taiwan hire or buy autos and the driving experience in this country has much improved over the past five years.

Air Transportation:

Taiwan currently has two international airports (located in Taoyuan County in the north and the suburbs of Kaohsiung in the south) as well as domestic airports in Taipei, Taichung, Hualien, Taitung, Chiayi, Tainan, Pingtung, and the off-islands of Kinmen and Matsu. All foreign
passengers are required to produce their passports before boarding domestic flights.

Institute of Transportation
Ministry of Transportation and Communication:
http://www.iot.gov.tw/english/INDEX.htm
Real Time Traffic Information:
http://www.iot.gov.tw/news/eindex.htm
Taiwan Transportation:
http://www.marimari.com/content/taiwan/transport/domestic_travel/domestic_travel.html