What's it like to live in Taiwan?

[thetartanexplorer]

Possible job opportunity in Taipei. Can anyone tell me what it's like, warts and all? Especially with kids (primary school age and toddler). Our accommodation would probably be in the Tianmu area. I've checked out the Tapei European School online, which looks OK. And I've lived in East Asia before. I've never had a burning desire to go to / live in Taiwan, but am looking to be convinced!

We lived in Taipei for four years and had our DS there. Having lived in and enjoyed other SE Asian countries, I found Taipei to be pretty grim! Tianmu is better but most of Taipei is very built up and grubby. One big advantage is that you could get a doctors or dentist appointment anytime and the shops are open all hours. Dentstry is very good and I'd say it's pretty safe. We saved a packet whilst we are there and bought our first house in cash. I had an interview at the Taipei European school and was really impressed with the school. Tianmu is a predominately American area, in fact Americans are one of the largest ethnic minorities in Taiwan. If you are a city person you'd love Taipei, the rural areas are quite hard to access without a car and often have high rises too. Some people do live Taiwain. Children are welcome everywhere and in Tianmu you will find some activities for kids but as most Taiwanese kids are either with their family, shopping, in school or in cram school there isn't the same range of activities as you'd find here. You may find dance or music classes but they are very focussed on high achievement not just dancing for fun. If you goggle there are lots of forumns on Taiwain. Health care is of a very high standard in terms of faciliites but as the medical staff like to maintain 'face' it's harder to have your say and I'd say they were less focussed on the patient than on the NHS having had one baby there and one here. Mind you many people did love Taiwan!

You will probably be able to eat out most nights at next to nothing in the cafe/ markets. Wine is rather expensive though but taxis are dirt cheap. The MRT (tube) is cheap, modern and efficient and buses are good too.

Thanks manyhands. Lots of food for thought there. Saving money will be a factor for us, and good local food will also be important! But I can't help feeling we might have a better lifestyle (especially with young children) in some respects back in the UK. Hmmm...

i loved Taiwan and lived in Taipei for 9 months. As a childless singleton though.

pros - people are very friendly to westerners, 24-hour food, lots to see and do, countryside can be very close to city!

cons - cockroaches. i fecking hate cockroaches. housing is mostly in flats with balcony rather than house with garden - huge flats though.