Experience in Tai Wan by Tangnade

What is it like to live in Tai Wan? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Living in Taiwan is liberating, there is no one judging you or trying to size you up, you are who you are unlike the city I now live New York City. Taiwanese actually treat foreigners like no other country I've been to, they are extremely welcoming and very sincere....the weather is beautiful most of the time in the 70's-80's Fahrenheit. Taiwan has speed trains that will allow you to go from the North of Taiwan to the South of Taiwan in just a few hours. On a scale of 1-10 I give Taiwan a 9 on cleanliness from the streets to the public restroom facilities....I love their day and night markets where you can buy and anything from clothing to food and it's very entertaining. The fare is always fresh and inexpensive...if you become close to a native they treat you like family and have no problem with teaching you the language, I found most people speak Taiwanese but you will find some English and Mandarin speakers as well. I highly recommend Taiwan.

What is the student lifestyle like in Tai Wan?

I've never studied in Taiwan, but I'm sure the student lifestyle is not much different than generally living in Taiwan.

How much does it cost to live in Tai Wan?

Taiwan is very inexpensive to live compared to a lot of places, housing, food and transportation very reasonable.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Tai Wan? Is there any advice you can give?

I recommend forumosa.com and tealit.com as great places for expats to look to find places to live in Taiwan.I also recommend, “to figure out the location where you want to live and then learn the Chinese character for rent. Then, walk around the streets in the neighborhood you want to live in and look for the “for rent” signs in the windows. You can have a friend call the number for you if you can’t speak Chinese. Usually, prospective landlords will be thrilled to rent to you as Westerners have the positive stereotype of not only taking care of their homes, but also making them look better.”

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

In Taiwan I spend 400 dollars a month for rent for a place five times as big a my apartment in New York, and my friends here tell me I spend too much. The Taiwanese are very frugal. Food is a lot cheaper in Taiwan than in the US. They do not cook very much in Taiwan as food is so cheap and they go out a lot. They have Buddhist vegetarian buffets all over the place where I can go and can get a plateful of Wholefoods-quality food for a dollar.”

What places would you recommend visiting in Tai Wan?

My favorite is Kaohsiung and Taipei

Is it good to eat out in Tai Wan? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Yes I have no favorites it's a place to eat on every corner..

Is the nightlife good in Tai Wan? Where is good to go?

Taiwan has a good nightlife like any other city...depending on your specific liking of music...

What advice would you give future students heading to Tai Wan?

Pack your bags and go if you have the opportunity to go to school, work or play.