Taiwan Cost Of Living as of Today

Taiwan is one of the most amazing places in the world.  The people are so nice, and they eat delicious food every day.  I’ll never forget my time there. Taiwan used to be known as “Food Heaven for Vegetarians,” but in 2021, Vegetarianism has made its way into mainstream society all across Taiwan.

Not only is the Taiwanese government encouraging people to go meat-free, but they are also giving incentives for people to become vegan. People who go vegan can receive monthly coupons throughout 2022. Taiwan’s economy is booming, with inflation not too far away. People are moving into major cities like Taipei and Taichung to find jobs.

With more people in larger cities, there’s more money in circulation.  The Taiwanese government also encourages people to buy their own cars instead of using public transportation, which is another factor for rising prices in 2022. What will the cost of living be like in five years?  Well, that’s something you’ll have to watch out for.  Check back here in 2022, and I bet you’ll see a difference. Below is a detailed analysis of the present cost of living in Taiwan.

Types of Visas Available For Expats in Taiwan

For foreigners who want to stay in Taiwan for a while without holding a work visa, there are five types of visas available.

1)    Visitor Visa (Category I)

This is the easiest and most common type of visa that can be obtained as long as one has an identity card from their home country. With this visa, a foreigner can stay in Taiwan for up to 3 months. Before the border, foreigners are required to apply for an extension of stay with the National Immigration Agency.

2)    Temporary Visitor Visa (Category II)

This type of visa is similar to Category I, but it allows foreigners to enter Taiwan more often over a period of 1 year. People who wish to stay in Taiwan for longer than three months should apply for this type of visa. No extension is required because the maximum time spent in Taiwan with a Category II visa is one year.

3)    Resident Visa

This type of visa is usually given to foreigners who have relatives in Taiwan. The resident visa allows its holder to stay in Taiwan for a year and then apply to extend their residence for another three years.

4)    Spouse/Fiancé Visa

This type of visa is given to foreigners who have Taiwanese spouses. It allows them to stay in Taiwan for a year, with the possibility of extending it indefinitely. Also, if the Taiwanese spouse has passed away, the visa will still be valid.

5)    Permanent resident visa (Category R)

This type of visa is given to foreigners who fulfill strict criteria. To be eligible for the permanent resident visa, you must have lived in Taiwan for at least seven years with a Category I or II visas, hold an employment permit, own real estate valued at over NT$6 million, or have a spouse or child who is a Taiwanese citizen. It allows the holder to stay in Taiwan indefinitely and apply for citizenship after living in Taiwan for three years.

5 Fun Facts about Taiwanese Culture

Have you ever wondered what Taiwanese people do when they’re not at work? Do you know anything about the food culture in Taiwan – who eats what, and why? If so, this article is for you! Here are five fun facts about Taiwanese culture that will have you exploring Taipei’s night markets in no time.

Water Fight

Taiwanese people are known for their water fights, but what makes these simple games so special? Well, it’s not just about the fun of squirting your friends with water guns or hoses – Taiwanese water fights are actually a deeply rooted part of local culture.

The origin of this fun tradition dates back to the Japanese occupation of Taiwan in 1895 when Taiwanese people fought against their colonizers with simple water guns and other homemade weapons.

Nowadays, water fights make a grand appearance during the Water Lantern Festival, where participants squirt each other with decorated buckets filled with – you guessed it- colored water. There is even a special award to the person who walks away with the most colored clothes at the end of the night.

Board Game

Speaking of festivals, there’s another one in Taiwan that fosters an interesting tradition: board gaming! This particular festival takes place during Lunar New Year and involves players moving their pieces across a board in order to get home. Even though the game has hundreds of regional variations, it’s widely considered that this tradition started in Tainan during the Qing Dynasty.

Marriages and Funerals

This may sound like an odd combination, but Taiwanese weddings and funerals share a few similar characteristics: both are ornate public events with a lot of traditions, and both of them require quite a bit of preparation.

Even though Taiwanese people typically refrain from discussing death too often, it is widely known that the deceased person’s family will prepare flowers, food, and money for guests during the funeral. The more friends and relatives gathered at the ceremony mean more gifts given to the family – which is why you should never refuse an invitation to one of these events.

Flower Market

The Taiwanese flower market is full of life, noise, and color – just like the country’s vibrant cities themselves! Even though flowers only grow in certain places on the island, each region specializes in selling a different kind. For example, people living in Taipei prefer to give orchids to their loved ones, while people living in Taitung might gift the recipient a bouquet of sunflowers instead.

Matsu

Taiwan’s famous goddess Matsu has many legends surrounding her origin, but one thing is for sure – she’s sacred! Taiwanese people believe that this divinity sits on top of the local mountain that bears her name. Even though most locals are Buddhist nowadays, they still visit her temple to offer prayers and incense sticks for good luck.

Matsu is also very popular among Taiwanese fishermen, who pray to this goddess before setting out on any long journeys – she’s believed to be the one who’ll protect them from any potential dangers lurking in the stormy seas.

Frequently Asked Questions about Taiwan Culture

How do you say “hello” in Taiwanese?

Hello, can be said in many different ways in Taiwanese. The most common way is to say ‘ hello’ (in English), and the second is to say it like you would when trying to get someone’s attention (e.g., ‘hey, you over there). The third way is to say ‘are you okay?’ or ‘do you have a problem?’. Lastly, the fourth most common saying is just two short words which translate to “I love you” in Mandarin.

Why do Taiwanese sound so smart?

One reason is because the average Taiwanese person studies much harder than the average American. Another reason is that Taiwanese tend to correct other people’s English more often, as they try to help others learn their language as best as possible.

This makes them sound smarter because they are correcting others. Taiwanese culture also values education more, so most Taiwanese people will know more about any subject than an average American does.

Are Taiwanese people racist?

Not generally, no! They are very accepting of different cultures and skin colors. The only time they can seem racist to other countries is when they speak about Japan since the two countries have somewhat of a rivalry. One example is that if you go into any Taiwanese city and say, “Hey, I’m Japanese, and I don’t like Chinese people!” They will laugh at you because they think that is funny.

Why do Taiwanese dress so well?

Taiwan is a very stylish country, and most young people dress very nicely. This is one of the main focuses of many TV shows and movies. Those who don’t study or go to school often have even more free time to focus on their fashion, as they have shorter days in their schools.

Why do Taiwanese people like to speak English?

Taiwanese can be very annoying when they see your foreign face. They will often offer you help in Chinese, but when you start speaking back in English, they get angry and don’t understand why you are not learning their language. More likely than not, you will see them studying English right after they get upset at you because they do want to learn other languages.

Conclusion

Taiwan is an amazing place to visit, but it’s even better if you decide to settle in and call it home. There are a lot of foreign-friendly policies that make a living in Taiwan great, especially for families who have children going to school here. Life in Taiwan may not be perfect, but it has a good life expectancy rate, and the people are some of the friendliest in Asia.

Is Taiwan A Good Place To Live As An Expat part 1 – that will be the topic of today’s article.

Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

Everybody knows that Taiwan is a beautiful island. Many foreigners live here and enjoy life in this country. However, there are some things you should know before moving to Taiwan: the difficulties and problems that expats face while living in Taiwan.

Taiwan isn’t one of the cheapest destinations, but it’s not as expensive as Australia or the US. The Taiwanese currency is quite popular all over Asia, and you can easily exchange money in different countries. Nevertheless, Taipei is one of the most expensive cities to live in. Modest housing will cost around $1.000 or more per month; a meal at a restaurant will cost around $5.

If you still think that Taiwan is cheap, let me tell you one more thing: the Taiwanese are not used to tipping taxi drivers or waiters, so don’t expect a 20% tip for your services. Taiwan offers several visa options for foreigners who want to stay in the country longer than 30 days, but they are quite challenging to get.

You will either need a job or a valid visa from another country to apply for a resident permit in Taiwan. You can pack your bags and move to Taipei, but learn some Mandarin before you do it. Most Taiwanese people don’t speak English at all. In addition, not all landlords agree to rent their apartments to foreigners. And Taiwan is a multi-cultural country, so you can meet people from all over the world.

But, don’t expect to see too many expats if the employer doesn’t find it necessary to hire an English teacher or a customer service representative that speaks Chinese. Now, people wonder if this country is safe for expat to live in. Well, that’s why we’ve compiled this article. Read further to understand better!

Ultimate Guide to Living In Taiwan as an Expat

1.    Learn Some Chinese First

Taiwan may be small, yet it’s one the most populous countries globally. To survive here, you will need to know at least some Mandarin or Taiwanese (the local dialect). The good thing is that Taiwanese people are usually friendly and patient with foreigners who try to speak their language.

Even if your Chinese language skills are abysmal, you can always answer with ‘DUI bu qi.’ This is Taiwanese for ‘I don’t understand, and it will baffle the Taiwanese person trying to help you.  You can also use this trick in China or Singapore as well.

2.    Watch Out For Scammers

Taiwan offers a variety of scams, and you need to know about them in order to protect yourself. There are good people here, but there are also bad ones who want your money or ID card.  To avoid being scammed, try not to give out your passport when renting a place.

Also, if somebody offers you a ‘gift,’ then it’s not free. They will ask you to pay an administrative fee afterward, and it can go up to hundreds of dollars.

3.    You Don’t Need a Car

Taiwan has one of the best public transportation systems in the world, which is why owning a car is not necessary here. There are buses, trains and even bicycles for rent.  If driving is your thing, then it’s okay to buy a scooter in Taiwan but make sure you have an international driving license with you since Taiwanese law doesn’t acknowledge any other driver’s license apart from this one. 

4.    Renting or Buying?

Taiwan is known for its high real estate prices.  It’s more affordable to rent a place here, but if you are looking for long-term investment, then buying might be good.  Keep in mind that the purchase of every real estate property has to go through an agent who will charge you fees. 

5.    Bring Extra Cash with You

Taiwan is famous for its night markets, and there are plenty of them in the country.  The food in these places is cheap, yet you might have trouble paying with a credit card since most vendors don’t accept it.  It’s wise to come with extra cash on you because you will want to eat your way through Taiwan and pay for souvenirs as well.

6.    Do Some Online Research on Taiwanese Culture

Taiwan has a very interesting culture, and it’s something that you should learn before coming here. Even if you do come from a country with its own unique culture, there will be things that are different in Taiwan.

Every place has its own set of rules and norms, and this is especially true when living in Asia.  To get acquainted with Taiwanese life, read articles or watch videos about what to expect from life here. You can also talk to other expats already living in Taiwan for advice.

7.    Avoid Using Taxis All the Time

Taiwan has a great public transport system consisting of trains and buses covering the entire country. It’s very affordable, and you can easily get from one end of Taiwan to the other using this method. Only use taxis if you are in a rush or feel unsafe when taking public transport. You can also take a taxi if it’s cheaper than the train but make sure to confirm the price with them beforehand.

8.    Pack Light

Taiwan is only around 36,000 square kilometers, but it has a lot of mountains which can make traveling difficult. If you want to go hiking or camping, you should pack light. By using public transport, not bringing unnecessary items, and keeping your bag small or compact will help you move around the country with ease.

Why Consider Taiwan A Good Place To Live?

In many ways, Taiwan is a good place to live as an expat. The cost of living is low, and the country has a lot going for it. There are some significant reasons why Taiwan isn’t necessarily a paradise for expats, however. Here’s a look at both sides of the coin.

The Pros

The first reason why Taiwan is a good place to live as an expat is that it’s easy for foreigners to get by without speaking Mandarin Chinese, the language that most Taiwanese people speak. This may not be the case in countries that are even more welcoming of expats than Taiwan.

However, it can certainly make life easier. There are English-speaking Taiwanese and plenty of foreigners who speak Mandarin, so even meeting people can be easy if you don’t make an effort to learn the language yourself between your 9 to 5.

The cost of living is another reason Taiwan is a good place to live as an expat. While it’s not free by any stretch of the imagination, it’s much cheaper to live in Taiwan than in other Asian countries like Japan or South Korea. Just because something costs less here doesn’t necessarily mean that quality of life is lower. You can be living simply without having to go without access to good healthcare and fresh food.

This high standard of living contributes to Taiwanese people being happier overall than in other parts of Asia. It’s a good place to live as an expat if you want to have access to the kinds of things that people in Western countries take for granted.

The Cons

Of course, there are many reasons that Taiwan is not necessarily a paradise for expats either. The biggest issue with living in Taiwan is the weather. It’s subtropical here, so it gets really hot and humid during the summer.

In fact, many Taiwanese people leave the country during this time to escape the heat at their own expense. And this is because; they know that they’ll be forced to pay a premium for air conditioning in their homes and cars once they return from holidaying elsewhere.

The rainy season can be nice because it’s more comfortable, but Taiwan is prone to typhoons, and the island isn’t particularly well-equipped for dealing with them. If you’re someone who has a low tolerance for discomfort, then this may not be the place for you.

Another concern that many people have about living in Taiwan is that they don’t speak Mandarin Chinese. Even though it’s possible to get by without speaking the language, you might miss out on some opportunities as a result, along with making yourself seem unprofessional in front of your Taiwanese colleagues and superiors.

The Verdict

Ultimately, Taiwan is not necessarily a paradise or hell for expats. It all comes down to what you’re looking for. If you want to live somewhere with a low cost of living and where it’s easy for foreigners to get by without speaking the native language, then Taiwan may be good for you.

If you want good weather, to be comfortable, and don’t mind making an effort to adjust, then Taiwan might still be a nice place for you. However, if you’re not willing to put in the time or effort, then it’s probably best that you go somewhere else. The language barrier can be difficult enough for some people without throwing the weather and comfort into the mix.