With the ESL market expanding rapidly, Taiwan has become a popular expat destination, especially with younger expats. Like with most countries, a move to this East Asian country comes with ups and downs. While the warm weather and plentiful travel opportunities have drawn many expats in, the culture shock and language barrier have also led many expats to cut their stay in Taiwan short.
Below are some of the biggest pros and cons of living in Taiwan.
Accommodation in Taiwan
+ PRO: Affordable accommodation is easy to find
Accommodation in Taiwan can be expensive in certain areas, but it won't take much effort to find an affordable place that suits an expat's needs, even if they only speak English. There are plenty of dedicated groups on social media for foreigners looking for accommodation for long or short-term stays in the country.
- CON: May not meet Western standards
The downside to accommodation in Taiwan is that apartments aren't all that modern and are generally rather small. Humidity also affects accommodation greatly. Apartments in Taiwan can get hot and humid in the summer months and, although most have air conditioning, cooling it down will result in high electricity bills.
Quality of life in Taiwan
+ PRO: Taiwan is safe
Taiwan is a safe country; more so than what many expats may be used to. It’s possible to walk around alone in most cities, even at night.
- CON: Air pollution is a reality
Taiwan suffers from extreme air pollution. This is especially the case in larger cities such as Taipei. Even before Covid-19 it was very common to see residents walking around with face masks. There are also times when the air pollution gets so bad that residents are advised to stay indoors.
- CON: Taiwanese cities can be crowded
Large cities in Taiwan tend to be crowded and noisy. The cities are densely populated which can come as quite a shock to expats. Expats who are used to space and quiet will take some getting used to the hustle and bustle in Taiwanese cities.
Lifestyle in Taiwan
+ PRO: Entertainment is easy to find
Taiwan has a variety of things for expats to do in their down time. It's very easy to find beautiful spots where expats can spend a day enjoying the outdoors, and Taiwan also has a fun nightlife scene. Most expats and locals are open and friendly, making it easy to find someone to have a drink with, even if it's short notice.
+ PRO: Delicious and affordable food
The food scene in Taiwan is incredible. Street food is delicious, budget friendly and can be found everywhere. Convenience stores like 7-Eleven also make it easy for residents to get tasty food on the run. Even going out for a night or eating at a nice restaurant in Taiwan is very affordable compared to the prices in most Western countries.
- CON: Expats will experience a language barrier
One of the biggest struggles for expats moving to Taiwan is the language barrier. Mandarin is famously hard to learn for those who haven’t grown up speaking it. With the language so hard to learn, it can affect different aspects of expat life like going to the grocery store, setting up banking or even going to the doctor.
Getting around in Taiwan
+ PRO: Excellent public transport options
The public transportation in Taiwan is excellent. The country has a wide range of options including trains, subways and buses. To add to this, public transportation is also very cheap. This makes it easy and affordable for expats to get around the country.
+ PRO: Google Maps is available
An issue many foreigners experience in Asian countries is that navigation apps in their home language aren’t available. That said, new arrivals can rest assured that they can still use their favourite navigation apps like Google Maps in Taiwan.
- CON: Strict rules on public transport
Taiwan has very strict rules when it comes to using public transport. This especially applies to the subway system. Some expats may be shocked to find that they aren’t even allowed to drink water on the subway. The reason for these strict rules is to keep the subway system clean.
- CON: Driving can be dangerous
Many expats choose not to drive in Taiwan. This is because roads tend to be congested and dangerous to drive on. Many Taiwanese drive scooters and don’t seem to follow the rules of the road. This can take some getting used to. It’s therefore advised for expats to stick to public transport.
Weather in Taiwan
+ PRO: Winters are mild
Winters are famously mild in Taiwan. Average lows range between 54ºF and 58ºF (12ºC and 15ºC) during the day, while night-time temperatures in the northern region of Taiwan can dip to the mid 40ºF range (below 10ºC).
- CON: Summers can be extremely hot
Summers in Taiwan can take some getting used to. Temperatures can get extreme, with highs ranging between 80ºF and 87ºF (27ºC and 31ºC). What makes summers even more extreme is the intense humidity Taiwan experiences, which increases the real-feel temperatures considerably.
- CON: Typhoons and heavy rain occur frequently
Like in many Asian countries, Taiwan suffers through an annual typhoon season. Typhoon season in Taiwan usually lasts from July until September. This season is characterised by extreme rain showers, thunderstorms and strong winds. Expats need to invest in proper raincoats and umbrellas if they want to survive the Taiwanese rainy season.
Expat Health Insurance
Cigna Global
If you’re thinking about taking out private health insurance, our trusted partner Cigna Global is very aware of all the difficulties that expats can face when it comes to healthcare in a new location, so they have created a range of international health insurance plans specifically designed for expats, which you can tailor exactly to the needs and ensure access to quality care for you and your family.
Moving Companies
Moving Internationally?
Sirelo has a network of more than 500 international removal companies that can move your furniture and possessions to your new home. By filling in a form, you’ll get up to 5 quotes from recommended movers. This service is free of charge and will help you select an international moving company that suits your needs and budget.
