Job Discussion Forums

[Mark]

Hi folks,

I've read through some of the archives here, and some on forumosa as well. I actually lived in Japan for a long time, and while I was there I sometimes checked in with the Taiwan boards just to see hot things were there.

Anyway, I'm considering a move to Taipei and I'd like to know if, given current conditions, it's realistic to hope to send $1,000 Canadian (or US, as it's basically the same now) home each month. That was my habit in Japan, and I'd like to keep it up.

My situation is that I have a job lined up that will pay about 590 per hour, and I should be getting between 20 and 25 hours per week. So, let's say 55,000 per month from my main job. I'm kind of going on the assumption that 40,000 per month is enough for a decent lifestyle. That would leave me 15,000, which is about $500. Then I could do some tutoring to make up the remaining $500?

Does that seem realistic? I've seen a wide variety of comments about how expensive it is to live in Taipei and how much people can realistically save. It's a bit difficult to get a sense of what is realistic.

Cheers for any thoughts.

[teacher4life]

It will take you some time to build up contacts, but if you hit the ground running maybe it will only take 3 months to get there.

[Mark]

Thanks for the reply.

3 months to build up the contacts for tutoring and perhaps other part-time work? I suppose that's not so bad. I have my main job already lined up if I want it, so I don't have to worry about that. I was kind of hoping I'd be able to get up and running a bit faster. I just realized that I forgot to figure in tax as well so I'd probably be saving relatively little out of my salary, and would have to make my 1k through tutoring and perhaps part-time work. Hmmmm.....

I'm used to Tokyo, where it's very easy to pick up private students or part-time work, but it seems different in Taipei.

Do you think that 40,000 is a reasonable monthly budget in Taipei? I don't have a terribly extravagant lifestyle. If anyone knows Tokyo, I kept my monthly budget around 200,000 yen.

[teacher4life]

If you are by yourself, live in a shittiesh apartment, and don't have fun you can live on 40,000 per month. 46,000 and your life will be much more interesting. With that extra 6,000 per month you can eat better, study Chinese, live in a better apartment, or get a couple happy massages per month.

[Taiwanease Guy]

Keep in mind that you'll be taxed at 20% if you arrive in the second half of the year - you'll eventually get that money back, but you'll feel the hurt initially. Privates (and jobs in general) are thin on the ground. There are still some jobs out there, but they are fewer and farther between.

Check out the forums at taiwanease.com if you have any questions. The posters there have a lot of collective experience.

[JZer]

[Mark]

[Mark]

[JZer]

[JZer]

[phdinfunk]

In Taoyuan I had a nice place, and had a lot of fun and my cost of living budget was about 40k per month. Out in the country where I live now, it's under 30k a month and I'm very happy.

Rent + 899 internet + approx 2000 for utils + 500/day feels GENEROUS for me to eat and buy little things (i.e. I went to the dentist for $150 today) = 18,000 + Rent. Toss in another 5k and you can take a weekend trip every month if you want. I pay as I go on my phone (If Card, Fareastone telecom).

Rent in Taoyuan, for a 14th floor apartment with big beautiful windows, good security, and everything super nice was 12k. Rent in Puli for 3 bedrooms, top floor, panorama views and good security is 8k. I have friends who rent low in Greater Taipei. Actually my buddy in Danshui has a much nicer place than I have, and it's cheaper.

I've found this daily budget NEVER makes me feel like I'm scraping.... Of course, I only drink once or twice a week, but I also eat whatever I feel like eating, take my girlfriend to movies and restaurants, etc....

I also buy my clothing at the trad. markets and I never shop at 3c or anything like that. I'm not a big consumer, so I never feel skint.... actually, I never even THINK about money.

But I've been here for five years. My first year was significantly less sensible. I had a phone contract, etc.... I got nickeled and dimed and hundreded and fiftied.....

[Mark]

[Mark]

[Solar Strength]

Mark,

Where in Tokyo are you living? It seems to me that you'd be better off living and working in Tokyo as a free-lancer.

I say this because if that's the idea for you in Taipei - working at various schools - then Tokyo would have much more work since it's so much bigger.

You'd also probably earn more money. I know that some people are earning 400,000 - 500,000 Yen a month free-lancing as part-time university teachers, high schools, conversation schools and then corporate classes in the evening.

I'm sure you know the score, since you're there already. But that's my take on it. Not that Taipei is a bad place to be located and teaching. For sure there are worse places to be.

[Mark]