Job Discussion Forums

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 8:07 pm Post subject: Chiayi or Taichung

I've been offered jobs in both places. Based on the following, what would you recommend?

1. I'm not a fan of big, crowded cities.
2. I enjoy a Spartan lifestyle.
3. I prefer to live somewhere smaller and travel to the larger cities on weekends.
4. I have no idea what the air quality is like in either place.
5. I don't need the wild nightlife associated with places like Taipei.
6. I don't mind inclement weather.
7. I have never been to Taiwan.

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

You should have added an option that reads as follows: "neither, because you should get here before making any firm commitments as to where you will live."

The air quality in the places you list will not be signifigantly better than Taipei.

I'm assuming you have no Mandarin or Taiwanese ability. This is a huge obstacle for the newcomer. In major centers there are loads of people who can speak some English. Outside of them, really nobody can. Even going to the corner store can be a huge adventure in culture shock. Also, expats will be fewer and farther between, limiting social opportunities. Another point worthy of consideration: what Taiwanese would call countryside is different from what a westerner would call countryside. Taiwanese "countryside" is often surprisingly developed, densely populated and polluted.

It's also a bad idea to commit to a job from overseas. It's in your best interest to get here and investigate schools carefully. You needn't worry; jobs for English teachers are plentiful.

Bottom line: Get here, take a look around, do some interviews and make an informed choice concerning living and working. Those decisions will affect your whole Taiwan experince.

surrealia · Joined: 11 Jan 2003 Posts: 241 Location: Taiwan

I've lived in both places and I prefer Taichung. It has a better transportation system, more fun stuff to do, better Western food, and more people who speak "some" English. Taichung is a big polluted crowded city, and Chiayi is a small polluted crowded city.

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

You need to be in Taiwan to find a good job. Accepting work sight unseen on Taiwan is asking for trouble.
Please read this as it applies to you,
http://www.geocities.com/taiwanteacher2002/Success.html
also read the Travel and Work Advisory for Chaiyi that was issued after the wrongful death of a foreign teacher in Chaiyi.
http://www.geocities.com/taiwanteacher2002/Warning_Chaiyi.html
Good luck,
A.

matchstick_man · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 244 Location: Taiwan

However the above poster left the warning you may be run over by a blue truck or more likely a scooter carrying an entire family crossing the road anywhere in Taiwan off his website.

matchstick_man · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 244 Location: Taiwan

Go to the East Coast not the West. You're more likely to find the things you are after. I lived in Taichung County for two years and had a 1 hour bus ride to the city. Bus services stopped after midnight. However there are more foreigners where I am now. A small bar scene.

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 6:30 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the input everyone. I've been around long enough to know not to commit without seeing that to which I am committing.

At the moment I'm leaning towards Taichung, the job offer in Chiayi isn't that great an offer and I'm sure I can find better in Taichung once I arrive.

I was simply interested in hearing the opinions of others.