Job Discussion Forums

d moon · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 53

Just a quick question. I'm probably coming to Taipei in August to look for jobs. Assuming, that August is a good month to look for jobs and I get hired pretty quickly how much money will I need to survive until the first paycheck.

I'm used to living pretty modestly, in the PRC I ate in the same street restaurants as everyone else and would often sleep in the 招待所 when they didnt refuse me for being non-chinese.

I'm assuming about 100,000. Does that sound about right?

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

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

Incredible Ape · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 6:04 pm Post subject:

Yep 100,000 is a good figure to work with.

Jobs are easy to come by: I got offered 5 in a week, all around 550-600 p/h. Apartments are slightly harder to find. Most of the places on TEALIT were sh*tholes. I can't help wondering why teachers earning 60,000 p/m only spend 6,000 on a place, when they could pay an extra 2,000 and get somewhere liveable.

My biggest cost in the first two weeks was hotels. You get what you pay for. 400 a night will get you a shared room in a dorm, no aircon, people coming in at all hours. 600 p/n will get you a single room in a budget hotel with a nasty shower, no natural light, and no TV. Splash out on 1,000 p/n and you get a clean room, TV, ensuite bath and shower, stocked fridge, helpful reception.

Food wise, you CAN eat noodles on the street at 60 per meal. If you push the boat out to 120+ you are eating pretty nicely e.g sandwich and a coffee, or a sit down meat and rice dish.

Transport will add up if you're jobhunting...figure about 60 NT per round trip. The MRT is nice tho.

So, it all depends what level of comfort you are used to/can afford. I've had my share of squalor, so probably spent more than most on set up costs, about 2000 per day, before I got my place. You could do it on 1,000 if you don't mind slumming it. Oh, and don't forget you'll need to put down a deposit on your place, in the order of a months rent (poss 2) so you could need about 20,000+ on rent up front.

Taiwan ain't China-cheap.

d moon · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 53

Ha, that's a nice expression!

Its certainly alot cheaper than where I live now however in Paris. God I never thought I'd be missing Asia after only six months!

I'm going to try and come to Taipei around mid or late august so thanks for all the useful info.

Xenophobe · Joined: 11 Nov 2003 Posts: 163

If you have a bit of cash try using one of the real estate companies to find an apartment for you. We used Century 21 in Kaohsiung and they found us a beautiful place - 28th floor, new bldg., underground parking, 24 hr. security, 3 bed 2 bath + den with a roof top garden, in San Ming District, for 15 000 a mnth. It was across the alley from a new pool and gym and a five minute walk from Dollars. it was also a ten minute walk from work and Smokey Joes 2.

ramakentesh · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 145

My mate survived in Taipei without any employment for a month with $35000NT! He didnt know a soul either, so 100000 is a great figure.