Job Discussion Forums

celia · Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Posts: 5

Like the person who just started a topic about Kenting, I'm also looking for a job in southern Taiwan. The vast majority of listings I'm finding on the internet are for Taipei. Yes, there are listings for Kaohsiung (and northern and central cities aside from Taipei), and I suppose I'll consider Kaohsiung -- go there and take a look for myself.

But why the absence of ads for jobs in the south? As I understand, the whole Western half of Taiwan is pretty densely populated.

Please impart some wisdom on me.
Thank you!
Celia
(Arriving in October)

I_is_teach_English · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 44 Location: Taiwan

Taipei, as the capital is firstly the most westernised and big international business is based there, therefore English is seen as essential. Also, there is more money and people have more ambition, wanting better jobs for themselves and for their children (English fluency is a great skill to have on your CV). Even in Taichung, I have seen ads for one school that say, "English is no longer a choice, but a necessity." The further South you go, the further away from this mentality and the money you go. Kaohsiung is not a poor place, but there's less money to be made and thus less incentive to set up your business/school there. Don't get me wrong, there are lots of schools there, it's a big city, but there's just far more further North.

nineisone · Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 187

Isn't it often stated that Kaohsuing and other cities in the south often feel disrespected that they get so few subsidies from the national government while all the money goes into building Taipei as a major far east business center? I would assume this equates with the pollution problems in the south which also make these areas sometimes less attractive to foreigners.

dangerousapple · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 292

Southern Taiwan may or may not be a poor area, but Kaohsiung City is certainly not! The buxiban market is booming here, and has been for the last ten years. Salaries are the same as Taipei, and the cost of living is cheap! Unfortunately, this is starting to change now, as so many newbies are coming in that jobs are getting scarce. Taipei is a great place to spend money, but a terrible place to make it (as an English teacher).

The foreign community in Kaohsiung is pretty tight, and we often help our bosses out by introducing new teachers to them, or by bringing our friends over ourselves. Maybe that's why there are fewer ads on the Internet.

I was making 80,000 per month at my ARC job within 6 months of coming to Kaohsiung, and before I made the jump to owner I was making 100K or more every month. I am currently paying 13K per month for a house (a real one) with a front and back yard, at the base of a mountain. Gorgeous views and very quiet, right in the city.

Most people who knock Kaohsiung have never actually lived here.

celia · Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Posts: 5

how polluted is kaohsiung? is the sun often covered by smog?

dangerousapple · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 292

Kaohsiung is polluted, no doubt about it, but it's not that different from any other big city in Taiwan. During the summer it is sunny and clear most of the time, but very hot. However, in the winter the trade winds blow in a different direction, so some of the air pollution comes back. The air pollution index can get pretty high in the industrial areas, but the main parts of the city aren't too bad.

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 2:54 pm Post subject:

Kaohsiung's air is polluted in the extreme. You don't have to believe me, just check out this website between now and October, and you will see Kaohsiung's air quality index rarely registers below 100.

http://210.69.101.63/eme/default.aspx?mod=PsiAreaHourlyE

At time of writing Kaohsiung's air quality index is 70. Last week it was 60. It dropped to around 50 not very long ago, but that was because of the wet weather. It will continue to rise until either another typhoon hits, or the index passes the 100 mark again.