Job Discussion Forums

chi-chi · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 127 Location: Back in Asia!

In answer to your question, let me pose one myself.
Say you want to buy a car.
You have three choices:
A Daewoo Lanos, which is cheap and economical but with a rough ride (drives all over the road, and is hard to control.)
Then you have Ford. The initial cost of a Ford is in-between, but you never know what to expect from them. Some people have good luck with their Fords, others are ALWAYS having to take them to the shop. Some can never get theirs to start. Their Ford is always Sick and costing them.
Then you have a Beemer-no, let's make that a Mercedes, as far as things go. Huge initial cost. But so much less money spent for repairs later on, and the vehicle is made to last.
So what kind of car would you choose?
I've driven Daewoo and Ford, and happen to like neither. I'm working hard and saving up for my Mercedes.
But then again, some people DO like to downgrade to cheaper cars.
Chi-Chi

jason_seeburn · Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 399 Location: Toronto

jason_seeburn · Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 399 Location: Toronto

Frankie Knuckles · Joined: 30 Sep 2003 Posts: 36

chi-chi I think it is an interesting analogy you make but I am not quite sure it is really a very accurate reflection on these countries. You say a Mercedes requires a huge initial cost but much less for repairs spent later on. This maybe true of the car ,however, if the Mercedes is supposed to be representative of Japan I am not so sure there is less spent on repairs later on. Japan doesn't just suddenly cost less after you have been there a few years, it will always be expensive. In time you may find ways to cut costs in Japan but if you want to live any kind of reasonable existence you have to part with quite alot of cash. When I was there I cooked the same dinner again and again just so that I could save some money. If you eat out in Japan regularly like you can do in Taiwan you would not be able to save very much money. I am not trying to diss Japan because as a country I do prefer it Taiwan. I also find that in general Japanese people are more welcoming and friendly than some Taiwanese I have met. All I am trying to say is that if you are smart about it I think you can more easily save more money in Taiwan while living a more fulfilling lifestyle than you can in Japan. Frankie

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

frankie knuckles,

Good points.

strangelove · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 26 Location: Formosa

demaratus · Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 38

Can't answer for Japan or Japanese people (both I'm sure are great). But The concensus I have heard from people who have worked there and in Korea is that Japan pays the most but doesn't afford the same standard and quality of life that Taiwan does as far as how far your paycheck can take you. Mind you most people I know in Taiwan are making 100,000nt a month or better (which isn't the norm for most). Even on 50,000nt a month a person can live a comfortable life in Taiwan, afford to travel, and eat like a king. Living on noodles and dumplings can't be great, 3 dollars gets you steak and veggies at a Taiwanese tappenyaki joint. And while vacation in Japan might amount to 30 paid days, is that enough to travel well within Japan? A weekend at a decent place in Kenting or Haulien is cheap and easy for teachers in Taiwan, I doubt domestic travel in Japan is nearly as accessible to teachers in Japan. Or is it easy to get a reasonable flight and trip to SE Asia? Flights out of Taiwan are cheap, not Singapore, Hong Kong or Bangkok cheap, but not too far off. I know flights out of Japan are not cheap.

I am sure Japan is an interesting place, but Taiwan isn't terrible by any stretch. Taiwanese people, esp young people are very friendly and outgoing. most people say that Japanese people can be incredibly friendly and less inclined to staring and blatant rudeness. The laws of Japan look to be better for foreigners than in Taiwan and I don't think even Taipei can compare to the big cities of Japan as far as nightlife or entertainment. Both places have advantages, and I am sure for really big money Japan has better opportunities (Its a bigger place with bigger opportunities), but I haven't heard of people going to Japan to pay off loans, it still can be done in Taiwan.