Job Discussion Forums

tweed · Joined: 21 Nov 2003 Posts: 11 Location: Taiwan

Hello,
I have read so many positive posts on living in the major cities and so would like to know some good points of small city living. In particular Tuchen city. And on the off chance that someone is teaching in Tuchen city and can give me a first hand account or perhaps would like a new friend soon your info would be most welcome. Thank you.
-T

mjed9 · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 242

Tu Chen (part of Taipei County) is not all that. I taught there for nine months ... there ain't nothing going on! But I suppose it could be worse. Once they finish the MRT Blue line (in about 2-3 years) it will be better!

Sorry Embarassed

On a brighter note, there is a beautiful temple or dozen in the mountains that surround Tu Chen if you're into hiking.... highly recommended Wink

Pop Fly · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 429

Alot of my students live in TuChen and come to Panciao to study. With a scooter, you may as well be living in Taipei. It really is all very close. I can run from my home in Zhong Ho in southwest Taipei County, up to Damshui or GuanDu in northern TP County in 40-45 minutes.

I am a firm believer in south and west Taipei County living. It's not all that much to look at, but its cheap and Taipei is right across a bridge or two.

If you look at a map of Taipei city and realize that you can bicycle from TaiDa University in SW Tpe to SongShan Airport in NE Tpe in less than 30 minutes, you'll get an idea of how small it really is...and flat too. The truly amazing thing is that on that same bike ride, you'll peddle past 1 million people.

And you don't have to buy the expensive garbage bags that those city folks' gotsta buy. Razz

Popular (and more expensive parts) of Tpe Cnty are Shr Ling, TianMu, BeiTou and NeiHu. Quite picturesque really. YangMin as a backdrop, all but Neihu are nicely accesible by MRT as are Yong Ho, Zhong Ho in the SW. MuzHa, although not in the county, is quite nice. It's like a small mountain University town, cooler, cleaner (some say Wink

) and it too has MRT service. I once visited some friends who live out in Shi Jr in a quite luxurious apartment (3Bdrm) for 15,000/month. They rode motorcycles in (or big scooters) and didn't seem to mind the commute too much.

I have also lived in Hsin Chu and quite enjoyed it. There was a good expat scene, a couple of clubs and nice drives in both mountain and seaside settings. I have been back recently and the downtown area has really spiffed up. Very romantic stroll along the viaduct...lotsa quaint bistros with grweat ambient lighting. Very nice.

Alot cheaper to rent there or any other mid-size down. People have been telling me I can get a huge house in KaioShung for 9K.

And I'll tell ya, its getting chilly here in Taipei. It is very similar weather to Seattle or Vancouver (more acid in the rain) but it seems colder because central heating does not exist here. Nor do basements, but I digress.

I am starting to think about wintering down there in the KaioShungian tropics. Being able to hop on my faux-hawg "Piglet" and zip down to KenTing in a couple of hours really appeals to me.

If I could, I would live in KenTing, HuaLien or TaiDong. There just isn't the demand for my personal teaching preference in those towns.

I have been thru many other small towns here on Isla Formosa and can only report great things about them. The people are always quick with a smile and a hearty laugh if you can manage to grunt out some Taiwanese. I like to tell then I am a gangster. They really love that. Here, try it yourself...."Wa Shi Low Mwua"....

mjed9 · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 242

mjed9 · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 242

But I digress.

Popfly is right ... this section of Taipei county (SW) is reasonable to live in ... cheaper and yet still conveniently located but don't kid yourself the place is filthy! Walkiing down the streets is like negotiating an obstacle course ... scooters, rubbish, steps, posts, fences, c-ockroaches the size of your hand and the occasional spatially unaware Taiwanese!

BUT I love living here! Freak! Wink

Pop Fly · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 429

tweed · Joined: 21 Nov 2003 Posts: 11 Location: Taiwan

Thank you for that beautifully filthy picture of Tuchen! I will definitely hit the hiking trails. Is it relatively easy to get to Taipei by bus or will I be spending all my weekends getting in touch with nature? Are foriegners a common sight? I arrive in less than two weeks now so I guess I'll see.
-T

wix · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 250 Location: Earth

I used to live in Tucheng and work in Panchiao. It is really not a bad place. It is really not that difficult to get into Taipei City whenever you want. Just get to the Panchiao Railway Station and you can be there in ten minutes.

The MRT line to Tucheng will be completed in 2005 and I imagine the place will become a lot more sophisticated after that. Even since the first time I was in Taiwan in 1999 it has changed a lot with more cafes and supermarkets and so on.

Perhaps the best thing about Tucheng is being close to the mountains where there are some nice walks. The area around Chengtian Temple is very easily accessible. If you have more time head out to Sanhsia where the mountains are even more beautiful. Have a look at my webpage on Tucheng and Panchiao for more information.

Despite what many foreigners might lead you to believe there is much more to Taipei than Yangmingshan and Tienmu.