Job Discussion Forums

[Trebek]

Hi all,

I have a few questions:

I am a veteran certified public school teacher in the US and would like to move to Taiwan. After years of doing the public school grind I would like to take a couple years off and just take it easy. Ideally, I wish to teach about 4 or 5 hours per day and spend the rest of my time, reading, writing, and learning Mandarin.

Is it possible to do this w/o starving to death? I have a full time public school job offer from Taiwan, but it would be the same busy schedule that I'm trying to escape from.

Any recommendations, for a nice laid back, less polluted, place to live? (exciting nightlife isn't important). I heard "Hsinchu" might be that type of place.

Thanks in advance,

Trebek

[MomCat]

Trebek,

Yes, you can live by working just 4-5 hours a day. (approx 38-48K/mo after 20% taxes).

You may not save anything and your travels will most likely be limited to the island.

Housing outside of Taipei will probably cost you 10,000/mo or less (Hsinchu will be on the high end of that figure).

You will have expenses in the first couple of months that will need to be paid by what you bring with you. They include 3 months rent (first month and two month's security deposit), the price of a scooter (perhaps 20,000) or taxi money until you get a scooter.

I believe that the biggest obstacles you'll face are the ability to group the 4-5 hours close enough to have your non-working hours be productive and being able to find an employer that will give you a part time contract without continually badgering you about taking more hours at less convenient times.

Hsinchu is certainly laid back and, as long as you don't live too near the Science Park. the pollution isn't bad compared to the big cities.

I'm a huge proponent of Hsinchu, especially for anyone wanting to teach adults or be around a more "mature" expat community. If I was teaching kids I'd also look at Taichung.

Good luck,
Cat

[Trebek]

Thanks Cat,

Taichung looks like a great place, but I prefer the smaller towns. Actually Hsinchu seems pretty big to me. If it's less polluted with less traffic, and has job opportunities, then it would be a good place to check out. Saving and traveling outside of Taiwan are not necessary. Just a laid back place to take it easy for a year or two. Exploring the area by scooter sounds like a blast!

Cheers,

Trebek

[seamac]

you basically outlined my life teaching in a smaller city. my city only has about 90 000 and is about 10km from Hsinchu. i work at a cram school and work is from 4-9PM M-F. my rent is quite cheap and my apartment is much larger than ones that i have seen in Taipei. i have lots of free time for reading, studying mandarin and exploring the hills.

it is less polluted than most everywhere that I have been in Taiwan, but it has the obvious drawback of lacking the foreign comforts that the larger cities offer. living here is likely pretty reflective of many of the smaller cities in Taiwan: not much of an expat community; and, not much to do. i like it, but i wouldn't recommend living here unless you are quite independent.