Job Discussion Forums

kpjf · Joined: 18 Jan 2012 Posts: 385

Hi all,

I of course know from reading this forum that Taiwan is supposed to be dead with few opportunities but I was in touch with a recruiter after I saw a job in a private school at 85k with free housing which seemed like a very good deal (and quite high for Taiwan). Anyway, I applied for it, but annoyingly, during the interview the salary mentioned was only 69k with 5,000 accommodation allowance. After querying this I was told that the original job was gone and this was the job on offer in a public school in New Taipei City.

Is 69,000 NTD/month with 5,000 towards housing a good salary for a public school job in New Taipei City? It’s 8-4:30 Mon-Fri. I have never taught in Taiwan (or Asia for that matter) but the salary seems reasonable enough (of course I do realise 5,000 won't go far for accommodation). However, I do realise that Taiwan seems to get a bad rep here, so I'd like some opinions.

Thanks in advance!

Spelunker · Joined: 03 Nov 2013 Posts: 392

I'm always confused the the accomodation situation for FT's in Taiwan.

Presumably the 5000 is enough to cover a flat, but deposit and first months rent is also covered, or deposit is up to you to pay and recover, the school pays the rent?

kpjf · Joined: 18 Jan 2012 Posts: 385

Spelunker · Joined: 03 Nov 2013 Posts: 392

these boards seem dead, but these are good points. Bueller, bueller?

Grendal · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2016 2:23 pm Post subject:

according to XE currecy converter that comes to roughly 2340 US dollars a month full package.

If you spend 475 US dollars (max) a month on housing then that's less than 25% of salary going on rent. I always look at this ratio when looking for jobs and housing costs. you should pay no more than 25% of your salary on rent.

end of transmission

Grendal

Old Surrender · Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2016 3:21 am Post subject:

Sounds like you got a public school gig. Well, New Taipei is a heckuva lot cheaper than Taipei, but 5000 won't cover all of your housing. 5000 is doable in most places outside of Taipei.

Chopin16 · Joined: 30 Nov 2016 Posts: 69

it's the public school position as I posted on another thread. You have to be a qualified teacher from your home country to get accepted in Taiwan. I looked into it. 69k includes the 5000 salary. when I enquired they were looking for teachers in Taoyniun city or somat. Also how much is tax there? I think that that 64k is only 49k after tax I believe. It's a bad deal unless you get loads of privates in the evenings or do a second job at a cram school.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

phdinfunk · Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 69

5000 bucks a month isn't going to cover your whole rental expense in new Taipei city. I doubt it's even intended to do that.

Where in New Taipei city, though?

I think there's still a decent sized apartment in Sansia that to my knowledge has been for rent for about a decade for around 8k, because it overlooks a cemetery. I've looked at that place three times over the years. I walked past the complex just before leaving the island last summer and there was a "for rent" sign out front. I guess you could rent one of a few places against superstitious Taiwanese people.

In Puli, there's a big house for sale for much less than normal price, rated for earthquakes, three stories, has a huge jacuzzi for several people. Basically a freaking castle. But it's right by a cemetery. My friend was considering it, but his Taiwanese wife was like, "What if my scooter breaks down while I'm driving over the cemetery?!" So, he had to pass on a house any Westerner would consider a steal.

And up North of Taipei, close to DanShui (TamSui on the map, named in Minanhua), a friend of mine owns a huge house overlooking the sea and the river and all of Danshui, near where a bunch of foriegners live, because you guessed it, part of the view is a prominent cemetery.

So, look for the place that Taiwanese don't want, with no disadvantage for you, sometimes you can get a good deal.