Job Discussion Forums

Cathy OB · Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 32 Location: Brisbane

Can anyone offer anyone offer any comments on living and working in Hsinchu?
I know that rent is higher than in the south of Taiwan. I can vaguely remember seeing some negative comments about Hsinchu on one of the forums.
Thanks Very Happy

Girl Scout · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 525 Location: Inbetween worlds

I lived in Hsin-chu for three years. I have very little negetive to say about. It's a modern city with all the comforts a foriegner could need. It's located on the train line and provides easy access to many other parts of the island. It's safe to walk the streets at night, or at least as safe as your home city. It is near the mountians, so it is easy to get out of the city and breath some fresh air. It is not far from the ocean, so it is also easy to find scenic areas. There is a large expat population and they are for the most part quite friendly.

There are too many scooters. There are no sidewalks, you have to walk in the streets. However that is the same situation as most cities. The bus system is difficult to navigate. It is better to buy your own scooter to get around. Although this add to the maddening traffic, this allow you to get to the mountian and coast at your leisure. It's almost never quiet, but then again I don't think any city in TW is quiet.

Then negetive situations you are refering to are isolated incidents that happened years ago. People change and situations change. Any smart person with an ounce a self-preservation who knows enough to protect themself from danger at home should use the same common sense while abroad. The biggest danger is thinking you are special and the rules are somehow different now.

If you have more specific question you can ask anytime.

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

The high speed rail is scheduled to open in Taiwan later this year. (Some people doubt that it will open on time, but if it is not this year then it will almost certainly open next year). There will be a station near the Science Park. That will make it very convenient to travel to any major city on the west coast of Taiwan. Even now there are still very regular bus and train services to Taipei. Taiwan is a small island. You are never that far away from anywhere else.