Job Discussion Forums

[eigo]

I'll be going to Taipei to look for work soon. Because I'm Australian I'll get the working holiday visa and then look for work from within the country.
What would be the cheapest accommodation for me to live in before securing a job?
I was hoping on finding a job first and then the apartment 2nd.
I don't want to get the apartment and then find out that my job is in the middle of whoop whoop or even the other way around.
Do people often stay in youth hostels or is there something even more affordable?
How much would it cost?
One other question, do apartments require key money and a minimum length of lease?

[markholmes]

Yes, lots of people stay in hostels when they first get to Taiwan, particularly in Taipei. Not sure of the costs because I have never done this, but I'm sure someone will be along shortly to fill in the blanks. Hostels are often goods places to pick up job leads.

Landlords don't require the extortionate amount of key money that is required in Japan if that is what you mean. Two months deposit usually does it and is often negotiable, as is length of contract. I would imagine you would forfeit your deposit if you left in the first year, but again this may be negotiable. You could always share an apartment. That might make the requirements a bit more flexible.

In a word (or a short sentence), Taiwan is not Japan.

[travisncali]

I have been doing the same and have found over my years of travel that hostels.com is the best place to book in advance for a place to stay for cheap. I found a decent hostel for 5 nights that costs only 63 US dollars. Just go to the page and type in Taipei and pick a hostel with good feed back. Cheers and Good luck. I am making my way there on September 5 myself.

[markholmes]

I would buy a Lonely Planet and have a flick through the accomodation section.