Job Discussion Forums

mick_luna · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 115 Location: toronto

i've never been, but it sounds as though its better to look when I'm there rather than trying to deal with recruiters and such over the net. There seem to be a lot of dodgy offers out there.

i would like a place that's cool to ride a bike, where i won't choke on pollution or be killed by psycho drivers. somewhere relatively close to taipei might be good, as i hear that's where most of the publishing is (i write and illustrate as well as teach).

how much does a used commuter bike cost there? i imagine a lot of manufactured goods are fairly cheap?

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

mick_luna · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 115 Location: toronto

okinawa sounds interesting,what's that like for work,social life,etc?
i am looking at taiwan though, as a better work option. from what i hear, there are areas which aren't too dirty or traffic-mad.

to really get away from it all, go to the solomon islands. that was nice, but again, not a lot of work options or money around.

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

Sorry, I meant Okinawa and Guam as a joke. If you want to live near Taipei, but without pollution I would consider somewhere in Yangminshan. It's a national park, but is close enough to Taipei that it is commutable. I'm not sure how suitable it is for push bikes though, as some of those hills are pretty big.

Also consider Danshui (Tamsui, Damsui) north of Taipei. It's a nice town and you could probably find something quiet. The coast road, north of Yangminshan, would be good for riding and is quite spectacular.

Have you considered changing the size of your avatar to something more reasonable?

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 12:48 am Post subject:

mick_luna, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease resize your avatar to the specified dimensions.

mick_luna · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 115 Location: toronto

ah, Zoidberg, intimidated by my size and crustacean devouring capabilities, are we? my bellowing is a babe magnet.

Can anyone give me any indication re: prices of used commuter bicycles? are manufactured goods generally quite cheap there?

Pop Fly · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 429

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

Pop Fly · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 429

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

One of the few items you can still get a good deal on is high-end bicycles.
If you are determined to come to Taiwan and it would help if you were because it takes a bit of determination to live her, then Tan Sui is probably the best place for you.

It is a little town on the coast and is the last stop on the Taipei MRT line so you don't have to worry about the deadly traffic.
If you get a place just outside of town you can bike to the Tan Sui MRT station, then ride to work in air conditioned discomfort.

Please read this,
10 Steps to Success on Taiwan!
Good luck!
A.

wood · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 202

mick_luna · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 115 Location: toronto

Thanks Aristotle. Do you know of any good schools near Tan Sui, or are you recommending working in downtown Taipei and commuting? Are there any schools you recommend, generally?
It sounds like the multiple entry visa is the best to get, in case one needs to leave and come back.
cheers
Mick

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

See Pop Fly, that's what happens when you don't take a poster seriously, HE'S STARTED TAKING ARISTOTLE SERIOUSLY!!!

I had already mentioned Tan Sui, Damshui, Tam shui, and Dan Shui and Aristotle got all the thanks. It is a slippery slope indeed.

In an effort to redeem myself I offer the poster this link;

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/tw/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp

A Taiwanese company with a truly international reputation.

Pop Fly · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 429

mick_luna · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 115 Location: toronto

i don't believe that one can write anyone off, just because they have a bee in their bonnet about a particular issue. I got angry about a lot of stuff i saw in Vietnam, the rampant xenophobia and hardcore conservative Confucian and mercenary attitudes behind the smiles, and i can see how someone could get worked up about a place. However, Aristotle isn't writing the place off entirely, he is advising on what he sees as the best way of negotiating the situation. Also, he has apparently been there for some time, and i haven't.

Also, he didn't nitpick about the size of my avatar. I don't have access to photoshop right now, or the time to deal with issues like that, i'm scrambling to get to Asia by the end of the month, and as i don't have work or housing lined up yet, that is a tricky business.

What is the problem with the size, it makes you scroll down more? ah, the vicissitudes of the forum user, its a tough life if you don't weaken.