Job Discussion Forums

[SEndrigo]

Hi again,

Just want to get your opinions here, what is the most happening, liveliest nightlife area in Taipei, and what would a studio OR 1 bedroom apartment cost there per month?

I don't care if the place is extremely small, my only concern is a central place that is close to nightlife.

Thanks a lot for any advice you could give me!

[tedkarma]

I lived out on Min Sheng Dong Lou (sp?) - [Min Sheng East Road] - in the financial district and it was prime area for good night life (Hard Rock and lots of other places in the area) and also provided numerous Business English opportunities that I could walk to from my apartment.

I rented a nice apartment though and it was pricey because of the area. It was a two-bedroom rooftop apartment (8th floor with great views - and a beautiful rooftop garden - for about US$800 a month at the time. It was a bit expensive but my wife and I were both working and the area provided lots of opportunity for private teaching - which we both did and the spare bedroom served as a classroom.

We had lived in a tiny apartment in an out-of-the-way area in Korea for the two years previous and just wanted something comfortable and in the midst of things.

Other super areas were around the major universities.

[Miyazaki]

Yes, Ted, that's a good area.

Hard Rock is gone now.
TGIF is a block down the road and popular now.

The Chung Shan area, around Taipei Station, is also a convenient area to be located. Supermarkets, buses and MRT stations.

The cross section of Nan Jing East Rd. and Chung Shan North Rd. is a good area, i think. Lots of buses and Chung Shan, Shuanglinan and Taipei MRT stations along Chung Shan North Rd.

Also lots of Schools around Taipei station in the buxiban area (Nan Yang area).

Moreover, if you're new to Taipei and haven't got your own apartment yet, the Nanjing East Rd. and Chung Shan North Rd. area has plenty of guest houses to stay in - all within 10 minutes walk to Taipei Main Station.

[forest1979]

There's plenty of decent areas in Taipei but be aware that we subjective "what's best..?" type questions no one can provide the perfect answer to your question. For instance, what's your budget? If you're flushed then head to Tienmu which has plenty of cafes, restaurants, bars, etc. - a lot more westernised too. Otherwise places like Shihlin should be considered. It's got its own metro station, it's a pretty lively place at the best of times and then there's the famous night market.

However, I don't want to sound like sound one on a high horse here but your request to be near night clubs and if necessary thus live in a shoe box often confirms the image that many Taiwanese have of westerners, i.e. just in Taiwan for a good time. By all means have a good time in Taiwan, and it is a great place to enjoy yourself, but bear a thought for the rest of the western population who have other pleasures in life than techno and alcopops.

[SEndrigo]

[SEndrigo]

[SEndrigo]

[forest1979]

SEndrigo - Although Taipei is a large city it doesn't have the inconveniences of Asia's megacities so don't worry too much about commuting 2 hours each way. The city's metro is very efficient and the bus system not only cheap but very comprehensive in nature. From Tienmu buses run to either Shihlin or Shih Pai MRT stations and cost NT$15 per ride. In fact you can buy a travel card that you charge up at will that allows you to ride on all forms of public transport. Just to give you a bearing, from Shihlin it takes about 10-12 minutes to Taipei Main Station, the heart of the city's transport system and CBD. Shih Pai is about 20-25 minutes from Taipei Main Station.

Also be prepared that Taiwan has a different entertainment culture than in other parts of the world. Although nightclubs do exist most people go out for a meal and then KTV, not so much the Ministry of Sound! However, if eating out is your thing then Tienmu would be a decent spot. Plenty of restaurants along Chung Shen North Road and Tienmu West Road, plus back street places as well. Shih Pai Road which isn't too far away has some more localised food places, but has a decent sushi place as well. However as Tienmu is the most internationalized part of the city that's where you're likely to find Indian, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, fast foods etc., all relatively close together.

[SEndrigo]

Oh yeah, to that end, I may as well ask this right now in this thread, let's say I were going to rent a 1 bedroom apartment in either Tienmu or ShiLin, for 3 months.

How much money do you think I should bring with me total (not counting the cost of the plane ticket or tuition, but just my rent, food, and going out expenses considering that I want to go out 3-4 nights a week and live centrally)?

I know it's difficult to give anything more than a ballpark estimate here, but I'd like to have some kind of idea of how much I'd need. Quoting in NT$ would be just fine.

Thanks a lot guys for all of your help. You guys rock!

[SEndrigo]

[Miyazaki]

NOT Tienmu!

Tienmu is not located in a central part of the city but kind of outside of the city, at the foot of Yang Ming Shan.

Too far from everything and a pain in the *ss to get to the central downtown areas if you live there.

Also, there aren't any night clubs in Tienmu.
Furthermore, no pubs really.
The Tienmu area is dead in terms of going out and partying.

Instead, you need to look at Zhong Xiao East Rd. and Dunhua Rd. areas, if you want to be located in an area close to bars, pubs, popular restaurants and night clubs.

Popular clubs / pubs / restaurants in the area:

- Brass Monkey
- Malibu East
- Bliss
- On Tap
- Luxy
- Tavern
- Carnegies
- Citizen Cane
- Taipei Sports Bar

Listen, you do not want to be living in Tienmu if you want to go out 3 or 4 nights a week.

That's for sure.

Also, if you were living in Japan (Tokyo?), Taipei is going to be a huge disappointment for you with respect to choices for bars, pubs, night clubs, restaurants, etc.

$100 NT for a 15 minute taxi ride or so.

[chienkun]

Hey there,

I lived in Taipei from 1997 to 2002 and have read some of the responses - so forgive me if I'm out of touch, but I don't think Taipei has changed that dramatically in the past 5 years. First, I agree with the one poster who said Tienmu is not the place you are looking for and for all of the reasons given. It's not a hotspot, it is inconvienently located, not very interesting...I could go on. I'm suprised no one mentioned the area around the Shr Da night market. Lot's of young people around there, very convienent for pubs, quick eats, easy to get to other parts of the city from, many things located in walking distance, and lots of affordable places for the temporary resident. I would also suggest the Yung He area - it's quintessential Taiwan - very "Re Nou" or lively, bustling, neon lights, more "local", and connects easy to Taipei proper by way of MRT, buses, and taxis. Oh, and by the way, Taxis are very affordable in Taiwan!

[tedkarma]

[forest1979]

I'm struggling to believe what I am reading here! Anyone got a map of Taipei or know of how Taipei can rapidly change?

Yes, I mentioned Tienmu as it's a suburb and a place where newbies can easily fit into, by I take it some people on this thread haven't been there for a while? Sogo? Restuarants? Bars? Anyone noted these last time they went to Tienmu! Buses too...to the MTR stations...plenty of them. So, Tienmu might not be kicking like the Brass Monkey on a Friday night but there's still plenty to go at.

[SEndrigo]