Job Discussion Forums

Imagine8 · Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 2:28 am Post subject: CLEAN AIR AND NATURE!

Hey everyone,

We've been in Taiwan for about two months now. We live in western Taipei county, which initially appealed to us because of the assumption that the air quality would be better than in Taipei city. That may be true, but it is certainly not good. We have yet to see more than a couple square feet of grass. We didn't expect rolling green hills when we came here, but we didn't expect to mind as much, either.

We are loving Taiwan in general and our jobs, but we are suffering from the pollution and missing nature like crazy. So our questions is this:

Where should we consider relocating, if we do? Where in Taiwan can we enjoy at least a little bit of nature and still find work teaching English? Is it possible?

Any advice would be appreciated!! Thanks!

BigWally · Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 9:15 am Post subject:

In theory, it is possible to find teaching jobs on the east coast of the island. Cities like Hualien or TaiDong, but I once heard a tale that there are only 3 foreigners living in TaiDong, and they hold down the entire market for English Teachers.

Imagine8 · Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 9:46 am Post subject:

Interesting....

Any advice on which are the least polluted places on the west coast? Are there any? I mean...it doesn't have to be paradise....just some grass to sit on....please? Sad

Thanks for the response. Very Happy

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

Beitou, Tamsui, parts of Neihu, Shilin. All these places are in greater Taipei and all within a stones throw of Yangminshan national park, with rolling hills aplenty and/or very near the coast.

Do you have a scooter? I've been to Linkou and seem to remember that grass is not that far away if you have access to a scooter (but the land is flat, not rolling). Even Yangminshan is a doable distance on a scooter, if you need to get out for the day. Stunning scenery and clean air up there.

From my apartment in Neihu I could be half way up a mountain within 10 minutes of leaving my house.

Lots of people actually live in Yangminshan.

strangelove · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 26 Location: Formosa

Don't know much about Linkou, but lots of places to get out and hike around in Taipei county... easy to get away if you are conveniently located and/or have wheels. South Taipei (Muzha & Xindian) is also convenient since they are near the mountains... assuming you want to live in the Taipei area.

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

having wheels is the key

Imagine8 · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 3:46 am Post subject:

Hmmm...no scooter yet...but soon, we hope.

We are not currently attached to any specific part of the island....as long as we can find work...and of course nature....we'll be happy

BigWally · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 4:32 am Post subject:

The cities in the south are dirty, but they do provide access to some beautiful landscape as well. For example, from Kaohsiung, you can be in the mountains of Maolin within 2 hrs, or you can be on the beaches of Kenting in about an hour. There are some nice places to go hiking around town, such as Monkey Mountain (where you can walk up to the "wild" Macaw Monkeys and feed them - but thats bad!!! - out of your hand), or you can go down by the harbour and walk along the ocean there.

Granted the south does offer more pollution for your dollar, but cost of living is a bit lower, which allows more spending for your weekend get aways.

Hell, rent a car and do the drive to Taidong that only takes like 3 hours. Then you're on the spectacular east coast!

Just some other options to consider!

Ganbei! Surprised

SEndrigo · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 437

Hey guys,

Speaking of cars, I know most people seem to like scooters (due to their convenience and low cost) but I was wondering what your experiences are with having cars in Taiwan.

I don't know about Taiwan, but at least in Japan, it was prohibitively expensive to run a car, what with paying hundreds of dollars a month just to park it, maintenance, inspections, high cost of gasoline, etc.

Does anyone know what it costs to park a car in a major city in Taiwan, and if it's feasible to own one, if you don't live in Taipei?

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

dreadsword · Joined: 05 Oct 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Winnipeg, Canada

I've found the Flickr "world map" to be a great way to explore an area:

[taiwan] http://flickr.com/map/?&fLat=24.173609&fLon=122.069091&zl=10

Just zoom in further to different parts of the island, and you'll see plenty of people's photos to flip through.

I saw some job postings in Yi-lan city (east coast) that sounded appealing. Yi-lan is north of Lotung on the Flickr map - lots of photos of surfing and so on make it look at least worth a weekend reconnaissance trip.

I'll be moving to Taipei from Canada next Jan - and I'm already anticipating missing the easy access to truly wild spaces that I enjoy now.

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

Actually you can even find places in Taipei City and County where you can live in pleasant green surroundings. I really suggest you get out on the weekends and explore Taipei a bit. You will be surprised by how many hiking trails there are a short distance from various MRT stations.

I live ten minutes walk from an MRT Station. My apartment has a garden and there is a river right nearby that you can swim in!!! I think this is what makes Taipei a great place to live.

Imagine8 · Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 11:29 am Post subject:

That sounds great! What I meant to ask is where I should explore. Any specific suggestions?

Thanks!

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

SEndrigo · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 437