Job Discussion Forums

[mobrien86]

Hello, I am applying to Hess right now and trying to figure out my city preferences. I am finding very nebulous information about Kaoshiung, mostly that it's a polluted harbor city, but I can't get a sense of the place. I have a few specific questions, but it might help to tell you about myself and my preferences. I would prefer a warmer, more tropical climate to live in, and a decent social life for an expat but hopefully a lot of nature related activities to do. I love the beach the most, for swimming, surfing, and camping.
1) What are some specific positives about living in Kaoshiung compared to other cities in Taiwan? Things you love like the people, the food, or whatever. Also of course any negative things that might help me decide.
2)Personally it is easiest for me to compare the pollution to Hong Kong since I have lived there. Is it HK level pollution? Shenzhen level (which I feel is worse)?
3) Any other Hess cities you recommend? They have branches in Keelung, Taipei, Taoyuan and Chungli, Hsin Chu and Chubei, Taichung city and county, Loudong, Hualien and Taitung, Chuanghua, Chiayi, Tainan, Pingtung.

[Nevermind]

I didn't live there but visited. It seemed nice, like all the same stuff you would get in Taichung maybe. However, it seemed so far away from everything. In other words, there are tons of things to do in the northern half of the island. Down south you have Kenting, which is absolutely great. I loved, loved, loved going there. So much fun, beautiful beach, good, fun restaurants, great little boutique hotels. But you can't really be going off to the beach every day or weekend from Kaoshiung. I would say that it depends on you and your nature. If you want an established, somewhat relaxed, established expat community with the frills of having 3-4 major cities within a couple of hours, I would go for Hsinchu. But that is me, and I am biased because I really liked the place. If I were you, I would stick to a northern city and then go south as a luxury or vacation, maybe you would appreciate it more and have more things to do on random boring weekends up north. Good luck.