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Ki
Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475
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Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 3:28 pm Post subject: hey |
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I repeat the advice already offered. But in the meantime why don't you check yourself in a youth hostel. Sure, you don't get the privacy of a hotel but at about 500 a night it is cheaper alternative and also an opportunity to meet with likeminded people. I would recommend Taipei hostel at shandao temple mrt station. The number is -02 2395 2950
However, i once gave this same such advice to a person who dismissed this as impossible to be living in such depraved circumstances. Seriously. It is up to you. Dismiss this if you like. Or be around like minded people. |
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OuterBanks13
Joined: 18 May 2009 Posts: 33
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Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 10:19 pm Post subject: |
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Hostels. I'd be afraid that they'd walk off with my camera and PC. |
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StayingPower
Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 252
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 5:08 am Post subject: |
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OuterBanks13 wrote: |
Hostels. I'd be afraid that they'd walk off with my camera and PC. |
They have lockers and all, everyone knows each other, can live more secure than getting ripped off by a landlord.
Therein lies the crux of the matter. You have trust at hostels and one that I'd mentioned. Outside the walls of trustworthiness, you're raw meat.
The Taiwanese know this quite well, will even stir things up to make you consternated, as if they're intelligent. They'll use entrapment, via leasing contracts without their phone numbers/home addresses in case you do have a problem, make you culpable for deposit deduction due to the slightest of damages; make you feel as if they're king and you the jester, and use you to take whatever they can, and this financially.
I know a guy who's lived at a hostel for five years. He knew this quite well. Remember, you're an opportunity for the Taiwanese to make money. |
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Ki
Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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What's going on here? I thought that stuff was written a couple years ago. |
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BigWally

Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 765 Location: Ottawa, CAN (prev. Kaohsiung "the Dirty South")
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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StayingPower wrote: |
Therein lies the crux of the matter. You have trust at hostels and one that I'd mentioned. Outside the walls of trustworthiness, you're raw meat.
The Taiwanese know this quite well, will even stir things up to make you consternated, as if they're intelligent. They'll use entrapment, via leasing contracts without their phone numbers/home addresses in case you do have a problem, make you culpable for deposit deduction due to the slightest of damages; make you feel as if they're king and you the jester, and use you to take whatever they can, and this financially. |
Or you could just ask a Taiwanese friend to help you find a housing agent, and then you don't have to worry about being paranoid that all Taiwanese are out to get you. |
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IrishTony
Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 17
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 5:15 am Post subject: |
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I agree with BigWally
A housing agent is another expense, but probably a safer option if you have no contacts and are not familiar with Taiwan
Tony
www.taiwancelts.com |
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ESL Hobo
Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 262
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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:46 am Post subject: |
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I have never gotten back a deposit on an apartment, you can consider it as part of your rent. But I have never had anything stolen from an apartment here either. I think the best option would be to start out in a Hostel and find a place you are sure you would like to stay in for the typical one year lease. |
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dangerousapple
Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 292
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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:42 am Post subject: |
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When I wanted to move, I always got the landlord to agree to letting me use up the deposit instead of paying rent the last month. I moved 6 times over 10 years and did it every time. Landlords hate giving money back. |
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IrishTony
Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 17
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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:46 pm Post subject: |
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I think in all fairness, this issue of getting deposits back from landlords or their innate ability to "do a Houdini" when something needs fixing is not something specific to Taiwanese landlords.
I have had terrible experiences with this in many countries, including my home country. The most helpful and obliging landlord I ever had was right here in Taiwan actually.
So I suggest follow Stayingpowers advice and watch out for unscrupulous landlords. but also certainly keep in mind BigWallys point: Taiwanese are not all out to get your money (a very unfair point from stayingpowers).
Help from a local friend is the best advice so far. |
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