Job Discussion Forums

nateliu99 · Joined: 22 May 2009 Posts: 72

Hello, I ended up getting a public school job through the Ministry of Education at Peng Lai Elementary School in Datong District.

I think I would like some extra salary, but I am too scared of getting caught to work a buxiban job. How do people usually go about finding students to tutor?

Also, any suggestions on which district to live? My price range is 15,000 a month or less for a single. I would of course like to live near a metro, have easy access to food options, nature, laundry mat, movie theater, and perhaps a bar or two to invite coworkers over for. Part of why I hated shanghai this year was I just live in an uninteresting part of shanghai. I want some interesting food, night market, and nature options right outside my door. I realize maybe my price is too low, but I just thought I would see what responses I get

Is it easy to exchange money at banks from Chinese RMB to Taiwan NTD?

I'm sure I have a ton more questions, but thanks a ton for anyone willing to help out!

markcmc · Joined: 18 Jan 2010 Posts: 262 Location: Taiwan

I suggest living somewhere near to your job. Datong is the old center of Taipei, I'm not really familiar with accommodation in that area, but 15,000NT would certainly get you a room in central Taipei. It may get you a small and fairly old apartment near to your school. I'm not sure. Sanchong - across the river - is a possibility. It's not a 'nice' area, but it's cheap.

Shi Da is a popular student area, and lot's of English teachers live around there. It may be a good choice, but you would have a little bit of a commute to go to work. To be honest, it's a nicer area than the parts of Datong that I've seen.

Taipei is quite compact, and a taxi across the city is cheap. So going for a beer anywhere is quite possible.

Nowhere in Taipei city has nature 'right at your door.' Not that far, but you can't just walk into the mountains.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

markcmc · Joined: 18 Jan 2010 Posts: 262 Location: Taiwan

nateliu99 · Joined: 22 May 2009 Posts: 72

thanks for the advice everyone

I actually don't feel i need anything more than a tiny studio apartment, as long as it is clean and somewhat modern. I hear these are much cheaper than regular apartments

I have heard a lot of recommendations for the area of Shi da. I will have to check that place out. On forumosa, i was also recommended to check out Shilin, the places near tianmu. As well as Beitou. Also i'm thinking of Zhongshan, cuz i heard it could be affordable as well. I guess i will just have to go there for a week or so and walk around to feel each area.

@JZer, so Xindian must be an area near Shi da? How could i find it on a map and is there a metro near there?

@markcmc, my school will be within walking distance of Shuanglian MRT on the red line. Will Xindian area really be too far by metro? on google maps it looks just as far away as like shilin area.

@anyone, does the tsuei mama free service for apartment finding work well? other than that i guess i'll just try to look up internet ads and have my chinese uncle come with me.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

markcmc · Joined: 18 Jan 2010 Posts: 262 Location: Taiwan

As JZer said, Xindian MRT station is not that far from Shuanglian MRT station. When JZer mentioned Xindian, I automatically thought of some of the nice housing complexes which are in Xindian, low rent for a large living area, but a bus ride from the station. Xindian is actually quite a big area. If you decide to live close to the MRT station there, you will be ok for transport.

Tui Mama has worked well for me in the past, but you have to be fast. The good apartments go quickly. Another way is to decide on the area you would like to live in and go there with your Chinese speaking uncle. Find the local schools, and go to the noticeboards which are usually outside them. There should be ads there [in Chinese] for local rooms and apartments.

nateliu99 · Joined: 22 May 2009 Posts: 72

thanks! you guys have been a great help, I know that reading and researching about a place is just never going to be as good as going there and just seeing what the neighborhood is like and seeing if i feel comfortable there.

In Shanghai, on just about every corner there is a real estate agents office, they are numerous but not so helpful, they always try to show you bad places first, and then charge a pretty high commission fee. Is it the same way in Taipei?

By the way, most of the places will ask for a 2 month deposit in addition to one month's rent? Is that right? I need to decide how much money to come out with.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

As I said before, there are apartments posted at the Mandarin Training Center. Just go there after work one day and look. You cannot look at that board on the weekend since the Mandarin Training Center is not open on Saturday or Sunday.

forest1979 · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 507 Location: SE Asia

Go to tealit.com - good way to guage accommodation prices.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

nateliu99 · Joined: 22 May 2009 Posts: 72

any thoughts on how many months deposit they will usually ask for?

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

One or two months deposit is required. I think that the majority want two months but you can find a place that will accent a one month deposit. Furthermore if the landlord wants to rent the apartment bad enough you might be able to negotiate a one month deposit. I have only paid a one month deposit for both of the apartments that I have rented.