Hey everyone! Hope you’re all staying safe from Typhoon Champi!

I’m currently in the early stages of discussing the possibility of working remotely from Taiwan with my company for a couple of years.

I’ve visited Taipei once for a short trip and liked it, but visiting as a tourist is obviously very different from actually living there. So, I’d love to hear from people who live in Taiwan or have made a similar move!

A little about me: I’m 27M from Chennai, India (Tamil), and I’m someone who really enjoys being around people, socialising, and making new friends.

A few things I’m particularly curious about:

1. Making friends and building a social circle

How easy or difficult is it to make friends in Taiwan, especially if you primarily speak English? I didn’t come across too many Indians or international residents during my short visit, though I realise that was just a tourist’s perspective.

I’m happy to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures, but I’d love to hear how others have built their social circles there.

2. Cost of living and savings

I know Taipei is generally more affordable than places like Tokyo or London, but I’m curious about the actual cost of living. For someone living a fairly comfortable, middle-class lifestyle (rent, eating out occasionally, socialising, travelling, etc.), how much would you typically spend per month? And is it possible to save a decent amount while still enjoying life?

3. Dating and relationships

On a slightly more personal note, I’m 27, male, and single. 😅 I’m curious about what the dating scene is like in Taiwan, particularly for foreigners. Is it relatively easy to meet people and build meaningful relationships, or can the language and cultural differences make things challenging?

I know everyone’s experience will be different, but I’d love to hear your perspectives, both the positives and the negatives.

Would love to hear your thoughts, experiences, or any advice you might have. Also, if anyone’s up for connecting and chatting, I’d be happy to do that too!

Thanks in advance! 🙂

I was looking at hotel and airbnb prices for taipei, and no matter how far out from city center, rates are averaging $2100ntd ($70usd) per night for the entire week regardless of month. Taichung and Kaohsiung aren't much better

I look at either Tokyo or Osaka and i can easily find both hotel and airbnbs for half of that (1000ntd/night)

Not sure what's going on because japan seems like much more of a tourist hotspot. Is it just because the supply of housing is in such short supply in Taiwan?

I was shopping for cheese and avocado and I noticed a lady talking while looking at me. I first I thought she was on the phone so I looked passed it, but then she kept talking and looking at me so I took off my left earphone since she was in my left and said "sorry?"

Then she proceeded to tell me following people is a crime. To which I answer "me? following you? I don't know you!" and then she kept saying "you are following me following people is a crime foreigners are always doing some criminal stuff"

so I said "what the hell are you talking about are you mentally ill??"

she said her head is okay, I doubt it.

So I kept confronting her and said she's clearly racist, I was asking around the shop if anyone knows how to speak English but apparently no one knew how to speak English. I kept telling her if she has a problem we can just call the police.

She was rushing to leave after diffamation so I went to the cashier desk with her to ask if the cashiers could speak English. Unfortunately they couldn't

She was getting all in my face and being very aggressive, and kept repeating"Wo shi taiwan ren, I am Taiwanese" at some point I even had to put my hand in front of my face to keep her away because she kept getting closer and saying rude stuff in Chinese.

Eventually security came and he spoke a bit of English so I was able to explain (even tho she kept interrupting me in Chinese), he didn't understand everything but he still understood a bit and he even told me in English he thinks the lady might be a bit psychotic.

The lady continued yelling in Chinese and unfortunately I didn't have a SIM card yet to translate so I was trying to register the interaction to translate for me.

Which got her very agitated.

I don't remember if it's before or after, but she kept getting closer and eventually pushed me against the counter. I wanted to push away her so bad but she's lucky I'm in Taiwan and she was pretty old and I'm almost certain she was unwell in her head. So being aggressive back would have put ME in trouble.

She then proceeded to try to record me. I took her phone because you're not going to physically and verbally abuse me AND record me whereas I'm not being a threat to you, but you are.

I then gave her phone to security.

And we waited for the police (I asked for the police)

During the waiting time she said she was god sent and that I was the devil (beware everyone, the devil goes all the way to Mia c'bon to shop for cheese and avocado on a Monday)

At some point it was so ridiculous that I even told her to calm down or her heart was not going to make it

When the police came they spoke Chinese so unfortunately I couldn't understand, I guess she told her liar part of the story. Some witnesses came too and explained apparently the lady was following me (I wasn't even aware), but that's all I understood.

The police took the witnesses contact and my school's contact and the woman's contact.

One of the two police officers even apologized to me and told me he suspected she was a psycho (since I told him the story, and also I forgot to mention she gave me the middle finger and called me the n word and told me to fuck off multiple times as I was trying to get an English speaker to help me sort out our issues.)

I don't know why I attract so many psychos😭but yeah now they have a record of me because of some old weirdo that should have a restraining order, and if she fancies she can sue me.

I can also sue her but idk if I wanna deal with that. I'm not here for that at all.

Hopefully she gets her head checked as well.

Regardless, I wish I could thank that security man and police officer, as well as the bystanders that defended me and let me know SHE was the one following me. It's so so so relieving to know that authorities in Taiwan are fair and rightful.

If you see this thank you🙏

Hey everyone,

I am traveling to Taiwan next month for three weeks from the US. I have an injectable TRT prescription from a provider.

A quick google search says I am not required to submit an approval statement to the TFDA. Is this correct and is there anything else I need to do prior to arriving

I'm a US student who's applying through the international admissions process for the first round. 

I'm trying to major in either Intelligence Engineering and Technology or Mechanical Engineering.

My current GPA is a 90.64/100 and I have taken AP Precalculas (4) and AP US History (3). I'm currently taking AP Calculus AB this year as well as AP Drawing. I also have taken the SAT but my score isn’t that good getting a 1260 with my English being a 580 and Math being a 680. I've heard that it is optional to upload SAT scores but I’m not sure with the score I have if it’s worth uploading.

My extracurriculars are Varsity Swimming from Freshman year to currently my senior year and qualifying for counties every year and aiming for states this year, Club swimming for 8 years and qualifying for Junior and Senior metropolitan championship meets, completed all levels of NYSSMA getting perfect scores for each level, first student to perform as an accompanist for my school's district winter concert, Qualified for my districts art exhibition, been working since the beginning of my sophomore year teaching swimming, and during the summer I've worked overseas in Taiwan in a restaurant using only Mandarin to communicate.

I don't know if this helps but my 2 recommenders are my Teacher from high school, who taught me in AP Precalculas and Computer Programming, and is well-versed in the math and science field. As well as my mentor (a senior finance executive from Taiwan) who I’ve been in contact with for several months and helped build some programs to help him in his field.

I just worry that my academics and especially my SAT score aren't good enough to meet the expectations of NTU since it is the #1 university in Taiwan. Also, if my essays cover everything and are in the right format. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone can provide me with how an Autobiography essay and Statement of Purpose essays should be structured since the teachers and counselors at my high school are only familiar with common app essay structure.

Hello everyone,

There will be a Halloween costume party in a temple on Tiger Mtn. on October 31st. The space is about a 5-10 minute taxi from the last stop on the red MRT (Guangci/Fengtian Temple).

There will be four stages with music of different styles and DJs across the temple grounds.

The Queens Stage (LGBT)

The Temple of Boom Glory Sacrifice

The Jungle Dark Forest

and

The MicroRave Secret Stage

This is the 17th annual Tiger Mtn. Resurrected party, but sadly this will be the LAST time this event is held, so now is your chance.

Here is the Instagram link to the event. https://www.instagram.com/resurrected.halloween/

Send me a DM if you're interested in more details and discount ticket information!

先声明：我支持台湾人民自己的选择，个人希望我们两岸应该是相互旅游交流美食，而不是兵戎相见。

自己和几个宝岛的朋友聊天，他们可能属于年纪比较大的，他们跟我说，台湾的宣传口径里，国共内战一直没有打完过，现在一直是停战的状态。我就很奇怪了，我们这里的课本一直说我们已经打赢了，这场战争已经结束了啊。

想了解一下对面的教科书的情况，你们真的是说现在只是停战吗？

I've been observing politics between China, NK, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. Tensions are definitely high right now.

Do you find it likely that nuclear weapons will be built in response to Chinese aggression?

Hi guys,

Me (34F) and husband (35M) both have remote jobs pulling around £70k together. Our toddler is 1.5YO and we’re thinking renting out our forever home in U.K. and going to Taiwan for a year or two (and maybe pay off mortgage?) before school starts.

I’ve been back to Taiwan a lot over the years. I know Tianmu well (classic) as lived there as a mixed family kid, as well as university areas.

We’re visiting again next month. What areas in Taipei would people recommend us taking a look at for families? Maybe it’s too expensive to save in Tianmu now? Anywhere similar? We’d vaguely looked further afield to eg Beitun, Taichung or Gushan, Kaoshiung? Open to looking about.

Honestly just looking for any advice or watch outs we haven’t thought of!
Thanks in advance.

Some things about us:
- I’m half Taiwanese, grew up abroad but speak good Mandarin and my husband speaks basic level.
- Very happy to send baby to local 托嬰中心
or preschool. Only need 3-4d per week but fine to pay for 5 if they let us not use 1-2days (we both work a 4-day week).
- I think I’m eligible for a TW passport if I get my hukou documents sorted when I’m visiting this time.
- Both lived in Taiwan and China in our 20s. We love local parks, public transport and convenience, and of course the food.
- Some old family friends in Taipei (aunties and uncles) and actual extended family near Taichung.

I wanted to share a rather unsettling experience I had last night at Zhongshan mrt exit 1.

As I was going down the escalator, there was a man at the corner who started following me down the station. When I went down the escalator, he was behind me and continued following me down. I immediately noticed him and had a feeling that something was off.

I decided not to go to the platform right away because I didn’t want him to follow me all the way to where I stay. Obviously, I didn’t want him to know where I live. Instead, I stayed near two other girls. There was a water fountain on the other side, and the man went over there and appeared to pretend to get some water.I stayed there for a few minutes not wanting to leave, and he remained in the area without really doing anything. This made me even more suspicious because it seemed strange that he would stay there for so long. After a while, I think he realized that I had noticed him, so he moved to the other end, although we could still see each other. Apart from that, I also noticed that he was holding his phone and it was directed towards me.

I immediately called my friend and told her that I sensed that there was a man following me. At one point, he had his phone out and pointed directly at me. I cannot say for certain, but it genuinely looked like he was recording me or taking pictures of me.

Eventually, he went back up the escalator, which was directly in front of where I was standing. However, he suddenly turned around 180 degrees and faced my direction again. He still had his phone out, pointed toward me (I’m guessing that we was recording), and was staring at me.

As soon as I saw him disappear from view, I immediately ran toward the platform area. Thankfully, it was very crowded, and I didn’t see him again.

For context, the man appeared to be a local and looked to be in his mid-50s. I cannot say for certain what his intentions were, but the entire situation felt extremely suspicious and made me uncomfortable. I’m just glad I trusted my instincts and didn’t go straight to where I stayed.

Has anyone experienced something similar in Taiwan? I’m still a little shaken by the experience and wanted to share it here.

I am looking to drive on the east coast to take in scenic views of the east coast highway from Taipei to Hualien.

How is the traffic? Reading this advisory site from the govt (Roads and Trails | 太魯閣國家公園全球資訊網) I cannot for the life of me tell if the highways are working properly or if i will be stuck if i dont make it to a control release point in time...

How are the scenic view oppurtunities? From what i read online it seems like it is all over the place but looking at street view via google it does not seem like i am driving alongside the coast which was my expectation lol.

Basically: Are the highways working properly or will i be screwed by the repairs and control release schedules? are the scenic views abundant or at specific spots?

Hello everyone, I'm an Indian student wanting to study BBA in international business management in NCCU taiwan since it's the best school for business, is it worth it? Since I'm willing to learn mandarin side by side and perform well, do some good payment work there after graduation well enough if I get job in some MNC there, then I plan to do my masters from some ivy league or hong kong university will it be worth the hustle? I just don't want to stay here 💔

I am planning to apply to NTU in 2027 or 2028. I am aiming for an in-house Corporate Finance / FP&A career in Taiwan after graduation, and I want to ask about my realistic chances for admission and full tuition scholarships or MOE. My background:

• Education: 3rd-year student majoring in International Finance (program taught 100% in English) at University of Econ HCMC in Vietnam. Current GPA: 3.7 / 4.0 (High Distinction).
• Certifications: ACCA (exempt F1 - F3; passed F7 - F8). Also hold LSEG Workspace and MOS.
• Awards & Research:
  • National Prize in a nationwide Econometrics Olympiad
  • Uni-level Research Awards
  • GitHub Portfolio: Code for financial data cleaning, econometrics models (R/Stata/Python), and financial dashboards.
  • Practical projects: Equity research reports (DCF, multiples), portfolio diversification models for a student-run investment fund.
• Languages:
  • English: IELTS 8. Taught in English for 3+ years.
  • Chinese: Currently HSK 3. Planning to switch to TOCFL (aiming for B1).
• Experience: Corporate accounting intern (local firm) and Transfer Pricing intern (non-Big 4). Will do another audit/advisory internship before applying.

My Options at NTU:

1. Master of Finance at SPE: 100% English-taught.
2. College of Management (DIB / Finance): requires TOCFL B2.

Questions:

1. Is the SPE Finance program respected by local employers for FP&A / corporate finance roles, since this program has just been established in 2024?
2. I heard College of Management rarely gives school scholarships of 100% tuition to international students. With my profile, do I have a good shot at the Taiwan MOE Scholarship?
3. What can I do in the next 12 months to make my application stand out more? Should I apply for the 2027 round or 2028 for more experience? Does NTU prefer fresh grads or the experienced?

Thanks a lot for your advice and insights!

Quick question for people who work in crypto or fintech.

Which is worse for a startup: strict rules, or unclear rules?

With strict but clear rules, you know what you can and can't do. With unclear rules, you might spend months building something and only then find out it isn't allowed.

From what I've read, Singapore is strict but clear. Taiwan is strict and also unclear about things like how tokens or DeFi are classified. Some companies set up legally in Singapore but keep their team in Taipei.

If you work in this space, I'd love to hear:

- Have you ever delayed or cancelled a product because you weren't sure it was legal?

- Would you pick strict rules with clear answers, or loose rules with uncertainty?

- What matters most when choosing where to base a company: regulation, tax, talent, or funding?

I'm a student researching this, so I'll put an anonymous survey in the comments if you want to add your experience. Happy to just talk here too.

Planning to come to Taiwan for higher need insights about this university

I am surprised that Han people are the majority in Taiwan, and Japanese were sent back to Japan after WWII.

Hello all

I am posting on reddit because I have been unable to find a Taiwan parcel forwarding agent that ships Taiwanese products from Taiwan to New Zealand without charging exorbitant amounts in service fees.

A few that I stumbled upon are charging upwards of 700 ntd per parcel which is crazy work.

Could I please get some recommendations so that I can buy some products from Uniqlo Taiwan and ship it to New Zealand. I’m willing to pay max 100 ntd in service fees.

Thanks

Hello, I am employed in the Philippines, however, I will be staying in Taiwan to study for a couple of months. If I will do an RTO in our main office located in Taiwan (despite being employed in PH), will this have an issue with my Student visa? I am trying to look for a way to contact TECO so I can ask the question.

Apologies since this has been asked a few times already, but it seems unclear still.

I'm visiting Taiwan in a couple days for about a week. I have a USA Vyvanse prescription, was going to keep meds in the original container, only bring the amount I need, have a copy of prescription, have a doctor's note, etc.

I find conflicting information on whether I can still bring the meds through customs at Taoyan airport or not. One site says I have to print out a statement form from the TFDA and provide copies of prescription, passport, and whatever else, then physically mail it to the TFDA (https://www.fda.gov.tw/eng/lawContent.aspx?cid=5061&id=3079), but then this website says to just keep it in the container and have a letter from the doctor (https://www.taoyuan-airport.com/selfdrugs?lang=en).

So which is it? I assume I need to go through the red declaration line and bring up that I have a vyvanse prescription at least right?

Hi guys!

We went to Mega PXmart today for the first time. At first glance it seemed like the prices there were better than Costco's.

I thought I would come on here and ask whether its the case or is costco truly worth it.

We currently shop mainly at costco. But Im questioning whether we should cancel our membership.

Thanks for your insights !

G’Day Taiwan

Two Aussies planning to ride motorbikes around Taiwan in mid January 2027, with no fixed itinerary. (10-14 days)

Any advice on routes, weather, permits, safety, road conditions, mountain roads, places to stay, eat or explore?

We’d love tips from locals and fellow riders!

Cheers!

A Tainan building developer is using a USA/bald eagle-inspired character to promote their housing development on a part of the former site of a school for the children of stationed US military personnel during 1953-1976.

Hope everyone stayed safe and made use of the typhoon + long holiday! Had time on my hands so I made some s’mores cookies with homemade marshmallows during the typhoon weekend

And the name of the street is No#1 Taiwan Street .

Too bad I can't get off my tour bus to take a picture there .

It is quite touching to see the Taiwanese embassy and the flag even i am not Taiwanese.