5 Things We Love About Taiwan

We shared what we don’t love about Taiwan in the last post, now here’s a list of things we do love!

Safety. Baba and I were born and raised in SF, so being alert of your surroundings, guarding your belongings, locking all doors and never leaving anything in the car – all seemed like a normal way of life.

It’s not until we started living in Taiwan that we realized, “Wow, this is how life should be.” We never have to worry about our safety. I walk on the streets at night alone wearing my AirPods. The boys go to the playground by themselves. I am almost always daydreaming on the MRT, never worrying if someone suspicious is sitting next to me. Baba has left his backpack in the park and it’s still there when we go back for it. Feeling safe is so liberating and we never realized how much stress we were under until we moved here.

People. The safety of a place is largely dependent on its people. Taiwanese people are incredibly respectful, kind and friendly. The most frequent phrase you’ll hear in Taiwan is “不好意思”, which means “excuse me” or “sorry to bother you”. Good manners is an important value here, emphasized in schools and at home. We’ve seen people pick up trash on the street that wasn’t theirs. People have gone out of their way to help us. One of the reasons the boys love school in Taiwan is because the kids are so nice and enjoy helping one another.

Convenience. Before moving to Taiwan, I was hesitant about giving up the convenience of living in SF, with its Amazon 2-day delivery, public transport and grocery stores nearby. But it turns out that Taipei is just as convenient, if not more.

1. The public transportation is amazing. The MRT is efficient, cheap, clean, and on time. There are also local trains and a high-speed rail that take you all around the island. Super easy to book tickets and navigate the train routes.

2. Online shopping is a breeze. Momo is Taiwan’s version of Amazon. Items get delivered within 1-3 days (no “prime membership” is required!), and for returns, Momo sends someone to your home to collect the item. 😮 Most major retailers like IKEA and Costco also deliver within a few days for a small fee.

3. Convenience stores like 7-11, Family Mart, etc. here are truly convenient! There is at least one convenient store every 2-3 blocks. And unlike the 7-11’s in the US, the ones in Taiwan aren’t gross and sketchy. There are ATMs and copiers/printers available, where you can also print train or plane tickets. You can pay your bills there, and have packages delivered to your nearby 7-11 if you aren’t home. People can also grab a quick lunch there because there is hot water, microwaves and utensils.

Cost of Living. Generally, the cost of living in Taiwan about 20-30% less than SF. Some things like meat and seafood can be expensive but eating out, healthcare, transportation, and household goods are very cheap. For reference:

• Casual meal for our family of four: $20-$30 (In SF, this amount would be per person. Before taxes. And before tips. 😂)
• Boba tea drink: $1.50-$2
• Dentist visit with cleaning: $45 (This is with no insurance)
• One-way MRT ticket: $1
• Thirty minute Uber ride: $8-$10
• Rent for our 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom in a nice neighborhood: $2,200 (Though, many locals have told us we overpaid so it’s possible to find something cheaper!)

Food. Taiwan is absolutely food-obsessed….and we love it!! There are streets and alleys literally packed with so many restaurants and cafes I often wonder how they can all stay in business. Every time we venture to a new area, we find something delicious to try, whether it’s a food stall selling 粽子 (rice dumplings) or a cozy bakery selling fresh breads. It’s a good thing eating out is cheap here, because we want to eat EVERYTHING!

To us, the pros outweigh the cons of living in Taiwan. Taipei may not be as glamorous or famous as some of its neighbors, but it’s a remarkable place once you peel back the layers. It’s truly a privilege to call Taiwan our second home. ❤