TEN THINGS ABOUT TAIWAN AFTER A WEEK! (clickbait)
3 min readJan 28, 2025
- Taipei is a great city. There are so many walking routes, especially in the Xinyi district and other areas I’ve visited. The parks are amazing too.
- The streets are very clean and orderly. Scooters are parked perfectly within lines, which is super unusual compared to Southeast Asia, where things can just be scattered anywhere. The weather is also pleasant right now — cool and fresh. There’s hardly any strong smells of Asian street food. However, summer will be insanely hot.
- The internet here is excellent. Taiwan is pretty famous for its good internet, and it really feels like servers are nearby because my browsing experience is noticeably faster than usual.
- Cafes. I haven’t explored many yet (though the ones I’ve tried were decent), but overall, it’s good. Localization can sometimes be an issue, but in this day and age, it’s easy to fix with ChatGPT (or DeepSeek) and Google Translate. The food is tasty, and portions are usually generous.
- Food delivery. They use FoodPanda or UberEats, and I’ve been using the latter since it also includes taxi services. Everything is convenient and decent, though localization can still be a small hurdle. Overall, it works fine with a translator. That said, I prefer the food/grocery delivery experience in Thailand.
- English proficiency. I haven’t fully figured out how common it is, but people seem to understand me where it matters. When I need to be understood, I just use a translator, and it works fine. However, if you’re planning to live here long-term, learning Chinese might be worth it to avoid feeling disconnected. But with English and some basic problem-solving skills, you’ll be fine.
- The metro is great. It’s simple, clean, and gets you anywhere you need to go. Public transport in general is excellent, with good routes and a comfortable “vibe.” There are toilets in every metro station, and in general, access to restrooms around the city is fantastic.
- You have to sort your trash. It’s understandable — it’s an island with a hot and humid climate for the most part… so yes, I’m washing my containers. :)
- The housing market isn’t the best. Apartments here tend to be more expensive than similar options in other countries, while often being smaller or poorly designed. But things are improving, and it really depends on your budget. If you’ve got the cash, you’ll have no problems.
- The people are fun and friendly. I see a lot of people filming TikToks, dancing, and doing quirky things like pushing their dogs in strollers — it’s very different from what I’m used to. I’ve also noticed a lot of couples everywhere and very few people walking alone. There’s a warm, community-oriented vibe here. Another thing — people seem wealthier compared to those in Southeast Asia. Even trash sorters (yes, they exist) look quite well-dressed and respectable.
