My Taiwanese ADDICTION: #3 Low Cost of Living & Adventures of a Lifetime

Have Big Dreams! (You can afford them.)

Top of Taipei 101 Jan. 2014. 101 still held the Guinness World Record for World's fastest elevator at this time.

Enjoying the benefits of low cost living and having 'adventures of a lifetime' are seemingly two different aspects of life in Taiwan to miss. However, it's largely because of the low cost of living in Taiwan, that I, we (foreigners) are able to rapidly cross off bucket list items, fulfill dreams we may have not really thought possible, and why we're able to partake in adventures we often had never even thought of.

Paragliding in Puli - Jan. 2014

As a foreign English teacher in Taiwan, we are spoiled with making a fair amount of money while still paying Taiwan prices. (You will occasionally come across those who raise the price just because you are a foreigner, but not nearly as much as in other Asian countries who get far more tourists.) The wages we are making wouldn't count for much in nearly all other first world countries, yet here in Taiwan, a single income can take on a three bedroom apartment plus utilities, transportation needs, frequent dining and shopping, and a good amount of vacation/travel time each year.

Jackie Chan's handprints @ Avenue of Stars
25th Birthday- Hong Kong Feb. 2014

Personally, what I will really struggle with on my return to the West is accepting and justifying the prices of daily living expenses. In Taiwan, EVERYTHING seems incredibly LOW in cost. Food, travel, leisure activities, school and home supplies, shopping (although there is plenty of high-end shops for those in need), insurances, etc. Most of which I've discussed in previous posts.

This mega smile was permanent after my first weekend trip to Sun Moon Lake. Summer 2013.

For years now I have paid bills such as water, gas and electric every two months at prices that would seem unbelievable stateside. Water bills hardly breaks $20USD every two months, gas and electric, depending on the use of aircon will be from 25-75USD, again every two months! Internet and cable in your home is around 30USD per month, and as far as having Wi-fi on your cell phone, I currently pay $6USD for 1.2GB, which lasts me nearly a month since I connect to Wi-fi at home and work. How do I go back to paying $75 for shitty service with a monopoly company like Verizon?

Burma / Myanmar May 2014

Along with that, a majority of us drive scooters which take $3-5USD to fill. That full tank of gas can last 1-3+ weeks depending on how much driving is done. On average, apartments are around $500USD per month, some more, some less. Outside of school housing, I had a three bedroom, two bathroom for $400 USD (in 2017) right in the heart of the city.

The girls and I bungee jumping near Jiji, Taiwan- Nov. 2013
(She handled the experience much better than me. I was terrified at this point.)

January '14- Ran a half marathon (21K) in 2hr:15m and placed 15th out of 70+ females.
(Never having played sports growing up, I was surprised and proud at this accomplishment. ^^)

Before arriving in Taiwan I was very curious to find out as much as I could, since when I took the job I knew very little about Taiwan itself. While doing some research I read that Taiwan was one of four "Tiger Economies" of Asia, along with Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea.

Dangling from Seoul Tower @ the Alive Museum, S. Korea - October 2014

As you may have guessed, receiving a nickname such as 'Tiger Economy' meant that these four 'countries' had rapid economic growth and still do have a 'booming' economy, much of it high-tech. All four locations rate high in quality of infrastructure, business opportunities, and safety. However, residents of Hong Kong and Singapore experience a much higher cost of living.

Singapore - September 2016

To tie in with the low cost of living and lifetime adventures, I had no idea coming to Taiwan also meant living amongst so many entrepreneurs. I was once told it takes as little as 45,000NT (1,500USD) and a tie in with the Taiwanese, to get your own business up and running. Other than the endless amounts of foreign teachers you'll meet, Taiwan is full of self-made DJs, some who even reach events outside of Taiwan, a large array of restaurant and bar owners, plenty of those with adorable bakeries and boutiques with even more adorable shop names. Although small businesses can sometimes seem to open and close with the change of seasons, it's impressive to see so many dreams become realitites. If I stayed any longer in Taiwan, the question might become, "What will I name my first business?"

Always a friend

Taiwan is full of good financial opportunities for expats, including a healthy work-life balance. (I know I sure am going to miss having two hour lunches and mid-afternoon naps!) It is also easy to interact with the Taiwanese because of their friendly demeanor. This observation is often the first thing foreigners notice about living here. I also believe it helps that Taiwan in not high on the list of tourist and/or vacation destinations. In this regard, Taiwan has been well hidden from the masses. It's what keeps her so special. ^^

Scuba Diving with the locals (again, LOW cost!!)
When scuba diving with a foreign dive instructor in Taiwan I paid nearly the same amount for 4 dives as I did for my entire two weekend training and certification. THEN I decided to go diving with my Taiwanese Scuba Buddies. Not only were the dives incredible, we did 6 of them for 1/3 the cost of what the the foreign instructor charged. There is something so absurd about that!

Another wildly less expensive cost in Taiwan is that of a wedding dress. As many and more people go through the expense of one day needing to pay for the cost of a wedding dress, here they are rented. Not only this, but because they are rented, the bride-to-be gets to have several! I myself have never needed this, but would 100% get on board with it, along with I'm sure many other woman (for the dresses) and men (for the cost).

J A P A N
February 2016

"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”

M A L A Y S I A
March 2015

For many people living abroad is a grand adventure, and for me, living in Taiwan meant living one big grand adventure while taking unimaginable adventures in between.

Meeting my first Cornel Family Flying from Chicago to Tokyo 6/20/13

T H A I L A N D
March 2014

Eternally grateful, I have traveled out of Taiwan four times a year, excluding the one month home as part of my school contract. This has led me to visit and learn from over a dozen Southeast Asian countries, as well as spending two weeks in Australia and visiting two European countries. I have never taken any of these adventures for granted, and only further admrie the beauty of the world, as well as having experienced the discovery of oneself and life, that traveling can offer.

B U R M A

"The best view comes after the hardest climb."

Chilling with the snow monkeys in Nagano, Japan February 2015

L A O S
February 2017

Walking Tour crew in Brussels, Belgium April 2017

C A M B O D I A
December 2014

Making the decision to live and work in Taiwan for the majority of my 20s has made it possible for me to financially accomplish things I didn't think would happen in my 20s. Such as, paying off student loans, getting Lasik, and having my own three bedroom apartment in the city. It has made it possible for me to experience life in ways I'll never forget. Whether it be scuba diving with sea turtles, through caves and wonders, and even the Great Barrier Reef, to staying up all night on a rooftop or on a beach to dance under the stars or swap stories with incredible, courageous people from all over the world. To learn about myself by learning of others, their cultures and their history. All this and more is why I'm thankful and undeniably in love with this beautiful island I think I will always call a home.