Is Lukang (Lugang) a good fit for me?

[Ihoop]

Hey all,

Over the last couple months I have been applying to many different companies for an English teaching position. I finally got a job offer! I am really excited about the prospect of living and teaching in Taiwan for a year.

There were a couple places that I would have enjoyed living in. These were Danshui and Taidong. When I was in Taiwan I really loved the "vibe" of both of these places a lot. I put them down as preferences on my application.

I have been offered a job in the small town of Lukang. I have never been there, but from what I have read it is very historic and quite beautiful. To those who have been there, did you enjoy it? Given that I like Danshui and Taidong, do you think I will enjoy life in Lukang?

I don't mind the idea of living in a small town. I would like to be somewhere where there is some sort of creative community.....I am a musician, and I really love all forms of art.

Any input will be appreciated!


-Ian

[trubadour]

short answer?

[Ihoop]

Sure!

short answer?

[sandman]

Its the boonies. Taichung is a good hour away by bus. It has a nice old street area, but it is closed and dead during the week and overrun with tourists and tat-sellers on the weekend. They're not looking for musical entertainment unless its temple-related. The vast majority of the town is a typical gritty, windblown concrete monstrosity. You haven't experienced a filthy gritty wind until you've lived in Lukang. The dirt gets EVERYWHERE.
As for being a musician, it depends what kind you are. Are you the kind who is happy sitting by yourself in your room with an instrument and a computer, or are you the kind who likes to get out and about and perform in public? If the latter, you are shit out of luck unless you resign yourself to spending many hours on buses to find like-minded people.

[Confuzius]

Lugang is a wonderful place...for a DAY trip

It sux dude, dirty, things falling apart, NOTHING to do (except a few historical streets and sights) but once you have seen those...well, then its time to leave!

We tried spending two nights there....we wish we hadn't, we actually left our hotel the 2nd night (which we had already paid for) but it was worth losing money just to get the f**k outta there it is so dead and boring.

[grandfeller]

I like Lugang; could enjoy living there for a year. I'm small-town person, not a night-clubber, and I like Taidong a lot. Lots of history in Lugang; if you're into that, look up some reading material on Taiwan from 1700s to 1895.

Lugang isn't far from Zhanghua, a decent-sized city.

While you're there, take a few trips to Taidong to try to get your foot in the door. Who's is a restaurant/pub/music venue in Taidong owned and operated by a foreigner that specializes in foreign musicians (or so was my impression when I visited and chatted with the owner). The guy also arranges and provides logistics support for live performances all over Taidong.

[superking]

It's pretty rural. Yet swamped on the weekends.

[tango42]

You can't get more informative views than from forumosa! amazing insight.

For me, a one or two day trip is great occasionally. The city is not pretty, but there are some pretty spots. They are trying to improve the tourist areas, might be interesting to be around and watch it progress.