Big Mistake??

[Bobarctor]

Any comments? Thanks,

I have been living in Beijing for 6 years, moved to Taipei 4 months ago. I have the same job (same company, same position, same everyday stuff and same people I work with) so my opinion is not altered by this point.

I would say everything is better in Taipei from food, people, transportation, environment, culture... and don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved Beijing. Yes, it is less "party" than Beijing and a bit more expensive on lodging, food, transportation and alcohol but you get better stuff.

I would say it is very good to move from Mainland to Taiwan, not the opposite.

[trubadour]

I thought China was more fun and Seoul is better than Taipei. But Taiwan is basically very easy going in many resepects.
But, I want to know what job the OP was working in the PRC...

[Taiwan Luthiers]

Man the importance of public toilets are often underrated.

When I went over to Europe to live for a few months, I had taken public toilets for granted in Taiwan, and in Europe you have to pay for them. Yes they're clean but at 50 cents (euro) a trip, even for a pee, it gets expensive fast! Blew about 6 or more euros a day just on toilets alone in Amsterdam. It also kept me from wanting to take a really long walk (as in far from where I live) that isn't in the wilderness, because at least in the wilderness you can pee on trees, but if you're say walking around in the middle of Paris or something, then you can't exactly do that.

However in Germany (at least in the non-tourist area) you can go into a cafe and ask nicely, they won't make you pay, most the time. Sure the non paid cafe/bar toilet aren't as clean but it beats walking around in a city full of pay toilets and just because you had a little more water, you end up paying 6 euros because you had to go every 5 minutes.

Pay toilets should be illegal, although it wouldn't be wrong to charge for stuff like toilet papers (which is what they do here) because you can always anticipate that and bring your own.

[headhonchoII]

Yeah but Europe is so much more advanced than Taiwan , they get to pay for everything twice LOL.
I have to keep my mouth shut when I go back because every ten minutes I'm asking why do we have to pay for everything that used to be free.
By the next time I'm there they will have invented self cook and self serve restaurants.

[cranky laowai]

I want to know what job the OP was working in the PRC...

I am an ESL teacher.

[Super Hans]

I wouldn't worry about finding a job teaching. I get offered jobs left right and centre, even though I don't much teach anymore. Supply does outstrip demand, but most of the suppliers eventually drown in their own drool, so there is always a job going somewhere.

Blew about 6 or more euros a day just on toilets alone in Amsterdam.

6 Euro's? If you need to pee that much plug yourself into a bag or get some adult nappies. You'd find that much cheaper.

[Taiwan Luthiers]

I wouldn't worry about finding a job teaching. I get offered jobs left right and centre, even though I don't much teach anymore. Supply does outstrip demand, but most of the suppliers eventually drown in their own drool, so there is always a job going somewhere.

Blew about 6 or more euros a day just on toilets alone in Amsterdam.

6 Euro's? If you need to pee that much plug yourself into a bag or get some adult nappies. You'd find that much cheaper.

I was carrying about 40kg of luggages with me at the time, and did not know that toilets are that expensive there.

[Super Hans]

That's business acumen on a par with them undertakers. There is always a market, no matter what the cost.

[rolltidemdj]

Thanks again for all of the replies..Yes I am an ESL teacher. I do want to get into other things eventually. I already have a job lined up there, so that is not going to be a problem. I believe that things are going to be a lot better there..I am looking forward to it and will be there at the end of July. My salary in Shanghai is quite good..but as I have said, it is an expensive city that can be cold/rude and yes..dangerous. I have saved some money..but I like balance in life..quality of life is important.

[cranky laowai]

I am looking forward to it and will be there at the end of July.

You'd be much better off, tax-wise, if you arrive in Taiwan about a month earlier. Being here for at least half a calendar year is the difference between a low tax rate and 18%.