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Cost of Living

Taiwan is fairly expensive by Asian standards. Significantly cheaper than the most expensive Asian country, Japan, it ranks around 38 out of 300 most expensive places for expats to live. The cost of living in Taiwan can be as high or as low as you make it.

For a budget traveller, it is possible to get by on as little as NT$1000. A moderate restaurant meal should cost around NT$300. On the other end, a meal at the fanciest restaurant can be more than NT$1000 with accommodations costing over NT$5000.

A basic guide to prices (listed in NT$):
• Bowl of noodles = $40
• Can of Coke = $20
• Cappuccino = $100
• English Newspaper = $15 - $20
• Can of Taiwanese beer (convenience store)= $35
• Bottle of Heinieken (bar/pub)= $150
• Cinema Ticket = $200 - $300
• Cable TV = $700 +
• Electricity = $1000
• Landline phone = $100 (basic fee)
• Mobile Phone = $200 (basic fee)

Short Term Accommodations

For short term housing before you settle into a more permanent place, there area variety of hotels, sublets, and short-term housing.

Luxury Taipei Tienmu Apartment- features short term rentals in the premier residential area of Tienmu. Price is around US$120 per night for 4 to 5 people.
Contact: visitaipei@gmail.com (proficient in English, Chinese, Japanese)

Some other options include:
http://rentals.classifieds1000.com/Taiwan
http://taipei.craigslist.com.tw/hhh/
http://www.sublet.com
http://www.moveandstay.com

Flatsharing

An important trait in any room-mate situation is having boundaries and a clear understanding of what each room-mate requires. To protect yourself against potential problems should the worst happen, try to arrange it so that your room-mates co-sign the lease. This makes all the room-mates responsible for whatever happens to the property. If the worst was to happen, such as your roommate losing their job and not being able to pay rent, they will be held financially responsible- not you.

Hostel

• Mandarin Hostel
  Offers daily rentals as well as long term rentals. Useful connections for teaching.
• Taipei Hostel
  One of the first youth hostels in Taiwan opened in 1976.
• Eight Elephants Hostel
  located in Central Taipei, near Shida Night Market and University. Well equipped & hip.
• Taipei Backpackers Hostel
  Newer hostel located near Taipei Main Station.