Comments on: Low Cost of Living – Rent

By: admin

admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:30:18 +0000

@Alex,
Do you have the money spare to pay for such a course? If you do then I would suggest you get a CELTA. A CELTA is a heck lot more useful than most TESOL certificates and definitely more valuable than any online TESOL certificate. However, a CELTA will set you back around $1.5k to $2k USD, so you need to be sure you have the money to burn OR are convinced that it will help you and is worth every penny.

Otherwise I would just suggest you grab any bog standard online TESOL certificate that costs $100 to $200 USD. You’ll definitely learn something about teaching and it will make adjusting to your first teaching job much easier, but it is highly unlikely that it will give you any major edge of others in terms of finding a job. “Most” schools don’t care if you have a certificate or not, but if a boss had to pick between two candidates, I think he or she would pick the one who had a TESOL certificate, regardless of the kind of certificate it was, over the other candidate who didn’t have a certificate of any kind.

I hope that helps answer your question or at least gives you something to think about. Best of luck!

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:02:14 +0000

First i want to say your website is extremely helpful. I have a BA and am currently deciding whether or not to pursue a TEFLA/TESOL certification since some schools/organizations don’t require it. What are your thoughts on getting these certifications in regards to getting a job and practical use in the class room? Also regarding the ones that can be taken completely online versus in class programs? Thanks again for all the info and look forward to hearing back from you

By: admin

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:12:10 +0000

@Claudia,
Thanks. I really do appreciate it when people express their thanks and gratitude. People can also show their thanks by simply using the FB or G+1 buttons on any page they like. OK, to answer your question.

For Taipei, you basically want to avoid the CBD area. The middle of Taipei is outrageously expensive, much like most large cities around the world. If you must live near the center of the city, then I strongly recommend you rent a room and share with others. Just pick a very old building that is run down and you’ll be able to save immensely on your rent. Don’t expect much, because these buildings are old and the rooms are small, but it will help you to save big time on your monthly rent. The other option is to just live in Taipei County, what is now known as New Taipei City. The rent there is much cheaper, but it does mean you will have to travel a little further. It really depends on where you will be working and how much you are willing to pay for rent. The good thing about Taipei is that is has Taiwan’s best subway system, so making sure you live within walking distance or not too far from a subway station can make it MUCH easier living in Taipei. I hope that helps. Good luck!

By: Claudia

Claudia — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:42:05 +0000

Heya. I love this site! This may be off topic but I was looking at apartments in Taipei and was wandering if there are any particular districts which you recommend or advise to stay clear of, in relation to rent prices or any other aspects.
Many thanks!

By: admin

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:54:09 +0000

@Anthony,
I believe there is a rule that says people on student visas in Taiwan cannot work in the first year of their stay. What this means is that you need to come here, study for one year and then in your 2nd year you can start working. There is also a limit of 16 hours per week that you can work. You will also need to apply for a work permit, so you can’t just wait one year and then start working without going through the necessary hoops and getting the required paperwork done to work legally. Naturally, not everyone cares about this and they work illegally. I obviously can’t recommend anyone to do this, but it is not unheard of. Regarding accommodation in Taipei, I think the best thing to do would be to share with someone else or live on campus. University housing is VERY cheap (think less than 10,000NT for a whole semester), or if you prefer to live alone then I’d recommend finding somewhere in Taipei County, now known as New Taipei City. However, if you are studying here and single, then I strongly recommend you check out what housing your university will offer you. It’s super cheap and really is the best way to save money while you are young.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:34:04 +0000

Hello,
I am about to finish my major at a university in Canada. I went to Taida Taipei on an exchange for my second year. While I was there, I found a job in Taoyuan tutoring English (under the table) for around a 1000 NTD. I really liked this life-style of school and work and would like to do so this coming year. Do you know if it is possible to do so legally, or does the Taiwanese bureaucracy simple demand one or the other. Also, what parts of Taipei are the cheapest to live in? I am in my low 20′s and I don’t mind poor conditions of living, just as long as I’m getting the bang for my buck.

If I was to only work in TW, would I be able to tutor on my own (time and wage) while also working at a school? What are the taxes like on the incomes of foreigners working in TW? What is the closest cheapest city to Taipei where I could earn while also saving the most cash?

P.S. Really like the website, keep up the good work.

By: admin

admin — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:19:46 +0000

@Sarah,
Please note that Taipei “may” be higher than the prices listed above, but only if you want to live in the CENTRE of the city and must live in a new or very new building. I would say Taipei is around 10k to 15k for a studio apartment. Anyway, you are correct about the comparison between Taipei and other major cities in China. I’ve looked myself and was shocked at how high prices in China were, at least for medium sized cities (and I didn’t even look at Beijing or Shanghai). You can find cheap places to rent in Taipei if you aren’t set on living where the action is.

Anyway, onto your other questions. Most cram schools have class with kids aged anywhere from 6 to 12 years old. You will very rarely have any chance to teach kids any older than this. I can’t go into the specifics as to why, but basically kids start to prepare for lots of tests when they hit 12 and just don’t have time for English classes. I hope this helps. Feel free to like or share this site with others Thanks.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:05:22 +0000

Hey,

I’m currently living in China and thinking about moving over to Taiwan. I’m really surprised by how cheap you say the rent is in Taipei (it look like the same cost as renting where I live now and less than half the cost of renting in Shanghai/Beijing). Is it easy to find somewhere for this price? Or do you just have to get lucky? Because finding somewhere that cheap where I live now was a month-long hunt.

Also I wanted to ask how old the students generally are at the cram schools and middle schools? I love teaching teenagers but students under 13-14 drive me insane! Are there many teaching posts available for specialising in 14-18 year olds?

Thanks for your help!

By: admin

admin — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 01:27:26 +0000

@Liane,
Why would you be offended with something saying Good luck with the Philippines? I end almost EVERY post with a “good luck” comment.

Anyway, running an air conditioner for at least 10 hours a day will probably add 1,000 – 2,000NT per month to your power bill. Utilities in Taiwan aren’t considerably cheaper than where I am from originally, but I doubt they are as cheap as they are in the Philippines (I honestly don’t know). You shouldn’t have to worry about your power or water bill, unless you leave your air conditioner on 24 hours a day at 16 degrees Celsius, and you leave the water running all day and all night. Don’t fret about the small stuff. Good luck!

By: Liane

Liane — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 16:32:13 +0000

I’m Taiwanese-born but raised in the Philippines and I was a little offended with your “Good luck with the Philippines” comment, but other than that, I have to commend you for this website. It’s incredibly informative.

I am able to afford a little more for a well-furnished 1-bedroom apartment since I am uncomfortable with roommates, but I was really wondering about utility costs in Taiwan, because I’ve heard they’re kind of cheaper? I have been there a couple of times but have never rented a place of my own, and from having lived in a tropical country, deem air conditioning very important. If I have it on for more than 10 hours a day, would you have any estimates as to how that would translate in NT?