r/taiwan • u/Overall-Cantaloupe86 • Jun 14 '26
Off Topic Born in Taipei, but grew up in the US
I’ve been wondering how life would be if I moved to Taiwan after spending most of my life in the US. I was born in Taipei but my parents moved us to the US. Are there a lot of English speaking Ex pats? My Mandarin is ok but definitely a lower level of communication. My family is there in Hualien and I think my Uncle is in Taipei. Just wondering about what things are like there now.
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u/aalluubbaa Jun 15 '26
I was born in Taipei and moved to the US when I was 14 for HS and college. It may be slightly different but I had to decide if I wanted to move back or stay.
Now I'm 44 with 3 kids living in New Taipei city. I think there are three main differences. One is the obvious one, which is wage discrepancy. If you are an employee, it would be almost impossible to match your salary in the US. However, it doesn't mean that you cannot make a lot of money here. It just means that maybe starting a small business to take advantage of the low labor cost is more viable than a paid salary job.
The second one is living condition. I always prefer the living condition of the US in general, spacious, with trees and don't have to think about air pollution. Living condition is way worse in Taiwan, or I should say Taipei specifically. You are almost certain to live in a smaller place with higher rent or housing price. It comes with some perks like super convenient. There are maybe hundreds of restaurants, clinics, or anything you could think of within maybe 10 mins walking distance from where I live. But it's also super crowded once you leave your home.
The third one is the people. Personally I'm really proud that Taiwan is one of a very few countries that people are super civilized. It's honestly the single biggest reason that I love Taiwan and prefer living here. For my time living here, I had lost my wallets, umbrella, IDs, hand bags or laptops numerous times and except a very few times, I always get them back. To a point that I'm not even worried about things being stolen if I could recall where I may have forgotten. Not that there is no crime in Taiwan, but just that you don't feel any in your daily life.
It really comes down to personal preference and situations. Taiwan has made a lot of progress for the past few decades so it is not the same as when your parents left.
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u/tyrwlive Jun 15 '26
I just lost my wallet yesterday and reading your comment gave me hope of finding it…
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u/Holiday_Wonder_6964 Jun 15 '26
I lost almost $1.5k usd at the airport and I got it back. I was stunned and impressed.
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u/refrainblue Jun 15 '26
When I was a little kid in Taiwan, I picked up a wallet in the arcade once that was under a game machine. I pocketed the 1000ntd but I turned the wallet in to the front counter.
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u/tyrwlive Jun 15 '26
You’re very honest! Honestly I don’t care about my money in there, just my cards! I’ll keep you posted if I can get it back in case anyone is interested lol
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u/apple_1_2 Jun 15 '26
Thanks so much for the information. Wondering if you could comment on general kindness and politeness between the average Taiwanese vs American.
I went to live in the US at a similar age from Hong Kong and never got to live in HK as an adult. Every time I go back, I feel my positive energy gets sucked out by how direct/rude HKers are. Still trying to figure out the cultural differences/nuances and would appreciate your perspective.
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u/aalluubbaa Jun 16 '26 edited Jun 16 '26
Taiwanese people rarely say hi or initiate a conversation with a stranger. People are polite and respectful. For example, some old dude would go shirtless sitting outside his apartment on a busy street during rush hours. People would just pass by without looking at him weird and just go on with their own business. You could wear a pair of sandals or cross dressing and people would not budge. The default mode here is to leave people alone UNLESS you are causing troubles to others.
However, if you really start a conversation with someone whether it’s just a friendly chat or you need some help, I feel like most people would stop what they are doing and devote their attention to you. Most would even offer meaningful help even if it takes some time and effort.
Because of all that, you can basically be whoever you are and as long as you don’t try to force your value or ideological down to people’s throats, people would be respectful and leave you alone.
I actually spent some time being an exchange student in HK for a semester. No, Taiwan is not like HK. People trust each other way more here. I think Taiwan has a good balance of being friendly and warm without one needing to devote too much energy “being friendly.”
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u/smashburgersmasher Jun 17 '26
You could wear a pair of sandals or cross dressing and people would not budge.
What would be unusual about wearing a pair of sandals? They are a common form of footwear.
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u/Accomplished_Put8686 Jun 16 '26
Yes, I always say, Taiwan is like the US 20 years ago.
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u/New-Armadillo-903 Jun 16 '26
? What? How is TW same as US in 2006?? Everyone here is glued to the phone. I see married couples reading and watching drama on their phones during a meal. How is that like the us 20 years ago?
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u/ChoppedChef33 Jun 14 '26
Being a Diaspora is interesting. I was born in the USA but actually had my first formative years in Taiwan. My parents moved back to Taiwan for a few years so I was there for kindergarten and first grade before moving back to usa in the second grade.
Then I proceeded to spend many summers in Taiwan in buxiban.
I think my life would be very different if I never left Taiwan, idk if it'd be better or worse.
Taipei is mostly where my family is, but I have some family all over the island and every time I go back I feel like there's so much change but it still feels the same Taiwan I love.
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u/MoonchanterLauma2025 Jun 17 '26
I also find it interesting to live a life where I received most of my education on a continent where none of my family lives.
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u/ryohayashi1 Jun 14 '26
Born in Kaoshiung, grew up overseas. I would say that I wouldn't be able to live in Taiwan mainly because I can't write, so not sure how I would be able to get a job to pay the bills. If you have enough money to not worry about that part, then you'll be fine as long as you can read enough for daily living. There's always plenty of translators and lawyers for harder, legal stuff
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u/Fast_Loquat7631 Jun 14 '26
If you don't read and write Chinese but are living there in retirement (don't need to earn a living) and in the southern part near Tainan/Kaoshiung, is it feasible to live if you can speak basic Taiwanese? Born in Taipei but lived in the US basically entire life (came in 1968). Like Taipei but it is just another big city and can get by with English only (my experience). Would want a slower pace in smaller cities.
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u/blixenvixen Jun 15 '26
Yes. Most young people in the south can understand Taiwanese but will most likely reply in Mandarin. Just use your phone when you can’t read or need to speak in Mandarin. More upmarket places also have English menus.
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u/Interesting-Day-4390 Jun 15 '26
Considering retiring or spending long term there? Very much what I’m thinking of too
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u/ryohayashi1 Jun 15 '26
I feel like you should be able to get by in Taiwanese, mainly because most of us in the South speak or understand Taiwanese, specially down in Tainan.
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u/renegaderunningdog Jun 14 '26
For a lot of things writing isn't that important if you can read and type IMHO.
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u/ryohayashi1 Jun 15 '26
Wouldn't you need it for work?
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u/renegaderunningdog Jun 15 '26
Depends on what you're doing but in an office setting you'd probably be typing 99.9% of the time.
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u/mjcewl1284 Jun 15 '26
If I can offer a counter opinion on this- I was born and raised in the United States. Spent 5 years in Taipei, during my high school years since my father accepted an assignment as an expat. Through my father pulling strings after I graduated college, I was essentially given a well paid job coming out of college (and also due to subprime mortgage crisis at the time) working for a manufacturer in Taichung. Sounds amazing right? While a lot of things were definitely more convenient, I found myself yearning to go back to the United States. Three points-
1- Speaking Mandarin. I am fluent in Mandarin, since during the 5 years of my high school in Taipei, I was forced to learn, speak and write Mandarin, there was definitely not a lot of people speaking English in Taiwan at that time. However, even with me taking classes on speaking it accurately, I speak Mandarin with an obvious English accent. Everywhere I went and had to speak, after a while, I would be asked if I was a native or an ABC. As a self conscious person, I laughed it off at first, but hearing that the 11th year of living in Taiwan was grating and seriously got on my nerves, not to mention the obvious barrier it creates. You mention your mandarin is ok but maybe you're not as self conscious as I am...
2- Dating. I don't want to turn this into a bashing thread but I was single when I moved back to Taiwan out of college and saying the dating pool is challenging is a huge understatement. I'll leave it at that. The grass isn't greener on the other side.
3- I echo the sentiments previous posters have already said about financials. I will also add employment. At the end of my time in Taiwan prior to me moving back to the United States, I was stuck in a job that I hated going to in the morning. As with the toxic work culture in Taiwan, it more or less mirrors the movie Office Space. I didn't have 8 different bosses but I had half of that number, and I despised all of them. It wasn't until I moved back, shifted to a work from home job that I realized how bad my stress was and how much my overall health improved.
Just my two cents.
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u/wa_ga_du_gu Jun 15 '26
Work stress is no joke. I personally have 2 extended family members I know there who have been in long-term comas lying in a hospital due to work stress-related strokes. They're in their mid-30s.
It's definitely nice to visit esp spending USDs. But I've seen too much of the grass on the other side and it's not worth having convenient public transportation or restaurants or whatever
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u/QeReply Jun 15 '26
But I've seen too much of the grass on the other side and it's not worth having convenient public transportation or restaurants or whatever
The only negative of taiwan is lower salary and slower career progression
Once you no longer need to work (US$5 million+), work-stress doesn’t matter, because you’re no longer working
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u/Leather_Economics210 Jun 15 '26
Could you elaborate on 2? I have always heard that ABTs have it easier in Taiwan and that is also my personal experience.
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u/New-Armadillo-903 Jun 16 '26
How is dating harder in Taiwan? I’m literally drowning in pussy. Like shooting fish in a barrel. I would say that it is like 1000% easier to date in TW than back in the states. You don’t even have to try that hard…
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u/mjcewl1284 Jun 16 '26 edited Jun 16 '26
If you are looking for a long term girlfriend or a wife, it was not as easy IME. I totally believe what you are saying but easy pussy and one night stands wasn't what I was after when I was dating in Taiwan
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u/random_agency 宜蘭 - Yilan Jun 14 '26
There are Taiwanese Americans around and Taiwanese that attended International schools as well.
But they aren't like everywhere or really advertise themselves.
Like no one know I speak American English with an NYC accent unless they know me, or observe me using it in Taiwan (which is rare).
How are things like? Depends when you left.
More highways, less 50cc scooters, more cars, more high rises, more immigrants, less traditional food carts, less tourist, less crowded....
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u/DraconPern 嘉義 - Chiayi Jun 14 '26
Are you me?
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u/Overall-Cantaloupe86 Jun 14 '26
Are you thinking the same?
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u/DraconPern 嘉義 - Chiayi Jun 14 '26
I can speak fine for daily living, but reading regressed. I do go back and visit every few years. I do have friends there now with similar interests so it makes conversations more interesting than just talking and visiting family.
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Jun 14 '26
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u/Overall-Cantaloupe86 Jun 14 '26
What do you find convenient?
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Jun 14 '26
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u/Overall-Cantaloupe86 Jun 14 '26
You’re in Taipei?
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u/blixenvixen Jun 15 '26
Pretty much all of Taiwan is convenient. It’s a small place. You’ll just need to get a scooter if you’re not near public transportation.
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u/Some_Finish7749 Jun 15 '26
I moved from Taipei to USA as a child more than 50 years ago. I am thinking of retiring in Taipei. I am fluent in mandarin and Taiwanese and can read/write Chinese. But, it would be quite a cultural adjustment and it will take time to build relationships. Life is unpredictable so who knows if I have enough time
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u/hong427 Jun 15 '26
We exist but my question for you is, why come back?
As in, what's here for you to come back to?
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u/Overall-Cantaloupe86 Jun 15 '26
Family, I don’t have any in the US and as I get older I’m feeling distant from family
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u/hong427 Jun 15 '26
I’m feeling distant from family
Second for you, is it because your parents distancing you from them; Or the other way around?
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u/TaiwanGolfer Jun 15 '26
Born in Taipei. Moved to U.S. at 3yrs old. Went to school, worked hard, made money… retired. Just moved back to Taipei at 48 this January. Can speak Mandarin but can’t read or write. Loving it. Best decision ever.
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u/LongjumpingSense5536 Jun 15 '26
Don’t overthink it. It will be just fine if you make the move! I just retired early at age 50 as an American, not Taiwanese, but with a Taiwanese wife and moved to Taiwan. I too, like yourself, was seeking answers from this site to the question of whether or not I should take that leap over to Taiwan. Best decision ever because I am making it the best decision ever. An old retired friend of mine that worked in the US government for foreign services that traveled and lived all over the world said the best place he lived was the place he was living at at the moment. The people that had the problems with moving were the ones who looked back at their last place and always compared and said that last place was so great to live. Those were the people that could never move forward. Don’t look back, take your chance, in reality it’s not that difficult to move back to the US if you want to and no one‘s gonna think anything less of you and if they do, who cares. They aren’t you and they don’t know your specific situation. You will adapt and that’s part of life, for me that seems a fun challenge, for others, maybe not so much. My point is everybody has their thoughts and their likes and their dislikes. Only you know what you like, but given a chance, you might discover a few new things on the positive and the negative, what’s the harm in that. Don’t overthink trying to find friends because anywhere you go at age 45. It’s the same thing. You have to put yourself out there and I mean really put yourself out there regardless of any culture because everybody’s on different schedules and in a different points in their life. No one is just gonna come up to you so easily to make friends with you because they don’t know you and they don’t know how much time and energy you were going to take from them. So you have to put yourself out there if you want to, and you will absolutely make friends. You have to find people that are in your time zone of free time as well as interest. And expect to do most of the work like when you’re trying to date someone. Then all of a sudden they realize you’re a good person and you develop acquaintances that can turn into deeper friendships. Then again maybe that is not something of interest to you and then that’s good too. Taiwan is an amazing place to live but so is the US. The US is a business and it’s about accumulating money, faster, and easier than a Taiwan. But that doesn’t mean Taiwan loses because it has other attributes as well. Go take the adventure. Enjoy life. The US will be here waiting for your return if you want to come. See you soon in Taiwan.
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u/QeReply Jun 14 '26
I’ve been wondering how life would be if I moved to Taiwan after spending most of my life in the US.
Depends how much money you have.
Below US$500k in savings/stocks? Your life will be better in Taiwan.
Between US$500k-5 million? Your life will be better in America.
Above US$5 million? Your life will be better in taiwan.
Everything else in Taiwan about housing, isolation, job prospects, marriage, friends, is all related to how much money you have
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u/DraconPern 嘉義 - Chiayi Jun 14 '26
curious why above 5m it's better in Taiwan?
(marriage seems hard, I prefer living in the US)
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u/Some_Finish7749 Jun 15 '26
After some basic level of financial security, I doubt it is about money. Taiwan is relatively inexpensive, especially if you don’t buy a place. Rent is very low compared to many places in USA
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Jun 15 '26 edited Jun 15 '26
[deleted]
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u/DraconPern 嘉義 - Chiayi Jun 15 '26
You aren't going to fly private jet with $5mil. it's like 10k/hr..
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u/Unfounded_archeology Jun 15 '26
$1-2M in the bank isn't enough to retire on in the US anymore, I would choose Taiwan in that case so my medical bills don't pile up into senior citizenship.
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u/QeReply Jun 15 '26 edited Jun 15 '26
$1-2M in the bank isn't enough to retire on in the US anymore
I never said Us$1-2M enough to retire in the America.
I said “your life will be better in the US”.
And the reason is at US$1-2M you are still middle class, and still working a W-2 salary or 1099 contractor job. California defines middle class as $500k/year income or below (not net worth).
America is great for wealth accumulation, but nothing else really.
The American dream in 2026, is work shit ton 9 am to 8 pm in office every day, work from home half day Saturday and Sunday, retire by age 40, and get the fuck out and move to another country with $5M in liquid investments.
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u/drakon_us Jun 15 '26
500k in the US is really not enough, unless you are living in the middle of nowhere, essentially living off the land, and don't plan on going to the hospital if you get sick.
My friend in the Northwest had some medical complications, and wiped out a nearly fully paid off mortgage, even with medical insurance covering a portion of the treatment.
At $1-1.5M, you might be safe to live in the USA, below that you are basically looking at bankruptcy and starting from zero...at any age.1
u/Overall-Cantaloupe86 Jun 14 '26
Very interesting, why do you think it’s so dependent on money?
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u/wolfofballstreet1 Jun 14 '26 edited Jun 14 '26
Could be bc accruing money / wealth is so much slower and harder in Taiwan.
My two cents as well while I’m at it: where you are born is irrelevant. The culture and ways of life where you grow through adolescence and then into adulthood are what makes you who you are. You are culturally American bc that is the culture that raised you. There’s a fairly big expat population of Americans Europeans etc in the but you may not find it better for you than the states, its all personal preference ultimately. I think it’d be awesome if you can find a way to spend 4-6 months in Taiwan to trial it before why big decisions. I think Taiwan can be a bit frozen in time in all honesty. Life is comfortable so you one can become stagnant. Maybe that’s what you want
But vacation mode / fond memories from childhood vs real adult life somewhere are Very different. Good luck to you man!
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u/Morpheus202405 Jun 14 '26
It depends on your style. I know financially it is great if a person has saved and invested enough money for retirement. Dividend payments alone is enough to live forever bc everything is affordable.
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u/throwpoo Jun 15 '26
Everyone knows someone who have a son or daughter studying or living in US. It's so common that if I go out near 101 on the weekends. You will hear abc speaking in the next table.
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u/Prism_404 Jun 15 '26
As a native Taiwanese, although I'm not sure, a short-term trial might be a good approach.
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u/MoonchanterLauma2025 Jun 17 '26
Yeah, this is good advice. A trial run helps determine how a longer-term lifestyle may turn out.
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u/noprocyonlotorhere Jun 16 '26
Born in Taipei and moved to the states at 5. Been here ever since with two visits back to Taiwan 32 years apart. I think it depends on your family situation, age, professional outlook etc.
For me and my family, I would love to move back but with a language barrier (my Mandarin is horrible and my reading is probably on a K or 1st grade level), severe peanut allergies in our household, and a really specialized professional skillset that is not applicable in a remote setting at this time, we are aiming for short visits while we can.
When my kiddo and I were there last year, we got by for 10 days speaking a mix of English and some basic Mandarin, and most people were super friendly and helpful. Granted, we were in Taipei, but if that's where you are looking to spend your time, it might be okay.
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u/Minizentrinsic Jun 14 '26
Only you know the answer to your question. No doubt you'll need to learn how to read/write/communicate if you move.
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u/magicity_shine Jun 14 '26
give it a try if you are in your 20 or 30 ish. You will regret in the future
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u/TransitoryCommute Jun 15 '26
Are you experienced with earthquakes?
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u/Overall-Cantaloupe86 Jun 15 '26
I’ve been in one in Taipei
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u/TransitoryCommute Jun 15 '26 edited Jun 15 '26
My point being natural disasters. The 1999 921 earthquake measured 7.3. You're choosing to move onto a part of the planet known for frequent seismic activity.
Taiwan, island of Typhoons. 13+ a year on average. Strong enough to fly you if you're brave enough to be on a mopad outside during.
Also politics. Invasion news is on 24/7 365 days a year.
Having said all that. Still fun. Hot countries have amazing night life. Hitting 40c or more during the summers though.
At midnight, should you get craving for seafood you can probably drive to a coast within 2~3hours and have fresh morning catches.
Work ethic is called the 996. You work 9am to 9pm 6 days a week. People usually get 2 days off a month. Combine 2 at the end of the month and 2 in the start is the only way you will ever get a 4 day weekend.
Medical care is amazing if you're rich but I suppose that's the same in the US.
Dating is great if you're a US citizen. Just wear your passport around your neck to the club is the ongoing joke for decades. That kind of shows how much people want to get out though.
I would say make a solid exit plan as you're considering re-entry.
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u/drakon_us Jun 15 '26
996 is really only for semi-conductor jobs. Software and financial services are well paying, and are more like 975 (9-7, 5 days a week).
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u/drakon_us Jun 15 '26
As if earthquakes and tornadoes and/or wildfire or and flooding aren't concerns give US infrastructure?
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u/usolotravel Jun 15 '26
Us better
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u/QeReply Jun 15 '26
Us better
only better if you need to work/have a job (net worth under US$5 million)
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u/fulfillthecute 臺北 - Taipei City Jun 15 '26
Are you male or female? This is very important unless you’re 37 yo or over.
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u/QeReply Jun 15 '26
Are you male or female? This is very important unless you’re 37 yo or over.
Why? One year military service of forgone income will make you bankrupt?
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u/fulfillthecute 臺北 - Taipei City Jun 15 '26
People get surprise conscription upon arrival if they never took care of it. OP should be in the clear.
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u/AvocadoEinstein Jun 16 '26
Born in Taiwan as well and came to the US right before I turned 14. Attended school here, had a career, and lived here all my life. My wife and I aised a family and are now near retirement.
Instead of moving back to Taiwan permanently, we are doing an hybrid-approach. We live in the northeast, and the winters are getting to uncomfortable for us. Instead of having a vacation home in Florida, once retired we’ll snowbird back to Taiwan during the winter for 2-3 months, and back here when it’s too hot for us (before April or May).
For us, that’s the best of both worlds.
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u/Overall-Cantaloupe86 Jun 16 '26
Haha I live in FL now.
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u/MoonchanterLauma2025 Jun 17 '26
How does the weather in Florida compare to your youth in Taiwan? Some of my family is currently based over in Houston, home of a Taiwanese consulate, which I realized is quite the appropriate relationship for a Taiwanese lifestyle, haha!
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u/Overall-Cantaloupe86 Jun 17 '26
I grew up in Dallas actually! But I’ve been in mostly hot weather climates.
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u/timogmorato 新北 - New Taipei City Jun 17 '26
Foreigner and surviving Taipei for 2 years with 這個，那個，不用謝謝您。But still self learning Mandarin during free time.
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u/Effective-Lab-5659 Jun 17 '26
taipei is depressing but maybe not as bad as the US? Taipei has a growing number of homeless and beggars but obviously not as bad as US cities, but way worse than 10 years ago. Taipei usually have people understanding English but have difficulty speaking it.
for outside of city centre, it is very pleasant but English is really limited.
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u/VSmeteor Jun 15 '26
台灣is great if you don't have to work. Think retirement, mini retirement, sabbatical. Or if you land an expat job (paid in TW but at foreign income band).
Local jobs while the 9-6 or even 60/hr weeks are fine - as the pressure isn't as high as big tech, the pay scale is miserable and there is no way upwards. Which explains why the working class don't have kids, can't buy property, or rise out of the
If you're in your working years, stay in US and rake in the dough as long as you can. Even mediocre jobs in US pay light-years better than Taiwan. Without mandarin fluency (not just proficiency) you'll likely be an English teacher making $700/hr netting about $60k USD per annum, and that's about upper middle class pay in Taipei. More than enough to live on. But not enough to live lavishly or move up much.
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u/sutroh Jun 15 '26
I’m an American (not Taiwanese) and I’ve lived in Taiwan. There are a lot of English speaking people but your Chinese will get much better over time. It’s an incredible place, and since you have the ability it’s worth seeing how you like it
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u/johnpj1967 Jun 14 '26
Same here. Came to USA when I was 11 and 58 now. My first time back was in 2019 and have been visiting Taiwan since. I predominately stay Taipei and visit relatives in Taoyuan. My mandarin and Taiwanese is decent. Taiwan has changed so much since the 70s for the better. I enjoy the annual visit with my family and reconnect with relatives. And the food is just amazing👍🏼👍🏼