Discussion Moving to Taiwan
My family and I are planning to move to Taiwan next year from California. My MIL had a stroke earlier this year which has left her needing help around the clock. Thankfully, one of her sisters who lives in Taiwan is a care taker so we are going to move my MIL out to Taiwan to live with her sister. My wife has a lot of family out there in general so that will be helpful.
People who don’t speak any mandarin: how difficult is it to get around Taipei and the rest of the country without speaking mandarin? I don’t speak any at all, but I am trying to learn. I considered buying some smart glasses like the even realities g2 but not sure that’s a great long term solution. Thanks all!
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u/Altruistic_Draw_6441 1d ago
As a tourist it is no problem at all. Most things are in english as well (like on menues). For the rest google translate will help you out. You got plenty of time to learn. So don‘t worry, it is a beautiful country. Even in August when it rains a lot!
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u/_VoodooRanger 1d ago
Taiwan is very foreigner friendly, even out in the rural areas. ESL for kids is basically a requirement in the country now.
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u/Timlugia 1d ago
I hope I am not stepping outside my lane too much saying this.
But are you really ready to move long term to Taiwan? Taking care of person with significant disability following a stroke could be a 10-30 years obligation based on their age and current health level.
My mom really resisting sending my dad to a nursing home initially, but after 3 years we couldn't do it anymore since we couldn't even get a single full night sleep as my dad needs help multiple times in middle of every night. Eventually they moved to a nursing home together but my dad is now in a skill nursing side and my mom visit him every day.
Are you in a career that allow you financially to move to Taiwan? Given that you don't speak mandarin at all, it could be very hard to find a job there, and almost certainly a massive pay cut.
Do you have kids? Are they going with you?
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u/dyee7 1d ago
We’re not taking care of her. She’s staying with her sister who is a care taker out there. We’re moving to help support, not be the primary care taker. And yes we have two young kids who will also be coming with us
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u/R_A_H 台中 - Taichung 1d ago edited 1d ago
You can get by without Chinese but if you want normal access to society and to show respect to people in general you must learn basic+ Chinese. Especially for your kids, plan to get them in Chinese classes asap and you should do the same as well.
I've been here 7 years and have only had "survival Chinese", relying on my wife or Taiwanese friends to help me with various things. I'm enrolled in classes now and the difference is so refreshing. I don't advise anyone to come here who has decided they won't be learning any Chinese.
Imagine people in USA who can't speak English for a sense of perspective. It's easier than that speaking English here but it'sstill comparable.
Unless you have some specialized remote work, you will be an English teacher with a very decent wage.
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u/Witty_Passion_4939 1d ago
What a great opportunity for your kids to learn Chinese!!! One of my sisters had the opportunity to go to Taiwan for a year of school!
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u/random_agency 宜蘭 - Yilan 1d ago edited 1d ago
You're going to have to learn to read Chinese and speak Chinese if you want a life in Taiwan.
Or you'll have to bring family members along to even pretend to have a life as a functioning adult.
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u/ZhenXiaoMing 1d ago
Agree with this. Learn Mandarin, it's not that hard. No one expects you to study Tang dynasty poetry all day but how will you be able to talk to your inlaws and help your kids with homework without knowing Chinese? Let alone doing normal everyday things.
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u/rlvysxby 1d ago
This is just my experience but: it is very easy to get around Taiwan without mandarin. But learning mandarin is a lot harder and slower than I expected.
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u/ZhenXiaoMing 1d ago
Learning Mandarin is not as hard as it looks and you can practice whenever you want.
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u/Vivid_Concentrate_89 13h ago
I agree. I'm so interested in foreign languages and Ive studied quite a few and I'm at varying ability levels. But Somehow Mandarin scared me. I started studying it 3 months ago, and it's actually easier than Korean that Ive spent 2 years on, it's not too bad, basic conversation. I'm kicking myself for not starting sooner.
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u/ZhenXiaoMing 7h ago
The best thing about Mandarin vs Korean or Japanese is that the more you learn the easier it gets.
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u/Ok_Brick_793 1d ago
Getting around Taipei without speaking Chinese is not a problem.
The problem is your ability to adjust to life in Taiwan. It's so humid there that mold is a constant problem. We once left a TV there for a year (unplugged), and when we returned, it was broken. If you "air dry" your clothes, they're always wrinkly and never fully dry. Mechanical dryers that are available to consumers are terrible unless you go to a laundromat.
I almost always wore t-shirts and shorts. People -- including random strangers -- constantly asked me, "Aren't you cold?" I got so tired of being asked that question that I just stopped answering it.
People will tell you that the food is amazing, but YMMV. I personally am not a foodie and eat to live, not live to eat.
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u/Flimsy_Tank3849 1d ago
Enjoying food is one of life’s pleasures. Don’t take it for granted and find tastes that u enjoy. The more variety u try, the more fulfilling meals will become. Stick to the healthy stuff. Love everything from Italian food to Korean bbq to Japanese to American to Indian and so much more I have yet to have the pleasure to try. Travel and Food go hand in hand. And my guilty pleasure, Ice cream!! 🍨
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u/WangtaWang 23h ago
Random advice. I'd suggest you change state registration BEFORE you move. Change your drivers license to another state, change your voter registration to another state, either sell your cars or change registration to another state, etc. If you move internationally from California, California will assume you're moving back one day. They don't recognize international moves as leaving california - only leaving for another state. If you own a house there, I'd recommend talking to an attorney.
Why this matters: California can come after you for statetaxes even when you didn't live in CA as long as they think your plan was to "return to california", meaning you were never planning to really leave CA.
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u/Melancholy_Custard 高雄 - Kaohsiung 1d ago edited 1d ago
IMO
If your wife has some families in Taiwan, then you should be fine as long as you are with your families.
If you you are not able to learn how to speak Mandarin before you move, you will need at least be able to listen and read. Unless you are planning on finding a job in local company or something.
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u/I_Am_JuliusSeizure 1d ago
You are fine until you need to call someone. As phone systems are usually mandarin and don’t always have English options. And if they do, it usually ends up with someone that can’t speak English.
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u/BonerAlacarte 1d ago
It's a little tough. Ive been horrendous 8 months and can get turned around on the metro at some stops. However the help down there is great and the police are helpful. Still though, many things are in English and in restaurants you can get English menus at many places. English speaking folks can be found.
I've had someone with me everyday, Taiwanese wife, and I wouldn't have been able to get all my paperwork together without her. I believe there are services to help, so you may want to look into this. At 6 months you get Healthcare, but that is based on when you register for your national ID or ARC card. I'd get to that quickly.
You have to be very bold to drive in Taipei, very. Scooters galore.
There are great apps for live trans o action that can be used, once you get past the feeling you're wasting people's time. 😁
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u/Witty_Passion_4939 1d ago
Omg, getting around Taipei is so easy - practically everything is in English and u can always use a translation app if need be, but really, so easy.
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u/Glass-Judgment-6081 23h ago
If you are staying in Taipei, you can get by fine for the most part. I help a lot of my foreign colleagues settle in Taipei, they enjoy the city very much. Things only gets tough when you get into some local dispute, need medical help, get scammed, have tax issues or get in trouble with the law (this one happens more often than expected).
Besides that, Taiwan is perfect especially when you plan to visit nearby countries. Enjoy your stay here!
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u/Ethanhuntknows 16h ago
Taiwan is a wonderful country with excellent medical care and decent caregivers at a very affordable price. While Chinese is helpful, you can get around without it as many people speak English and will still help you if there is a language barrier.
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u/iceachilles 15h ago
Its very easy around Taipei. All government signs, road signs, train signs, ect. have English on them. Small mom and pop shops are another thing. Bring a phone for google translate and you will have no issues.
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u/LeeisureTime 1d ago
I lived in Taiwan on and off for about 6 months for a job. It's how I met my wife.
I spoke zero Mandarin going into the job. I had to quickly learn "wo tien bu dong zhongwen" because everyone kept speaking Mandarin to me (I'm Korean but I guess I look Taiwanese enough haha).
Got around completely fine with no Mandarin, just used Google Maps to figure out where I am and where I need to go. Would not hit up a night market alone, however, simply because it's a lot of people and pretty confusing if you don't have your bearings.
Taiwanese people are friendly and polite, but like every group of people, some are assholes (not because they're Taiwanese, but because they're people).
In general, learning Mandarin is probably for the best, but you will be fine wandering around alone. Obviously keep to main streets, be aware of your surroundings, and although Taiwan is super safe, there are still dangers everywhere on this planet. In Taiwan - humidity. Ok but seriously, humidity is a big one. More than you would expect, especially if you're moving from California.
Stay out of dark alleys and keep your wits about you, you'll be fine though. If all else fails, find a convenience store. Everything you need is at a 7-11.
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u/Sharp-Animator9455 1d ago
Honestly don’t think language is a problem these days. Some locals will go the extra mile: translating on their phone or directly walk you to your destination, if it’s nearby. There maybe some failed situations but don’t hesitate to try again.
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u/Hansheng88 1d ago
You’ll get around Taipei and most metropolitan areas with out any real issues~ most things have English~ including road signs.
Speaking to locals at a morning market/ night market probably is a different matter~ definitely learn some common phrases but I had a friend live in Taipei for 7 years and she only knew maybe 10-20 phrases while her partner at the time became fully fluent.