Taipei: mountains within reach and solidly democratic, genuinely affordable

Homicide rate: 0.6 per 100,000 (UNODC). World average is 5.8, so Taipei is very safe by global standards. Learn the neighborhoods before signing a lease — every city has blocks you'll love and blocks you won't.

A 1-bed in the centre runs about $735/month (Numbeo). Day-to-day: a cheap restaurant meal: $4.95, monthly transit pass: $38. All in — rent, food, getting around, keeping the lights on — budget $1135–$1535/month depending on whether you cook or eat out. That's the settler number, not the tourist number.

Taipei: Summers reach around 32°C with about 13.7 hours of daylight in Jun, winters drop to around 14°C and 10.6 hours of daylight in Dec. Warm enough to regret not having AC, cool enough that some people try.

Moderate English proficiency (EF EPI). But that one word hides two very different realities: office English 61/100 (can you work in English?) and street English 36/100 (can you argue with your landlord in English?). The office is usually easier. The landlord is the real test.

Taiwan scores 8.9/10 on the EIU Democracy Index. Strong institutions, functional courts, free press — the kind of place where criticizing politicians is entertainment, not a risk. Rent from $735/month.

Unemployment: 3.4%. Translation: jobs exist and companies are actually hiring — a rarity worth noting. If you're planning to job-hunt locally, research your industry before booking a one-way ticket. If you work remotely, this number matters less — but your visa type might not let you.

Depends what kind of expat you are. Key facts: rent from $735/month; Taiwan Gold Card (relatively easy to obtain); moderate English proficiency means expats may need some local language. The numbers above — livability score, safety, cost of living — tell you whether the city works on paper. Whether it works for you depends on what you're optimizing for. Take the quiz if you want a more honest answer than "it's great for expats."

Taiwan has the Taiwan Gold Card program. Duration: 1–3 years (open work permit). Requirements: For skilled professionals in 8 fields (digital, science, economy, etc.). No employer needed — you can freelance, start a company, or work remotely. Salary threshold ~NT$160K/mo (~$5,200) or equivalent credentials. 5 years on Gold Card/ARC + income threshold → APRC (permanent residence). As visa processes go, this one is relatively painless — which is a low bar, but still. Always verify with the official government portal — immigration rules change faster than this page updates.