So, as a native Mandarin speaker, I was really excited to check out Taipei after hearing all the hype about it being a dream spot for digital nomads. But let me tell you, the housing situation is a total nightmare. Most places are like a time warp back to the 80s – picture moldy walls, showering right next to the toilet, and no washing machines. If you want something decent that meets basic Western standards (like your own shower and a washer that’s not in a mystery location), you’re looking at shelling out 1500-2k or more, and good luck getting landlords to even consider renting to foreigners. And don’t even get me started on the night markets. Sure, they’re supposed to be “cultural experiences” and all that, but let’s be real – after a couple of visits, you realize it’s just the same old fried, greasy fare at every stall.
And let’s talk about food diversity – or the lack thereof. For a capital city, Taipei’s international food scene is seriously lacking. Trying to find decent Mexican, Middle Eastern, or even just good Western food that won’t break the bank? Good luck with that. The subway system is reliable, and I’ve got to hand it to them, the biking infrastructure is pretty impressive too. Oh, and the food at 7/11? Surprisingly tasty. But apart from that, there’s not much else that wowed me.
I mean, maybe I’m missing something here, but honestly? If you’re thinking about making Taipei your next nomad hotspot, I’d say skip it and head over to Bangkok instead. You’ll get better bang for your buck, more excitement, and you won’t have to worry about mastering Mandarin just to have a social life.