[UnW]

Few Taiwan-related questions for you guys in Taiwan already.

More so, Taiwan and relocation related.

Mobile Phone:
What's the best phone plan to get onto when I arrive in Taiwan? I'll be staying 1 year minimum, however I'm not 100% sure if I'll stay longer and I'll be bringing my own unlocked phone.

Bank:
What documents do you need to open a bank account? ARC? Also, which bank do you guys recommend? I keep hearing that Cash is the best in Taiwan as some parts don't really accept credit cards etc. is this true?

Any essentials items that you guys would recommend for me to bring from my home country prior to arrival?

[oldirtybachelor]

(10-09-2014 01:25 AM)UnW Wrote:  

Few Taiwan-related questions for you guys in Taiwan already.

More so, Taiwan and relocation related.

Mobile Phone:
What's the best phone plan to get onto when I arrive in Taiwan? I'll be staying 1 year minimum, however I'm not 100% sure if I'll stay longer and I'll be bringing my own unlocked phone.

I also have an unlocked phone and use the 7-11 pay as you go. Not bad rates as long as you don't text too much. Everyone here uses Line messenger anyway. Pretty sure all you need is a passport and maybe another ID to get a SIM card. Try and verify that.

The 7-11s here are hella nice.

(10-09-2014 01:25 AM)UnW Wrote:  

Bank:
What documents do you need to open a bank account? ARC? Also, which bank do you guys recommend? I keep hearing that Cash is the best in Taiwan as some parts don't really accept credit cards etc. is this true?

Any essentials items that you guys would recommend for me to bring from my home country prior to arrival?

I think some banks will let you open an account with just your passport. You can also look on Forumosa for questions like this, that forum is packed with good practical info on Taiwan.

In terms of establishments taking cash/credit cards off the top of my head I'd say 60% of places take credit cards. The grocery stores take credit card as well as the wholesale stores like Carrefour. I think its always best to carry a decent amount cash with you because nobody will rob you in this country and I can remember a handful of times where I was in a rush, forgot my cash, and was denied using a credit card only to have to run to an ATM.

Also, things I would have bought before I came here if I'd have known better:

-A lot of good deodorant. Taiwan's selection of deodorant is garbage
-Safety razor blades
-Good Protein Powder. The Protein at the GNC here is a huge rip off.
-Any peculiar supplements/ nootropics you might use. For example I regularly use Theanine

[UnW]

Thanks ODB, great info! I'll check out forumosa and I'll probably end up using WhatsApp/LINE etc instead of standard texting anyway.

On the subject of protein powders, I'll be aiming to continue heading to the gym regularly whilst I'm in Taiwan, what's the outlook like for Gyms? Is there many in the city you're in? Are they overpriced for memberships?

Just a month now until I leave Australia for TW, so all these random questions popping up in my mind!

[oldirtybachelor]

(10-09-2014 04:13 PM)UnW Wrote:  

Thanks ODB, great info! I'll check out forumosa and I'll probably end up using WhatsApp/LINE etc instead of standard texting anyway.

On the subject of protein powders, I'll be aiming to continue heading to the gym regularly whilst I'm in Taiwan, what's the outlook like for Gyms? Is there many in the city you're in? Are they overpriced for memberships?

Just a month now until I leave Australia for TW, so all these random questions popping up in my mind!

Hmm I've been meaning to get back into lifting, and there are surely options around. I do BJJ and all my other workouts are done in the park so I'm not personally part of a gym, but I know of some here in Taichung. There is a lifting gym very close to me, maybe 10 min walk (I live in Beitun) that is only about $15 USD a month if you pay up front for 6-12 months. Also there's a gym called World Gym here in Taiwan that I'd assume is kind of like Gold's gym in that its a chain. Never been inside. I see them everywhere so I'm sure most cities have at least one. Not sure about prices for membership.

I would just ask around when you get here because I see random fitness centers and gyms pop up when I drive around. I'm sure you can find a reliable and cheap one if you look hard enough.