Taipei

Let me drop you into the middle of Taipei. You step out of a flawless, silent metro, cross a street where no one honks, and catch the sweet smell of fresh bubble tea. At night, an entire market lights up, steam rising off the pots, polite lines, bowls of beef noodle soup passing hand to hand. On the weekend, a mountain trail begins at the end of the metro line, and afterward you soak in a warm natural hot spring. Taipei is the city almost no one recommends and everyone falls for: kind, safe, delicious, and absurdly easy to live in.

Taipei in 30 seconds

It’s the capital of Taiwan and perhaps the most underrated Asian metropolis to live in: modern, clean, orderly, and home to one of the friendliest populations on the continent. It has a world-class metro, the best cheap street food in Asia (for many people), top-tier healthcare at trivial prices, and impressive safety. It’s ringed by green mountains and hot springs, nature minutes from the concrete.

Where to live, a tour of the neighborhoods

Da’an: the leafy, central heart, full of cafes, universities, and coworking spaces. The darling of nomads and the creative class. Convenient and pleasant.

Xinyi: the modern Taipei 101 district, with malls, offices, and nightlife. Pricier and cosmopolitan.

Zhongshan / Datong: a mix of old and modern charm, with galleries, cafes, and the city’s historic side.

Gongguan / Shida: university areas, lively and cheaper, packed with cheap food and bookstores.

The must-dos, what to do

• Taipei 101: the landmark skyscraper; go up to the observatory or just admire it from Elephant Mountain.
• Night markets (Shilin, Raohe, Ningxia): the city’s heart; come hungry and eat until you can’t.
• Elephant Mountain trail: a 15-minute climb to the classic Taipei 101 view at sunset.
• Beitou hot springs: natural warm baths one metro stop from downtown.
• Longshan Temple and the old town: traditional Taipei, full of incense and history.
• Day trip to Jiufen and Pingxi: the mountain village that inspired “Spirited Away” and the sky lanterns.

The food, the cheap street-food paradise

For many, Taipei has the best cheap street food in Asia. Beef noodle soup is the national dish; xiao long bao (the famous soup dumpling from Din Tai Fung, born here) melts in your mouth; bubble tea was invented in Taiwan; and the night markets serve gua bao, scallion pancakes, giant fried chicken, and the polarizing stinky tofu. You eat wonderfully for very little, dinner at a night market costs a couple of dollars.

A perfect day in Taipei

Breakfast with dan bing (the egg crepe) and warm soy milk, a morning of work at a Da’an cafe. For lunch, a steaming bowl of beef noodles. In the afternoon, climb Elephant Mountain or ride the MRT to Beitou for a hot spring. At dusk, YouBike along the riverbank. At night, dive into a night market: steam, lights, polite lines, and endless food. You take the metro home, relaxed, in a silent carriage.

What it costs and the practical stuff

You live very well on US$ 1,280 to 2,160 a month: an apartment near the MRT runs US$ 600 to 1,000, eating out is dirt cheap, and transport is a bargain. The big trump card is healthcare: Taiwan’s system is world-class and astonishingly cheap. Taipei delivers a first-world standard of living at a Southeast Asian cost.

Getting around

• MRT (metro): modern, clean, cheap, and silent; the best way to get around. Use an EasyCard.
• YouBike: public bikes on every corner, on the same card; perfect for short trips.
• On foot: the center is flat and walkable.
• Taxi / Uber: cheap and easy for nights or long trips.

Is Taipei worth living in?

If you want safety, kindness, incredible food, and top healthcare at a friendly price, in a modern metropolis ringed by nature, Taipei is one of Asia’s best secrets. The humid weather and typhoons are the price to pay. Ideal for those who want first-world comfort, calm, and a cost of living that still fits the budget.

Taipei is one of the cities in the Taiwan guide, where you’ll find the visas, the taxes, and the other cities.