The Journal
Stories, guides, and tips for living your best life in Taipei.
Taipei Garbage Truck Schedule in English: How to Know Exactly When the Truck Comes
The Taipei garbage truck schedule, explained in English: which days trucks run, what time they reach your street, and how to track New Taipei trucks live.
October 31, 2026
Typhoon Days in Taiwan: How Closures Work, What to Do and What We'd Stock Up On
Typhoon day in Taiwan, what to do: how closures are announced, your rights at work, train refunds, a prep list, and what to do if your rental leaks.
October 26, 2026
Can You Drink Tap Water in Taiwan? Safety, Filters and Getting One Installed in Taipei
Taiwan tap water is safe at the plant, but your building's tank and pipes decide what you drink. Filter options, real costs and how to get one installed.
October 23, 2026
Staying Warm in a Taipei Apartment With No Heating: Heaters, Blankets, Bathrooms and What It Costs
Taipei apartment heating guide: which space heater to buy, why an electric blanket wins, cold bathrooms, window drafts, winter electricity cost and safety.
October 15, 2026
Taoyuan Airport to Taipei: Prices, Last Trains and Which Option to Pick
Taoyuan airport to Taipei, with real numbers: Airport MRT NT$160 and last trains, bus 1819 fares, taxi meter plus 15%, and which option to pick when you land.
October 4, 2026
Hiring an Apartment Cleaner in Taipei: Prices, Move-In and Move-Out Cleans
Apartment cleaning in Taipei: NT$400 to 600 an hour, what clean means in a Taiwanese rental, move-in and move-out cleans, and how to hire a cleaner.
October 4, 2026
Cockroaches, Ants, Mosquitoes and Geckos: Keeping Pests Out of Your Taipei Apartment
Cockroaches in a Taipei apartment usually come up the drains. Which gel baits and drain covers work, dengue mosquito rules, ants, rats, geckos, and who pays.
October 4, 2026
Leaving Taiwan Checklist: What to Do 2 Months, 1 Month and 1 Week Before You Go
A leaving Taiwan checklist by timeline: lease notice and deposit, selling furniture, NHI, taxes before departure, labor pension, bank accounts and your ARC.
October 4, 2026
Lost Your Job in Taiwan? Your ARC, Severance, Pension and Next Steps (2026)
Lost job in Taiwan? ARC status, the job-seeking extension, severance, final pay, the 2026 pension change, unemployment rules and a first-week checklist.
October 4, 2026
Scams in Taiwan: The Ones Hitting Foreign Residents Right Now (and How to Spot Them)
Scams in Taiwan cost victims NT$89 billion in 2025. The fake calls, texts, LINE groups and job offers aimed at foreigners, how to verify with 165 and 111.
October 3, 2026
What to Do in an Earthquake in Taiwan: A Resident's Guide
Earthquake in Taiwan what to do: how phone alerts really work, the 0 to 7 intensity scale, Drop Cover Hold On, checking your building's age, and a kit list.
October 3, 2026
How to Book a Hospital or Clinic Appointment Online in Taiwan (Plus Flu Shots and Vaccines)
Hospital appointment Taiwan online, step by step: which Taipei hospitals accept ARC or passport bookings, which department to pick, copays, and flu shots.
October 3, 2026
How to File Taxes in Taiwan as a Foreigner: The May Tax Return, Step by Step
How to file taxes in Taiwan as a foreigner: who must file, the first-year 18% refund, leaving mid-year, online vs in person, rent deduction and a document list.
October 3, 2026
Online Shopping in Taiwan as a Foreigner: Shopee, momo, PChome, Coupang and Overseas Orders
Online shopping in Taiwan for foreigners: which apps work in English, how to pay without a local card, convenience store pickup, EZ WAY and the NT$2,000 rule.
October 3, 2026
Mobile Payments in Taiwan for Foreigners: LINE Pay, JKOPay, Apple Pay and What Actually Works
Mobile payment Taiwan foreigner guide 2026: which apps work with an ARC, a foreign card or a Taiwan bank, how to set up LINE Pay, and which 2 to get first.
October 3, 2026
Noise in Your Taipei Apartment: The Rules, Who to Call and What Actually Works
Noise complaint Taipei guide: legal renovation hours, when to call 1999 or 110, a polite note for noisy neighbors, and cheap soundproofing for renters.
October 3, 2026
Mold and Humidity in Your Taipei Apartment: The Setup That Actually Works
How to prevent mold in Taiwan apartment life: real humidity numbers, which dehumidifier to buy and what it costs to run, AC cleaning, closets, and who pays.
October 3, 2026
Pedestrian Safety in Taipei: How to Survive Turning Cars, Scooters and Lanes Without Sidewalks
A pedestrian safety Taipei guide from locals: the moments that actually hurt people, crossing with turning cars, reporting bad drivers, and what to do if hit.
October 3, 2026
Getting a Credit Card in Taiwan as a Foreigner: Which Banks Say Yes in 2026
How to get a credit card in Taiwan for foreigners in 2026: documents banks want, which banks expats report approvals from, and the order we'd apply in.
October 3, 2026
New ARC Number Not Accepted? Which Apps and Websites Work in Taiwan (2026)
New ARC number not accepted by an app or website in Taiwan? See which banks, payment apps, government sites and tickets work in 2026, and what to do next.
October 3, 2026
Xingtian Temple: A Newcomer's Guide to Taipei's No-Incense Temple
Xingtian Temple Taipei guide: how to get there, hours, the free shou jing blessing, moon blocks and fortune sticks step by step, etiquette and fortune tellers.
October 2, 2026
How to Adjust to Life in Taiwan Faster: A Practical First 90 Days Playbook
A practical playbook for adjusting to life in Taiwan: what months 1 to 3 feel like, the 5 things to do first, Mandarin schools, apps, friends and weather.
October 2, 2026
Taiwan vs US Culture: Useful Mandarin Phrases, Real Dialogues and the Everyday Differences
Taiwan vs US culture for people living in Taipei: why locals act as they do, Mandarin phrases with pinyin, real dialogues and a comparison table.
October 2, 2026
Where to Drink in Taipei at Night: Bars, Beer Halls and the Local Way
The best bars in Taipei by vibe: cocktail bars, craft beer, expat pubs, Xinyi clubs, riverside beers and rechao with Taiwan Beer, plus prices and rules.
October 2, 2026
8 Weekend Hikes Near Taipei You Can Reach by MRT or Bus
Hiking near Taipei: eight weekend trails ranked easy to hard, with the exact MRT exit or bus number, time, difficulty, highlights and one honest downside.
October 2, 2026
Taiwan Convenience Store Services: Everything 7-Eleven and FamilyMart Can Do for You
Taiwan convenience store services explained: bills, parcels, printing, train tickets, ATMs, EasyCard and the receipt lottery at 7-Eleven and FamilyMart.
October 2, 2026
Weekend and Holiday Escapes from Taipei, No Car Needed
Hot springs, mountain views, riverside bike paths and old towns: easy weekend and holiday day trips from Taipei by MRT, bus and train.
September 28, 2026
Best Bank in Taiwan for Foreigners: Our Pick, the Runner-Up, and Who Should Choose Something Else
Best bank in Taiwan for foreigners in 2026: E.SUN for most people. Why we pick it, when Taipei Fubon or CTBC fits better, and why to add a post office account.
September 25, 2026
Using the Post Office in Taiwan: How to Send a Parcel, Plus Mail, Bills and Savings
Taiwan post office services step by step: sending a parcel from Taipei with 2026 rates to the US, UK and Australia, i郵箱 lockers, missed deliveries and bills.
September 23, 2026
Emergency Numbers and What to Actually Do If Something Goes Wrong in Taiwan
A general safety orientation for foreign residents in Taiwan: emergency numbers, what to have ready, and what to expect when you call for help.
September 17, 2026
Finding an English-Speaking Doctor or Dentist in Taipei
General guidance on finding English-speaking medical and dental care in Taipei: international service desks, what to bring, and how NHI factors in.
September 17, 2026
Grocery Shopping in Taiwan: Where Expats Actually Shop
An orientation to grocery shopping in Taiwan: wet markets, local supermarket chains, imported goods stores, and convenience stores, with tips for your first run.
September 17, 2026
Household Registration in Taiwan: What Foreign Residents Actually Need to Know
A general explanation of household registration (戶籍) in Taiwan and how it relates to foreign residents holding an ARC. Verify specifics at your local household registration office.
September 17, 2026
Setting Up Home Internet and WiFi in a New Taipei Apartment
General steps for setting up home internet in Taipei: choosing a provider, installation timelines, and what to check in older or subdivided units.
September 17, 2026
Understanding Your Utility Bills in Taiwan
A general explanation of how electricity, water, and gas billing tends to work in Taiwan, and why your specific setup depends on your building and landlord.
September 17, 2026
Updating Your ARC Address After You Move
A general guide to why your ARC needs to reflect your current address after moving in Taiwan, and where to confirm the current process and timeline.
September 17, 2026
Your First 72 Hours in Taipei: A Landing Checklist
A practical checklist for your first three days in Taipei: airport arrival, SIM cards, cash vs. card, and where to stay while you look for an apartment.
September 17, 2026
Trash Day in Taiwan Is a Whole Ritual: Here's How It Actually Works
Taiwan's garbage system surprises most newcomers: trucks play music, there are no communal bins, and sorting is taken seriously. Here's the general idea.
September 17, 2026
Opening a Taiwan Bank Account as a Foreigner: One-Stop Branches, Documents and Your Phone Plan
Open a Taiwan bank account as a foreigner: the one-stop branches in Taipei, what to bring, the order with your phone plan, and the bank we would pick.
September 17, 2026
National Health Insurance (NHI) for Foreigners: When You're Covered and When You're Not
A general explanation of how Taiwan's National Health Insurance eligibility works for foreign residents, and where to check current rules.
September 17, 2026
Moving Apartments in Taipei Without Losing Your Mind: Movers, Prices and a 4-Week Plan
Moving apartments in Taipei: what movers charge (NT$1,500 to 6,000 a trip), your rights under the standard moving contract, building rules and a 4-week plan.
September 17, 2026
A Foreigner's Guide to Taipei's MRT and EasyCard: Lines, Fares, TPASS and the Rules Nobody Tells You
Our Taipei MRT guide for 2026: line colors and station codes, NT$20 to 65 fares, EasyCard vs credit card tap vs TPASS, and the rules that get you fined.
September 17, 2026