" We''re a new family of 3 (1 newborn) who have an expatriate offer to go to Taipei later this year. We are interested but have the following questions and hoping you could let us know any insight you may have: - how would you rate the medical facilties for a newborn baby? - can we get a nice apt. in Tien Mu for NT$70,000 /mo? - how are the living expenses compared to a big city in the states? (LA) Thank you so much for any info you could provide. Mark & Jane Murphy Los Angeles, CA "

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" Matt, I used to live in Taiwan and I am going back there this Sunday. Let me try to answer your questions. Medical care in Taiwan is excellent and so damn bloody cheap. If you have a work visa there, the cost is virtually nothing. But, if you don''t have a work visa, it still doesn''t come anywhere close to the costs in the U.S. As far as newborns, I really dont'' have too much experience there. However, I do have a Taiwanese friend who has had 2 kids in the recent past. He told me that he had to pass a few ""red envelopes"" around to ensure that his wife got special treatment. ""Red Envelopes"" have bribe money in them and are a definite part of everday life for the Chinese and it is the grease that keeps the machinery of Chinese society going. There''s nothing wrong or immoral about it there. As far as paying NT$70,000 for a place. First of all, I am a cheap SOB, I never payed more than NT$16,000 for a place and even at that, most of my places were below NT$10,000. Mind you, all of these places were very big and comfortable. The thing is, Tien Mu is very expenisive and I would try to avoid living there if I were you. Although it is not directly on the path of the subway line, you would still come out ahead if you got an apt. further away and used the subway/taxi everyday. The taxis are appallingly cheap. As far as the cost of living, let''s put it this way, the average college grad in Taiwan makes about US$1,000. They can live comfortabley on that (most of them still live with their parents). Furniture is probably 1/5 the cost of the US. Electronic goods are about comparable to the States, maybe slightly higher. Clothes are about the same, maybe a little cheaper (but so is the quality). Low end food is about the same but high end food is much cheaper. It basically costs the same to eat out as it does to eat in. Everybody eats out over there, including all the families. Rent is cheaper than most major cities in the US. By the way, as far as rent is concerned, have a Taiwanese take care of that for you. If the landlord sees that you are a foreigner, they will charge you more, especially in Tien-Mu. Besides, if the Taiwanese person is smart, they will know where to look. Most foreigners look in the ""china Post"" for apts. All the ads are over-priced there. The best way to look for an apt in the Taipei area is to use the rental services at National University. They call it ""Tree-Mamma"" (don''t ask), none of the people working there speak English, so you defintely need a Taiwanese person helping you. Their services cover the entire Taipei area, not just around the Univeristy. I think that''s it Matt. I hope that this info has been useful. If you have any other questions, feel free to write me at the e-mail address above. The biggest advice that I would give to you and the one that most foreigners do not heed, make as many Chinese friends as you can over there. You will find that your life will be immeasureably easier and more relaxed. That''s it and I hope that everything works out for you and yours. Take care. Paul "

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