Living in Taichung: sunny winters, one metro line and a $1,400 monthly budget

The foreign community: Taichung's foreign community is small, so expect to build a circle on purpose. Language classes, gyms, hiking groups and local expat Facebook groups are the usual ways in, and it helps to join a few of those groups before you land.

Healthcare: If you work for a Taiwan employer, you join National Health Insurance through that job from your first day. Everyone else waits for six months of residence first, with one trip abroad of up to 30 days allowed, so bring international coverage to bridge the gap. Hunter Schultz, our healthcare coach, and ExpatInsure can help you plan it. For hospital care, China Medical University Hospital in North District runs international services and made Newsweek's Best Specialized Hospitals Asia-Pacific 2026 list. Call ahead to confirm English-speaking staff for the department you need.

Working remotely: Home internet runs about $25 a month. Remote work fits Taichung best when your paycheck comes from outside Taiwan, since local salaries are set for local costs.

Schools: Morrison Academy's Taichung campus in Beitun District teaches kindergarten through 12th grade in English, on an American-based, college-prep curriculum. It's accredited by WASC and the Association of Christian Schools International. It's a Christian school and Bible class is required for every student, so families who want a secular program should weigh that. About 60% of its students are U.S. citizens.

LGBTQ expats: Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage in May 2019, the first country in Asia to do so. If you plan to marry a Taiwanese partner or register a partnership here, check how the current rules apply to your situation before you plan around it.

Black Americans: First-hand accounts from Black Americans living in Taichung are scarce. One African American student writer who spent time in Taichung described a lot of staring and strangers touching their hair without asking, but was never refused service or entry anywhere and found Taiwan safe and welcoming overall. That's one visitor's view, so reach out to Black expats already living in central Taiwan before you commit.

Limited mobility: The central city sits about 370 feet above sea level on fairly level ground, which helps. We couldn't confirm step-free access station by station on the Green line, and sidewalks vary by block, often shared with parked scooters. Walk your daily route in person and make sure an apartment building has an elevator before you sign.

Retirement: Mild winters, with January highs averaging near 67F, and a $1,400 monthly budget make Taichung appealing for retirees. Getting residency is the hard part. The Gold Card's salary route asks for an average pre-tax salary of at least NT$160,000 a month in any one year within three years of applying, and pension funds, stocks and property income don't count as proof. Our retirement visa guide compares countries with an easier path, and our Taiwan moving guide covers every option on the island. If you're also weighing the south, see Kaohsiung.