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Overview Taipei is located at the northern end of Taiwan, a large island about 161 kilometers (100 miles) off the Chinese mainland. Taipei, the island's largest city, is also its capital. Local Currency The currency is the New Taiwan dollar (TWD). Population The metropolitan area has a population of about 2,500,000. Size Taipei covers over 259 square kilometers (100 square miles). Language The official language is Mandarin Chinese. Weather The climate is subtropical. Summer coincides with the typhoon season, May through October. Daytime high temperatures during the summer are around 90 F (32 C). During the winter, December to February, nighttime low temperatures are in the 0s F and 50s F (5's C and 10's C). Elevation 5 meters Latitude 25º 1' 0N Longitude 121º 27' 0E Time Zone UTC+8 Page 2 of 8
Housing Market Housing Market Most expatriates with families live in suburbs 8 to 1 kilometers (5 to 9 miles) north of downtown Taipei. Tien Mou is the most popular and most expensive suburb, housing the 2 major international schools. Expatriates without children still like very international, expat-concentrated Tien Mou, but also enjoy the convenience and liveliness of equally expensive downtown. Rents in Taipei vary depending on neighborhood, building amenities, unit size and unit condition. Many expatriates want houses, which are available in the suburbs in low numbers. However, some choose apartments because there are many new and modern units on the market. These apartments are easier to find, often include desirable amenities like a gym and a reception staff available for babysitting, and are less expensive to maintain than individual houses. Recently built units in all grid neighborhoods are more expensive than older units and can include recreational facilities like a swimming pool, saunas and tennis courts in addition to a gym, lobby and Englishspeaking doormen. New and modern sports centers can also be found in all grid neighborhoods. Leases Most leases are written in TWD for a 1 to 3-year term with a renewal option. Inflation clauses are rare. The tenant's share of the agent's commission is normally 1/3 to 1/2 of 1 month's rent. There is typically a security deposit of 2 to 3 month's net rent. Furnishings Most units are unfurnished. Unfurnished units normally include stove, refrigerator, washer, kitchen cabinets, telephone line, air conditioning, lighting fixtures, built-in closets, and sometimes dishwasher. Fully furnished units tend to be 10 to 20% more expensive than comparable unfurnished units. Central air conditioning is common in newer apartment buildings. Rooms for domestic help are provided in most houses. Utilities Most of the utility cost is for electricity for air-conditioning. Maintenance The landlord is responsible for major repairs; minor repairs and all basic maintenance are the tenant's responsibility. For apartments, condo fees are charged for common area maintenance fees, routine maintenance of unit, garbage collection, and sometimes parking. These fees range from TWD 80 to TWD 180 per ping (Taiwan's unit of area measurement) per month. Transportation Taxis are plentiful. It is advisable to have the destination written down in Chinese, since most taxi drivers do not speak English. Schools The Taipei American School is located on Chungshan North Road in Tien Mou. Shopping & Recreation Taipei has numerous shops and restaurants. The main shopping areas are around Chungshan Rd. There are museums and botanical gardens. Clubs in Taipei include the American Club, the Marshall Golf Course, and a Clark Hatch Fitness Center. Local and imported products are available. Page 3 of 8
Residential Areas Central Downtown, 101 Area Most desirable for singles and couples and less desirable for families. Eastern and central sections of the downtown area near Chungshan, Tung Hua South, Chung Hsiao, and Hsin Yi Roads. s and luxury apartments. Good for 1 and 3- bedroom apartments. Limited for luxury apartments and 2 bedroom apartments. Less expensive apartments are typically located on lower or middle floors in older buildings with unrenovated exteriors and have older but functional kitchen and bathrooms, basic finishings, and views of surrounding buildings. More expensive apartments are large and typically on higher floors in newer or renovated buildings on desirable streets near parks, shops, restaurants, or public transportation and may have modern kitchen and bathrooms, walk-in closets, maid's room, utility room, balconies with good views, covered car park, and access to a building clubhouse. Luxury Luxury apartments tend to be brand new or refurbished with highest standard finishings and are usually bright, spacious, and quiet multi-floor penthouse units on top floors. In addition to the features found in more expensive apartments, luxury apartments may have a direct lift, integral garage, reception room, luxury bathrooms sometimes with sauna, balconies, and large roof terrace with view. Page of 8
Residential Areas Suburbs Tian Mu Most desirable for families and acceptable for singles and couples. s and houses. Good for bedroom apartments and bedroom houses. Fair for 3 bedroom apartments and 5 bedroom houses. Less expensive apartments are typically located on lower or middle floors in older buildings with unrenovated exteriors and have older but functional kitchen and bathrooms, basic finishings, and views of surrounding buildings. More expensive apartments are large and typically on higher floors in newer or renovated buildings on desirable streets near parks, shops, restaurants, or public transportation and may have modern kitchen and bathrooms, walk-in closets, maid's room, utility room, balconies with good views, covered car park, and access to a building clubhouse. Less expensive houses tend to be located in an expatriate suburb but not on a desirable street, have an older but functional kitchen and bathrooms, basic finishings, a small garden, and carport. More expensive houses tend to be large, new or renovated buildings on quiet and desirable streets near parks, shops, restaurants, or public transportation and may feature modern kitchen, stylish furnishings, high ceilings, hardwood floors, built-in wardrobes and cupboards, large kitchen, en suite bathrooms, living room, dining room, family room, utility room, maid's room, swimming pool, and covered carport. Dazhi, Nei-Hu More desirable for families and acceptable for singles and couples. s and luxury apartments. Good for 3 bedroom apartments. Fair for bedroom apartments. Limited for luxury apartments and 1-2 bedroom apartments. Less expensive apartments are typically located on lower or middle floors in older buildings with unrenovated exteriors and have older but functional kitchen and bathrooms, basic finishings, and views of surrounding buildings. More expensive apartments are large and typically on higher floors in newer or renovated buildings on desirable streets near parks, shops, restaurants, or public transportation and may have modern kitchen and bathrooms, walk-in closets, maid's room, utility room, balconies with good views, covered car park, and access to a building clubhouse. Luxury Luxury apartments tend to be brand new or refurbished with highest standard finishings and are usually bright, spacious, and quiet multi-floor penthouse units on top floors. In addition to the features found in more expensive apartments, luxury apartments may have a direct lift, integral garage, reception room, luxury bathrooms sometimes with sauna, balconies, and large roof terrace with view. Peitou (Wellington Heights) More desirable for families and less desirable for singles and couples. s. Good for bedroom houses. Fair for 3 and 5 bedroom houses. Less expensive houses tend to be located in an expatriate suburb but not on a desirable street, have an older but functional kitchen and bathrooms, basic finishings, a small garden, and carport. More expensive houses tend to be large, new or renovated buildings on quiet and desirable streets near parks, shops, restaurants, or public transportation and may feature modern kitchen, stylish furnishings, high ceilings, hardwood floors, built-in wardrobes and cupboards, large kitchen, en suite bathrooms, living room, dining room, family room, utility room, maid's room, swimming pool, and covered carport. Page 5 of 8
Residential Areas Yang Ming Shan More desirable for families and less desirable for singles and couples. s. Good for bedroom houses. Limited for 3 and 5 bedroom houses. Less expensive houses tend to be located in an expatriate suburb but not on a desirable street, have an older but functional kitchen and bathrooms, basic finishings, a small garden, and carport. More expensive houses tend to be large, new or renovated buildings on quiet and desirable streets near parks, shops, restaurants, or public transportation and may feature modern kitchen, stylish furnishings, high ceilings, hardwood floors, built-in wardrobes and cupboards, large kitchen, en suite bathrooms, living room, dining room, family room, utility room, maid's room, swimming pool, and covered carport. Page 6 of 8
Rent-by-area Grid Rent in TWD/Month Size (I-sq.) Normal Rental Range Luxury 20-0 30-50 50-80 70-120 100-200 28,000-55,000 50,000-92,000 80,000-160,000 130,000-230,000 255,000-50,000 39,000 68,000 112,500 172,500 30,000 0-70 60-110 80-150 10-200 90,000-10,000 130,000-235,000 165,000-235,000 200,000-325,000 112,500 175,000 197,500 255,000 Luxury 20 20-50 60-85 75-135 100-150 26,000-0,000 0,000-75,000 75,000-10,000 120,000-230,000 200,000-300,000 32,000 55,000 102,500 165,000 25,000 60-90 80-150 10-200 120,000-170,000 150,000-20,000 170,000-280,000 12,500 190,000 217,500 70-90 80-150 10-200 110,000-160,000 155,000-235,000 165,000-335,000 132,500 190,000 235,000 Housing By Area Mid-Level Rent Central Downtown, 101 Area 1 2 3 Suburbs Tian Mu 3 5 Dazhi, Nei-Hu 1 2 3 Peitou (Wellington Heights) 3 5 Yang Ming Shan 3 5 * 1 ping = 36 ft2 Page 7 of 8
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