26/09/2020
Welcome to our page! We're Jeff and Karen, expats from California, living in Taipei, Taiwan with our young daughter. We have been here for a year and a half, and have gone through all the trials of setting up a new life in Taipei as a foreigner. Along the way we have learned our way around Taipei and how to get things done here, it's much different than the USA. We started this service to help other families like us, and individuals, transition to life in Taipei at a reasonable cost. The hurdles and stresses of moving far away are many, but it can be done, we are proof!
We are not processing Visas to get you here, but once you are on your way here we can help you out with other key life situations that are difficult to complete as a new foreigner. We both speak and write native level English. Karen speaks and writes fluent Mandarin and Cantonese when that is required, and it definately will be when dealing with new banking accounts, school registration, government forms etc. Most of these things must be done in Chinese.
Here are the primary services we can provide, ask us about any other needs not listed and we will see what we can do. We can provide all or just one service, it's up to your needs. Just let us know what you need help with, and we will do our best to make your transition easier.
1) School Registration for your children in the local Taipei School District. There is a special program for foreign kids in Taipei, and it's free, but limited to 2 schools so space is tight and there is a lot of paperwork involved (in person at the school only). Assuming you want your child to learn in Mandarin, they do not have to go to private schools here. If you are only interested in a private school (English instruction), they have the common informaiton online. However, we can assist you locally if needed to get more detailed information than what is available online, if you have a certian school in mind. Our daughter is in 2nd grade at a local Taipei school and loves it.
2) Apartment hunting and negotiation (rental). We have a good deal of personal experience looking for rental apartments here that are reasonably priced and up to an "expat standard", which is very different from Taiwan standards. We know what is important to most expats, and we have a working relationship with good and honest real estate agent (all agents here charge the same fee, but not all are good and work hard for you, many only have the landlord interest in mind!). Photos of listings here never tell the real story, it's critical to view them personally or have someone who knows what they are looking for do so on your behalf.
3) Banking account set-up assistance. We can go with you to create new bank accounts. This is a lengthy multi-hour process in Taiwan, and forms must be completed in Chinese.
4) Cell phone, Wifi/internet plans, public transit cards (MRT and bus). We can go with you to help set up these important services.
5) Orientation to Taipei. We can show you around from the airport arrival, help you choose a hotel for temporary stay, how to use the excellent metro system to get around, where to shop and more.
6) Immigration paperwork assistance, if your employer/Visa provider is not offering this to you already. We do not process Visas, that must be done with another entity prior to your arrival in Taiwan. But, depending on what you require, we can accompany you to the Immigration Office here to get your initial paperwork started, help you apply for a Resident card (ARC), etc.
Please Note: We live in Da'An, the heart of Taipei, and only provide services in Taipei City at this time.
Please email us with any questions. Regards,
Jeff and Karen
