Hey! We’re the Studcasa Team, and if you’re reading this, chances are you’ve made one of the best decisions of your life: spending a semester or year in Taipei.

This guide is here to answer the big question that quietly stresses everyone out before departure:

Where am I going to live, and how do I avoid a disaster?

We’ll walk you through real students’ stories, concrete budget ranges, the best neighborhoods, and step-by-step strategies to actually secure a place you like.

Grab a tea, and let’s plan your new home.

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1. How Housing in Taipei Feels as an Exchange Student

Most students describe Taipei with the same trio of words: safe, easy, and humid.

You can be walking home at 3 a.m. with zero fear, you’ll almost always find food nearby for 3–5€, and public transport just… works. Several students told us they never felt unsafe, even the “bad” neighborhoods are mostly just a bit older or less clean, not dangerous.

“Taipei is the safest country I’ve visited, really no issues with theft or aggression, it just doesn’t exist here.” (Augustin, studying at NCCU, living in Da’an)

At the same time, housing can be confusing when you’re not used to:

• Contracts partly or fully in Chinese
• Landlords who might not speak English
• Deposits of 1–2 months’ rent
• Apartments with no kitchen (very common)
• Hot, humid weather and buildings without heating

That’s what this guide is for: turning all the scattered tips from former students into one clear roadmap.

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2. Quick Orientation: Taipei, New Taipei & Your Commute

Before we talk apartments, you need a mental map.

• Taipei City is the central city: districts like Da’an, Zhongzheng, Xinyi, Wanhua, Zhongshan, Neihu…
• New Taipei City surrounds it (like a big donut): Xinzhuang (Fu Jen), Tamsui, Banqiao, etc.
• Some universities (Yuan Ze, Chang Gung) are in Taoyuan, another city again, but many students still choose to live in Taipei and commute.

The metro (MRT) is punctual and clean. Buses are everywhere but sometimes a bit less reliable, one student bluntly said:

“There was also a bus direct to my campus but I don’t recommend it, buses in Taiwan are not reliable.” (Cécile, Chang Gung University)

This is why so many exchange students insist on living near an MRT station, even if it means a longer ride to campus.

You’ll also use:

• EasyCard – the contactless card you top up and use for MRT, buses, YouBike, and even in convenience stores.(
• TPASS Megacity Pass – around 1,200 NTD/month for unlimited metro/bus within Taipei–New Taipei–Keelung, now also available in mobile form.
• YouBike – public bikes; in Taipei your first 30 minutes are free since 2024, which makes them perfect for short hops between home and metro.

Several students mention how game-changing that combo is:

“Take a TPass, you’ll have unlimited public transport and can link it to YouBike, you get 30 minutes free per day.” (Cécile, Taipei)

“YouBikes are like Vélib, free for the first 30 minutes without any membership.” (Chiara S., NTUST)

So when you judge a place, think in minutes to nearest MRT, not “as the crow flies.”

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3. Types of Housing in Taipei

You’ll typically be choosing between four main options:

3.1 Student Residences (On-Campus or Nearby)

Some universities offer dorms for international students. Examples:

• NCCU I-House – a residence five minutes from campus with hotel-style management, double rooms, and common spaces. Maysara lived there and summed it up well:

  “I was in I-House, 5 minutes from campus. We were lots of students, which made it easy to meet people. The area has food and hikes nearby. I recommend it for the practical and economic side.”

• Other schools (I-Shou in Kaohsiung, etc.) also offer dorms that are very cheap but often far from the city center.

Pros:

• Cheapest option
• Social, you’ll meet people fast
• Zero admin with contracts or utility bills

Cons:

• Often far from the “fun” areas
• Curfews or rules sometimes
• Less privacy and less control over who you live with

Many students end up doing a hybrid strategy:

“I was in residence near campus, but honestly I’d recommend living in the center of Taipei instead of the campus. We had classes only three days a week, so it wasn’t worth being stuck there the rest of the time.” (Cécile, Chang Gung University)

3.2 Coliving / Shared Houses

Coliving is huge among exchange students in Taipei.

Think: big apartments or houses with several rooms, fully furnished, cleaning included, often already full of other internationals.

Examples students used:

• Rooms Taipei – multiple colivings across the city, weekly cleaning, English contracts, landlord used to exchange students. They typically range from around 12,500–21,000 NTD/month and are often recommended by universities as an off-campus option.
• Elegant Realty – Taiwanese agency used by several students in Da’an / Linguang / Wenshan.
• My Room Abroad, Banana Coliving, 9floor – platforms aimed at foreigners.

Real experiences:

“I was in coliving found via Rooms Taipei in Da’an with 7 people, all exchange students. It’s the best way to meet people, and the vibe at home was amazing.” (Augustin, NCCU)

“My coliving via Elegant Realty in Wenshan was 15–20 minutes from school. The landlord was super attentive; they even gave us pillows and duvets.” (Octave, NCCU)

Pros:

• Super social, instant group of friends
• Contracts and communication usually easy in English
• Less risk of scams; maintenance handled for you
• Often located in student-heavy districts (Da’an, Zhongzheng, Xinyi)

Cons:

• Not always the absolute cheapest
• Less “local family” immersion
• Sometimes small rooms

If you’re arriving alone and a bit anxious, coliving is honestly the most stress-free option.

3.3 Classic Apartments

“Classic apartment” usually means renting a room (or whole flat) in a standard Taiwanese building, via landlord or agency.

Most of our students who did this lived in:

• Da’an District (Taipower Building, Guting, Shida Night Market)
• Zhongzheng District (Guting, Ximen area)
• Wenshan (near NCCU)
• Neihu (cheaper, more local, further out)

Examples:

“I stayed in Da’an near Shida Night Market. My shared apartment was fully renovated with 4 rooms. I had the biggest room with private bathroom for 650€/month; it’s cheaper for the others.” (Ilona, NCCU)

“I was in Zhongzheng near Guting, great location with MRT and buses. 1,100€ per month for two people, plus one extra month of rent because the lease was less than six months.” (Jade O., Soochow)

“I lived with Taiwanese roommates near Xingtian Temple. 15,000 NTD + up to 1,000 NTD charges, so about 460€/month. Living with locals taught me all the small tips only a local knows.” (Cécile, Chang Gung University)

Pros:

• Most “independent” option, your own vibe
• You can choose your flatmates
• Often better value if you share with friends

Cons:

• Contracts mostly in Chinese
• You need to manage deposit, utilities, small repairs
• Landlord may not speak English

Many students found their apartments:

• Through Facebook housing groups or Marketplace
• Through agencies like Elegant Realty, Kevin Twu, or via local agents recommended by friends
• Via platforms like 591 (biggest Taiwanese rental site, but mostly in Chinese)

3.4 Airbnb & Short-Term Solutions

Several students booked Airbnb for 1–3 weeks on arrival, then hunted for a long-term place once they understood the city.

“We stayed in an Airbnb for two weeks while we visited apartments found on Facebook. It was more expensive, but it avoided committing from abroad.” (Jade O., Soochow)

Be aware that monthly Airbnbs in Taipei are often very expensive, sometimes 1,500–2,400 USD per month, because they’re priced like tourist stays.

Short-term is great as a bridge, but for a full semester, classic leases or colivings are almost always better value.

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4. Where to Live: Taipei Districts Explained (With Real Stories)

Let’s zoom into the main areas where exchange students actually live.

4.1 Da’an District – The “Exchange Bubble”

If you’re imagining the classic exchange life, cafes, bars, cheap food, and lots of other students, Da’an is it.

Why students love it:

• Central and well connected (Da’an, Da’an Park, Taipower Building, Guting, Technology Building MRT…)
• Full of students, especially around Shida and Gongguan
• Great mix of cheap food, cute cafés, and nightlife
• Easy access to NTU, NTUST, and fast MRT to many campuses

“Staying in Da’an is the best location… The landlord ‘Yo House’ has many options at different budgets.” (Ilona, NCCU)

“Da’an is a super student district. Many exchange students live there, lots of restaurants and stands to eat cheaply. I strongly recommend Da’an to live.” (Lily-Louise, Yuan Ze)

“I’d pick Da’an next time; my place in Xinyi was nice but Da’an has the perfect balance of life and accessibility.” (Julien, NTUST)

Typical vibe: leafy streets, big Da’an Park, tons of cafés with students working on laptops, bars like Another Brick, and easy MRT access.

If your campus is a bit outside Taipei (NCCU, Yuan Ze, Chang Gung…), Da’an is a strong candidate: you’ll commute longer, but your daily life outside class will be amazing.

4.2 Zhongzheng, Guting & Ximen – Central and Lively

Zhongzheng District and the Ximen/Ximending area (technically Wanhua District but often grouped together) are right in the heart of the city.

Students say:

“Our apartment in Zhongzheng, near Guting MRT, was perfect. 20 minutes’ walk to Soochow downtown campus, super well-connected with MRT, buses, and YouBikes. Ximen nearby is super lively at night.” (Jade O., Soochow)

“I lived 5–10 minutes from Ximending. The area is very lively, with restaurants, bars, and cafés everywhere, and 30 minutes by bus to Fu Jen.” (Caroline, Fu Jen)

There’s a small nuance:

• Ximending itself is a famous shopping and youth area, bright signs, street food, fashion.
• Wanhua, the broader district, is older and some streets have sex work and more homelessness.

A few students weren’t huge fans:

“I lived one month in Wanhua and it’s not a good neighborhood. Not dangerous, but not super clean, some homeless and prostitutes… I’d rather choose Da’an or Ximen / Guting next time.” (Djuwyan, Soochow)

“I rented in Wanhua. It was next to Ximen, a very cool spot, but the apartment itself wasn’t great and I didn’t love the neighborhood vibe.” (Luna, Soochow)

Takeaway: Zhongzheng + Ximen area = fantastic, but don’t choose a random Wanhua side street without checking the surroundings first.

4.3 Xinyi District – Clubs & Skyscrapers

Xinyi is where Taipei 101 is, with shopping malls, business towers, and almost all the big clubs (Wave, AI, Ruff, Babylon, etc.).

Students describe it as:

“Xinyi is where all the clubs are near Taipei 101; we’d pre-drink at FamilyMart then go to AI or Ruff.” (Julien, NTUST)

“All the big nights are in Xinyi. Wave, AI, Ruff, Babylon… Wednesdays and Thursdays you can find free entrance and open bar for girls.” (Chiara S., NTUST)

Living here means:

• Short walk or bike to nightlife
• More modern high-rises
• Higher rents and less “local” atmosphere
• Still very safe and super convenient for going out

Some students enjoy living there; others prefer to party in Xinyi but live in Da’an or Zhongzheng, which feel less like a business district.

4.4 Neihu – Cheaper & More Local (but Farther)

Neihu is in the northeast of Taipei, more residential, with mountains and a “local” feel.

“I lived in Neihu in a coliving. It was 40 minutes from school by transport but cheaper. The neighborhood was crazy, not touristy, with a local market. I’d recommend it if you share an apartment and accept the commute.” (Lena, NCCU)

It’s a good option if you’re okay with longer rides and want a quieter, more Taiwanese daily life.

4.5 Wenshan & NCCU Area – Campus Bubble in Nature

Wenshan District is in the south of Taipei, where NCCU sits, surrounded by hills.

Students highlight:

• Great hikes nearby with views over Taipei
• More suburban / village feel
• 20–40 minutes by bus or MRT to central Taipei

“Right next to NCCU there are numerous hiking trails with amazing views over Taipei.” (Octave, NCCU)

“The campus is super big, like in the US. I loved NCCU, but you’re 20 minutes by bus from the more central areas.” (Maysara, NCCU)

Many NCCU students live in Da’an and commute 40–45 minutes, rather than living steps from campus.

4.6 New Taipei (Xinzhuang, Taoyuan…) – Campuses vs City Life

Several universities associated with Taipei exchanges are not in Taipei City itself:

• Fu Jen Catholic University – in New Taipei (Xinzhuang)
• Chang Gung University, Yuan Ze University – in Taoyuan

The big housing question then becomes: near campus, or in Taipei?

Students who tried both usually say:

“I recommend living in central Taipei rather than on the Chang Gung campus. We had classes only three days a week, so it wasn’t worth being stuck there the rest of the week.” (Cécile, Chang Gung)

“For Yuan Ze, I strongly recommend living in Taipei, not in Taoyuan. There’s nothing to do around the university. Just be smart with your timetable and live near Taipei Main Station or in Da’an.” (Lily-Louise, Yuan Ze)

Trade-off:

• Near campus – shorter commute, but less social / less going-out options.
• In Taipei – longer commute, but a much richer exchange experience.

For most, living in Taipei wins, as long as your timetable is compressed to 2–3 days on campus.

4.7 Summary Table – Where to Live

Taipei District Guide, Stacked Cards (Mobile Friendly)

Da’an

Vibe & Highlights
Student cafés, cheap food, Da’an Park, near NTU/NTUST

Good For
First exchange, social life, central base

Watch Out For
Rents a bit higher; popular so good places go fast

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Zhongzheng / Guting

Vibe & Highlights
Central, local markets, easy MRT, close to Ximen

Good For
Balance of local life + nightlife

Watch Out For
Some streets close to Wanhua feel older / rougher

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Ximen (Wanhua)

Vibe & Highlights
Extremely lively pedestrian area, shops, street food

Good For
If you love buzzy, touristy areas

Watch Out For
Some students don’t like the vibe deeper in Wanhua

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Xinyi

Vibe & Highlights
Skyscrapers, malls, all the clubs

Good For
Party lovers, short nights out

Watch Out For
More expensive, less “neighborhood” feel

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Neihu

Vibe & Highlights
Local, quieter, mountains

Good For
Budget + local immersion

Watch Out For
Longer commute to uni / nightlife

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Wenshan (NCCU)

Vibe & Highlights
Hills, hikes, campus bubble

Good For
If you want to stay very close to NCCU

Watch Out For
20–40 minutes from city center

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Taoyuan / Campus Towns

Vibe & Highlights
Closer to Chang Gung / Yuan Ze

Good For
Short trips to class

Watch Out For
Much less happening; many students regret not staying in Taipei

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5. How Much Will You Pay? (Real Numbers)

5.1 Rough Rent Ranges

From both students and recent rental guides, here’s what you can realistically expect in Taipei City:

• Student residence: – NCCU I-House double room ≈ 8,500 NTD/month per person (when billed monthly) – Other dorms: usually 7,000–12,000 NTD/month

• Coliving / Shared house: – Many students paid 350–600€ (roughly 12,000–20,000 NTD) per month, depending on room size and district. – Rooms Taipei advertises around 12,500–21,000 NTD/month.

• Classic apartments (room in a shared flat): – For a room with shared bathroom: about 12,000–18,000 NTD – Larger rooms with private bathroom or prime locations: 18,000–22,000+ NTD

• Whole small apartment for one or two: – Often 20,000–30,000 NTD/month (and more in Xinyi / new buildings). – City-wide averages for studios/1-bed apartments in Taipei hover around 10,000–20,000 NTD in broader stats, but central, short-term, or foreigner-friendly options tend to sit at the higher end of that or above.

5.2 Real Student Budgets (per month)

• 350€ – Coliving near Soochow (15 min from school), Chiara M.
• 430€ – Central apartment near Nanjing Fuxing MRT, Maxence (3 people sharing).
• 450€ – Room in big 4-bed apartment with Taiwanese roommates near Xingtian Temple, Cécile.
• 520€ – Private room + private bathroom in Da’an with shared kitchen, Djuwyan.
• 550€ – Room in coliving in Daan or Neihu, Lena, Augustin, Jeremy.
• 650€ – Biggest room with private bathroom in renovated Da’an apartment, Ilona.
• 700€ – Room in Da’an near NTUST via 591, Chiara S.
• 1,100€ – Two-person apartment in Zhongzheng for a couple, Jade O.
• 1,200€ – Apartment in Wanhua near Ximen for several people, Luna.

You can think in three bands:

• Budget (≤14,000 NTD / ≤400–450€) Student dorms, smaller rooms in coliving, older buildings, more peripheral districts.

• Comfort (14,000–20,000 NTD / 450–650€) Classic exchange student sweet spot: room in a good district, coliving with cleaning, often shared bathroom.

• Premium (20,000+ NTD / 650€+) Big rooms, private studio, or couples places in prime central locations.

5.3 Deposits & Extra Costs

Most students report:

• Deposit: 1–2 months’ rent, paid up-front. Often fully refundable if no damage.
• For shorter than 6-month leases, some landlords ask you to pay an extra month of rent because they prefer 1-year tenants, Jade paid one month extra for a 5-month stay.
• Utilities (water + electricity + sometimes gas): typically 500–1,500 NTD/month, depending on AC use and how many people share.
• Some colivings bundle utilities and weekly cleaning into a flat fee (Rooms Taipei, for instance, mentions household packs covering necessities and utilities).

Always clarify:

• What’s included (Wi-Fi? cleaning? garbage service?)
• How electricity is calculated (own meter or divided equally?)
• When and how the deposit is returned

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6. Where & How to Search (and Avoid Scams)

6.1 The Studcasa Method: Start With People, Not Platforms

Your unfair advantage is other students.

On Studcasa, each destination has a Feedback tab where previous exchange students left their housing stories and often their contacts. Use it properly:

1. Pick 2–3 students who:

   • Went to your same university, or
   • Lived in a district you’re considering (Da’an, Zhongzheng, Neihu…).

2. Send them a short message: who you are, when you’re coming, and what kind of housing you’re looking for.

They can tell you:

• Which residence/agency/landlord is legit
• If certain neighborhoods or buildings are noisy, moldy, or far
• Sometimes even pass you their apartment when they leave

At the same time, be active in your Studcasa destination group:

• Ask who already booked housing
• See if someone wants to share a flat
• Drop a message like: “Anyone else looking in Da’an around Guting / Taipower Building?”

Most roommate groups for Taipei start exactly like this.

6.2 Main Channels to Find a Place

Combine what students actually used with the most reliable online tools:

1. Coliving Operators

Great if you want to lock something from abroad with low risk.

• Rooms Taipei – coliving specialist in “local” districts, weekly cleaning, English support, very popular with exchange students.([rooms.taipei][5])
• My Room Abroad – lots of student rooms and shared apartments.
• Banana Coliving – designed for internationals, English support.
• 9floor – serviced apartments and rooms often recommended by universities.

Pros: contracts in English, safe payments, curated options. Cons: sometimes slightly higher prices than raw Facebook/591 deals.

2. Facebook Groups & Marketplace

Almost every student mentioned Facebook:

Typical groups (example names):

• “Short-term Apartment in Taipei (Taiwan)”
• “Apartment Rentals in Taiwan – Short-term and Long-term”
• “Looking for Roommates or Apartments in Taipei and Taiwan”

You’ll find:

• Individual rooms in shared flats
• Whole apartments (often via small agencies or landlords)
• Roommates advertising an empty room

Tips from students:

“Good flats go very quickly. I’d start looking at least 2 months before and check every day.” (Djuwyan, Soochow)

“We used an agent to help communicate with the landlord in Chinese and negotiate the rent, it made everything easier.” (Jade O., Soochow)

If you don’t speak Chinese, an agent or a Taiwanese friend can be really helpful here.

3. 591 – The Giant Local Rental Site

591 房屋交易網 is the main Taiwanese rental platform.

Reality:

• Site and app are primarily in Chinese

• Listings are numerous and often cheaper than coliving platforms

• You’ll need:

  • Google Translate in your browser
  • Some patience with translations
  • Possibly a friend/agent to call landlords

Multiple universities even list 591 as a standard resource for international students.

If you’re comfortable being proactive, 591 can be where you find the best value for money.

4. University Housing Pages

Some universities publish curated lists of:

• Trusted housing platforms (Taiwan Housing, Rooms Taipei, Borderless House, etc.)
• Facebook groups
• Safety tips (how to check fire exits, gas heaters, locks…).

If your university has this kind of “rental information” page, it’s worth reading once, it gives you a solid safety checklist.

5. Airbnb / Hostels (Bridge Option)

Useful if:

• You want to visit places in person before signing
• You’re arriving outside normal leasing cycles
• You prefer to meet potential roommates face-to-face

Try to limit Airbnb to 1–3 weeks, after that, long-term housing will almost always be cheaper.

6.3 Scam Radar: How to Protect Yourself

Taiwan is very safe, and most landlords are honest, but rental scams exist, especially online. Local and university guides highlight a few golden rules:

• Never send a full deposit to a private person without:

  • A video tour or live call
  • Clear address and photos
  • A written contract

• If the deal looks too cheap for Da’an / Xinyi, be suspicious.

• When possible, visit with a friend or an agent, and check:

  • Locks on doors and windows
  • Fire alarms and extinguisher in the building
  • Gas water heaters (should be outside or well-ventilated)
  • Emergency exits not blocked

• Use platforms with some guarantees (coliving, My Room Abroad, etc.) for your first search.

Several students mentioned they avoided scams by insisting on a FaceTime visit. Good rule of thumb: no video tour, no money.

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7. Inside a Taipei Apartment: What to Expect

7.1 Kitchens… or Not

One of the biggest cultural shocks:

“Our Airbnb in Zhongzheng had no kitchen, and there weren’t many cheap restaurants close by, which was annoying.” (Alix, Fu Jen)

“In Kaohsiung residence I had no kitchen, just a FamilyMart downstairs. It worked for 6 months but I missed cooking.” (Angela, I-Shou)

In Taipei it’s normal for smaller apartments to not have a real kitchen, or to have:

• Just a sink, fridge, and microwave
• Single electric stove
• No oven

Because eating out is so cheap, landlords don’t always invest in full kitchens.

Ask clearly:

• “Is there a stove? Shared kitchen? Can we cook?”
• “Is gas or electric included in the rent?”

If cooking matters to you, put it high on your filter list.

7.2 Furnishing & Equipment

Most student rentals include:

• Bed + mattress
• Desk + chair
• Wardrobe
• Air-conditioning

Sometimes they do not include:

• Bedding (sheets, duvet, pillow)
• Kitchen utensils
• Hangers, small lamps, storage

Some landlords are generous:

“Our landlord gave us pillows and duvets, even though it wasn’t mandatory.” (Octave, NCCU)

Others are minimalist: you’ll do a big first trip to IKEA, Carrefour, or Muji.

Colivings like Rooms Taipei often bundle a “household pack” with essentials and utilities against a small monthly fee.

7.3 Laundry, Garbage & Mold

• Laundry – usually a washing machine in the flat or building; dryers are less common, people often hang clothes on the balcony.
• Garbage & recycling – Taipei has specific rules and garbage trucks; many buildings or colivings manage this for you (some even advertise “garbage service”).
• Mold & humidity – big topic. Taipei is tropical and humid, and many buildings have poor insulation.

Students insist on:

• Using a dehumidifier if the apartment has one
• Ventilating well
• Checking walls and ceilings for stains during visits

“Taiwan is super humid and very rainy, especially during typhoon season. You definitely need an umbrella and warm clothes for winter inside apartments without heating.” (multiple students)

7.4 Contracts & Legal Bits

Typical contracts include:

• Minimum stay (often 6 or 12 months)
• Deposit conditions
• Notice period (1–2 months usually)

Good practice:

• Always keep photos of the apartment when you move in.
• If possible, get a Chinese + English version, or have someone translate key points (deposit, notice, utilities).

Some universities link to lists of agencies that can help foreigners with rental contracts in English.

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8. Housing vs Daily Life: Transport, Money, Safety

Where you live shapes your daily routine way beyond your rent.

8.1 Transport

Almost all students end up using:

• MRT for long trips
• YouBike for short rides
• EasyCard / TPASS to pay for everything

“In the whole country you’ll pay 90% of the time by cash, but for transport and YouBike you’ll use your card. Take a TPass: 35€ per month with unlimited rides.” (Cécile, Taipei)

“Bike / metro unlimited for 1,200 NTD a month. Cheap food everywhere, safest city in Asia.” (Jade B., NCCU)

Choose housing with:

• MRT station ≤ 10 minutes walk or bike
• Ideally one direct line to your campus, if it’s in Taipei
• Nightlife and food accessible without a 1.5-hour night bus

8.2 Cost of Living Beyond Rent

Students are unanimous: food is cheap, Western stuff is not.

Rough idea:

• Local meal: 80–180 NTD (2–5€) in typical eateries or night markets
• Cafés, brunch, Western restaurants: closer to or even above European prices
• Groceries, especially imported items: can be more expensive than France / Germany

“You can eat out every day for 2–5€ and be full. Cooking yourself can be more expensive.” (Jeremy, Yuan Ze)

“Don’t bother cooking, groceries are expensive; night markets and small food places are cheaper than restaurants in France.” (Elisa, Yuan Ze)

So if your housing budget is tight, you can usually compensate by eating local.

8.3 Safety

The general impression:

“Taipei is the safest place I’ve ever been. As a young woman traveling alone, I never felt scared, even at night.” (Maysara, NCCU)

“Total security. There’s no risk of someone bothering or attacking you at any time of day or night.” (Jeremy, Yuan Ze)

Even in Wanhua, where some students didn’t like the atmosphere, they emphasize it’s about cleanliness and vibe, not danger.

Still, normal rules apply: watch your drink in clubs, don’t leave your phone unattended, etc. But compared to European big cities, you’ll feel a noticeable difference.

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9. Step-by-Step Plan: From “No Idea” to “I Have a Set of Keys”

Here’s a concrete roadmap that works well for Taipei.

Step 1 – Clarify Your Priorities

Ask yourself:

• Campus first, or city life first?
• How social do you want your home to be (coliving vs studio)?
• What’s your max budget in € / NTD, including utilities?
• Is a kitchen important to you?
• Are you okay with a 45–60-minute commute if your neighborhood is amazing?

Write it down. It’ll save you from being overwhelmed by options later.

Step 2 – Talk to Previous Students (Studcasa Power Move)

On Studcasa:

1. Open the Feedback tab for your destination and university.

2. Pick 2–3 students whose profiles match your vibe (same uni, district you like, same budget range).

3. Send them a message asking:

   • In which district they lived and if they’d choose it again
   • Which platform or agency they used
   • What they would avoid next time

You’ll quickly see patterns: for Taipei, “live in Da’an or central Taipei, not next to an out-of-town campus” appears again and again.

Also:

• Use your Studcasa WhatsApp/Telegram group, post that you’re looking for roommates, or that you’re considering a specific place and want a second opinion.

Step 3 – Choose a Strategy

Pick one of these, or a mix:

1. Secure a coliving/dorm before arrival

   • Stress-free, more expensive sometimes, but you land with a bed already waiting.

2. Short-term stay + search on site

   • Book 1–3 weeks of Airbnb / hostel in a central area (Da’an, Zhongzheng).
   • Spend those days visiting apartments from Facebook/591.

3. Hybrid

   • Reserve the university residence for the first semester, then move to the city once you’ve found your crew and know the districts better.

For exchange durations of one semester, many students succeed with options 1 or 2. For full year, it’s worth taking 1–2 weeks to hunt properly, you’ll live there a long time.

Step 4 – Visit (or Video Visit) Smartly

When you visit an apartment or do a video call, check:

• Distance to nearest MRT station (walk it in real life if you can)
• Real size of your room (videos can hide tiny spaces)
• Natural light and any humidity/mold signs
• Bathroom cleanliness and water pressure
• Noise (windows open: are you on a huge road?)
• Safety basics: door locks, building entrance, fire alarms, extinguishers

Bring what Taiwanese universities call the “7 must-know safety checks”: locks, lighting, fire extinguishers, safe water heater, alarm, accessible exits, and knowing evacuation routes.

Step 5 – Negotiate & Confirm

Normal in Taipei:

• Negotiating rent a little, especially for longer stays
• Negotiating to remove agency fees or include some utilities

Good practices:

• Ask for contract draft before paying deposit
• Ask what happens if you leave early
• Make sure your name is on the contract if possible (helpful for visas, ARC, sometimes SIM plans)

If things feel unclear, send the contract to:

• A previous student
• A local buddy / buddy program
• International Office staff (they often know common pitfalls)

Step 6 – Move In & Settle Fast

First week in your new place, do:

• Photos of every room (especially any pre-existing damage).

• Buy:

  • Bedding
  • Cleaning products
  • Dehumidifier or moisture absorbers

• Figure out:

  • Where the nearest YouBike station is
  • Your MRT / bus route to campus
  • The closest 7-Eleven / FamilyMart (you’ll live there, trust us)

And then… stop worrying about housing and focus on making friends. 🫶

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10. Micro-Tips Directly From Students

We’ll finish with very concrete one-liners students wish someone had told them:

“Try not to be last-minute for accommodation. I arrived thinking it would be easy to find, but it’s not that easy. Start early and don’t wait until you’re in Taipei.” (Chiara S., NTUST)

“Avoid Wanhua if you’re sensitive to atmosphere; Da’an or Ximen/Guting are much nicer to live in.” (Lily-Louise, Yuan Ze)

“Group your classes on 2–3 days, so the long commute isn’t painful and you can travel on long weekends.” (many students (Chiara S., Ilona, Jade, Lily-Louise, Jeremy…))

“Take Mandarin classes if you can. I didn’t, and I regret it, it helps a lot with landlords and simple life things.” (Djuwyan, Soochow)

“Don’t stick only with people from your home university. You’ll limit your exchange. Use housing and clubs to meet others.” (Augustin, NCCU)

“Plan trips around Taiwan and abroad, but don’t forget to actually discover Taiwan itself, places like Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, Liuqiu, Kenting are unforgettable.” (Alexandre, Caroline, Lily-Louise and many others)

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11. Final Word from the Studcasa Team

Housing in Taipei can look chaotic from the outside: Chinese contracts, random Facebook listings, different districts, and everyone telling you “Da’an is the best” without context.

But once you break it down, it’s manageable:

1. Decide your vibe – central & social (Da’an/Zhongzheng/Ximen) vs campus bubble vs quieter outskirts.
2. Use people, not just platforms – previous students + Studcasa groups are your best shortcut.
3. Use the right tools – coliving sites, Facebook groups, 591, university lists.
4. Protect yourself – video tours, clear contracts, realistic prices.

If you follow this, you’ll land in Taipei with a roof you like, flatmates you can bond with, and the headspace to enjoy what everyone describes in the same way:

“Taiwan is underrated. It’s been one of the best experiences of my life.”

When you’ve had your own adventure, come back to Studcasa, leave your housing story, and help the next wave of students do it even better. 💛

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Made with ❤️ by the Studcasa Team