Taipei

Regional snapshot

• Why people narrow here: Principal administrative and business hub where the Taiwan profile highlights strong MRT, night markets, NHI hospitals, and English-friendly pockets in tech and multinationals—many Gold Card and employer-sponsored assignees land in Taipei first.
• Main airports: Taoyuan International (TPE) is the usual long-haul gateway linked by express rail and buses; Songshan (TSA) handles many domestic and regional hops closer to downtown—timing and fares are practical planning, not visa policy.
• Getting around: Metro, buses, and high-speed rail connections (for west-coast trips) make a car optional for many households; the profile still notes summer heat, humidity, and typhoon season as seasonal realities.
• Languages & culture: Mandarin dominates administration and many clinics; English is more common among younger professionals and in international business here than nationally, as the profile describes—leases and tax-office visits often go smoother with Mandarin or trusted help.
• Watch-out — housing: Prime Taipei districts can be costly per square metre; deposits and landlord negotiation are often Chinese-first, per the national profile.
• Watch-out — hazards & planning: Earthquakes and typhoons are part of life—renters should know building basics and alerts; the profile also mentions air-quality episodes and routine preparedness.