Taipei Tops Survey as Best City for Foreigners in Taiwan

Foreign nationals living in Taiwan have voted Taipei as the most livable city in the nation, highlighting its transportation ease and job opportunities as significant factors. A recent survey conducted by the Tourism Innovation Association of Taiwan revealed that an impressive 96 percent of respondents consider Taipei their top choice for residence.

Following Taipei, Taoyuan received support from 65.3 percent of participants, while New Taipei City garnered 63.6 percent. The survey, which collected 519 responses from foreign nationals between September 16 and October 2, 2023, indicates a clear preference for Taipei among expatriates.

Key factors influencing their rankings included job opportunities, identified by 59.5 percent of respondents, and transportation convenience, noted by 54.9 percent. Other considerations included educational resources at 41.0 percent, environmental aspects at 37.0 percent, and tourism and cultural assets at 32.9 percent.

Taipei’s Allure and Foreign Resident Experience

The survey found that 81.4 percent of participants cited transportation convenience as one of Taipei’s most attractive features, while 67.4 percent highlighted job opportunities. The city also received praise for its cultural diversity, educational resources, and language services, with scores of 45.3 percent, 26.2 percent, and 22.1 percent, respectively.

Among the foreign nationals surveyed, 42 percent indicated they came to Taiwan for work, while 35.8 percent visited for tourism and 16.4 percent for educational purposes. Notably, more than two-thirds of respondents reported having lived in Taiwan for over a year, suggesting the city’s growing appeal as a long-term residence rather than merely a travel destination.

Ringo Lee, chairman of the Tourism Innovation Association of Taiwan, remarked that Taipei’s strong performance in this survey reflects its mature infrastructure and vibrant cultural scene. He noted that foreigners expressed high satisfaction with various aspects of life in the city, including transportation, healthcare, education, and the overall social environment. More than 90 percent described their experience in Taiwan as “satisfactory” or “very satisfactory.”

Future Improvements and Cultural Exchange

Looking ahead, Lee emphasized the need for further enhancements in Taipei’s language services, the promotion of cross-cultural exchanges, and the expansion of international educational resources. These steps could help solidify Taipei’s reputation as one of the most livable cities in Asia for foreign nationals.

The survey results reflect a broader trend of increasing international interest in Taiwan, showcasing the country as a welcoming environment for expatriates from various backgrounds, including those from China, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and South Korea. As Taipei continues to develop its infrastructure and cultural offerings, it sets a high standard for livability that other cities may aspire to achieve.