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HK and Taiwan have similarities and differences. On average HK is more cosmopolitan and has more international culture; TW is more affordable and has more personal space. Depending on the focus, the preference can be difference.
I think the housing price, or the space you get for the same amount of money, is very very attractive to HKers who have to live in such tight space.
As an average world citizen I look for a certain "mix" of certain important things in a city -- Modern amenities, good food, good climate, safety, stunning natural features (which SG lacks), activities to pass time, economic robustness, outlook for future, etc. Kaohsiung seems to score below average in most categories, which is surprising for a city of the purported population, total or city center.
I think Kaohsiung's issue is spreading the resources too thin. There seems to be multiple "downtown" area, all not too buzy. The coastline looks like has a few stretches of good sand beaches and rocky shores, but they are too underdeveloped.
How hard is it to throw a party? In Thailand even splashing water can become an international attraction.
They were ruled by the British and Japanese. Great differences.
Having similar appearances mean HK Chinese are less likely discriminated in Taiwan and Mainland China than in other continents. Having more education and money on average than most other Asian women moving to Taiwan means HK women are less likely bullied in Taiwan. But HK Chinese's mandarin accent may sound obviously different and regarded as non standard in Taiwan and Mainland China.
For the overseas Chinese and other people who can't use the Chinese language, living in Taiwan is more difficult because English, Japanese and other non Chinese languages aren't commonly used in Taiwan. The use of English in Taiwan is low comparing with neigboring Phillippines , Malaysia, South Korea and HK. Thailand is more attractive to most people, cities in Thailand have sizeable foreign population unable to use the thai language.
does Kaohsiung compare at all to Taipei? Or is it really a distant second fiddle? Is there another city that does somewhat compete with Taipei? Or is Taipei just reign supreme as THE city to be in Taiwan?
does Kaohsiung compare at all to Taipei? Or is it really a distant second fiddle? Is there another city that does somewhat compete with Taipei? Or is Taipei just reign supreme as THE city to be in Taiwan?
Taipei reigns supreme if supreme is cosmopolitan city lifestyle. I say this having never been to KHH and of my ~30 days in Taiwan I've spent prob less than 2 days outside TPE...but I can say this pretty certainly.
does Kaohsiung compare at all to Taipei? Or is it really a distant second fiddle? Is there another city that does somewhat compete with Taipei? Or is Taipei just reign supreme as THE city to be in Taiwan?
I'm beginning to realize Kaohsiung is very far behind Taipei, and believe it will fall further behind in the future as resources continue to focus on the north side.
does Kaohsiung compare at all to Taipei? Or is it really a distant second fiddle? Is there another city that does somewhat compete with Taipei? Or is Taipei just reign supreme as THE city to be in Taiwan?
Taipei is hands down the center of the country. Outside of its official borders, the metropolitan area consists of at the very least Taipei City, New Taipei City, Keelung and Taoyuan which is nearly half the country's population. It's the political, economic, and media capital of the country, so no city including Kaohsiung competes with Taipei in the country. However, the smaller cities have different attractions, settings, and price points and are generally still pretty fun to me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RobertFisher
I'm beginning to realize Kaohsiung is very far behind Taipei, and believe it will fall further behind in the future as resources continue to focus on the north side.
Taichung is actually getting a lot of investment, so not just the northside. Kaohsiung's sort of in a transitional period and there are some decent-sized investments going in especially trying to attract visitors. There's also a bit of infrastructure work such as double-tracking/electrification of some rail lines to it and the finishing of the circular light rail line.
Taipei reigns supreme if supreme is cosmopolitan city lifestyle. I say this having never been to KHH and of my ~30 days in Taiwan I've spent prob less than 2 days outside TPE...but I can say this pretty certainly.
That's good info! I'll definitely have to focus on Taipei whenever COVID ends, and travel resumes. It does look like a pretty cool metro though, complete with hiking and tropical lush forest looking stuff within a quick strike from the city itself. I was also google mapping and even New Taipei looks great.
Taipei is hands down the center of the country. Outside of its official borders, the metropolitan area consists of at the very least Taipei City, New Taipei City, Keelung and Taoyuan which is nearly half the country's population. It's the political, economic, and media capital of the country, so no city including Kaohsiung competes with Taipei in the country. However, the smaller cities have different attractions, settings, and price points and are generally still pretty fun to me.
Taichung is actually getting a lot of investment, so not just the northside. Kaohsiung's sort of in a transitional period and there are some decent-sized investments going in especially trying to attract visitors. There's also a bit of infrastructure work such as double-tracking/electrification of some rail lines to it and the finishing of the circular light rail line.
Very good info!
I was just browsing some blurbs about Kaohsiung, it seems it was predominately a port city for shipping, with some converted warehouses now....I'm sure it has it's own thing going on...
But, it seems like Taipei and vicinity is where I'd want to be!
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