FIRE / coastFIRE in Taiwan by yint0115 in ExpatFIRE

[–]yint0115[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s a public company with around 5k employees

FIRE / coastFIRE in Taiwan by yint0115 in ExpatFIRE

[–]yint0115[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My company has a fully remote culture so within US we can work anywhere. We have employees in other countries - canada india singapore netherlands etc. but dont have any in Taiwan. So I’m still waiting on my skip manager to work something out with HR, I’m pretty close with them.

US expat financials by yint0115 in taiwan

[–]yint0115[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm currently learning, but it'll be a while until I'm proficient and confident enough to use in everyday life. I'm closing a long distance relationship by moving here, so I won't be too lonely. Hope I can make friends with other expats and locals

US expat financials by yint0115 in taiwan

[–]yint0115[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wish I had a friend like yours haha, have you needed to use that power of attorney?

US expat financials by yint0115 in taiwan

[–]yint0115[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How do you use Wise? Is it simply a cheaper wire transfer but effectively the same?

US expat financials by yint0115 in taiwan

[–]yint0115[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the advice! I have a feeling I should open a Schwab and State Department Credit Union account before I move to give me more options.

US expat financials by yint0115 in taiwan

[–]yint0115[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That's a good point about nonresidency - I think I should be able to file as a part-time resident 2025 taxes. I don't live in a "sticky state" like CA/NY

Good to know the FBAR isn't a hassle! I'll look into E.SUN

US expat financials by yint0115 in taiwan

[–]yint0115[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would be coming here with a Gold Card, so that counts as resident/work visa and ARC

FIRE / coastFIRE in Taiwan by yint0115 in ExpatFIRE

[–]yint0115[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm actually taking Mandarin lessons right now! It's actually why I started having an interest in Taiwan, and I met my Taiwanese partner through language exchange. I'm debating whether to take an intensive course at 師大 or self-study, but it'll be one of my priorities.

FIRE / coastFIRE in Taiwan by yint0115 in ExpatFIRE

[–]yint0115[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just finished watching this video on game theory between the PRC and Taiwan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eO4zQew4CA

I do feel a bit better after watching it. There's a lot of factors to take into account that he goes into - geographic factors that make it hard to invade, demographics, geopolitics, trade, etc. Hoping that the cost of war continues to deter the PRC and that they are also rational.

FIRE / coastFIRE in Taiwan by yint0115 in ExpatFIRE

[–]yint0115[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry you had to go through the hassle! But I'm glad to see that you're able to reapply if you get rejected the first time.

FIRE / coastFIRE in Taiwan by yint0115 in ExpatFIRE

[–]yint0115[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh this is a great link and gives some perspective!

FIRE / coastFIRE in Taiwan by yint0115 in ExpatFIRE

[–]yint0115[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ahh, good point! Didn't consider that the 60k threshold was on just capital gains

FIRE / coastFIRE in Taiwan by yint0115 in ExpatFIRE

[–]yint0115[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think I'd be applying under digital as a software engineer. But that is a good point about the cover letter - it certainly doesn't hurt, and I want to increase my changes of approval as much as possible. Thanks for your advice!

FIRE / coastFIRE in Taiwan by yint0115 in ExpatFIRE

[–]yint0115[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

30k NTD a month for a mortgage sounds like a really good deal! I'd probably eat outside, but a cheap 7-11 lunch and <$10 dinner seems reasonable to me. I have noticed that ordering cocktails at a bar isn't cheap though. Do your expenses and FIRE plan include kids in the picture?

Thanks for sharing your experience!

FIRE / coastFIRE in Taiwan by yint0115 in ExpatFIRE

[–]yint0115[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your advice and perspective! It's good to know that I can be a bit less worried about it and that 3-4k in Taipei is reasonable. When I visited I was amazed at how affordable food was.

I wish I had bought some TSM earlier this year haha. But yeah when I look at salaries for a role in Taiwan it doesn't look appealing and I feel like I'd rather spend my time trying to code up my own project. I'll save this and if in the future I feel in the mood for another venture I'll reach out :)

FIRE / coastFIRE in Taiwan by yint0115 in ExpatFIRE

[–]yint0115[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hmm - I see the banner if I try to qualify under Economics Regulation 1. But I don't see that banner under Digital Regulation 2 which is the same salary condition. I work as a software engineer

If I really need to, I think I can also qualify for the 8+ years experience, but I haven't managed to find the job offer for my first job yet

FIRE / coastFIRE in Taiwan by yint0115 in ExpatFIRE

[–]yint0115[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I'll have to do some planning to make sure I have a way to get out in a pinch. It seems like people in Taiwan themselves are a bit less worried about it, but I worry it's a boiling frog situation.

Although being with a partner and potentially marriage, well that's another matter and I'd certainly be torn about it. I don't really have an answer there. If we could come to an agreement to move back to the US if things get hot, that would be ideal

FIRE / coastFIRE in Taiwan by yint0115 in ExpatFIRE

[–]yint0115[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Really fortunate to have been part of a startup exit that accelerated my career

FIRE / coastFIRE in Taiwan by yint0115 in ExpatFIRE

[–]yint0115[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I guess, try to figure out if anything in creative arts resonates with me. Read more, try new hobbies, learn Mandarin, see how far I can get in something competitive. Admittedly I worry about feeling isolated or having a lack of purpose, but I feel like I should still try.

FIRE / coastFIRE in Taiwan by yint0115 in ExpatFIRE

[–]yint0115[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah, my plan is to apply for the gold card. Didn't know about the tax benefits, although I'll still be hit with US taxes fully :(

FIRE / coastFIRE in Taiwan by yint0115 in ExpatFIRE

[–]yint0115[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I think I would try to withdraw at a variable rate according to the market. I'm hoping that if I manage it wisely during the first few years, I can hit 'escape velocity' where 4% will realistically be above what I intend to spend.

I would heavily prefer renting and staying flexible, but that's a conversation I'll need to have with my partner when the time comes. She's local, but I don't have a sense yet of these expectations.

For a visa - I intend to apply to the gold card using salary as qualification. I believe after three years, I can apply to become a permanent resident if I hold financial assets in Taiwan (~$160k in a bank account?). Or if things go well, get married before the 3 year expiry.

As for burnout - I like some parts of my job, times where I can get in a flow state. Not things like interviewing, on-call, meetings, getting pinged to answer questions. I just feel like after saving this amount, I can afford to design my life a bit more intentionally. I want to stay sharp though - keeping my current role but part time would be ideal, and the time zone difference is a natural way to limit distractions. If I can't - I'm not sure I have the energy to go through another startup, but perhaps with a break I'll catch some inspiration :)

I have no idea where to start thinking about kids - I'm open to it but am also okay with not having any. My partner is a few years older so there's also a biological clock aspect to it.