Taipei is one of Asia’s most liveable cities — incredible food at night markets, an efficient and cheap MRT system, and a surprisingly compact urban core surrounded by mountains. National Taiwan University (NTU, ranked #1 in Taiwan), NTNU, and NCCU create a vibrant student scene, and housing is dramatically cheaper than Hong Kong, Singapore, or Tokyo.
National Taiwan University (Gongguan)
Gongguan: The NTU neighborhood. Directly adjacent to the main campus. The Gongguan night market, independent bookshops, and the Treasure Hill Artist Village (a former squatter settlement turned art space). 5–10 min walk. Rooms NTD 8,000–15,000/month (USD 260–490).
Shida (NTNU area): Between NTU and NTNU. The Shida Night Market area is student central with international restaurants, language exchange meetups, and excellent coffee. 10–15 min walk to NTU. Rooms NTD 8,000–14,000/month.
Yonghe & Dingxi: Across the river via the Yongfu Bridge. 15–20 min by MRT or YouBike. Significantly cheaper. Rooms NTD 6,000–10,000/month.
NTNU (Shida & Daan)
NTNU is in the heart of Taipei’s “university triangle” with NTU and NTUST. Shida Road is lined with student-friendly businesses. Same housing zones as NTU — the two campuses are walking distance apart.
NCCU (Muzha)
National Chengchi University is in Muzha, in the southeastern hills of Taipei. More isolated from the city centre but surrounded by tea plantations and hiking trails (Maokong gondola). Campus housing is excellent — NTD 7,000–12,000/month. Private rentals in Muzha: NTD 6,000–10,000/month.
For International Students
Taiwan’s government encourages international students with scholarships (Taiwan Scholarship, MOE Huayu Enrichment Scholarship for language study). NTU and NTNU have some of Asia’s best Mandarin language programs.
Most international students live in Gongguan or Shida. You’ll find apartments through:
- University housing offices (most reliable for first-time arrivals)
- 591.com.tw (Taiwan’s main rental platform — in Chinese, use Google Translate)
- Facebook groups (Taipei Apartments/Rentals, NTU International Students)
FAQ
Do I need Mandarin? For housing contracts and day-to-day beyond the university bubble, yes — basic Mandarin is very helpful. But Gongguan and Shida are highly English-friendly. Is Taipei affordable compared to other Asian capitals? Yes. Cheaper than Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Seoul. Similar to Bangkok. The winner is food — a meal at a night market costs NTD 100–150 (USD 3–5). Monthly budget? NTD 20,000–30,000/month (USD 650–980) for housing, food, transport, and entertainment. Fantastic value.