Customers often ask where they should migrate to, Taichung, Tainan, or Kaohsiung. Like Hong Kong, Taiwan's property prices have been climbing upwards since 2003 after the SARS. Although property prices in Taipei's prime areas are not as crazy as Hong Kong, the cost of a typical apartment is expensive to HK people, because apartments in Taiwan are usually very large. It is hard to understand how ordinary people in Taiwan can afford it. This feeling is well understood by Hong Kong people! Fortunately, property prices in Taiwan have started to reverse in 2014 since the government embarked on a tax reform to curb property prices and speculation. It has recorded a 10% to 15% decline so far. The downward trend is expected to continue in the next few years. For those looking for accommodation, instead of investment, the next few years are a good time to buy an apartment.

There is a large gap between property prices in different cities in Taiwan, and the most expensive are concentrated in Taipei City and New Taipei City also the most populous areas. Property prices in Central, South and East regions are about 1/2 or 1/3 of Taipei (Taipei City + New Taipei City), relatively attractive. But for the Hong Kong people who first arrive in Taiwan, apart from property prices, they have to consider other factors, such as transport facilities and social resources like medical care, education, etc. Of course, the future value of an apartment is also important.

Regarding property tax, the tax system in Taiwan is relatively more complicated than that in Hong Kong but relatively friendly to self-occupied buyers. However, under the existing tax system, it may not be easy to get profit from investing in property. This is one of the means by which the Taiwanese government emphases on the justice of living!

Property purchase is an important decision in life. For those Hong Kong people who are preparing to emigrate to Taiwan, we suggest to rent in the beginning. When you decide to stay in Taiwan after your naturalization and fully understand the local environment, it is not too late to choose again. Anyway, comparing Taipei to Hong Kong, paying 60% of the rent in HK can get a unit twice as large here. Is it attractive?

The following is a story of a B&B owner converting a barn into a B&B and growing his own coffee beans:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP7tv6qSaWw