$PlaybookChiang Mai
Thailand
80 Mbps
5/10
9/10
6/10
Tainan
Taiwan
Taiwan's ancient capital — the island's cultural and culinary heartland, slower and cheaper than Taipei
EasyStart Playbook
Nomad Score
7.7/10
Cost Tier
Budget ($)
Internet
300 Mbps
Safety
9.0/10
Walkability
7/10
English-Friendly
6/10
About Tainan
Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan and the place Taiwanese people point to when asked where to eat. The former capital of Dutch and Qing-dynasty Taiwan, it's a city of temples, old streets, and a food culture so deeply embedded that the city essentially organises its social life around it — the night markets, beef soup shops open from midnight to noon, and shrimp restaurants are as much civic institutions as restaurants. For nomads, Tainan offers a meaningful quality-of-life upgrade from Taipei: significantly cheaper rent, a more human scale, better weather (southern Taiwan is warmer and sunnier), and a creative cafe and coworking scene that has grown substantially as young Taiwanese have relocated from the north. The high-speed rail connects to Taipei in under 90 minutes.
Monthly Budget Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs in USD for a single digital nomad.
Rent (Studio)$400
Coworking$80
Groceries$200
Eating Out$220
Transport$30
Phone/SIM$10
Gym$25
Total Monthly$965
Visa & Stay
Visa-Free for US Citizens
Yes
Max Stay (Visa-Free)
90 days
Digital Nomad Visa
Not Available
Climate
Climate Type
subtropical
Best Months
Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Avoid Months
Jul, Aug, Sep
Southern Taiwan's typhoon season peaks July–September — while Tainan is partially sheltered compared to the east coast, direct hits are possible and can disrupt power and transport for days.
Timezone
CST (UTC+8)
Currency
New Taiwan Dollar (TWD)
Language
Mandarin
Continent
Asia
Topics & Vibes
foodhistorytemplescafe culturecoworkingnightlifeculture
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Frequently Asked Questions — Tainan
Common questions from digital nomads researching Tainan.
Is Tainan good for digital nomads?
Yes — Tainan scores 7.7/10 on Settled Nomad's nomad index, making it an very good choice for remote workers. Taiwan's ancient capital — the island's cultural and culinary heartland, slower and cheaper than Taipei. The city is rated "easy" difficulty for new arrivals, with a 6/10 English-friendliness score and 9/10 for safety. Internet averages 300 Mbps. Overall, Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan and the place Taiwanese people point to when asked where to eat.
How much does it cost to live in Tainan as a digital nomad?
A typical single digital nomad can expect to spend around $965/month in Tainan. The budget breaks down as: studio apartment rent ~$400, coworking space ~$80, groceries ~$200, eating out ~$220, local transport ~$30, phone/SIM ~$10, and gym ~$25. Overall, Tainan is a budget-friendly destination. Costs vary depending on neighbourhood, lifestyle, and whether you cook at home.
Do US citizens need a visa to work remotely in Tainan?
US citizens can enter Taiwan visa-free for up to 90 days — no advance visa is required. There is currently no dedicated digital nomad visa for Taiwan, so most nomads work within the 90-day tourist allowance and rotate to another country to reset.
What is the internet like in Tainan?
Internet speeds in Tainan average around 300 Mbps, which is exceptional — well above average for fast uploads, 4K streaming, and simultaneous video calls. Dedicated coworking spaces reliably deliver faster and more stable connections than cafes or short-term apartments. If you plan to work from home, confirm fibre availability before signing a lease — co-working memberships are a reliable fallback during slower periods.
Is Tainan safe for digital nomads?
Tainan has a safety rating of 9/10 on our scale — one of the safest cities in the world for travellers and residents alike. Crime targeting visitors is extremely rare. As with any city, basic precautions apply: use ride-hailing apps rather than unmarked taxis, don't leave laptops unattended in cafes, and be aware of your surroundings in busy tourist areas.
What is the best time of year to visit Tainan?
The best months to base yourself in Tainan are October, November, December, January, February, March. The climate type is subtropical. We recommend avoiding July, August, September — southern Taiwan's typhoon season peaks July–September — while Tainan is partially sheltered compared to the east coast, direct hits are possible and can disrupt power and transport for days..
What currency is used in Tainan and how should I handle money?
Tainan uses the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD). Cards are widely accepted in cities. For the best rates when converting USD, use Wise or Revolut rather than airport exchange kiosks. Keep some TWD cash on hand for markets, transport, and smaller establishments.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the best digital nomad city for me?
Start by filtering on your non-negotiables: if budget is tight, sort by cost and look at cities under $2,000/month (Chiang Mai, Medellín, Tbilisi). If fast internet is critical for video calls, filter by internet speed score. If you're on a US passport in Europe, check Schengen status — cities in Georgia, Albania, or the UK give you unlimited stay without the 90-day limit. Use the quiz to get 3 personalized picks based on your specific priorities.
What is the 'nomad score' shown on each city?
The nomad score is a 0–10 composite rating built from verified data: internet speed (25%), cost of living vs. global median (25%), safety index (20%), English proficiency (15%), and coworking availability + visa friendliness (15%). A score of 7+ indicates a city that works well for most nomads. The score is recalculated quarterly as underlying data refreshes.
Which digital nomad cities have the best internet?
The consistently highest-rated cities for internet speed are: Tallinn, Estonia (average 100+ Mbps, fiber everywhere), Seoul, South Korea (gigabit fiber standard), Chiang Mai, Thailand (fast and cheap, coworkings have 200+ Mbps), Lisbon, Portugal (fiber widely available, 100–500 Mbps in most apartments), and Mexico City (100+ Mbps in Roma/Condesa neighborhoods). For video-heavy work, any of these cities provides reliable upload speeds for HD streaming.
Can I live in these cities without speaking the local language?
Most top-ranked nomad cities have high English proficiency — Lisbon, Tallinn, Amsterdam, Prague, and Bangkok all have strong English-speaking nomad communities and service sectors. Cities with lower English scores (Tokyo, Medellín, Chiang Mai) still work well for nomads because the expat community is large, coworkings operate in English, and translation apps handle most daily situations. Every city guide includes an English proficiency rating and practical notes on language.