Keelung (Chi-Lung), Taiwan

Keelung sits on Taiwan's northern coast, a harbor city of 360 thousand people built into steep hills at just 9 m above sea level. The climate is subtropical, which means warm, humid summers and a winter defined more by rain than by cold. The city keeps time on Asia/Taipei, and its harbor is the anchor for the small expat community that gathers here, with the Keelung Harbor Area the neighborhood most newcomers choose. For a port city of its size, Keelung stays remarkably low-key, and that quiet is part of the appeal for anyone who wants Taiwan's conveniences without Taipei's pace.

The money math is friendlier than most newcomers expect. A one-bedroom in the city center rents for $564/mo, while the same apartment outside the center drops to $470/mo. Three-bedroom units run $1,033/mo in the center and $939/mo outside it. Utilities average $41/mo, internet $11/mo, and a mobile phone plan $15/mo. A monthly public transport pass costs $63/mo and a gym membership $34/mo. An inexpensive restaurant meal is about $5 per person, a mid-range three-course dinner for two around $31, and a cappuccino $3. Excluding rent, a single person spends roughly $850/mo and a family of four about $2,650/mo. Budget, mid-range, and comfortable lifestyles for one adult, rent included, come to $582/mo, $857/mo, and $1,020/mo. Against an average monthly net salary of $2,437/mo and a cost of living index of 61/100 against New York City, the city is affordable on local pay, though the gap between local wages and the $4,977/mo income threshold for the Taiwan Digital Nomad Visa (Gold Card) is worth planning around.

Safety is one of Keelung's strongest selling points. The safety index stands at 85/100 and the crime index at just 15/100, so walking home at night is rarely a concern. Healthcare quality is rated excellent, which matters in a city where the air quality index sits at 55, a middling figure that reflects the harbor and surrounding industry. Internet runs at an average of 125 Mbps, fast enough for remote work, video calls, and streaming without friction.

The Taiwan Digital Nomad Visa (Gold Card) requires a minimum monthly income of $4,977/mo, and the nearest airport is TPE, 45 km away. English proficiency is limited and the expat community is small, so some Mandarin goes a long way. Keelung suits remote workers and budget-conscious savers, with a digital nomad score of 72/100, an expat score of 81/100, and a FIRE score of 81/100. Retirees give it 75/100, drawn by the low costs, the excellent healthcare, and the calm of a harbor town that never feels crowded.