TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Although many job opportunities are in Taipei and New Taipei City, the high housing prices and living expenses are driving people out to buy properties in Taoyuan and Keelung, where the costs are lower.
Research manager at a real estate company Lang Mei-nan pointed out that although Taipei is the capital, and receives the most political or economic resources, the housing prices are much higher than in other locations.
Taoyuan's population growth proves the phenomenon, ranking first among Taiwan's six special municipalities. The city's population reached over 2.3 million people as of June 7 this year, constituting 10% of the island's total population.
Taoyuan is particularly attractive to newcomers due to its convenient transportation infrastructure. It boasts the Taiwan high-speed rail, the Taoyuan Airport MRT, and the international airport.
Furthermore, the recently-introduced monthly public transportation plan covering the four cities, Taipei-New Taipei-Keelung-Taoyuan, also influences people's decisions when searching for a home. They can live further away from Taipei and New Taipei without incurring high living expenses.
Professor Chang Shyue-koong of the Department of Civil Engineering at National Taiwan University (NTU) suggests that the government should adopt more diversified methods in conjunction with land development to make the metropolitan area more conducive to living.
As housing prices rise and transportation becomes more convenient, the population in the Taipei-New Taipei-Keelung-Taoyuan region will continue to shift.