Hsinchu
Shopping
Shopping Centers and Dept stores
Hsinchu boasts a plethora of department stores and reputedly the largest shopping center in Asia by the name of WinDance. 
If shopping for groceries or general household appliances, Da Ren Fa(RT Mart) is a good place to start. All the Western brand names can be found in Sogo so if you're a dedicated follower of fashion you will not be disappointed.
Da Ren Fa - Great value and plenty of fruit, veg and scooters!! Taiwan's anser to WalMart. If you shop late there'll be some great bargains on the fresh food.
Open 10am - 11pm
Geant - French version of Da Ren Fa! A little bit more expensive but better wine!!
Open 10am - 10pm
Sogo - 12 story department store with every major fashion label getting some floor space. Be prepared to pay for it though.
Open 10am - 9pm
Windance - Reputedly Asia's largest Dept. Store, Windance stocks everything from a Jusco
Supermarket for food in the basement to a multiplex cinema on the top floor
Open 10am - 10pm
Wellcom - A smaller chain of food stores but with plenty of choice and convenience. More
expensive than Da Ren Fa and not as well stocked.
24Hrs
B&Q - For all your household and DIY needs.
Open 10am - 10pm
HomeBox - Similar to B&Q.
Open 10am - 9pm
Electrical and Computer Stores
Taiwan will not be as cheap for electronics as you may think. Although 60% of the world's Notebooks and the lions share of the world's motherboards are made in Taiwan, the prices will be very similar to Ireland. There are some components, such as compact memory and cheap MP3 players, that are alot cheaper but if you are thinking of saving your purchase of digital cameras and other such assecories then be prepared to be disappointed.
However the choice and the fact that you will find many products in Taiwan that will come faster to the consumer market means that a walk around one of the superstores such as 3C an eye opener. Also low priced items like mouse, card readers, etc... will be up to 100% cheaper than in the west. For high cost electronics expect to pay around the same as in you home country even if they are make in Taiwan!
Nova - Local chain of excellent clusters of local small stores. Probably the best choice and value. Tip - Taipei Nova is cheaper than Hsinchu!
3C - Large multi-level store with everything from full computers to headsets
SunFar - Similar set-up to 3C
Cost of Living
Due to the Science Park, Hsinchu is not as cheap to live in as it's neighbouring counties such as Taichung, but compared to any European or western city it still ranks quite reasonably in terms of rent, groceries and eatiing out (see Restaurants section of Entertainment).
Two-Bed un-furnished apartment: 250euro per month
Can of coke: 40cents
Meal for one in Restaurant: 5euro
Pint of Beer in Western Bar: 4euro
Nike Sports Shoes: 40euro
Health Care
Be prepared for a shock when you need medical care in Hsinchu. Like the rest of Taiwan
the speed and cost of service is
astounding. If you have come over as a professional
or with one of the better schools you will have a subsidised health card which entitles
you to anything from health care to GP services to operations. Usually english is spoken
widely amongst the health care official but sometimes either a knowledge of the language
or a phtase book may come in handy.
Hospitals:
Guang Fu - Large Hospital on the town side of the main through fare
Science park - Clinic across from The Hub. Very good service and helpful staff.
Cost -
GP Check-Up - 100NT (with Medical Card)
Dental Check-Up - 100NT (with Medical Card)
Medicine is also very cheap
Accomodation
If you are coming to Taiwan with a company or good school they will usually find some kind of accomodation for you before you arrive. This will range in both quality and convenience so be prepared to look for a place at some stage especially if you are in for the long haul. The agent fee however is very reasonable and if you find a good one they will be of great use.
In Hsinchu it is surprisingly hard to find a fully furnished apartment or house. Therefore be
prepared to furnish your apartment yourself. This has advantages and disadvantages. There are
always people on the move in Hsinchu so if you look at any of the foreign community websites
you can find cheap second hand furniture. See the section on links for details.
Transport
The public transport system in Hsinchu is non-existent. For this reason if you are planning a stay for a prolonged period some form of personal transportation will be necessarry. If money is no object then taxis are an option although in rush hour this form of transport is about as fast as walking. The majority of people will have a scooter. The license and insurance are not difficult to get and cost is very reasonable.
Trains - The train service in Taiwan is very good. Normally it runs on time and any delays are highlighted on the electronic board that accompanies every platform. The cost is very reasonable with a 100KM journey on the fastest train about 4.5Euro. Trains run to Taipei every 20mins but try and get on a fast one (z-way ke-wy de) as the slow subway like ones can double your journey time.
Buses - Buses in Taiwan are a unique experience. Be prepared to either travel in a massive Lazy boy, massaging chair with a personal LCD TV and games system or in the boot of the same bus for the same price! Again cost is reasonable with a 100Km journey costing about 4euro.
Getting to Airport - rent a car with a driver(30euro). It's the only way to save yourself a
4hr trip! Chiang Kai Shek International Airport is about 60km or 45mins
unless there's traffic. Normally 1-1/2 hrs is plenty of time even with
a buffer.
Recreational Activities
Soccer - The Celts FC
Hsinchu's first ex-pat soccer club founded in 2005 competes in the TPL in Taipei
and the quarterly foreigner cups around Taiwan. A sterling bunch of players always
up for the craic, the Celts FC are always looking for new talent.
Every Thursday a group of expat and locals meet in Jiao Tung University to
play 5-aside football. All are welcome no matter what the skill level.
Rugby - The Hsinchu Whistlers meet every Sunday to train and play regularly in various tournaments around Taiwan during the year. Contact barry.cahill@irishasia.com for details on the Whistlers.
GAA - The Taiwan Celts train in Taipei every Saturday and play in various tournaments throughout the year from GAA to Rugby to Compromise Ruleswith the main event being the Asian Games in Shang Hai for the coming year 2006.
Running - The Hsinchu chapter of the Hash House Harriers meet on the last Saturday of every month and it's an unforgettable experience.
Gyms - Hsinchu has a number of gyms with some of the larger companies within the Science Park allowing public access including the UMC gym of Hsin An Lu.
Dining
As Hsinchu caters for a range of people from Taiwanese who hail from ever part of the island to Indian, American, Philipino and a host of other nationalities (there's even a few Irish) the variety of restaurants is wide.
All tastes can be accounted for with Thai food, Indian and of course Chinese all having a
large pressence. If your palet is more attuned to western tastes theres some good steak
house and of course the normal quota of fast food joints, which include TGI Fridays, KFC,
Burger King and McDonalds.
Pubs
The Warehouse - Although Jack the amiable Aussie owner does'nt like to boast this is probably the best bar in Hsinchu for
young foreigners. Relaxed, 100NT beers and 120NT pizzas only added to the appeal. Tucked away at the very end of Guang Fu Lu with it's back to the train tracks this gem is definitely worth a visit. It also serves Thai Food. Close Mondays but open late every other day Jack also draws in some good live music.
Flying Pig - Close to the river the Flying Pig is one of the more popular Western bars. Weekends usually draws a good crowd with Friday nights the favourite.
Pig and Whistle - Probably the most famous as it belongs to a chain of "English" pubs located across Asia. Shows alot of sport and is hence very popular among the ex-pat men folk. Usually draws a good crowd on the weekends.
4Q2 - A pub owned by a gregarious Brummie, 4Q2 (say it fast to catch the full
meaning) offers a good dartboard and a great full Irish breakfast.
B52's - On the same street as 4Q2, B3 is a great little bar to relax and take in
the DJ skills of the owner who's been to Ireland-twice!!
Light - Lounge bar situated between 4Q2 and B52's. New place with a laid back interior. The food is very good and they have a stunning selection of Mexican food!
Magic Raver Disco - One of Hsinchu's only clubs and definitely the most colourfully named, allows after hours drinking and a ladies night on Thursdays.
Cammi - A more 'classy' club with great potential but it never seems to draw a crowd. It's quite expensive entrance fee may be a factor but maybe one to watch for the near future. Right beside TGI Frydays.
Beer Houses - Hsinchu is populated by a large amount of Beer Houses which are very popular with the locals. A good place to spend a lazy Sunday with a group of friends.