1st time backpacking in Taipei?

You'll have no problem as a solo female traveler in Taipei, or elsewhere in Taiwan either for that matter. The people are generally extremely polite and helpful and you should have no problem getting around, even at night (although it's probably a good idea to take an agency taxi if crossing the city alone late at night).
On the expenses front: a good meal in a local eatery costs about USS2-3, transport by bus from Taipei to, say, Taiching is less than than US$10, and cheap private room accomodation can be had for about US$30 or so (much cheaper for a bed in a dorm), so you should be fine on US$40 a day if you take it easy. Prices are a little cheaper outside Taipei.
Finally, Taiwan really is an exceptionally beautiful island, and remains extraordinarily undiscovered; unfortunately some fantastic scenery in the south is out-of-bounds due to terrible recent typhoon, but there's still plenty to see.

Have a great trip!

Taiwan is one of my favourite places in the world. US$40 is certainly enough and lone female traveller is safe. Have fun! Taipei is one of the most cultured and atmospheric cities in the greater chinese region. There's a certain nostalgia and literary feel to it, and you get the sense that this is a city that really connects with its people, not one that is imposing and disconnected (e.g. Beijing).

^ Hi there, thanks for the reply! It's reassuring to here another traveler make those comments. :-)

On that note, my only major concern now is general safety with regards to, well, nature (i.e. bad weather or worse, may this NOT happen, but earthquakes). I'm not very familiar with the dynamics in Taiwan, especially right now and towards the end of the year (I'm thinking about going in October or early November)...I'm hoping someone can enlighten me on all this?

Other than that, I don't see any other reason to miss out on Taipei/Taiwan if I can help it! :)

Thanks in advanced, looking forward to any replies.

Don't be concerned too much about the weather. The last typhoon was a bad one, but it mainly affected small villages in the mountains. Just keep an eye on weather forecasts (easy to do via the Internet, TV news and English-language newspapers), and use common sense about deciding where to go and what to do. If you're that worried about earthquakes, there are a lot of places in the world you shouldn't visit - Japan, Italy, California, Turkey and so on :)

Taipei isn't very representative of the rest of Taiwan - do try to get out of the city at least once while you're there.

Late october, early november means the typhoon season is already over. October can be one of the best months to come as the weather is sunny but a comfortably hot instead of extremely. In November it starts to cool down and you may start to have to carry a sweater or jacket.

Otherwise, Taiwan is extremely safe with all the mod conveniences you would expect from a 1st world country.

Taiwan's failing is that they don't promote their tourist industry very well. Which is actually good for the people who come because you are not fighting with other tourists.

Dan

www.betelnut-equation.blogspot.com

Typhoon season should be over by late Oct. to early November. I've been in Kaohsiung (in the south) in late October and it was hot and humid with no rain. Taiwanese people are very friendly, as others have said, and a good number can speak very good English so it's not difficult to travel there. Offhand, I don't remember earthquakes being a big problem in Taiwan. I have a friend in Kaohsiung and it seems to me that people there only worry about typhoons.

I am really interested in going to Taiwan also. Seems like an interesting country. This thread was very helpful to me!

Taiwan is wonderful. I've been living here for a year.
You should try to be in Taipei on Halloween, because it happens to be the same day as the Gay Pride Festival. As for safety. it's the safest country I have ever been to.

If you are trying to save some money, don't eat western food, stay in hostels - about US10 in Taipei, take the bus not the High Speed Rail, and try to eat in teh night markets. dirt cheap.

johnnyjappleseed, thanks so much for your post! I am going to Taiwan on Wednesday October 6. I will be leaving around October 20 so I wont be in Taipei for Helloween. Do you have any recommendations on a good hostel in Taipei and 2-3 more places (must see) outside Taipei. Also i hope it typhoon Melor wont hit Taiwan!