Hi,

I have been living and working in the Philippines few years but since I never felt like home I started to consider relocating to some other SEA country. As I studied my options Cambodia started to feel interesting mainly because of the ease of getting one year visa, cheaper living expenses, and because I have enjoyed my vacations there.

Even I’ve visited most of the 25 provinces Cambodia has, and spent 2-3 months in the country, it’s not enough to know how living there is. Thus it would be nice to hear comparison from someone who has lived in the Philippines and Cambodia. What in Cambodia is better or worse. What is easier or more difficult. And which country is better to live in.

Thanks for any information!

It depends if women are your main motivation. Women are easier to get/find/engage/marry/support in the Philippines.

Thanks NokTang for your response.

Women are not the main reason I’m considering Cambodia, but I'm looking for better developing country to stay than Philippines. Philippines is, as always, getting worse and I don’t see it getting any better. E.g. we need to register in the immigration twice a year in person (unless you're on tourist visa), visa with working permit is expensive and time-consuming to get (takes months, my record is 7 months), rent for decent flat is high, banking and most of the other things have been made very difficult (ass backwards to say), bureaucracy is from hell, people in general don’t have any common sense and are extremely noisy as well as think that we “rich” westerners own them money/things etc; and worst are the traffic and overpopulation. When you put all this together it makes Philippines not so comfortable place to live.

Demiurgi wrote:.... people in general don’t have any common sense and are extremely noisy as well as think that we “rich” westerners own them money/things etc; and worst are the traffic and overpopulation. When you put all this together it makes Philippines not so comfortable place to live.

You'll find the same in Cambodia. If you wish to live civilized and if you are looking for common sense, go somewhere else.

I imagine that could describe many many countries. At least in Cambodia travel is a piece of cake. Everything being spread out over scores of islands must make it hell to think about poking around for a look see. Plus you have an easier run to Bkk for a diversion, or I suppose Malaysia or Sing. Or even VN. It's a good home base if you wish to travel some. Personally what puts me off PI is the crime. I'll never forget the guy that posted he got robbed twice in 2 weeks there. First before he got out of Manilla, second a gang boarded a bus and robbed everyone on it. Dude said they had automatic weapons and a grenade or two. Shotgun guards at Jollibee would tend to put me off my feed a bit I think.

You didn't mention Thailand as a possibility. You may as well. Here, the people have common sense they just don't care, especially about foreigners. Prices are inexpensive outside of Bangkok. Beach options of course. Volume is free in all of SEA therefore most local venues blast the music and of course, the young people shout to gain attention.

Health Care is available in Thailand, for a price, a western price. Health insurance is also sold but doesn't cover pre existing conditions and insurance companies will sometimes at least attempt to deny claims, but it's here if you need it. I'm not sure you can get good health care in Cambodia or the Philippines even if you have the cash.

The only "on topic" item I will mention is the "underbelly" of Cambodia, at least in Phnom Penh. It isn't very barang friendly. They don't watch you like the Filipino's do, but you still feel completely out of place in their country.

NokTang wrote:Y
The only "on topic" item I will mention is the "underbelly" of Cambodia, at least in Phnom Penh. It isn't very barang friendly. They don't watch you like the Filipino's do, but you still feel completely out of place in their country.

I came to work in Phnom Penh in 1996 and the friendliness of the people was one of the things that I liked about the place. I have lived in Phnom Penh in various locations for about 19 years and never had problems with locals. Always got invited to eat or attend weddings, naming parties and funerals etc. Previously I had lived and worked in Thailand and enjoyed my stay but for me Phnom Penh is preferable and I have always felt accepted here. Having said that there are certain locations in the city for example Golden Sorya Mall which is pretty much cheap beer/hooker central that attracts the worst kind of Khmers. These are effectively pimps and drug pushers posing as motodops and can be a pain for new visitors.

Thanks Mr Curious and NokTang.

Thailand would be my first choice and maybe someday I can live there, but unfortunately their visa policies drop them from my list this time. I’m too young to get retirement visa and since my plan is to have sabbatical year or few I don’t want to start business to be able to stay there. Also to my understanding tourist visa is no longer option because of the revised policies.

Mr Curious’ comment about violence was interesting. I’ve thought that Cambodia and Philippines would be on par, but maybe Philippines is worse. I’m so used to the guns but yeah, I’ve witnessed e.g. murder from 20 meters and other things normal people should not have to see.

Getting around in Metro Manila alone is burdensome. I used to spend 40min – 1h 40min for 3km trip from home to work. Almost all my local friends use 2-3 hours in the morning and in the evening to get to/from work. Absolutely insane.

Francis. Living civilized and common sense IMHO doesn’t necessarily go hand in hand. Even many primitive tribes understand right, wrong and cause & effect. That doesn’t always seem to be the case in the Philippines.

Kuroneko wrote: Having said that there are certain locations in the city for example Golden Sorya Mall which is pretty much cheap beer/hooker central that attracts the worst kind of Khmers. These are effectively pimps and drug pushers posing as motodops and can be a pain for new visitors.

Same can be said for the barangs who are in the prostitution business using the disguise of "hostess bar" or "beer bar". Not only a pain for new visitors, a pain for seasoned travelers and other barangs in general. A group of pimps who bring down the reputation of fine outstanding residents like yourself.

Demiurgi wrote: Even many primitive tribes understand right, wrong and cause & effect. That doesn’t always seem to be the case in the Philippines.

In general, as the Ambassador himself said, men travel to the Philippines for cheap unprotected sex. You are in a minority being young and working there. It's a "basket case" as far as looking at it from a western perspective.