I made the move 3 years ago – only regret is that I did not do it sooner…

I live very comfortably on $3,000 a month, but neither I or Cambodian wife, drink or party, apart from occasional KTV outings with friends and family.

I rent a 5-bedroom house (locals call it villa). Had to get big house in order to have a separate garage for my hobby wood-working shop. ($800 a month – garage, patio and room for above ground swimming pool that cost $480 – complete!)

About half hour to Central Market and 20 minutes to riverfront.

Budget permits me to run A/C as much as I want and go out to dinner as often as we want – but typically go to local restaurants. There are plenty of western restaurants for when you want a taste of home’ Prices seem about same as USA, do not know about Australia comparison. Supermarkets carry good selection of western foods - and western junk food too! Great!!!

I am baffled by a recent string re the quality of vegetables. I love them. For sure not a vegetarian, but enjoy fresh salads almost daily – I did not know that lettuce has a flavor and watermelon is in season year-round.

I enjoy not having a car. Have moto for short trips and enjoy the luxury of hiring a chauffeur (Tuk Tuk) whenever I want to go someplace here in PHN. At 73 years old do not do a lot of motoring in rush hour – but enjoy rush hour traveling in back seat of tuk. Always amazing things to see. If you have a sense of adventures and curiosity you can really enjoy Cambodia – Truly the Kingdom of Wonder – “wonder what will happen next and wonder what craziness I will see next…

Also appreciate being able to hire van(s) for travel in-country, which I do a lot with volunteer work – Support local dental teams and travel the far corners of the kingdom distributing water filters and general relief projects through local volunteers. A great way to see rural Cambodia and make local and some ex-pat friends. About $80 for a long, full day rental – I pay a bit more than some, but safe, slow driver is well worth it. Comfortable van with ice chest and stops for ice-coffee, piss and pictures whenever I want.

Was previously married to a Thai lady too and then after promising never again, fell in love with Cambodian lady some years ago and then retired to Cambodia. Building a home in her home province for when I get old.

Medical Insurance: You need good coverage. Anything serious is expensive – not like what we are accustomed to at home but would be hard to lay out thousands of dollars cash money for medical care. I have good insurance but seldom use it – it is cheaper to go to Hope Sihanoukville Hospital (PHN) and pay cash for simple problems such as bronchitis, cuts and bumps – cheaper than what I get from deductible from such as Royal Phnom Penn – but when I have my heart attack I want to go to a top tier hospital like Royal.

Stupidity: Be prepared to constantly shake your head at the amazing stupidity of drivers. Maybe it is a consequence of Pol Pot’s extermination so many of the intellectuals and thinkers. Seems the shallow end of the gene pool abounds and drives motos. You will see what I am talking about when you watch someone, even experience taxi drivers, trying to back out of an ally or narrow area. And, making a 17-point turn-around, that we would accomplish in 3 points. At blind intersections it is unheard of to slow and look in either direction before blasting out into traffic on their motos. Amazing! (Directions to my house are “Make a U Turn at the first No U Turn Sign”. If you miss it, just turn around and drive on the wrong side of the road…

Other strings have discussed marriage and dating so I will not belabor that but will comment that the ladies are beautiful and to us old guys, someone of 40 is ‘a sweet young thing.’ (Just heed the advice of many that if you do fall in love and marry - you marry the whole family, so look beyond just her. Make a bad choice and you will be a walking ATM machine to a whole tribe.

My wife’s family has adopted me – Friend and family here seem much more embracing than back home. Side benefit of un-sophisticated lifestyle? – These people like to actually sit and visit with one another!!! Neighbors talk, know, and help one-another! Maybe even more-so than in the P.I.

If you find the right one your only regret, like mine, is having not made the move sooner.

Happy to answer any specific questions.