Siggy wrote: ↑Wed Nov 28, 2018 4:56 am Hello everyone. New member here, just joined this forum and have been reading up on Cambodia and am quite intrigued by the country. I'm currently in China and have been here since May 2015 working as an English language teacher. It's been a mostly pleasant here so far and I've learned and lot and have had a lot of positive experiences but alas I feel that it's time for me to move after living here for more than 3 years now. The question now is "where to"? Cambodia seems like it may be the place. So does Vietnam or S. Korea or Thailand or Japan or just going back to the States after being abroad for that long. Being that this is a Cambodia forum, I'm wondering if anyone can help me with some questions and concerns I have before I come to a decision regarding Cambodia, specifically Phnom Penh as that where I plan to move to if I come to this country and work.

I plan to primarily work as an English teacher here as well since that's what I've been doing in China quite extensively these past 3 years as well as tutoring International students for 2.5 years back when I was studying in College in the States. What is it like working as an English teacher in Cambodia? What kind of responsibilities should I expect to have working in this position? And yes I know most of what is required of a job is listed in most job postings already, albeit in a very abstract and non-specific way, but if it's anything like in China, those postings never tell the whole story. Also, what type of salary should a native speaker from the US with a degree in Psychology and more than 3 years experience teaching ESL should expect? I've heard figures of $1500 for beginners with no experience, some people saying $2500-$3000 for someone with experience, and some claiming $3500 and over for highly experienced teacher. Would greatly appreciate some input on this!

Also, how would most expats here summarize everyday life in Phnom Penh? How would you rate the music scene? How would you rate the Khmer language in terms of learning difficulty (do plan to pick up the local lingo if I live there)?

Siggy wrote: ↑Tue Dec 04, 2018 9:05 pm @batshitcrazyweirdo haha I wouldn't say a midnight run as I plan to leave in 2-4 months but as you said China isn't looking too good right now, and it's true. Among the many reasons I wanna leave, pollution is high on that list. Just came back from Bangkok today and immediately am back to my coughing self after a hiatus from that in the Kingdom of Smiles. Money is pretty decent here TBH but nowadays doesn't feel like it's worth all the other hassles of living here; better horizons elsewhere. I unfortunately never got a certification like DELTA TESOL TEFL etc as my experience substituted for it so I never saw the need. But if it can lead to significantly better pay I'm all for getting a 120 hour online TEFL or something similar.
@Anchor Moy you mentioned speaking Mandarin and being able to communicate with Chinese Mainlanders is a sought after skill. I speak Putong Hua (mandarin) at a conversational level, enough to have some basic conversation, ask and answer questions but not enough to have political discussions etc. What type of opportunities does speaking Mandarin open up for someone in Cambodia?
I also asked about the music scene as I am a professional DJ as well and work from time to time as one here in Chengdu alongside the regular teaching job. Is there a market for foreign DJ's in Cambodia? Would it be feasible to do both things together there? What kind of jobs can foreigners get there other than teaching?
I suppose a holiday would be something I should consider before moving there. What I'm thinking of in terms of coming to Cambodia is to work( teaching and possibly DJing combo, or something more lucrative) and be able to make enough money to have a normal standard of living and save so at some point in the future I can open a small business of my own there, not a bar as I hear most people do and end up failing at, but more along the lines of consulting, heck even something in teaching. Partying, drugs, hookers etc is not really on my list; been there done that sort of thing when it comes to those haha. I suppose I come across as a bit of a bore now with work, money, and perhaps health on his mind. Is Cambodia is a good place for someone with my entrepreneurial intentions?

Siggy wrote: ↑Tue Dec 04, 2018 9:05 pm Just came back from Bangkok today...