Thinking of living in Cambodia

[Jas777]

Hello all,
I am new here in this forum. I just want to ask a few questions and hopefully get some insight from some of you guys that are living in Cambodia now.

The last time I was in Cambodia was in 2002 and that was Phnom Penh. I was there for a few weeks and I really liked the place. However, that was a long time ago and things have changed a lot from what I hear. A friend of mine was there about 8 years ago maybe
and he got really turned off. He told me that the streets are full of motorbikes on the sidewalks everywhere and very aggressive street vendors grabbing you by the arm and so on and so forth, although he can be somewhat negative sometimes. I would just like to get a little bit of insight on how the city is now and if anyone recommends living there or better another city. I would like to be near the sea perhaps like Sihanoukville, but I get mixed reports from there. I lived in Cebu City Philippines for about 15 years, but that country has changed a lot and not for the better.
I would really like to give a Cambodia a try. I'm also wondering about the rental fees if they are reasonable. I would just like to hear a general view on the country as a whole. Thank you in advance for any of your answers.

[Kammekor]

If you value neat cities with nice sidewalks you will despise Phnom Penh.

[timmydownawell]

Motorbikes on the footpaths, yes. Aggressive vendors, no. I don't think there are any mixed reports from SHV: it's a shithole now.

[explorer]

The way you will know is to visit, and decide for yourself.

I don't like Phnom Penh, I prefer some of the smaller towns.

I plan to live in Australia, and have long holidays in Cambodia.

[Anchor Moy]

Come and see for yourself before you decide anything definite. Cambodia is changing so fast everywhere, that even after 6 months away, whole neighborhoods can be transformed. Best see for yourself and determine what is acceptable for you.

[Duncan]

The way you will know is to visit, and decide for yourself.

I don't like Phnom Penh, I prefer some of the smaller towns.

I plan to live in Australia, and have long holidays in Cambodia.

The problem is while you are in Cambodia on long holidays you end up with so much ' junk '' that you get attached to, or stuff that you need when you come back next time. So what do you do with it ?

[Kammekor]

Come and see for yourself before you decide anything definite. Cambodia is changing so fast everywhere, that even after 6 months away, whole neighborhoods can be transformed. Best see for yourself and determine what is acceptable for you.

Cambodia changes fast, but some things never seem to change somehow....

[explorer]

The problem is while you are in Cambodia on long holidays you end up with so much ' junk '' that you get attached to, or stuff that you need when you come back next time. So what do you do with it ?

Leave it with friends.

If you make friends with Cambodian people, many of them are happy for you to leave things at their place when you are not there. Some places are more secure than others.

It is also a good idea to minimize what you have.

[Anchor Moy]

Come and see for yourself before you decide anything definite. Cambodia is changing so fast everywhere, that even after 6 months away, whole neighborhoods can be transformed. Best see for yourself and determine what is acceptable for you.

Cambodia changes fast, but some things never seem to change somehow....

That's true, but OP said that he was last in Cambodia in 2002, and there's been a lot of change since then.

[Roadie]

I enjoy living in Cambo and can't see myself living elsewhere for a few years but I wouldn't live in Phnom pen either. The country towns are much better for me but we all look for different things so coming over to see for yourself is the answer.