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Hey folks - new to the forum, not new to Cambodia. Currently stateside, visited Kampot for about a month in 2012. Planning a return visit during the dry season to re-evaluate and possibly relocate (slow - would move maybe July 2017 - Jan 2018)

I'm wondering how much in monthly expenses to live in Kampot - modestly (by US standards not Khmer)? I'd be renting at first of course, and likely not working. Probably eat out mostly, local food primarily. I'm not moving to Cambodia to eat western food! I do not need Internet access where I live, I do not need nor want TV, a moto will be fine for local travel.

EDIT: As I just read on a blog about life as an expat, "Do not attempt to re-create your experience in the US abroad on the cheap" This is exactly what I do not wish to do. I know life will be immeasurably different as an expat. My travels have well informed me of this, as have my contacts abroad.

I have some contacts/acquaintances in Cambodia, but want to hear from a wider audience.

My other choice is Ecuador, in the southern mountains. Anyone able to compare the two on any level other than weather? I think I prefer Khmer culture, but need to visit Ecuador as well, and will be doing so in a couple months, the Cambodian trip will follow that one.

Thanks! I hope to become more involved in this community. I believe my ultimate choice will be Cambodia. I am not rich, nor am I poor, I have significant capital to draw upon but am conservative in my spending. I am very non-materialistic for an American, open minded and rugged. That said, I do like some A/C at night and maybe a nice night out once a week or two. Cheap beers the other nights to pass some time. Plan to travel around SE Asia some, that's where I plan to spend more than anywhere.

I like PP but wouldn't live there - too crowded. I prefer the calmness of Jan / Feb 2012 Kampot - assuming not much has changed since 2012. If Kampot is now the new SKV then please suggest a town that now mimics Kampot around the 2012 period? I'm not a doper (heroin/opiates) nor do I have any interest in the young women there - well yeah, they're gorgeous and all but I'm too old and too intimidated by the very appropriate laws against such conduct.

I do not have any intention to take advantage of anyone. Whatever anyone else does is their business. Just putting it out there that my motives are pure - to get away from this fucked up place for a while. I'm very well traveled across the third world - am a single, straight male in my mid-40s. Health is very good. Attitude is very open.

If you are like me , and love saltwater fish, and like cooking your own, then Kampot market is a great place. Always fresh and cheap. I would put living in Kampot at the top of my list, ahead of Kep and Shitsville.

Way too young to decide on a final resting place such as kampot.

Barang_doa_slae wrote:Way too young to decide on a final resting place such as kampot.

I thought he was looking for a ''semi-final '' or '' runner-up '' to a semi-final place .

I prefer Kep, as not all those backpackers PLUS there is the sea to swim in,
Kampot does have a great local market and more choices for eating out and cheaper to live and only 30 minutes to kep.
Kampot has changed a lot in the past 2 years !!
Kep u need to create ur own entertainment and few western places to eat and no bars ( nor will there ever be any )

Unless u marry and /or trust a local your stuck renting for life

Not gonna put monetary values to anything, because how long is a piece of string? Best bet is to look around and speak to locals and expats once you're on the ground.

Kampot is expanding, and will continue to do so with the new deep sea port and Phu Quoc ferry terminal being constructed, although I doubt it will ever get anywhere near as big as Sihanoukville. There is still alot of natural areas and plenty of trees, plus the river and all of its offshoots. No high rises, no late night clubs/bars blaring out ridiculously loud music till the early hours, no hostess bars

Local market prices = on par with the PP markets, if not slightly cheaper. More local produce as opposed to imported.

Supermarkets = Not a lot of choice, but all the basics are available. A tad bit more expensive than supermarkets in PP.

Rent = Still very reasonably priced, some fantastic bargains to be had out of the town, closer to nature, away from the (minimal) hustle n bustle of the town.

Property ownership = Possible, through Blue Star Real Estate.

Western oriented bars/restaurants = Kampot is oversaturated with bars and restaurants, most of which have high quality food at reasonable prices. The excess of bars and restaurants helps to keep the prices down for consumers.

Local restaurants/bars = Plenty and inexpensive

rent maybe $120-150
All the derelict buildings around the renovated old market are gentrified now and the town is looking quite well kept and cleanish along the riverside.
You will see a BIG difference.

Check out the Kampot thread in the On the Road forum: https://cambodiaexpatsonline.com/the-roa ... t6943.html

If nothing else it might give you an idea of how things have changed or not changed since you were there; oh and it gets seriously OT after the first 5 pages or so.

Question to mods - how come I can't see Samouth's photos in the OP of the Kampot thread any more ? (Or is it just me again. )

Anchor Moy wrote:Question to mods - how come I can't see Samouth's photos in the OP of the Kampot thread any more ? (Or is it just me again. )

The images are from Facebook. When I follow the link it says "URL signature expired".


Maybe Samouth could upload them again using Tinypic.

id move to kampot if i had a mrs, bit too boring for a single male though good for a few days, i love driving around the kampot countryside though