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Ok I'm going to take a stab at living in the Penh for a bit. The only areas I know are the usual Riverside streets and St 51 to a lesser extent.

I'm looking for a nice furnished apartment w/ kitchen at a monthly rate in a decent neighborhood - cafes, restaurants, gym etc. My "ladyfriends" are of course recommending that I stay near riverside, saying that places like BKK1 are too far away and would be too quiet for me. I think they just want my dollars to stay as close to them as possible.

So what's the expat take on this? Favorite areas you've lived in the Penh?

favourite area in phnom penh is anywhere but phnom penh,

Over the last twenty years I have lived in nearly every area of Phnom Penh. About four years ago I moved over to Chroy Chgangvar and still really like it. Some good properties/condos at reasonable prices. I am on the banks of the Mekong, its very quiet, scenic and has a rural feel, but it only takes me about ten or fifteen minutes to get to the riverside area.

Riverside is the best

Anywhere away from Riverside or the sleazy part of 51.

I'm in BKK1. The food around here is expensive and the car alarms at the apartment blocks opposite go off every day at some point. But at least the one under construction along the street is nearing completion.

Really so is it more expensive than Riverside? I'm not against eating at Khmer places but it would be nice to have western salads under $5. What's the advantage of BKK1 then - just a better selection of properties?

peter.storm wrote:Riverside is the best

Riverside is only best if you are an old man who loves hostess bars.

I would say Tonle Bassac is the best spot to be.

Lex wrote:Really so is it more expensive than Riverside? I'm not against eating at Khmer places but it would be nice to have western salads under $5. What's the advantage of BKK1 then - just a better selection of properties?

There are much better properties there, but it still has some more traditional looking parts. There's nothing fancy about Boeng Keng Kang Market for example. If you want western-style food it's going to cost you, whatever neighborhood you live in.

Good topic, im also thinking of relocating to PP, but maybe somewhere outside of the hustle and bustle, i dont need nothing too fancy
any areas i should checkout/recommendations?