Phnom Penh, Cambodia

[driveway]

I'm considering making the move to Cambodia. This would be for at least a year, maybe longer. Anyone ever been there, spent time there, got any insights on the city or country?

[soma]

I have been several times over the past 15 years. Angkor (Siem reap) is one of my favourite places I have ever visited. First time was right after 9-11 so I almost had the place to myself. It's crazy crowded last couple of times I was there.


I definitely would not "move" there with out visiting first. It is the very definition of a third world country and the culture shock will be overwhelming.

I am actually in Thailand right now for my yearly trip, and I am always ready to go home after three weeks.


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[Tiger]

I'm sure you'll live in a nice area. Cambodia is cool, especially Phnom Penh. But it really is only cool for a few days. It is a sad place, very poor people, many people missing limbs from land mines, lots of asking for money and lots of people trying to sell you drugs. And it is a mess there, the tourist areas are nice, other places have tons of garbage all over the side of the road (which is what the cows eat).

So if I had the choice I'd probably not live there, I'd visit again and recommend others visit, but not live there.

[The Familia]

Originally Posted by Tiger

I'm sure you'll live in a nice area. Cambodia is cool, especially Phnom Penh. But it really is only cool for a few days. It is a sad place, very poor people, many people missing limbs from land mines, lots of asking for money and lots of people trying to sell you drugs. And it is a mess there, the tourist areas are nice, other places have tons of garbage all over the side of the road (which is what the cows eat).

So if I had the choice I'd probably not live there, I'd visit again and recommend others visit, but not live there.

Doesn't sound like a place worth visiting, why would you recommend it?

[saillias]

I was there in 2010 for a studying abroad program, I would not recommend travelling there let alone living there, for all the reasons described above. It's a sad place, and if you look like you have any money someone's gonna try to rob you. Lots of odd little things that stuck with me. There was a 8 year old boy selling trinkets who wandered into the restaurant a group of us students were eating at and tried to sell himself to one of the girls in our group.

I guess a short trip to Angkor Wat and such won't kill you. But Phnom Penh holy hell NO.

[hockey.modern]

Currently there is a lot of government protests and riots from people. Their is a big divide between the poor and rich in the city but like stated before it is a culture change. Things have changed overtime however and it is one of the fastest developing countries in the world with skyscrapers and infrastructure. I wouldn't consider moving to any other city/town just because it will be very different and hard to live in

[gargamel]

The whole country could easily go to hell during the next election cycle in 2018, but things are peaceful and calm for now. There's definitely a huge divide between rich and poor, though, and there's nowhere that that's more evident than in Phnom Penh. The government and police are ridiculously corrupt as well, but I've never had to deal with them other than paying the occasional $0.75 fine/bribe to the traffic cops when I forget to turn my headlight off during the day. For the most part, unless you go looking for trouble, you'll be fine here.

I second soma's advice to check it out before moving there, though I moved to Siem Reap without ever visiting and couldn't be happier. I find there to be a whole lot less scam artists than in the surrounding countries, and the people here are some of the most friendly in the world. They've been through so much, but they have a warmth that will make you fall in love with the place.

I haven't spent a ton of time in Phnom Penh (usually just weekend trips when I want a taste of home - delicious Burger King), but I'm happy to try my best to answer any specific questions you have about living here in Cambodia.

[driveway]

Well, I ignored all of your advice and moved here yesterday.

Thanks anyway.

[Northendzone]

Are you working while leaving in Cambodia?

Lol at the bribe of less than a dollar.....

[driveway]

Yeah, got offered a job here, that was the thing tempting me to move here. Decided to take it.

Edit: And I'm trying to change my Location, but apparently now I have to give CP all kinds of legit info about myself to do that. :/

[worth]

Phnom Penh is awesome. Love that city.

[Scrambler]

Lots of CPers living in Asia these days...

I'm in Fukuoka, Japan and I now know of CPers living in UAE, China, Korea and now Cambodia. Cool!

[vanisleflamesfan]

I don't know how to (or care to learn how to) embed videos.

[drewboy12]

Originally Posted by driveway

Well, I ignored all of your advice and moved here yesterday.

Thanks anyway.

From a guy who travels...

Respect

[nickerjones]

Congrats on the move. Out of curiosity what was the process that you had to go through to legally work/live in Cambodia? When I decided to move to Canada it a 6+ month process to get a work permit.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by nickerjones

Congrats on the move. Out of curiosity what was the process that you had to go through to legally work/live in Cambodia? When I decided to move to Canada it a 6+ month process to get a work permit.

I'm betting it'll all boil down to a $3 bribe.

[OffsideSpecialist]

When I went to Cambodia in Feb, I believe a tourist visa was $25 and a business visa was $35. Each valid for one month, Obtainable upon entry. Only difference is that a tourist visa can be extended for one month but the business visa can be extended indefinitely. Probably the easiest visa scheme in the world lol

[gargamel]

Originally Posted by nickerjones

Congrats on the move. Out of curiosity what was the process that you had to go through to legally work/live in Cambodia? When I decided to move to Canada it a 6+ month process to get a work permit.

As mentioned above, it's $35 for a business visa for a month that you can extend for up to 6 months (or maybe a year, but I'm always on 6 month contracts, so that's all I do) for around $150. Technically, you're supposed to get a work permit that costs $100+ every year, but I'd guess that 99% of the foreigners who work here don't have one, and it's never been a problem until the last few months. Even now, as Russic guessed, it's nothing that a laughably small bribe can't take care of.

[driveway]

Yeah, $35 visa, purchased at the airport upon arrival and my work is currently jumping through the hoops of getting everyone work visas. The bureaucracy in this country sounds abominable. The Executive Director of my school has been in Cambodia for 6 years, applied for a work permit back in January and still hasn't seen it.

There are rumors that you could get dinged with a fine at the airport on your way out without one, but those all seem to be "heard at the Orange Julius" stories.

After a week here, I'm really liking this city. Feels very "small town" after Taipei. Also, a dollar for draft beer while overlooking the Mekong river is pretty seriously awesome.

[coaster]

I spent 10 days in the Sihanoukville and Kep area 2 years ago but I flew into Phnom Penh. This trip was my Thai visa run. If you ever want some Italian fare I found a nice pizzeria called Dolce. The owner tried to keep it as authentic as possible, even importing all the stone for the oven from Italy. I had some pasta there, which was good, but the thin crust pizza that other tables were having made me wish I had ordered that. Anyways to find it I will have to direct you from the hotel I stayed at. It was a 10 or 11 story hotel called the Landscape and it was directly across from a big 5 star hotel on the river. Not too far from Naga. If you were to walk out of the lobby of the Landscape hotel you would make a right turn immediately and then another right at the first sidestreet. Now you are walking away from the river. The sidestreet will connect with another road that runs parallel to the river road. Take a left at that road and it is not too far(couple minute walk) on the left side. There is some neon lighting with the pizzerias name above the front window .When you get there you can sit at the upstairs terrace. I liked it.