Guide to settling in Cambodia

Are you ready to start a new life in Cambodia? Cambodia is one of the most hospitable countries for expats in Asia, with more than 100,000 expats enjoying life here!

If you are just visiting for a short trip, please refer to our previous Cambodia travel guide. And the guide to living in Cambodia is to show the new settlers all about life in Cambodia.

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First of all, let's learn about the foreigners living in Phnom Penh. AVIGAL ORHA, an Israeli living in Phnom Penh, works for a nonprofit humanitarian organization.

She went on to live in Cambodia for more than four years and now rents a western-style apartment with a roommate near the Russian market. "people are always friendly and helpful, " she said. "The atmosphere in the neighborhood is good, " she said

Alfred Amayo, Gin Distiller, entrepreneur from London, came to Cambodia more than a year ago, he only planned to stay for a month, but he fell in love with Cambodia without realizing it In particular, the vibrant lifestyle of the capital, Phnom Penh.

"The most exciting thing about Cambodia is the cuisine [ food and wine ] , and there is a lot to be said for the industry in its infancy. Every month there are too many new bars -- it's like saying every week I find a great new venue,"he says.

Amayo lives in a fifth-floor apartment with two roommates. He loved the proximity to work and the cheap rent.

Carmela Torres, Filipino, real estate agent by day, lead singer by night, has lived in Phnom Penh for almost two years. "The best thing about living in Cambodia is the freedom to start your own business, but the barriers are not high, " he said

When we asked her advice to readers, she said future expats should look around more to find the most suitable accommodation.

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Guide for Cambodian expatriates-history

Cambodia's history is long and full of details, dating back at least 5,000 years. But to make the guide easy to follow, we'll focus on three key historical periods: the Angkor Dynasty, the French colonial period, and the Khmer Rouge period.

Khmer Empire

First, let's talk about the Angkor Dynasty. Despite the fact that today Cambodia is a relatively small country. But by 800-1430 the 1430 dynasty covered almost all of south-east Asia.

Not only was the land vast, but the kingdoms of the period produced many astonishing temples, such as Angkor Wat and the Bharung temple near what is now Siem Reap.

Interestingly enough, the Angkor Dynasty, which began as a Hindu dynasty, developed into a Buddhist kingdom. As a result, most of the buildings at Angkor Wat show the imprint of Hinduism.

The historical and cultural heritage of this period is the most proud chapter of Cambodia's history.

French colonial period

It began as a 1867, a "protectorate" known as the French Indochina. Therefore, then Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam belong to the same series.

Today Cambodia has a strong French legacy, with many French colonial buildings still standing, and hospitals, roads, and landmarks all bear French names.

Cambodia regained independence in 1953 and established a constitutional kingdom under Norodom Sihanouk. His son is the reigning king.

Khmer Rouge period

The Khmer Rouge, as most of the world knows more or less, was a notorious period in Cambodian history. The Khmer Rouge came to power in 1975 after the overthrow of the American government-backed regime of Ronald Reagan.

The regime is a manifestation of Maoism extremism, with its leader, Pol Pot, pushing for a land-sharing Utopia in which nothing is needed.

Arbitrary punishments, forced labor, and inhuman torture were all temporary. In the end, between 15,000 and 30,000 people died, or 25% of the population. If you're interested in learning more about this dark age, watch the 1984 film First They Killed My Father, based on the famous movie First They Killed My Father, directed by Angela Julie.

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FOREIGNERS ARE WELCOME

One long-standing legacy of the Khmer Rouge regime is that Cambodia's population is disproportionately young, with about 50 per cent of the population under the age of 25. The development of education is slow. As a result, many businesses are looking for foreign workers to fill vacancies.

All the Expat guides in Cambodia mention that building relationships is critical to finding work quickly.

Job Hunting in Cambodia

A large number of expatriates are employed in education in Cambodia and largely teach in private schools or language institutions.

Hours and salaries vary widely, but most schools seek teachers with TEFL certification who are native speakers of English.

Cambodia has a large number of non-profit organizations will also hire foreigners. In addition to this, many foreign workers are employed in tourism, technology or business sectors. Some have been posted abroad, but many more have come seeking work alone.

What kind of visa do I need?

Landing Visa can be obtained in Cambodia, land, port and airport can be. There are two types of visas associated with expatriates. A Class T visa, a travel visa with a stay of up to 30 days, costs $30.

But you can only reapply once before your visa expires for an additional $45. So the visa is a single entry permit.

The second type of visa that expats need to know is a class E visa (not an electronic one, mind you) . A Class E visa, for $35, can definitely be renewed if you show proof of employment. The duration of the extension depends on the person and can range from one month to up to one year. A one-year renewal currently costs about $300.

GENTLE REMINDER: this guide recommends applying for a Class E visa if you are planning to find a job in Cambodia. Otherwise, when you decide to find a job after entering the country on a tourist visa, you must go to the border port and apply for a Class E visa after leaving the country.

Find a home somewhere else

Most expats stay in Phnom Penh, but that doesn't mean there aren't opportunities in other major cities like Sihanoukville and Siemreap.

The popular expatriate enclaves in Phnom Penh are BKK1, BKK2, BKK3 sub-districts, and Toul Tum Poung, Chak to Mukh, Riverside. But as a Chinese investor, is more inclined to appreciate the space big region, for example Tuol Kouk, Sen Sok and so on

In Cambodia, there is a wide variety of housing categories and a high degree of price elasticity. You can rent rooms of all sizes for as little as $200 or as much as $2,000 a month.

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The daily routine of a expatriate

Housing costs in Cambodia are relatively low compared with those in western countries. A mid-priced meal for two usually costs less than $15 when dining out, while street food (street food stalls) can fill up on $5.

Travelling in Cambodia is also simple and easy. Even on weekends, it is possible to take a tour of Southeast Asia's neighbors. But the Guide's editor has a little advice: be patient. Because, the point is the journey, the destination is secondary, isn't it?

It can be nice to stay where you are. Each city has thousands of restaurants and bars just waiting to be opened. Besides, many people speak simple English, so you don't have to learn Cambodian before you come to Cambodia. But then again, there are benefits to learning a few key words, and if you want to make friends with locals, you'd better be able to speak their language.

Buying food in Cambodia can be a simple pleasure. If you're looking for a little excitement, check out the outdoor markets, big and small. You probably need to practice your bargaining skills beforehand, because everything is for sale.

When we get home and something's missing, what do we do? Many chain stores and supermarkets offer Western food. Lucky supermarkets, Super Duper, Thai Huot and Aeon Aeon shopping malls all provide what you need.

Makro wholesale and Aeon in Tuol Kouk

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TRAVEL BY TRAFFIC

Many expats like to travel on their motorcycles or bicycles. City traffic can be hectic at times, so you need to be careful about driving.

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Keep an eye on your bag

Petty Theft and petty theft in Cambodia is common, to plunder carry-on bag for many. Thieves usually drive their own motorcycles, looking for the passengers on the tuk-tuk. So, put your purse in a safe bag and use a backpack instead of a Satchel. There are more home and personal safety tips you need to know.

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No need to seek medical treatment outside Hong Kong

Cambodia also has world-class hospitals and clinics, mostly in Phnom Penh. Examples include the government run Calmette hospital, Japan's Nissin Hospital, and the private Royal Phnom Penh Hospital. U-CARE pharmacies and Pharmacie de la Gare also enjoy a good reputation among expatriates.

In case of serious illness, patients can go to Thailand, Singapore or Malaysia. The cost of health care in these neighbouring countries is still lower than in most western countries.

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The Holy Land of Retirement

For many years, Cambodia ranks among the top 20 countries in InternationalLiving.com's annual index that are most suitable for retirement.  It has become a global trend to retire and settle in a country with a moderate economy.

It should be noted that the Cambodian government has run programs to make the country more attractive to foreign retirees.

A Wonderful Life

Many people are fascinated by Southeast Asia. Why? This place is really different from the rest of the world. Also, it has a very unique way of life. When expats talk about them, most will say, among other factors, that the lovely people they meet here make them determined to stay.

You don't have to be a fearless adventurer to move overseas. Every day, Cambodia becomes more accessible. Therefore, you have the idea of not early action. Visit Cambodia and experience every aspect of the boom.