Anyone that has recently visited or is currently living in Cambodia?

[AJQUSA]

I am considering moving to Sihanoukville. I would like to talk with anyone who has visited or lived in Cambodia/Sihanoukville.

[keda]

Can't help you, but there's a Brit expat there with a bar/guest house who doubles giving business/legal/domestic advice to new intake and wanabes. I think his place is the Angkor/Anchor by the town centre, but not sure. Sorry not more specific.

[stroller]

^
Yes, can't miss it.
And a couple of friendly Aussies run a bar opposite, if they're still there, comparative newcomers with a lot of enthusiasm.

The place bores the shit out of me, can't imagine staying for more than a day.

[klongmaster]

Originally Posted by stroller

The place bores the shit out of me, can't imagine staying for more than a day.

it has a certain attraction for those of a particular persuasion though Stroll...

[stroller]

I did notice a proportionately large number of teenage 'massage' girls, if that's what you mean?

A minus, not an attraction in my books.

[keda]

First time I was there bumped into a shootout resulting in a wounding and a fatality - over who was going to do the next karaoke!

[blackpanther]

they've struck oil off the coast so the place will be changing rapidly from a whore ridden, motodop plagued shit hole with beaches to a shit hole with lots of rich lexus driving khmer and fat hummer yanks bellowing loudly into their cellphones.

khmer440.com is the best cambodian based site

[Udonite]

With these reviews I think I'll pass on shithouseville.

[sabang]

I believe it's possible to own property outright there though.
In fact the Khmers welcome your dollars with open arms- distinct contrast to their Thai neighbours.
I'm planning to check it out- might even be some $ to be made.

[a. boozer]

Originally Posted by sabang

I believe it's possible to own property outright there though.

I'm planning to check it out-

This is interesting, please keep us updated with any information.

[keda]

They tend to let you get on with property or business, just do it.

Downside of course is if you're naive enough to think LoS is unrefined and corrupt and unpredictable...

[AJQUSA]

I was glad to see this post come back to life. I am visiting Cambo again for a month at the end of 2007. I believe that trip will convince me that leaving the "ratrace" in the west is a good thing.
Being in SEA to live has not left my mind since my first there a few years ago.
Any advise about living in Cambodia will be welcomed!
Any TW members living there now?

[klongmaster]

Originally Posted by blackpanther

khmer440.com is the best cambodian based site

did you check black cat's link...certainly an excellent forum for those interested in moving to Cambodia...

Originally Posted by stroller

I did notice a proportionately large number of teenage 'massage' girls, if that's what you mean? A minus, not an attraction in my books.

oh and Stroll; seeing it's been bumped...yea you got the drift ...

[oleboy]

Im living in Sihanoukville and love it here nice and quiet. No visa Problems unlike Thailand. The Khmer welcome you with open arms for now anyway.
No you cant own land here except through a lease which I would not trust. Yes you can work here without all of the the Thai B/S. Just get a Business Visa when you enter Cambodia $25 at the Airport and at border crossings as much as they can get out of you usually 1,500B at Koh Kong. That is good for 30 days and then just extend it at ANA internet in S,ville or Lucky's Super market in PP. All you need for the extension is 1 Picture your passport and the money no forms to fill out. It can be extended from 1 month to 12 months. A one year mulitipal entry extension will cost about $280. and you never have to leave Cambodia just keep extending. If you only want a Tourist visa that is $20 at the Airport and about 1,200 at the land crossings this visa is good for 30 days.
Cost compared to Thailand some things are cheaper here and some are more expensive. It cost me between $200 & $300 a month less to live here than in Thailand.
90% of the Expats living in my Apt Block are from Thailand moved here because of the changers and the Baht value.
ATM here spit US$

Hope this has been of help.
Regards oleboy

[ChiangMai noon]

^
thanks for the info.
what do most expats do for a living?

[oleboy]

Most expats:
teach, own Cafe, Guest houses, Beach Bars,
Manage some of the above

you can do any kind of work you wish but stay away from Politics?
Im Semi Retired (or retarted ) but I keep busy with my web site. If you into this kind of thing its a lot cheaper than Thailand.
I just read the Stickman and the prices in Thailand are now over the top not like the good old days when a short time was 300B.
Cheers oleboy.

[Marmite the Dog]

Just got back from Sihanouk Ville (and PP) about 30 mins ago.

S'alright.

Didn't see any under age totty though, but I must admit, I wasn't looking.

[goykanok]

Never been there but heard a lot about Cambodia from my farang friends, especially the rough road. what's your plan to do there???? I have one cambodian friend but he left back to his country already. your post makes me remind him.

[AJQUSA]

My plans are to relax for up to a year and get a feel for Sihanoukville and observe any potential ways to make a modest living. IE: food and shelter
Then I would invest some of my savings with the hope that food and shelter would come from the investment until my retirment kicks in.

I have spent alot of time in LOS and long to be in SEA full time. I really liked my time in Korat and the rural areas a few hours NE.
oleboy's description of Sihanoukville being "nice and quiet" fit's my opinion of ideal.
I have started to consider snooky for the relaxed visa's and uncrowded coast.

goykanok= Did your friend leave snooky because he didn't like it?

Marmite the Dog= What did you think about Sihanoukville during your visit?

oleboy= Thanks for the info and encouraging opinion of snooky. Tell me more please. How long have you been living in Sihanoukville?

blackpanther= You are right that khmer440.com is a great site about Cambodia. I have viewed it often for about a year now. Anyone know of other good Cambodia information links? Also I hope your wrong about Sihanoukville's destiny but I'll agree "it's in the cards".


Thanks for everyones input!
TD is a really great site.

[oleboy]

AJQUSA,
In reply to your Questions.
Just be very careful of investing money in Cambodia and any other place in SEA because if your a foreigner you "HAVE NO RIGHTS" the Govt of the day can change the rules as we have seen happen in Thailand.

You can lease land here for up to 90 years but if the owner sells the land the lease wont move onto the new owner.

Another problem here is in some cases no one really knows who ownes some the land because a lot of papers etc were destroyed by the KR. A lot of Khmers don't even have birth certificates. So just be careful!

There is a lot of investment coming into Cambodia The Russians have bought an Island off Victory Beach have started a resort with the cost of rooms starting at $1,000. a night? or you can get a fan room at GST for $4. a night. There is accomadation here for all budgets.

G.E. Have just announced that they are coming into Cambo not sure what for but my guess is for the Oil.

A South Korean Bank is going to open in Cambo in the next few months.

At this time there is no shortage of Cafe or Guesthouses, Hotels etc.
Ramada Hotels open here this month they bought a hotel in S'Ville and refurbished it.

Two different groups have moved their money from Thailand and have stated to build new hotels in S'Ville, one a 25 Room up market hotel another will finish up being a 70 room hotel but will open once they have completed the first 35 rooms in November both of these places are close to the beach.

I like S'Ville but its not everyone cup of tea thats why I tell people to come and have a look for yourself.
After living in Thailand for the last 6 years S,Ville was a big change for me but so far I like it.
I have brought my Thai G/F with me which I must admit I was worried about at first but she has fitted in just fine and is now learning Khmer.
There are a lot of Thais living here with their B/F and husbands.

Transport to PP you can either get a bus for $3. or Taxi for about $35 and is a 4 hour trip.

Medical care is not the best which was also one of my concerns but I have found a Hospital in Saigon which is very good and not expensive it's called F.V. Hospital or as some have been doing is go back to Thailand for Medical care but Thailand is becoming very expensive now like BKK Pattaya Hospital is just a Farlang rip off place and over charge for everything.

To give you some idea of cost I took a Khmer lady and her baby to the CT Clinic in S'Ville she had collapsed in the street two Doctors checked her and the baby over, gave her a Vitaimin Injection and the total cost was 15,000 reil about $3.75. No doubt if they knew I was paying the price would have doubled but I got a Khmer to pay for me.

Before you invest any funds here just check and double check with one of the local foreigners before NOT after.

Another good forum is called Cambodia Forum. You can also get more info on talesofasia. com. Gordon who owns it is a old Cambodia hand he also had a forum but closed it down.

ISP is very expensive here compared to Thailand my bill for 256K ADSL for last month was $130. Next month Im changing over to the connection from the internet cafe down stairs for $50. a month. Petrol is more expensive here that Thailand about $1 a litre. Most other things are the same or cheaper than Thailand. I have a new 1 room Apt fully furnished including UBC cable for $90. a Month its located between downtown and the beaches so about ten minutes walk in either direction. Good long term accomadation is not easy to find but this will also improve with all the Expats moving over from Thailand.
I have been here 5 months.

Hope this has answered most of your Q.

Cheers oleboy