Khmer440 has a hilarious post up called 7 Reasons Why You Really Shouldn’t Move to Cambodia where writer and almost-expat Gavin Mac quips “Cambodia Parent Network? Good grief. That’s like starting the Chernobyl Gardening Club.”
Who wouldn’t want to move to this?
And while we acknowledge that the greatest humor is rooted in truth, and that the article is laugh-out-loud funny (in the way that people laughed out loud long before they LOLed), we would like to draw your attention to the reasons we’ve long suggested that Cambodia is the perfect place to expatriate to.
Getting a visa is easy. For less than a dollar a day, almost anyone can get a visa to stay in the country. Cambodia has one of the most relaxed visa programs in the world…for now.
The cost of living is low. Cambodia is cheap. Not as cheap as a lot of backpackers hope, but it’s still very inexpensive to live here. Most expats can survive by working part-time, a luxury they would not have back home.
The weather. Okay, maybe most expats can’t agree on this one, but anyone who has lived through a harsh, snowy winter can appreciate Cambodia’s year-round warm temperatures…although most do agree that hot season can be unpleasant.
Cambodia is filled with great opportunities. Whether you’re looking to get work experience in the development sector, teaching experience in the classroom, or material for your novel, Cambodia offers an abundance of opportunities for those willing to pursue them. Foreign experience is highly valued here, and most expats are able to find a job easily. In fact, many are able to find jobs that they wouldn’t be regarded as qualified to do at home.
The locals are friendly. Serial expats know that in many countries settling in can be difficult due to difficult locals. Cambodians can be difficult, of course, but they’re always friendly. If Thailand is known as the “land of smiles,” Cambodia could be called the land of genuine smiles. Even small interactions like bargaining with a tuk tuk driver usually involve smiles and laughter. Male expats also find that their charms are magnified in Cambodia and that they are far more impressive to Khmer women than to the girls back home.
Life is easy. It’s a mystery as to why, but expats in Cambodia just seem to have easier lives than they do in their home countries. Maybe it’s because they’re finally able to afford to have someone else clean their apartments, or just that they’re working fewer hours, but foreigners who’ve settled in Cambodia fall in love with the country. They may whine and complain, but don’t believe them. If they’re here, they’re having a good time.
Cambodia expats are funny. While it’s true that weirdos are drawn to Cambodia, the country is full of some of the most creative, interesting and entertaining people that I know. Sure, they might have gotten bullied in school, but in Cambodia they’ve found a place where they can be themselves. So, Gavin, when you finally decide to move we’ll welcome you with open arms.
what types of jobs are you finding in Cambodia?
How are you finding relevant jobs?
Any suggestions??
There is also the FACT that male genitalia becomes bigger and female becomes smaller when you move to Cambodia. Something to do with fig trees.
There’s also the SUPPOSITION that many sexpats come to Cambodia in part due to their smaller-than-average genitals.
Thanks for your site and this article. I’m almost 99% sure that I’ll be moving to Phnom Penh next month after living and working in China for 4 years.
Still happy living here in Bangkok as it’s got better infrastructure like roads, public transport, restaurants etc. But I gotta say, Cambodia is catching up and if prices continue to go up here like during the past couple of years I’ll seriously consider the move. Thanks for the great advice you put out all the time, it’s really helpful not just for tourists but also for guys like me who think about moving there.
Ha! I think your 7th Reason is my favorite! Nice list, and very true.
the good reasons are very good…for a western single male of any age, the females are absolutely gorgeous, the average figure of the local girls there a western female would die for, the khmer are friendly and most actually understand some english which is certainly not the case in thailand, theres no other city ive seen in southeast asia that can compare to phnom penh riverfront area, with its picturesque river with barges and other boats idling along, the array of excellent hotels & restaurants along the riverfront at excellent rates, the australian government smartraveller website rates cambodia as safer than thailand, philippines & india to travel in, ive travelled extensively through thailand, philippines, myanmar, laos, sri lanka, malaysia, vietnam & india etc…but cambodia…utterly charmed my socks off… ok annya… for a chick…yes its understandable what you say…but for a guy…its fricken awesome
I’m sorry but all the “good” reasons are pretty dull in my opinion: “Move to Cambodia because the visa is cheap?” (is that a good reason?)
And guys will impress girls over there (because a western guy means MONEY that’s it… they don’t care about him at all. They just want to have a better life).
These reasons could be applied to any poor country… and still I wouldn’t move in there.
My wife and I are looking at the possibility of living in Cambodia within the next 6 months! Is anyone there growing fig trees? Where in country do they already exist? I have a background in tropical Agriculture having worked and lived in Malaysia in the 60’s
I haven’t heard of anyone growing fig trees, but you might want to join some Cambodia business groups on LinkedIn and ask them. Sounds like a great idea to me, I love figs!
Fig trees can grow here. I have a wild one growing in Bu sra. and a decent amt of land to work on in the mountains up that way in Cambodia. Would love to grow organic tropical fruits. Please contact me!
Hi there,
I have been involved in Agriculture in Cambodia for 7 years, but I have never seen fig tree grown anywhere.
What is your interest with fig tree?
Thanks,
Kimmy
Hi,
My name is Sojiat. I have a wild fig tree growing on my land in Mondulkiri, Cambodia. It’s up in the Northeast so the climate is a bit different than Phnom Penh. gets cooler at night. The soil is very fertile up this way. I would be interested in anything agriculture related as my family is involved in the industrial agro business.