For most prospective expats, Cambodia may not top many lists for those looking to relocate to Southeast Asia, however for the right kind of person, with the right kind of attitude, this country nestled between Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam could be just what they are looking for. Just like with any country, there are pros and cons to living in Cambodia, that once known can help make your decision to move to the Kingdom that much clearer.
The country has had to deal with a lousy hand in the last half decade, as a result of the repercussions of its involvement in the Vietnam War, and the Khmer Rouge genocide that soon followed, which led to the deaths of around a quarter of Cambodia’s population – incomprehensible tragedies that quite simply no other nation in this part of the world has had to deal with.
And yet, despite its past suffering, Cambodia has managed to slowly but surely build up its economy and infrastructure, to now become one of the most rapidly growing nations in Southeast Asia, with all the blessings and growing pains that go along with it. My personal experiences in the country, having lived there for just under 2 years, are definitely a mixed bag, filled with a contrast of emotions, thoughts, and feelings – in fact, there may not be a nation I have a stronger love-hate relationship with on Earth, for better and for worse, than Cambodia!
So with that out of the way, here is my personal take on what I felt was the good, the bad, and the ugly of this little nation in Southeast Asia – here are my top pros and cons to living in Cambodia!
Pros: Easiest Place in Asia to Find a English Teaching Job
For the prospective expats just starting out, some who might not even have a college degree yet, but still have the yearning to go abroad, then it might be usually quite difficult to find a well-paying job overseas, or one at all quite frankly. However, there are some exceptions to every rule – and I’m happy to say that Cambodia definitely fits the bill as one of those!
With no restrictions on needing to have a university diploma in order to gain a job and a work permit (although at very least an accredited TEFL certificate is highly recommended), Cambodia can be an amazing first step into Southeast Asia for those willing to go a little bit off the beaten path to find a just as rewarding of a job as anywhere in the region.
In fact, yours truly actually decided to go this route when I was first moving to Asia, eventually becoming a Drama Director and Teacher (did I mention English isn’t the only subject available? And that you can find other jobs, not just teaching too?) Either way, looking back it was one of the best decisions of my life, and I’ve never looked back since. And I’m sure if you go this route, so soon can you!
Cons: Lots of Trash and Pollution Everywhere
One problem that Cambodia suffers from, being that they are still firmly a developing country, is the lack of proper sanitation, as well as the lackadaisical approach from the locals when it comes to hygienic practices you might find common in the rest of the world. Such as…throwing away trash in a bin, and not just laying around on the street for instance!
Though certain areas are better kept than others, like major tourist centers and the top centers in the big cities, I have to say that unfortunately wherever I went in Cambodia, a slew of trash on the ground was never far behind…or in front!
That said, the country has been making some progress with regards to clean practices, even going so far as to have the main tap water system for Phnom Penh, the capital, which was donated by the Japanese government a while back, being supposedly the safest to drink in all of Southeast Asia. Although I don’t doubt Japanese engineering, I do think that for the time being, I (and maybe you too!) should probably stick to bottled and boiled water while staying in Cambodia!
Pros: Rapidly Developing Nation, Tons of Opportunity
One of the benefits however of being a developing country, is at the current rate at which that development is going – which is at breakneck speed. Whether you love ’em or hate ’em, the Chinese government’s huge investments into the infrastructure of the country has been a major part of why new modern skyscrapers and tech-savvy businesses are sprouting up like crazy.
However, big government deals with China are not even close to being the only growing business opportunities available, with many foreigners coming to Cambodia in recent years, and opening up chic cafes, restaurants, and stores in certain areas of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, that can sometimes now be more reminiscent of places like Portland and Seattle, in the districts where they have chosen to operate.
The speed at which the economy is growing is truly remarkable, as is their adaptations to modern apps and conveniences – for example when I first moved to Cambodia, they barely had the Southeast Asian equivalant to Uber, called Grab. Two years later, it was practically everywhere! All in all, Cambodia may have been left behind a bit because of its recent tragedy, but at the pace they are growing, it won’t be long before they’ve definitely caught up to the other ‘tigers’ of the region – and that is an upside for business that expats are definitely taking advantage of!
Cons: Economy Tied to The US Dollar
That said, all that glitters is not gold, and though the Cambodian economy is well and truly booming, the fact that the main currency of the country is still the de facto US Dollar, is quite honestly a double-edged sword. Though Cambodia also has a currency, called the Rial, this currencies devaluation makes it essentially operate as pocket change to the stronger dollar, with it being used in lieu of American coins, which are not used in the country – something quite peculiar about the country that takes some getting used to, but is actually kind of neat once you figure it out!
However, though it is very easy to know the prices of things in Cambodia, without needing to do a currency conversion, especially if coming from the West, the reliance on the US Dollar does make things marginally more expensive on the whole in the country then places elsewhere in the region that are more developed.
Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Laos are all cheaper than Cambodia on every level, with really only Singapore being more expensive – albeit with the Lion City being far more removed from the norm of Southeast Asian prices, than their neighboring counterparts. So if you choose to move to Cambodia, just prepare to be paying a few dollars more than you might be if you were living elsewhere in the region.
Pros: Small Country but Tons of Diversity
Yet just like its neighboring countries, Cambodia also has a hugely diverse country, offering tourists, locals, and expats alike plenty of different things to do, and different lifestyles to choose from! Whether you like the busy bustle of the city, or a quiet, relaxing village life, or even a tropical life chilling by the beach – this country may be small, but it’s got you covered!
From the big city life and hard-core, Southeast Asian vibes of Phnom Penh, to the relaxing forested hills of Kampot, to even the drop-dead gorgeous blue waters of Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia has a little bit of everything for everyone, and its not hard to see why there are a growing number of expats coming yearly to this growing Southeast Asian destination.
And that’s not even adding in places like Siem Reap, where you can be living in a mid-sized town, with plenty of great cafes and things to do, but not with the massive size of Phnom Penh. Oh, and being able to wake up and go running on trails interlinking the biggest temple complex in the world, the majestic, ancient Angkor Wat, is pretty great too!
Cons: Ill-Planned Over-Development from Foreign Investors
That said, with all the new money and foreign investment pouring into the country, as well as Cambodia’s government being all too keen on doing whatever it takes to keep that money flow coming, there are some projects that have left much to be desired in the country as a result of reckless spending, and lack of adequate planning.
I am talking of course about cities like Phnom Penh, where in one section they’ve built a replica of Paris called Elite Town, which feels more like a ghost town, as almost no one lives there as the prices for most locals are far too high, as well as Sihanoukville, on Cambodia’s southern coast line. Once a small, laid-back fishing town, some who lived up and down the coastline of Otres Beach may have even said it had a bit of a surfer vibe. However, that has all changed, due to the over-construction of new casinos (as well as all the crime that goes with it) by the Chinese, who wanted to build themselves a new Macao, on the Gulf of Thailand.
As a result, any charm that Sihanoukville once had is long gone, and with the recent pandemic bringing global commerce to a standstill, many unfinished buildings and unpaid workers now roam the streets of the once charming town. Though cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have not been as affected on a massive scale to this kind of developmental catastrophe, it does serve as a cautionary tale for what can happen if the proper planning is not in place, in this country on its route towards becoming a modern nation state.
Pros: Great Real Estate Deals in Southeast Asian Market
But all is not bleak in the infrastructural development sector, as Cambodia believe it or not actually has amazing deals on great real estate properties, if you know how to find them, and know what to look for (that’s why we’re here!). As one of Southeast Asia’s last frontier markets, the opportunity to lock in prices now before the inevitable rise of property value is for many an opportunity too good to pass up, as Cambodia continues to become an increasingly attractive option for investors and expats to live, work, and play in.
Due to tougher immigration stances in neighboring Thailand, as well as the higher costs required for foreigners looking to purchase real estate in Malaysia and Singapore, Cambodia has quietly been on the rise in the Southeast Asian housing market, as people in the region continue to look for a better option to park their well-earned capital.
Though the details of obtaining Cambodian Real Estate are a bit extensive, and we will be covering more about the procedures you need to go through soon, just know for now that what is required to gain the best deals are boots on the ground, patience, and perseverance with the right. For your efforts, and hopefully with our guidance, we can get you there!
Cons: Huge Wealth Discrepancy Between Haves, Have-Not’s
And yet, despite the booming economic growth of the nation in recent years, Cambodia unfortunately suffers from massive income inequalities the like I’ve honestly never seen before in Southeast Asia. Extreme levels of poverty still exist in many parts and cities in the country, and as a result the combination of the hyper wealthy and the extremely poor always remains a bit jarring.
In Phnom Penh for example, I’ve personally seen more Rolls Royce’s and Land Rover’s per capita than anywhere else on the planet (which isn’t exactly making much sense, as Cambodia’s streets are much better suited for smaller vehicles!), but they can drive right next to homeless beggars, emaciated animals, and children running around half-naked.
Unfortunately, this seems to be a result of the legacy left behind by the Khmer Rouge, and the hyper-communist regimes wealth re-distribution efforts, leaving a permanent upper class with almost all of Cambodia’s money, while the vast majority of the country live very poorly. It is a sobering statistic to know that Cambodia’s per-capita income is only $260 USD a month, and for most people struggling to make ends meet, the flashy sports cars driving past the slums seem to hint at a massive disconnect between those in power and the people that I never could quite get over.
Cons: Problems with Crime
Another thing that has unfortunately stuck with me from my time living in Cambodia is the issues that the country has with crime, as a result of the poverty exhibited in most of the population, as well as a weak rule of law (which is slowly but surely changing for the better). Corruption runs amok, and is evident everywhere, as well as in the government – even the police who will sometimes flag down foreigners driving a motorbike for a bribe. Crime is also an issue, and though I personally never had any problems with the people, petty theft and muggings can and do happen to foreigners (and have to various friends), if they are displaying expensive gadgets like phones in public for example.
It also must go without saying that Cambodia is also known in many communities as a sex-tourism destination, and there are many shady places on the riverside of Phnom Penh, and the city streets of Sihanoukville, which openly engage in prostitution, and often of underage girls who are victims of human trafficking. I’ve never been in any country before or since that had warnings on my hotel door about the staff going to be checking the ID’s of the women I’m with, to make sure that they were of legal age – as unfortunately this has been a major problem with seedy sex-tourists in Cambodia’s semi-lawless, Wild West recent past.
Thankfully, despite the corruption rampant in the government, actual efforts have been made to try and clean up the streets, and make things safer. One can only hope and pray that their efforts do start making decent progress in the not too near future.
Pros: The Food Can Be Really Good
But to not end things on a depressing note, the good news is that Cambodian food can be really, really good. Despite not really being heralded as one of the mecca’s of Southeast Asian cuisine, Cambodia actually has a lot to offer the culinary world, with a huge variety of delicious, well spiced dishes, perhaps coming as a result of a fusion between Khmer and French influences, back when the later country once controlled this nation as a territory.
Dishes like beef lok lak, fish amok, and lemongrass frog (trust me, it does taste just like chicken…and it’s actually amazing!) taste amazing, as do the flaky, perfectly buttery pastries – another legacy of the French influence in the country, as well as another positive for the country, in a region that honestly rarely gets baked goods right!
But perhaps what was the biggest surprise for me was Cambodian Iced Coffee with milk powder – quite honestly, it was the sweetest, nicest tasting coffee I’ve ever had (outside of Kopi Lewak in Malaysia of course!). Even Western food is awesome in this country, as a result of all the other expats before you moving here, and establishing amazing businesses and restaurants – I’ve had some of the best Greek, Mexican, American, and Lebanese food in Phnom Penh as a result. The only thing I’d say stay away from is probably the street food – trust me, you and your gut will thank me later!
Destination: Cambodia, An Emerging Southeast Asian Opportunity of a Lifetime
Just like a roller-coaster, the highs and lows of living in Cambodia never cease to amaze, disgust, entertain, and ultimately enlighten the brave, new expat who chooses to come to these shores, to make a name for yourself in the last bastion of the Wild West, in this little corner of Southeast Asia. Though Cambodia still has a lot to work on, all signs point towards the nation moving in the right direction.
Though there are many pros and cons to living in Cambodia, if you do choose to move here, I can promise you this – you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime, with all the highs and lows that come with it, as if it were a perfect metaphor for the trials, tribulations, and ultimately the rewards that come to us all, as we keep moving forward on our own personal journey, as if it were life itself.
So that is it – my top pros and cons to living in Cambodia! Have you ever lived in or traveled to Cambodia before? What are your experiences in the country? Let us know in the comments section below!