Dear Claire, I love ur video's and news updates. Perhaps a good tip is the Siem Reap rental rooms Ban Sokluy (see Airbnb reviews). The area is a bit off the beaten tourist track and quite nice with 2 local markets, a 'golden' temple, wetlands and mini-golf. Have fun exploring!
honestly, I really like the all inclusive homestay the best. It's how I have been living here in the states for some years now, and it has been very convenient for me. I think that would be a great way to get started as I will be moving there on a budget at the end of this year. I have done so much researching and your videos are amazingly helpful as always. Thanks again. Michael.
Hi Jeremy and Claire , hope all is going well , watching this enjoyable video gave me pause for reflection , and what I remember most about moving to Cambodia , aside from the level of excitement I was experiencing , was the overwhelming feeling of being free , no longer a part of the familiar western world I was raised in , but instead being blessed with the unknown before me , embracing all the strange noises , smells , and unfamiliar nuances of life within the Kingdom , how can someone put into words what a fun filled adventure Cambodia truly presents , all I can say to anyone thinking about traveling there , please come with a gentle , open heart , arms wide open , ready to experience , and truly accept all that is presented , enjoy the ride , and hopefully as your journey unfolds , you will find yourself smiling often , and yes , sometimes laughing , at all the surprises that life in Cambodia provides , there will be bumps in the road , there will be challenges , but whatever takes place , always remember to carry these two simple words with you in your mind , and especially your heart ❤ , " No Worries " , because to put it simply , if you can embrace that wonderful philosophy , that is at the very core of daily life in Cambodia , the Khmer people will embrace you , and I can tell you from my own personal experiences , what a special gift you will have been given , a lifetime of memories indeed , Jeremy and Claire , great information provided , so much fun seeing you together , take good care of yourselves , catch you on your next adventure , Peace 😊
Oh yes, the freedom is the thing that has us yearning to be back there every single day. Life is so full of possibility and excitement in the Kingdom and you just never know what you are going to encounter next. It's definitely a full body experience, but one that we came to love. We made a few mistakes with our apartment choices but we were always able to sort things out with a smile and a positive attitude - no need for angry faces in the Kingdom! Take care and see you soon! 🙏 ✈️🍺🌴🙂
Great tips as always from For Riel. We always have extra earplugs, eye blinders, and bug spray no matter where we go. Always bargain for the long stays. We already got our round trip tickets for this coming winter. Can't wait. Happy travels from Minnesota!
Yes, earplugs and an eye mask are essential for me, too! So excited about your upcoming trip - I bet you are counting the days till you fly out. 🙏 ✈️🍺🌴🙂
Apt 1 but all are absolutely fantastic value! Your list was actually an excellent must ref for much of SE Asia. Would only add perhaps use suncalculator online to gauge trajectory year round. Also heads up for roosters (even in urban settings;) Lastly, if possible perhaps AirBnB the desired place for a few days to 'test sleep' it before signing (try to nego deducting the fee from 1st months rent if signing). Btw, how much is leccy for say medium/high daily a/c use in Cambo? Cheers! STL
Yeah, we would definitely go back to live in Apartment 1 just because the landlords are so lovely. Direct sun is the enemy in SE Asia for sure - never thought to use a suncalculator - what a great idea! In Vietnam we lived beside a block of land where five fighting roosters were kept. They were so noisy and anyone who thinks they only do their thing at dawn is so very wrong. 🤣 Live and learn, hey? We were always pretty liberal with the AC use in Cambo and the bill would range from $90 to about $120 per month. We just factored it in as a cost and tried not to think any more about it. Thanks so much for watching - looking forward to the upcoming Side Trip!
Thank you Claire and Jeremy. I hope you're both doing well. You can get apartments even cheaper if you are on a tight budget and willing to live simply. Like $100 U.S. per month in Siem Reap. even including 24 hour security downstairs. And Wifi. (not the fastest wifi... but okay, and no pool) Dave in Cambodia, who I think you know, has been living in one for $50 dollars a month. Like me, he never uses air conditioning. Fans only. We get acclimated to the heat, so every time we go outside it doesn't hit us like a hot oven.
Thanks so much Robert! Yes, you can definitely find apartments for less than these, and we know Dave is really good at stretching his dollar a long way. He lives very simply and is to be commended for that. We just chose these apartments to show as ones that we would pick for ourselves (we're a bit soft and need some extra comforts). 🙂🙏
Hi Mike, my advice is to take your time when you first arrive - don't be in a rush to take the first apartment you see. Get set up with your SIM card, maybe rent a moto, then spend lots of time exploring. You'll soon discover the places you like to go, and that will give you a good idea of where to live. Thanks so much for watching. 🙏 ✈️🍺🌴🙂
Thanks, guys! Excellent video with very helpful information. What about utilities? Sometimes in Thailand, electricity can be an extra charge, based on usage, of course. Some Thai landlords are honest, some less so (in my experience).
We had read stories of landlords charging extra or not being honest about usage. We rented five apartments in three different cities and never had an issue. I think it's less common than the stories make it seem. Thanks so much for watching! 🙂🙏
Bird houses are very noisy with amplified Bird tweets. I had a metal fabricator (hidden) next door in Siem Reap, was a real problem. Are you back? Keep well
Yes! I forgot to mention those bird houses. The recorded and amplified bird tweeting is awful. These seem to be a lot more common down south in Kampot than they are in Siem Reap. We're still in Brisbane at the moment but hope to visit soon. Thanks so much for watching, hope you are going well. 🙏 ✈️🍺🌴🙂
Great points to bring up guys. I only failed on one, I had to sign a 12 month lease. Fortunatly, a very quiet school near by, a Wat across the alley with no loud speaker but quite a loud drum, doesn't bother me. No garbage burners and no angle grinders. Seems to be a well established neighbourhood. Great video, thx for sharing. :)
Thanks Edward! I think the drum is quite a nice sound. You've done well to find a place with no burning or angle grinders - very rare in Cambodia! We made plenty of mistakes, but it's all part of the fun and part of the experience! Thanks for watching. 🙏 ✈️🍺🌴🙂
Hello Claire, could I count on you as a source for a rental in Siem Reap In the month of December? Just checking. For a month to start. Thank you. Ethic
I was thinking about leaving Sydney to come live there but I don’t think I could cope tbh. I’m just wondering how safe it is and what the crime rates are like etc
Enjoyed the video. I'm opening a business in SR soon and need a 1 bedroom apt somewhat near Pub Street. I've been running a similar business in Saigon but don't know SR nearly as well. Can I contact you when I get there in about a week?
GREAT VIDEOS! DO YOU NEED A REAL ESTATE AGENT TO FIND A FLAT ? WHO PAYS REAL ESTATE COMMISSION ? HOW MUCH IS REAL ESTATE COMMISSION ? HOW MANY MONTHS DEPOSIT IS NORM ?
burning trashes on neighbour backyard can be a problem sometimes....you never know where it happens....once i remember in Thailand, thick smoke disturbed me so much that i had to move away.
That advise could save a 6 or 12 month head ache. Really thankful. I sort of feel guilty asking this because I had such use info on your channel, but you two have any experience of coworking spaces and advice? Could possibly be a good blog in the future. Given the electricity sounds expensive I would say renting a desk in a aircon space could be a better option.
There aren't too many actual coworking spaces in Cambodia (there are some), but there are loads of big cafes and people just use those - Brown Coffee, Amazon, Temple Coffee, etc. They are generally very well set up with tables, power points and good wifi. The only problem is if you have online meetings, it wouldn't be very practical for that. You're right that going to such a place would bring the cost of your electricity down because you'd be using the air con in the cafe. Some of the hotels that have a cafe or restaurant/bar attached will let you sit at their tables and even use the pool while you are there, so that's another option. Thanks so much for watching and commenting! 🙏 ✈️🍺🌴🙂
@@ForRiel Thanks Clair, I'm I Mechanical Designer and need 3 large monitors, if it wasn't a problem to lug them to a cafe, It would be worth it just for the looks:). Anyway Once I'm in PP, If you ever desire a free Bruch I would love to treat you two, I'm sure your husband will do his best to keep crumbs of those whiskers. Anyway I know there is lots of odd people on the internet but have no fear, my probation officer can give an outstanding reference... I'm kidding, I don't have one, I took care of him years ago... God Bless.
@@ForRiel no way ! It's late in California right now but the biggest issue is the visa, and price of said visa. I also need the ocean ( hence California) . I'll come check out sihanoukville ( wrongly spelled lol). Peace
Hi Claire - In a previous video, you guys talked about international insurance. Could you please let me know where I can start researching these or give me some recommendations? thanks so much!
Sure Paulin! Here is some info: We used SafetyNet. Thankfully we never had to claim from them, but they were recommended to us by someone who had a bad leg injury from a moto crash - four breaks, I think. He was very happy with the service they provided and the care he received under the insurance. You can have a look at their policies and prices on this page: www.safetynet-health.com/for-individuals/. I'm not sure if you can purchase this insurance prior to arriving in Cambodia as we bought ours while we were there.
Ask if you can actually see the electric bill. Sometimes, a landlord will want to make a profit and will ask for 1,000 riels per kilowatt hour when the real price is only 600 riels, so you're paying nearly double. For me, having a place with a balcony was important so that I could dry my clothes. If you're not a fan (no pun intended) of aircon, get an apartment on the second or third level on a corner so that you will get a cross-breeze. I lived there for nine years and never had aircon.
Yes! 100% with you on the cross breezes. The place we are moving into tomorrow has most excellent cross breezes and a very good location. I don't think any of our landlords have overcharged us on the electricity. We have used the aircon and own the big, fat bill it created. 🙏 🛵🙂🌴
I'd advise being super careful about the utility rates, especially in Siem Reap where scheming is a way of life. I glossed over the utility rates thinking it would be cheap no matter what. Sadly, this being Cambodia, everything is more expensive than it should be, and on top of that many landlords charge 30% above the actual electric rate, so 720riel/kwh actually costs 1000. Then in typical Khmer fashion, they do everything in their power to relentlessly compound this advantage against you, installing the cheapest and least efficient appliances, etc, thus the more you use, the more money they make. My first electric bill was $150 a month, using AC only 10 hours at night in the bedroom! Unriel.
Most apartments charge 1000 Riel, to cover the cost of wifi, trash pick up and outside lighting. Yes, when you get a apartment get them to clean and re-gas the aircons. Plus make use you get a apartment not in full sun.
Claire, what was the main pro & con of living in Phnom Penh vs Siem Reap? Definitely less people but do you miss any other aspects of the bigger city? How long did it take you to get used to driving a motto in the city? 🙏 🇰🇭
It comes down to a choice between a big city or a town. You can be from one side of Siem Reap to the other in 15 minutes whereas it can take you that long to travel 1.5km in Phnom Penh if the traffic is bad. I have been riding motos a long time including a lot of years in Australia before moving to Cambodia, and I think that really helped with my confidence here. If you're new to riding, you have to learn how to ride as well as how to ride in the traffic here, at the same time. I don't really miss anything about Phnom Penh but still enjoy a visit there now and then.
I’d love to see a video like this but on buying in Cambodia guys. Similar to the Kampot one you did. I’ll be back in Cambodia next month for the first time since bringing my Khmer wife to Melbourne 4 yrs ago. Can’t wait. Thanks and keep up the good work.
@@ForRiel Not sure where we will end up maybe kampot PP OR SR. Somewhere close to a good secondary education. Melbourne is just getting too damn expensive. No I haven’t seen that channel but I will check it out thank you.
pretty well the same goes for renting in Vietnam . Roosters crowing !! Doves in cages cooing nonstop , dogs tied up barking non stop . plastic burning !! can't leave windows open because of robberies / they climb up and get in !! some places have security bars on the out side . and if you are on the ground floor you need a good security door [steel mesh etc]in front of your main door and you need to be able to keep your scooter inside other wise it gets stolen !! internet direct to your apartment was very slow , + all the other points that were mentioned . just got to remember your not back in your Home town !! so i great times in Cambodia and Vietnam . i liked Cambodia better 😍
It does! We had a bad rooster problem at our first place in Vietnam - right next door to a fighting cock breeder. Plastic burning is the worst, though. Despite all of these things, living in Vietnam and Cambodia is so much fun, you're right about that! We prefer Cambodia too. 🛵🙏🌴🏠🙂🙏
G'day Big J and Claire , Top video for aspiring expats ! , burn offs in P/P are not much of a prob but does happen further out, Noise OMG that is the top one ! always look out for new construction as they will work from 6am till midnite 24/7, car work shops and the more industrious areas , found that one out the hard way! water pressure and drainage had a few dodgy drains that sorta stunk , and WI FI is a must but be aware that wifi boosters may be illegal (sucks) use at your discretion , power points is a must but check how thick the wires are and how many points are connected to that single line of wire if you can (fire hazard) as for the rest of the info top stuff , and yes give yourself at least a week to check out your new area if your not sure , OMG those stays are amazing for the prices , keep up the top stuff till next time Catchya...
Thanks mate, our drains in PP would blow horrible smells back up when it rained. Would have to put plastic bags and wash clothes over them to stop the stink.
Cheers Maddo! Yea, we didn't see much burning at all in PP, but I guess it goes on the further out of tow you go. There is more illegal dumping of rubbish instead. New construction is such a big source of noise, and because the build crew usually live on site, they get to work very early. I can't blame them in that heat, though. Yep, dodgy wiring is something to look out for - some of the DIY that you see either make you laugh or shake your head, depending on how close the nearest water source is. 🙏 ✈️🍺🌴🙂
very helpful video,coming to cambodia in February, initial plan was going to phnom phen but your video convinced me to come Seam reap, can i find an apartment within 7 days or shall i stay 2 weeks in hotel or airbnb, any help would be very much appreciated
Wonderful! I would book a hotel for a week only as you can always extend if you like. There is no shortage of accommodation here, so don't worry about not finding a place. Indeed you may find that a week is too long!
We're still in Australia but checking out these apartments had us wishing we were there. It's a struggle every day. When we get back, we will definitely visit! 🙂🙏
Try this place - the room we stayed in was $200 a month, but there are cheaper ones as well. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-32qDyE0aTbo.html
The owner pays the agent if they find a tenant. It's usually the first month's rent, I think. That's why it costs a bit more to rent through an agent because the owner sets the rent a little higher to cover the agent's fees.
Noice. Very Noice indeed. Being a Reaper looks really appealing. I can only imagine what a more modest studio would be like. Just need a part time job (and stuff like a motorbike and such)
Yeah the more modest ones can be had for $50 or probably even less. It just depends on the level of comfort you're happy with, I guess. A few thousand $$ in start up costs and a bit of income is all you need! 🙏 🛵🙂
2 thumbs up on places/things to look out for in SR...on the apartments, my choice would be number 1, don't take that as an absolute, they were all great, to include the 1 bedroom, love the wooden floors..🎉
Hello Claire and Jeremy thanks for the fabulous information. I will be coming to Siem Reap the end of April or either in May, I will be coming to look for an apartment for long stay for retirement- Could I possible email you for help in apartments or that one hotel to stay until I find apartment? Happy I found your channel💜
Have you been? These are just things to look out for when renting. These are just minor things compared to the amazing time you can have there. Saying that most of the things to lookout for are getting less common, every year.
