I'm sold. Right now I am living in Thailand, where I've been since 2015. Thailand doesn't really want retirees who are not millionaires. This channel is a great selling point for retirement in Cambodia. The ease of getting a retirement extension is unmatched anywhere in Asia.
The Philippines or Malaysia is the best and cheapest place to retire in Southeast Asia.. the Visa is easier in those two places..Google it and check it out for yourself 😮😊
@@richardhowe5583 Thats been my findings as well. + Both speak a lot of English from what I hear ? Malaysia may have the better health care of the two ?
@@frankkluz9787 what about Indonesia?.. I have been looking at that country really hard.... When I googled it the average monthly salary is $800.. everything has to be reasonably priced if you're not in the big cities..
@@richardhowe5583 Well - as I recall English is not widely spoken in the more rural areas of Indonesia & was my main reason for not including them. -- I need English to be understood ! -- Ecudor & Colombia are $800 as well but I don't do Spanish & few of them do English in remote cheap areas ? -- 70% in Malaysia speak English & the rest want to learn !
I'm planning to move to Phnom Penh in 2025 next year. I came across your video I just want to say thank you. For recording this video. Because it just answered a whole lot of questions I had. I'm 63 years old and I'm on disability and retirement. So thank you for recording this video it was very helpful to me.
I've lived in Siem Reap for the past seven years. I would love to retire here eventually, but I think the healthcare system would make that a dangerous option for an older person. There might be some better hospitals as they are improving all the time, but it is something to consider when making the decision. Otherwise, life in Cambodia is very peaceful and hassle-free.
@@sophalor5364 It just made the news that a Thai woman illegaly crossed the border and stepped on a land mine. The Cambodian soldier that ran to help her also had a second mine blow up on him.
I have been to Siem Reap. I loved it. But as you say . The health system is not the best. That is why many Cambodians travel to Surin in Thailand for medical. Only about a 3 hour drive. But foreigner's can only make 2 land border crossings per year. Fly is unlimited.
The bad part is the medical is not good Some Doctors bought licenses under table ,so many wrongful death cases , government or health care department can’t do anything about that that’s scary and sad
You're right. But Cambodia has come a long way. There are western style health care places here that will handle your medical issues for not a lot of money. However, it's still a "pay as you go" country. So if you're in a life or death situation, you have to pay or....well ...
Hmm, as a Registered Nurse exploring retirement options, I'd be curious about the different over the counter medicines available. Antibiotics, blood pressure meds, pain meds, etc.. I couldn't do surgery on myself if needed, but I could otherwise take good care of myself and my neighbors!
I am French, aged 69: you have to look but there are excellent doctors and dentists. I agree that they are rare, but I had 26 teeth redone (implants, crowns) and operated on an inguinal hernia in Siem Reap,cataracts and implants, cheaper than in France, immediate appointment (less than 48 hours I was operated on). I pay myself ($100 for a ceramic crown with treatment, $125 for titanium) because French insurance (CPAM) does not work outside Europe. For French speakers: many real doctors speak good French (Calmette hospital in PP but also clinics) because they studied in France. I have just studied for a long time to change countries after 11 years in Cambodia. I will stay there and go to Thailand from time to time since without a visa this could increase to 45 days or more twice a year.
So we were just in Siam Reap, my question is about money. Why do they only want brand new USD dollars. Being an US citizen, we don’t even have that condition of currency in circulation here in the states. We tried to pay a breakfast tab of $5.25 with a $10 USD note. The bill was not ripped it was flat, but it wasn’t crisp and I had fully intended. I’m just leaving the change as a tip however, they would not accept the bill. Then we had gone to an exchange location for Currency and when I gave them a $20 bill there was a small tear into one of the edges of the dollar and they only gave me credit for $19 instead of $20. Why is this country so hell-bent on having only brand new USD dollars in circulation. But the Cambodian currency itself is just like any other paper currency is beat up torn and dirty.
Thank you so much for this video. Great to hear how to retire in Cambodia. Another reason to retire there is the amazing Temples and scenery. So beautiful.
It's a beautiful country thx dave. Sadly now it's dominated by western men hanging out with with very young girls. It's my retirement destination but how does one pretend that doesn't exist 🤔. Love love siem reap
You sold me on Cambodia. As soon as my Thai girlfriend dumps me, I will definitely move to Cambodia. Tired of the hassles involved in staying in Thailand. Cambodia is a much better deal for retirees.
Great job on the video. So many youtubers don't say about how you can get 1 year visas for $180 and that most Americans I know only get $900/month Social Security.
It's not the same though and few people go directly to immigration because they require perfect documentation of a number of things, including of your financial situation. And if you're missing one that they req, out the door you go again. Need to be dressed presentably as well
@@spinalcrackerbox Not quite sure I can understand how "most American's" can just leave the US -- w/o -- all the > "perfect documentation" ? -- I would be somewhat afraid 'not' to have it ''all'' before I left ? -- (fear of the unknown)
Hello. Thank you for the video, very helpful. After visiting Cambodia twice in 2022 I have decided to retire here having fallen in love with the country and the people. I fly into Phnom Penh on May 8th and then to Siem Reap where I will reside on a permanent basis. Great to have found your video. Best regards from Australia.
Being from Australia 🇦🇺 you won't be able to Retire in Cambodia unless you return to Australia twice a year . I'm an Australian living in Cambodia since 2004 in 2016 the Australian government changed the pension laws you can only live outside of Australia for 20 weeks before your pension is stopped. I was living outside of Australia at the time in Cambodia when the Australian government changed the pension laws so I was exempt from the new laws . Before you come to Cambodia check with centrelink to find out about the new laws and regulations on living outside of Australia. I've got a RU-vid channel called Mystery Cambodia I do RU-vid videos on Phnom Penh and Cambodia for Australians , New Zealanders and the UK 🇬🇧.
I retired to Cambodia, then the Chinese came on 1.1.18 to Sihanoukville and turned the place into a giant casino. I moved to Phnom Penh and got kicked out when covoid came. It very cheap to live.The only time l got ripped off was by women...Beware...
I think I will holiday there to check it out , It does sound good for retirement. Back in Australia cost of living is getting higher and higher, housing and unit rentals are through the roof . Cambodia is a great option.
Additionally. I am 58 years old and lived here for 5 years and in South East Asia for 23 years. If you have a retirement visa ( which is what it is sort of called.) You cannot work or even take part time work. If you wanted to work in the future you will need to get a new passport and also leave the country and come back in with it. All at a cost. Now I am effectively self - employed with my own work permit I pay for each year. ( Semi-retired English Educator.) I get my retirement pension from the UK every month as I worked for it all my life. Yep, pretty comfortable here. As for work....that is even a longer story......
Even with an EB extension, you can work at a school, get the contract, then get your work permit and you are great to go. Much easier than many other countries and I’ve just arrived here with a job offer.
I am actually 42. I have just started investing for retirement. I'm worried I will not have enough to retire in the USA. So I am looking into future options.
Hi Dave.Love your videos.From South Africa and keen on picking Cambodia as place of retirement in due time.As your point on Retirement visa.Is going into partnership with a local to expand on his/her home business allowed on Retirement visa or could you apply for a work permit in order to go into partnership.?Lived in Philippines for a few years but would like to expand my options.Despite what people might say,Philippines can be pricey. Thanx
Thanks Dave for pertinent information especially about Visa. I will be landing in Cambodia the 20 of April but already have accommodation for a week. I think I will need more time before renting apartment with 1st and deposit rent, I am one of those receiving $879 per month on social security. Could you recommend service apartments with just month to month for one month stay. Also areas of stay is important for a long term stay. Thanks in advance for your responding.💜
What about the criminal background check for retirees? How is that done, exactly? Is it done locally, or do retirees have to submit evidence from the police station in their home country?
I've never been asked for a background check for an ER extension. But it's better to get one while in your country and bring copies with you if that's a concern. They won't do that for you here if you should need one.
You did not mention the main reason that I now live in Cambodia, and that is the cost of beer. I am a big fan of drinking beer. I am retired!! I love my beer. When I was living in Thailand, it was a major portion of my budget. Leo Beer would cost you around $2 for a large bottle at 7/11, but double that price at the local bars. Believe me, when you live in Pattaya, you do much of your drinking with your friends at bars. So, it was costing me $300-$400 per month just for beer & friends. I moved to Kampot, Cambodia on Dec.28, 2018, a month before Covid paralyzed the world. I can't believe how lucky I was. Not only did I cut the cost of my beer love, but I escaped all of the lock downs and regulations. I can only remember a single day that there were no beer sales, or bars closed. Cambodia beer has this promotion that I take full advantage of which translates the cost of a can of beer $0.25 each. I will admit that I only venture out to the bars once or twice a week now. I almost forgot to mention that many bars & restaurants here serve $0.50 draft beer.
I did the same and the best places for beer love are Czechia, Cambodia and Laos but I finally quit drinking for health in favor of hiking and camping in S Korea where it costs the same for my retirement with cooler weather except 3 month summer!
Thanks for the info on the retirement visa. As for monthly CoL, For Riel did a CoL video (Dec 2020, but I think still applicable to Siem Reap today), with $570 stated for a single person. I just checked Safety Wing - my monthly insurance at 55 would be $115.92, so if I adjust their figure (add $65.92 to their stated $50 for insurance) I arrive at $635.92 - well under $700. The other $64.08 (taking it to $700) would surely cover basic items like spectacles, six monthly dental scale and clean, etc., across a year. Just my two cents worth. Take care.
Hello, Yes everyone's cost of living wil be different. Our CoL Vlog was based on our experience, which is totally different to Daves or even people spending more than us.
Google says > $584.30 is needed to live in Siem Reap w/o rent ! (?) Say $600 (?) Apparently needed to just survive ? So another $200 is very likely needed by Dave's example for the rent ? --- In my view $900 would be none too much ?
Hey Dave. My experience in Cambodia mirrors yours although I was only there for a few weeks. Yes the people and food are great as well as the sites. Question: what about buying a motor bike there for costs and regulations? Thanks.
Enjoyed watching your video but I would like to comment on a few things. I’m retired and have been living in Siem Reap for the past 8 years. If you want to enjoy a great retirement life in Cambodia you definitely don’t want a $150/month apartment. Not a very nice option. My “western” apartment, one bedroom, is $700/month + $120/month electric. I do use the AC every night 😬 It is definitely incredibly easy to get the retirement visa like you said, and it’s multiple entry so you can come and go as often as you like. Health care is essentially nonexistent. I had 2 problems over the past 8 years that the Doctors in both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh were unable to take care of due to complete incompetence and I know it was incompetence. I worked in a hospital in the US for 35 years in the ICU. Fortunately I was able, both times, to fly back to the United States and have it taken care of. My plan now is to go to Kuala Lumpur for anything more serious than a splinter.
I was born there in 1979. Got out in 1981. Haven't been back. I'm looking to go back to visit relatives next year. Lived in Massachusetts most of my life. I'm not a big fan of heat and humidity. So living there is a no no for me.
How you doing Dave? I've been listening to you for a while and I was wondering? Would you clear something up? Do you need a return ticket to enter Cambodia to show that you're leaving? I'm getting conflicting information online about it and could you just speak to it briefly?
nice video. I'm looking at an early retirement most likely end of next year, but my question is the language, do most or at least a bunch of people speak english. my learning a new laguage will take a long time.
I wonder if Dave lived in Thailand previously and how the lifestyle compares to Cambodia? I lived in Thailand from 2004-2006. While I was out there I had an opportunity to visit Cambodia. I went to Phnom Pen, Siem Riep, and Angkor Wat. Back then it was very rural and undeveloped. It must be very different now?
Thanks for the effort. Steve Morris (below) has a point. Might you consider demonstrating your monthly cost theory with a couple of interviews with folks living on $700? I'd like to see their lifestyle. Unless they have extensive prior experience living in a 3rd world country as basic as Cambodia I suspect they will not make it. But, if they had a good start in Cambodia for a time but then income slipped to $700 I could see how they might handle the 'depravation'. There's no shortage of people doing apartment tours on RU-vid, and there's no shortage of people producing monthly budgets on RU-vid. One size will never fit all. Since you say your subscriber demographics are older single males let's assume half of them really want to explore being responsible..., ie. health insurance or self insure for medical events... dental, eye glasses, 'holidays'', trips to the home country for whatever reason... a girlfriend, etc. I mean $700 a month must be an existence but is it a life???? By the way, other than the RU-vid links your links to the sites of others do not work. Stay safe.
Agreed. Your cost of living often depends upon your habits. In my experience, SE Asia brings out the worse in newcomers so $700USD/month is blown the first week ...
@@jhonnyfromme2109 Indeed - if you live in a box and remain in that box then $700USD is doable. That said, realistically most folks who reside in Cambodia who are "expats" are accustomed to life's pleasantries so $1,500USD/month is more realistic. Remember, a scooter plus health care, monthly ying, occasional brews, visa's, trips, and did I mention yings all add up ...
@@stevemorrisanamericaninasia Theres people here who cant live on 5k very well. My place is 250 not really bad at all I drink coffee everyday go out quite a bit but not as much as I used and find the cost of living not bad.
@@jhonnyfromme2109 Dewd, if you add up all expenses and are not caveman then $700USD is not realistic. Health care and motorbike alone will be $200usd month easy, a trip to anywhere will be $50 unless you go the mud hut route. Yings are $50 per unless you go the farm fresh route, and beer/booze will be $50/$100 month. I didn't include rent, electricity, visa cost per month for one-year visa, dental once per year, flight to home country when spread over 12 months, taxes, home furniture, kitchen crap, bedroom crap, clothes for yings, etc ... Easily $1,500USD month. Trust me - I live in VN and am in PP Cambodia often. Even Kampot is $1,250USD/month - all in ...
You have to have a long term visa extension and a valid passport. You can open an ABA account with about $10 and you get a debit card along with their app for mobile banking.
Why may I ask choose Cambodia over the Philippines? The Philippines also has a great retirement visa, English is widely spoken, and the Philippines has over 7,500 islands. Is there something about Cambodia that you like better than the Philippines? Also for people that live in the west, Nicaragua is a very inexpensive place to retire! Just some ideas I’m putting out there. 🇵🇭VS 🇰🇭
hello i am about to live in phnom kulen with my wife for 12 tears had a home made in the jungle were she lives i have a off grid system so that will be free we will pump water to our home it was interesting to hear your story i will keep you posted and add a few comments on how cheap it is living off grid cheers
If you're under 55 you can still get the ER extension but you have to show proof of income in a certain amount (I'm not sure what that amount is but I'll see if I can find out for you). The other option would be an EB extension with a "self employed" work permit.
I am 62 years old single father ,2 kids 12 and 14 years old. Can I still retire in Cambodia.? What about my kids? Like I said I am single father... Can they be on my retire visa?
I have been to Siem Reape once in 2016 for a few days and checked our a lot of the temples. Is it safe for a single woman in their 40s or 50s to retire in Siem Reape or other parts of Cambodia?
westerner popular in south east asia,,because of cost living affordable and alot of fun specialy in Laos and Thai land their celebrate and having custome party almost every months in the year(All year around)💂💂😀😀😳😳😄😁😃😃
Dear Dave. When you enter Cambodia with an E Visa with the intention to retire, can you almost immediately apply for a one year extension? Or do you need to wait to close to the end of the first month after you enter?
Once you enter with the E visa you can apply for the one year ER extension anytime within the first month. You don't have to wait for the initial visa to expire.
And Dave , i have here in Thailand an Retirement Visum which i'am going to extend it next Month . Can i get an Retirement Visum for Cambodia aswell for 1 Year ??? Thank you in Advance !!!!
You no you Government put sanctions on Cambodia? My Government to. Now we come here for easy living. Here for 17 years and going. Good luck. PRAY FOR PEACE 🙏🙏🙏
health insurance is very expensive. reckon 1500us$monthly. godd food doesn't seem expensive. dentists are not great. Thailand is much better in term of medical care but extremely expensive for international tourists who get better treatment than the thais though.
Well Dave, you're just the tiniest bit vague about retiring in Cambodia. You say " basically that's it". You make it sound like as long as you are not wanted by INTERTOL you're good. You mean Cambodia would allow the Boston strangler to retire there? Remember, there are a lot of people that would like to move on from their checkered past. I am afraid that many people may be disappointed at the travel agency requesting a retirement visa..
The immigration office wanted more papers ( a retirement letter?), they told me to use my agent which required no extra papers. Easy. Interested in your books and writing in general.
Hi mate, so pleased I have found your channel. I'm considering Pattaya or Siem Reap. Let me be frank, I'm very happily single but a few times a month I would like the company of a younger woman with no strings attached, let's call it a business arrangement. Is that possible in ST?. The other thing is health care, do they have private health insurance?. Thank you in advance.
Yes, you can find women who, like you, don't want the extras of a full on relationship. Health insurance is up to you. As a foreigner you'll have to arrange for your own if you want it. It's not a requirement though.
I am over 55 so sounds easy to retire in Cambodia. Can i bring Thai girlfriend 38 to live with me long time or would she have to do monthly border runs.
Here's what we get when we look into retiring in Cambodia. Political stability is not for sure that is iffy. Nowther word, we just don't trust the polical condition. Second, we know that it's more expensive than their neighboring countries like Thailand. Medical services are not that great in Cambodia. Are these true?
Some blogs aresaying rhat us one dollar notes are in acc some gloves I'll sign it $1 us note in good condition or not accept it now in Cambodia is this true,❤eptable is this truess
Certain times of the year it's iffy (depending on where you live). Burning season is the worst when they prepare all the rice fields for the next crop. It gets hazy in certain areas and you can smell the smoke when the wind's blowing right. But for the majority of the year I think it's fine.
@DaveDoesCambodia I been to Mexico where there is no pollution control for cars. It's physically and emotionally draining. Not healthy either. If it's seasonal? Not an issue. Any chance a person can hire you for advice concerning cambodia? I want to leave America because of the politcs. I also want to know what else a person can do besides teach english to live abroad
Soon I'll be there because on this new country I'm already a milionaire. Have with me GS$1.205.000,00 (this is U$159,06, but, it's a detail). :D ps: love the new intro
All these old poor american, western farang men are homeless now started to retire in rural cambodia, thailand filipines easily get cheap beer, cigarette, cocaine-drug, and try to marry local young girl but life is very risky with many ex-mafia lived here.😭
How about English ? -- Common or not so common ? -- Scooter prices ? Costs to operate ? Insurance ? -- Health care costs ? -- Prescription drug prices ? -- Health Insurance costs for good coverage ? -- Public transportation costs ? -- US College Football Games on TV - ??? -- Air fares from Siem Reap to other ''popular places'' ??? = C'mon man - your slacking !!!!!!!!!!!! 😂
New Cambodian immigration department laws and regulations started on 8th March 2023 Even tougher laws and regulations started on 1st July 2023 You failed to mention the Cambodian immigration department APP called ( FPCS) you are giving out outdated information about Cambodia and retirement, was valid until 8th March 2023 and even tougher after 1st July 2023
