Despite the ease of long term visas, Cambodia is far from ideal for retirement or long term stays. Contribute by becoming a member: / @troycambo Paypal: www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr...
I’ve lived here for over 7 years and I think some of your comments are a wee bit harsh. Obviously it’s still a developing country so good health insurance is ideal, but as everywhere, very expensive for older people. I’ve a medical background and can honestly say I’ve had excellent emergency treatment at a Provincial hospital and my son’s life was saved at that same hospital. There are very good doctors around, once you find them. Unfortunately you are spot on about the quality of expats. There are some brilliant expats here but also some pure trash. However as everywhere, trash is easily avoided, a lot depends where you decide to live and socialise. Good. Food is inexpensive if you eat/shop at the right places. Anywhere that caters for tourists or richer locals will not be cheap but, again it’s a question of finding out what’s available and where to shop. Food, be it to cook yourself or precooked can be great value for money. Cambodia is definitely not a place to retire to if people from developed countries are looking for a home from home. However, with research, effort, the right mind set which does mean an acceptance that things like health care have to be paid for, usually upfront if there’s no insurance, and an understanding that there isn’t a sophisticated level of social infrastructure- for example the other day on a fb post several people stated that “someone” must help a sick expat with no resources - well no, they don’t have to, a good retirement is. In my opinion, more than doable.
THE PHILIPPINES SHOULD BE WAY AHEAD OF CAMBODIA...but not the case..and the Roads your showing look wide and lovely in comparison.We are running out of Cheap Countries...Visas are the attraction ...renewal every month in Thailand can get real old. Philippines is filling up with bottom feeders..and Pattaya is full of the dregs of tbe west. Thailand accommodates all the small pensioners in old cheap rooms and apartments. Asia is filling up with old and young Refugees...not just Cambodia.
Agreed. Many older expats just put away a bunch of money as an emergency fund because insurance is so ridiculously expensive. And, like you said, there are a couple of good facilities around. While the majority of health care is honestly not good, it's not like there's no good care around. The thing about Cambodia is you have to explore to find the good places, and when you do, life gets pretty great!
Yea he does not know what he is talking about. I got great health care in Cambodia. I got an ear infection really really bad green shit coming out my ear and they fixed it no problem for about $150 with medication and microscope in my ear so I could see what was going on. When they sucked the green stuff out my ear I could see it being pumped in to a clear container. I could not film it for free would have made some great content. My channel is Cali in Southeast Asia just change it form cali in the Philippines. I have a lot of content on Cambodia .
Is Troy dead? Is he in a coma? Is he in a Cambodian jail? A Vietnamese jail? To just stop communicating means a serious event has taken place. If not, it is a cruel way to treat followers!
When I first watched Troy’s videos I was mesmerized with his kindness for others. He wandered the streets of Vietnam helping others. There was that poor paralyzed bedridden lady in Ha Tinh, she was my first donation to Troy and still today one of my most interested donations for the outcome. I never knew the outcome but I think it was not good. And then there was Lan, the kidney girl, but I guess she turned out to be a scammer. Then one of my favorites that I never saw again was “Cataract Woman”. I really wanted a follow up which I never got. That pissed me off, lol. Others were the girl, Hang, a steel rod pierced her skull. There were some follow ups but I am not sure what the final outcome was. Also Ly the kidney girl was FANTASTIC, but unfortunately she had to share her donations with everyone so I understood why she vanished. Now he is in Cambodia, which is fine, just not what I started my interest in. I am also not interested in the bike giveaway, but I do realize that is an extremely nice thing to do. Not sure why that bores me (actually the bike gifts were in Vietnam). . I fully understand how hard a job is that he does, it is amazing to me that he can do it. My accolade to Troy, there is no way I could do that at all. To me it is an impossible job.
People come to Cambodia to live and enjoy their retirement but if you come with the illness or disease and planning to just lay down and die then this isn’t the place for you. My advice would be, take a good care of yourself and get yourself check regularly and enjoy living! There are a bit over 15 millions people who are already surviving through the system here.. but hey the grass is not always greener on the other side right?
No I don't agree At sen soc there is a amazing private hospital I caught a deadly tropical disease in Cambodia fortune helped me on the last day before they said they were going to chop my legs off.
i have lived in Cambodia for over 7 years and no matter where I go I always comeback because to me Cambodia is home. I tried working in Pleiku Vietnam but the entire time I was homesick for Cambodia. Now I know I have to find myself a Cambodian wife and buy some land in Ratanakiri where I can raise cows, sheep and goats and maybe a hectare of cocoa or rubber trees.
Cambodia is the closest one can get to heaven on Earth. Has a perfect climate, the most beautiful girls, the tastiest foods, and the most wonderful government.
😂😂😂😂😂 I rarely leave comments on vlogs unless they are really good or on the other extreme Bad, but I have been to Cambodia over ten times the last few years and I don't think that your experiences there were the same for me. As well, judging by the name of your channel, Troy Vietnam...I can't help to feel that you have an unfair bias for your country of choice. Therefore, that is the only reason why I personally believe your comments about the costs and health care were so harsh and I believe are not completely accurate. But thanks for vlog. I would ask that you do a lot more research before making comments that are harsh.
Just a correction, the Thai retirement visa only costs about 1200 Baht if you do it yourself and you must renew it each year which is fairly straight forward. They do however require you to have at least 800,000 baht (about $23K US) in your Thai bank account for 60 days before applying for the retirement visa, but you don't lose that money, it's just to show you have money in the country to support yourself. The other option is if you have a monthly income form overseas you don't need the 23K US. As for medical, I think it's crazy if you don't have a full health insurance policy and live in SE Asia as a foreigner, it's an absolute must. Cambodia is a happening place, it is less developed but there is rapid development going on and in 10 years things will look very different from today.
Yes, a huge amount of investment going into Cambodia right now - the majority of it Chinese. I dunno if that's a good or bad thing (the Cambodian government seems very happy with it). All of SE Asia is 'leveling up' rapidly. When I was in Vietnam (Saigon, in 2019) I was constantly struck by how modern it felt. Like being in London - and the young people, especially, are very clued-in to the latest trends and innovations. Cambodia will get there, too.
@@martywize5909 Happening throughout the west, as the elite at the top take all the resources these is less to go around for everyone else. Health insurance is cheap enough in Asia and usually you don't have to wait at all. We used to have good services in the west, mass immigration and lack of investment now means people in the west often have limited access and longer wait times.
You are slightly wrong with medical care. Yes local who are lower middle class, go Vietnam, upper middle class goes to Thailand and rich go then to Singapore/France etc. But for expat and foreign retiree situation is slightly different. Especially as long as you have insurance. If you have some disease, you properly do get better care in Thailand. If some common disease then you are ok in Cambodia too. You can get basic healthcare and medication. If you think you get accident or sudden disease and you have insurance then you have Bangkok hospital owned hospital in Cambodia too. There they have mix of thai/cambodian/western staff. Top of the art machines etc. so you do get great care. But it's expensive, thus you need insurance.
So, what I'm hearing is: In SE Asia, the Medical Care is maybe lacking, yet not so expensive. But, in the West, you'll most likely have good Medical Care, yet the Medical Costs will more than likely kill you. (( slightly humorous sarcasm people ))
You will also wait months for appointments and be treated like cattle while they require dozens of expensive tests to cover themselves from liability. In Vietnam and Thailand, you just go to the clinic or dentist, you pay out of pocket, plus you don't need to see a doctor for most prescriptions, for low cost generic drugs. Thailand has world class medical and dental.
Not much of what you have written is based on personal experience. Most is someone told you or I heard that such and such is or was. About the only thing you are correct about is the medical. Even then only to a point. For example. Siem Reap is only about 3 hours from Surin in Thailand. Which has some very good hospitals. There are to many people like you posting videos about different countries etc when you have no or very little knowledge of what you are talking about. Go and get lots of personal experience before you post more videos.
A 1 hour flight from Siem Reap to Bangkok for quality health care. It's a beautiful city super people good food variety very low costs of living. I think Siem Reap is ideal for retirement if over 55 and you have a decently good budget & live a frugal life. > Low lifes exist everywhere. A poor excuse for not wanting to live there. Thailand has BS visa requirements & still have low lifes drug addicts and thieves ! -?- Compared to the US the prices and freedoms are overall more desirable for lower income seniors & that's why many are there. Simple enough. No place is perfect - there is no 'shangri la' anywhere !!! -- Many report a comfortable enough life in Siem Reap on $700 - $800/mo. --- Cambodia is just better than the rest for people with certain sized budgets they must live on ? > The Philippines is another such place with a 3 year tourist visa. --- Vietnam is the cheapest country in the world - compare Cambodia's food prices to your home county !!! That advantage is more than cancelled by their BS visa laws and visa runs out of the country so damn often and at quite some expense too ? Cambodia never makes you leave. Only $180 / year. --- Siem Reap has much better food options and many ethnic choices.
@@totallyraw1313 Several desirable things from my perspective at least. 20 - 30% cheaper - far less traffic people and congestion 140,000 not 2.5 million ! Big enough to have all you need but not too big. For retired older people it's more relaxed & less intimidating & just a very '''beautiful''' place ! A true gem of a small city & very unique. Great 'vibe' there. -- Even most tourists are very surprised often extend their stay or go again later. Sometimes repeatedly !
@@totallyraw1313 No idea - I've never been there - only researched it for quite a while. -- Some 20,000 expats from several countries live there for a reason ? Not sure if 'that' matters to them or not ? A mix of young working & old retired report many things to like and enjoy however. Also > Bangkok is a cheap 1 hour flight away for fun or for very affordable high quality medical care. - - - You could do a lot worse much easier than you could do a lot better !?!
@frankkluz9787 Oh really? You made it sound like you live there! 🤣 I was in Siem Reap back in 2009. I could not imagine then that I would ever want to stay longer than 5 days, let alone live there!
It really depends on the person. For some, it's just not for them at all. For others, it's absolutely wonderful. It takes some time to learn how to navigate everything, but after the first couple of months, the place just opens up and becomes so much easier. It's not a "plug and play" kind of place. You have to do a good deal of research and exploration.
I cannot imagine how hard Troy’s job is. And I realize I could never do it. But I still wonder what happened to Cataract woman, and that poor bedridden lady in Ha Tinh, and Hang (steel rod), and of course Ly, the kidney patient that makes cards. But Ly is probably not possible since others will instantly be involved.
Troy, I must have watched every video of yours over the past 6/7 years. Following the stories of the many characters. Hoping that you are well & will return with many more frequent videos in the near future. Take care. 👍
Bangkok is but a 1 hour flight from Siem Reap - where they have world class medical care & who speak English + it's very affordable ! -- Self insured over 70 is a way to go if you have some savings for an emergency. Cambodia's over 55 "retirement visa" is $180/year. That's it & no visa runs ! The cost of living in Siem Reap is much lower than the Capital. Including cheap street food and 50 cent beer ! Also international food can also be had. Many single expats live reasonably well on $750 - $800 / mo. there -- and PP is more like $1200 / mo. ----- A person with little or no $ is really screwed wherever you are in this world ? 🤔 Vietnam is not that much cheaper - if - you add the visa run costs - 4 times / year !!! (( Over 55 retired people never have to leave Cambodia ))
I thought you gave up on RU-vid because I hadn't seen a new release in my Subscribed channels updates. I checked today randomly to see when you last posted only to find I was unsubscribed. I fixed that little problem and will be able to start catching up on what you've been up to now. 😀👍
Everyone is entitled to their opinions and observations. I would just have this to say on your comment about the low entry requirements for foreigners compared to other countries in Asia. I lived and worked in Korea and Hong Kong for over 8 years total between the 2 and I can tell you even with "higher" entry requirements for long stay visas, I have seen disgusting foreign behavior. From my experience, what I have seen money or other qualifications mean nothing in terms of what lies deep within a persons heart. I have witnessed very wicked things in all classes, rich, middle, poor, etc. That said, I have not visited Cambodia yet. But maybe you are right and you probably have a point there. My only contention is that higher entry requirements do not automatically mean "better" people. Idk I'm rambling .... hah merry x mas y'all keep up with making the videos tho
Cambodia is on my list of places to visit but I'll probably retire in the Philippines, anyway thanks for your insights Troy and Hapy New Year to your family !
I live close to the border. One of the biggest surprise's was that ATMs give out US dollars. And many speak English. My wife and I prefer other destinations but we did find the people quite helpful and nice. When we travel in SE Asia we never go to the doggy areas and try to stay away from tourist spots. We both prefer Viet Nam where we live. Thanks for your take Tory. Be safe
Yes, my first time I went to Cambodia I went directly to an atm and was so angry when US currency came out. I immediately went over to a money exchange and got a huge stack of local currency. It was after that I learned everything is in US currency.
Keith, the exchange person must have been laughing their buts off after you left,a reasonably cheap lesson learned to do a minuscule amount of research into the country you are visiting. Hope you check the safety of each place you go, like Burma might be a little dicey right now. Been going to SEA for over 50 yrs, when I take my wife she gets robbed and ripped off cause she doesn’t listen to me.
@brucebaum1458 Thats funny...back then I'd just go to places without any research. Like the time I went to Afghanistan because someone told me they had beautiful beaches...I ended up being kidnapped and tortured....it wasn't all bad though....the shock treatment on my testicles was kind of fun.
The low barrier to entry for long term stay does attract the flotsam and jetsam of other countries, the Cheap Charlies too poor to live in their home countries or elsewhere in Asia. To those who can live cheaply going native, I say more power to them. I find that maintaining my sanity by preserving some semblance of the already low key lifestyle I have in my home country costs almost as much as it does back home. If I need medical care and am still ambulatory , I'm bugging out to the nearby capital cities of other countries. Medical evacuation insurance hopefully takes care of expenses if I am horizontal. "Retirement" in Cambodia is not cheap.
Totally agree with you re: Cambodia vs. Vietnam. Worlds apart. Re: retirement or long-stay living in SE Asia: I dunno, as a white European male, it took me a few years of traveling to realise that SE Asia works best for me as a holiday destination, rather than as a long-stay or retirement venue. And, like so many other guys, I was at first mesmerized by SE Asia (completely taken in by the sheer wonder of it all)... but a few years down the line I came to appreciate that having a permanent home in my native country, keeping SE Asia for holidays, just fitted better (especially as I get older). Also, financially, retirement or long stay living in SE Asia is not a cheap option (if you want to live reasonably comfortably) - particularly if you enjoy *ahem* the more social aspects. Just my take. Love your rambling videos like these, Troy. Very authentic and unforced - definitely not playing to the YT algorithms. Appreciated.
It was a rambling of a bogan, with little or no understanding of Cambodia. Visa, that's the main difference. You can never retire to Vietnam comfortable as they keep changing the Visas.
Don't believe Troy he has done little to no research on this. I have lived in both countries and Visas are the killer in Vietnam. Can't retire somewhere that doesn't have a retirement visa.
I was drugged by an Ozzie, had my passport stolen and rushed to a French Hospital in Pnom Penh and they literally saved my life (2004). I actually died but they got me back. $200 for 3 day bed stay. One thing - if you have no family you don't get any food. lol...
Cambodia has come a long way after the prolonged civil war ended in 1998 and the country started to develop within the last 20 years. There are always pros and cons no matter where we live but there is always an option in life. We're hopping between Vietnam and Cambodia as we have both relatives who live in both countries. As we stay in Vietnam, we eat more bun like soup and more rice in Cambodia. Both countries have their distinction and differences !
One of the worse healthcare systems in the world is the U.S. I have a Masters Degree in healthcare and I can say money controls U.S. healthcare. So many Americans have lost their homes and their assets just to pay off their medical debts. Healthcare in America is one big ripoff. Best healthcare is Cuba. Many Americans travel to Mexico to get healthcare. Health and medical services in the U.S are driven by profits. If you are poor you will die. No money, no care. It is all about MONEY! Compassion? Corporate America could care less. America's healthcare plan is -"don't get sick!
"Best healthcare is Cuba", Sure, for the international medical tourists that end up paying a lot for this care. For locals, well for locals communism ...
I'll one more, looking at your videos the markets look disgusting. I lived there for about 30 days once I always avoided the markets because they didn't look inviting but that's worse than I thought.
I wouldn’t retire in Vietnam as well. Vietnam is not that much better than Cambodia. Of course, Cambodia was the most destroyed, most bombed, longest war, and most invaded country in Southeast Asia. But they are trying to bring themselves up to the level of their neighboring countries. But it will catch up.
My Dad died in 2020 because of the terrible hospitals in Cambodia. It was COVID and he couldn't survive the flight back home all borders were closed to other nearby countries like Thailand. It's a nightmare for sure.
@@htee7426RIP. At least he got some care. My dad could have easily survived if he was in a good hospital. It wasn't even COVID just a heart problem but Cambodia has ghastly hospitals with hardly any no doctors even.
I’m sorry to hear this. My son spent over 3 weeks in SR Provincial Hospital ITU,, intubated and was 3 times close to death. If you know the system this meant that I lived there too, sleeping on the floor and attending to all his personal care. I have a medical background which helps and was lucky enough to be able to afford the one remaining antibiotic that might, and did, save him.. The equipment the doctors had was scant but they worked extremely hard and there were always doctors around albeit sometimes you had to wake them because they work 24 hour shifts. Ditto my own stay in a surgical ward there last year. I was treated with respect and received good care. It’s not the UK, in fact it’s very different but, I know, not all is perfect in the UK. I would confidently return especially as I now understand the rather confusing system in operation.
Vietnam is 4000 years old, but still like hell. If you been in Vietnam you know what I am taking about, food poisoning, air pollution, people are very rude, ask for money, and …. Unfortunately, Cambodia was disconnected/discontinued about 4 years during pol pot regime. Yet, during that time no one allowed to live and work in the cities. Recently Cambodia was just came back from hell( Pol Pot). You (Troy) need to give Cambodia credit for what the country has to offer now 😍😍😍😍. I been in Cambodia one with my family and I love it country and the people there. Most of people live in Vietnam was taking 6-8 hours going to hospital in ho chi minh city depend on where they live. small cities in Vietnam and in villages doesn’t have a good doctors either. Only in ho chi minh city and ha noi have a good doctors there. If you live out side of ho chi minh city and ha noi and when you need go hospital will be nightmare…
IMO if you gonna retire in Southeast Asia your main concern should be healthcare system. In Vietnam, Thailand or Philippines you'll probably die in case of a major accident/health incident because the ambulance won't get to you in time 😂 Malaysia seems to be doing better on that part because the traffic actually gives way to ambulances.
Malaysia is also the top three medical tourism destination in the world for several years now. English ( from pidgin to perfect) is spoken everywhere in Malaysia
I think you should learn a bit of Cambodian now that you're spending a decent amount of time of there. I lived there for 3 months in 2018 and made a real effort to learn. I already spoke and could read Thai, and admittingly Cambodian is significantly harder I.M.O, but it's definitely doable. If you just spend an hour each day practicing/ talking to people on a topics that are important you'll get better quickly. Within 6 months, you could be fluent.
Stopped watching this after the first coupler of minutes the constant panning back and forth was making me dizzy also you constant criticism put me off watching any more !
So you talked to a one lady at a restaurant and you based your entire healthcare services on that? Your information on Cambodia is awful, zero research done the subject. We have lived in Cambodia for 4 years and it amazing, best Retirement Visa in SE Asia. Cambodia all you need to be is over 55, you pay for the visa and that's it Vietnam is a nightmare to retire to due to it's visa rules. For Riel make Vlogs about Cambodia and have real information about Cambodia, which would help people decide where to go. There are things called Planes. It's cheap and easy to get anywhere in SE Asia from Cambodia.
everybody who lives or retires in Phnom Penh knows perfectly: If you are not dying today, just get on a plaine to BKK or HCMC and in a couple of hourse you have all the best medical treatment in S.E.ASIA !!
Good to see your still going Troy! Yeah Cambodian food isn't good unfort and it's more expensive than Vietnam - the usage of the dollar doesn';t help either!
When considering retirement in developing countries,then only move to the Capital city and not smaller towns.Because capital cities always have the best infrastructure,hospitals,international connections and a diverse community. Im sure phnomphen has atleast one good quality hospital
Troy baby I noticed my comments are being delayed before they post. I'm visiting Palestine West bank I wonder if that has something to do with it. I would love to walk around and take videos but I think it would be too dangerous for me because the Palestinian people might think I'm a spy and the Israeli soldiers don't like it either.
@@jorb8572 he used poor people on asian countries to make video clip to get donate money from donater for his living.. that why they kick him out of country..he live in australia ..he need real job..how you think where he got money to travel around without the job..
I’ve moved to Cambodia for more than a year now. From what your sound about Cambodia, I believe you must to go back to do more research before you tell the world. I enjoy more in Cambodia. Also, your comment is depending your profile name 😂.
I really enjoy your Walkabout Cultural Tours. I’ve traveled to 30 countries and your videos have helped me more than a few times while visiting. Many thanks!
For some reason, Cambodia is more expensive than Vietnam and even Thailand, even though it is so inferior to both countries. I also really disliked the dust in Cambodia. Very bad for the lungs!
