Living in Cambodia

Once you make the move to Cambodia, you’ll have a lot to do–and we’re here to help!

First you have to decide where to live: most expats choose Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, or Sihanoukville. We’ve got advice on homes and apartments, from long-term guesthouses to stay in while you look for an apartment to advice on buying property and hiring household staff and information about utilities.

We’ve got practical advice about how currency works in Cambodia (it’s more complicated than it might seem), tips on how to get a local phone and SIM card and open a bank account, and the information you need to know about sending and receiving mail.

Once you’re ready to get around town, head to our Transportation section to learn how to take a tuk tuk or moto taxi or even get your own driver’s license. We cover road safety, how to deal with police, and other transportation options, including Cambodia’s long-distance buses and international flights.

It’s also important for expats to stay healthy in Cambodia. Find out the recommended hospitals, doctors, and clinics, plus the pharmacies where you’ll get real international medications. We also cover common ailments, dental issues, and eye care. Make sure to get a decent health insurance policy, but you may be one of those for whom travel insurance will do the trick. Since many expats also choose to seek medical care abroad, we’ve got recommendations for the easiest medical getaways.

Be sure to stay safe. In our Safety and security section we cover robberies, bag-snatchings, and hotel and apartment break-ins, and give you some emergency numbers and tips for dealing with the police, just in case. Oh, and some reasons why you shouldn’t do illegal drugs in Cambodia.

Specifically for women, we have advice about what to wear and how to stay safe; in addition, our Health and medical care section covers women’s health issues. We also have advice about your love life and your family life, with sections on sex and dating, gay culture in Cambodia, and raising kids in Cambodia, including some school recommendations.

This is an excerpt from Move to Cambodia: A guide to living and working in the Kingdom of Wonder. To learn more about 100+ topics that pertain to Cambodia expats, please consider buying the book.