How to move to Cambodia and work from there: a personal experience
Travels / / December 19, 2019
Jeanne have virtually introduced Anna, who recently shared her the experience of living and working in Vietnam. Jeanne also told us about the other Asian country, which stands move for a long time, — Cambodia.
We are a man and our dog stayed in Cambodia a year. What are we doing? You know, normally, in response to this question, people talk about their work, but when you are in Southeast Asia, the first thing I want to say, — I live. And believe me, it's not pathetic statement. Just some amazing way in Southeast Asia, everything happens and is felt differently. There is no fuss and the sea of small problems, no stress, and the desire to have a drink at the bar with friends after a hard day's work. Well, since you're in a foreign country, every day are discovering something new, and constantly expand their horizons.
And if you're still asking about work, then Denis — web designer, and I — journalist. We are working on a freelance, so we only need laptops and continuous access to the Internet.
why Cambodia
Prior to Cambodia more than a year we lived in ThailandAnd then six months in the Philippines and in six months India. When you select a new country, we rely on three factors: the desire to live here, for what term issue tourist visas, and whether it is possible to enter the country with a dog.
While it turns out that in Cambodia the most loyal visa policies. The visa can be obtained for a month upon arrival at the airport. And after its completion to make yourself an annual business visa. It allows you to work legally in the country, as well as travel and travel to Cambodia an unlimited number of times. It costs $ 260–280, do not remember exactly. Done either in person or through local "helpers." But if a lot of years, you can make a business visa for three or six months. Cost, of course, will be cheaper. As far as I know, the number of renewals of business visa is not yet limited.
For the first time we came to Cambodia more when they lived in Thailand, we had to extend the Thai visa. Here we liked, because everything is very reminiscent of Thailand: kind, smiling people, Buddhist temples, all life is centered on the street, people move on mopeds and bicycles, all over a huge number of a cafe — from the most simple and cheap to expensive European level, lower prices and year-round summer. So after India, where we are very tired of shameless people, dirt, constant power cuts, bad Internet, absence of normal shops and services, we decided to go to heal wounded souls and frayed nerves in a good quiet Cambodia.
The language barrier
Naturally, people in Cambodia, speak your own language — Khmer. But, despite the fact that Cambodia is still less developed in general (compared to Thailand), yet there is much more people speak English. And it was a pleasant surprise. So basic English will be enough. In addition, you can meet the Khmers who speak Russian, because in the old days they studied in universities of the Soviet Union.
However, if you are going to live a long time in Cambodia, it is better to learn Khmer. Then the locals will be quite a different attitude toward you. However, this advice is applicable to any country.
the cost of living
Oh, that's a complicated question. It all depends on your desires and needs. Here you can live both low cost and in a big way. Designated spending money in Cambodia are available.
Let's talk about our experience. Initially, we are spending too much, so we decided to limit ourselves to $ 150 per week. This amount includes the products, the full tank of gas for a moped (about three liters), going to the restaurant once or twice a week (from $ 3 per dish), or any other entertainment such as massages (from $ 4 per hour), cinema (from $ 3 per ticket). Thus, a $ 600 per month for two. Things, equipment and other pleasures in this amount are not included. We go on a moped Honda, which was bought for $ 1300. Rent a bike costs $ 80 per month.
Rental of property
We shoot a two-storey house with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a washing machine (which is rare in Southeast Asia), and a small garden in which grow longan, jackfruit and mango. It costs $ 550 per month. More about pay $ 10 for water, $ 30 — for electricity, $ 12 — wired for unlimited Internet 3 Mbit / s.
Accommodation available to rent and cheaper. For example, two-bedroom apartment — from $ 300 per month. But we needed a house with its own territory, there to Spike walked as local dogs never give it to walk quietly.
If desired, the housing can be purchased in Cambodia. For example, if you look at the sites, one-bedroom apartment in Phnom Penh will cost from $ 50 thousand. But the owner of our house refers to the price of $ 80 thousand, while adding: "If you have about $ 100 thousand, why would you buy a house? Better buy for the money a small guest house or hotel. "
Food
In supermarkets all worth much more expensive, so we prefer to buy food at the markets.
Prices for fruits and vegetables vary according to the season.
- rice — of $ 0.5 per 1 kg.
- Chicken, pork — $ 5 per 1 kg.
- Beef — $ 8 per 1 kg.
- A fish — from $ 4 for 1 kg.
- large shrimp — $ 10 per 1 kg.
- squids — $ 6 per 1 kg.
- Avocado — $ 2 per 1 kg.
- A watermelon (about 2 kg) — $1,25.
- Mango — $1–2 per 1 kg.
- Milk — $3,80–5 per 2 liters.
- Cheese (mozzarella, cheddar), the cheapest — $ 2.6 200 g
- Bread — from $ 1.
- eggs — from $ 1.20 for 10 pieces.
- bananas — $ 1 per branch.
- Oranges, apples — from 50 ¢ for 1 piece.
- cucumbers — $ 0.5 per 1 kg.
- Cherry tomatoes — $1,5–2 per 1 kg.
- Cabbage — $ 0.75 per 1 kg.
- Beer — from $ 1 per bottle.
- Petrol — from $ 1.25 per 1 liter.
- Tuk-tuk in Phnom Penh — $3–6. Tuk-tuk in Siemriape — $1,5–3.
- Dish in the food court supermarket — from $ 2.
- Dish in more or less decent cafe — from $ 3.
- Dish European restaurant — from $ 5.
- Coffee in coffee shops — from $ 2 for a cappuccino.
- Cake in a coffee shop — from $ 1.
About mobile communications anything sensible to say I can not. We communicate very little, so that $ 3 is enough for one or two months.
Transport
Urban public transport in Cambodia there. The local population is moving on bicycles, scooters or cars. You can also use the services of a tuk-tuk or taxi.
Only a few months ago in the capital finally appeared bus stops and buses that run through the city center. How much is the fare, I do not know, I never went to them.
In which region to go
In fact, to live in Cambodia, there are only three options: Phnom Penh — capital; Siem Reap city — where is the temple complex of Angkor; Sihanoukville city — yet the only sea resort in the country. We settled in Phnom Penh, in fact almost every country in the capital — the most developed city. This means that the Internet should be no problem, and entertainment will be more. I must say, we were not mistaken, the way it happened.
Where to look for accommodation
Rent accommodation in Phnom Penh is very simple. You are on the Internet sites of real estate companies, write them a letter indicating his wish to home and its value, and then they begin to call themselves, to write, offer options, carry on viewing. Realtors know English well, so the difficulties in communication does not occur. We help Realtors is absolutely free, but the owner of our house said that the agency has to pay a monthly rental value of the house. In addition, he is obliged to notarize signed a contract with us and pay the tax to the state.
The housing market in Phnom Penh represented mainly three- and four-story buildings that are located either very close to each other, or in general together as terraced houses. In this house, generally has one family. They live on the ground floor and all other floors rent. Entrance to the upper floors can be both inside the house and outside. That is, it turns out that you will have the whole floor — ordinary apartment with two bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom, sometimes even a dining room, and the hosts you will meet only at the entrance to the courtyard. The cost of renting this apartment — from $ 300 per month. But we, firstly, like to live without owners, and secondly, at the Cambodians in the courts of one or two dogs and they absolutely would attack Spike.
Here, for example, in Siem Reap accommodation is cheaper. We have seen a great house, immersed in the greenery, for only $ 300–400 per month.
To look for when viewing stands on the state of plumbers, electricians, the presence of gas grills on the windows, and of all that you need. There is no any features, everything is standard.
What time of year to go
In principle, in Cambodia, all year round to 30 ° C heat. The temperature drops to 18-20 ° C heat for only two or three weeks before the New Year, and this temperature is kept for about a month. Then you have to get jeans, sneakers and jackets, and at night ukryvatsI blankets. Well, if you do not want your holiday ruined rain, come to Cambodia from about mid-November to July. These months are the dry season lasts.
Driver's license
In Cambodia, there are internationally recognized rights. Denis any. And I have no rights at all. Nevertheless, I went on the bike, and I have never been stopped by the police. Actually, judging by how stupidly in Phnom Penh travel bikers here do not need rights. The police, though there are on the roads, intersections, but turn a blind eye. It is much more profitable to stop the aliens or motorists who violated the rules. Fines are small, but still can bargain. For the fact that Denis stopped at a zebra crossing, it took less than a dollar. And even once we were stopped and told to pay $ 5. But we were confident that the innocent, so said that he paid only $ 3. A policeman kept his head and said: "Let us $ 4 to us with a partner for $ 2 it was." Naturally, the receipt did not give us one.
Circle of friends
Given the fact that in every country we stop for a short time, make new acquaintances as something not desirable. Just do not see the point. To communicate with old friends and family always have a Skype, email, social networks. A talk and share information, in LiveJournal. I I run my blog more than three years, also I read the blogs of other travelers. Therefore, it seems that they know a hundred years. By the way, in the LJ, I met a girl from Kazakhstan. Here with her and we were friends. On the other — only virtually. Our compatriots prefer to settle closer to the sea. So if you need a Russian-speaking company, go to Sihanoukville.
Advantages and disadvantages
I love Cambodia, it's hard to talk about its disadvantages. I guess I do not like here only the state of the roads and the poverty of the population. I wish that the government is more concerned about its citizens. Rouge is very good and deserve it.
Well, from the pros... but still! Here, calm and relaxed. People smile and willing to help. The shops and cafes good service. Repeatedly I saw how staff drill. There are good hospitals, sports clubs, SPA-salons and barbershops. finally — here is always warm all year round, you can buy fresh vegetables, fruits and seafood. The prices did not bite.
If you are thinking about how to go to another country for some time, I hope that the story of Joan inspired you to consider more in detail Cambodia. Still have questions? Write in the comments.