Cost of Living WELL in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 พ.ค. 2024
- A lot of people have made videos on how much it costs to survive at the bare minimum in Phnom Penh and Cambodia. However, this video explores this cost of living at a Western standard in Phnom Penh, which is a different topic. These costs are for 2022.
My wife's channel: / @williamandfamily
Discovered your channel while researching Cambodia for retirement, great channel and content, love it and subbed to it
Very accurate estimates on your video. And for sure, modifying to personal lifestyles is taken into account.
My preferences differ a bit.
Apartment: $250 to $350. For non-serviced apartments. From 1 to 2 bedroom places. If you want a 2-bedroom for $250, you’d likely be a bit further out from affluent areas. $350 fir a 1-bedroom place gets you closer in to nicer areas.
City Motorcycle: I’d go for a brand new one. $2000? Depends on your tastes.
Eating at home: 300 a month is fair.
Drinking water: Buy the huge water bottles with the spigot. Very cheap. $5 deposit on the bottle, $1 to exchange for a new one? I forget. But it’s dirt cheap. I might use 2 in a week.
Motorcycle gas: $12 a month. I drive around everyday but not too far. A little pleasure driving around town on the weekend. Seriously. I actually spend less than that. Honda Waves are very efficient.
Motorcycle upkeep: $5 to replace a flat inner tube. You can patch them for less than a dollar, but I just have the repair person change the tube. It takes less time.
Change the outside tires once a year: About $20 per tire? Very cheap to do.
Oil change: $5
Everything is super cheap to fix here on city motorcycles.
Phone service: $5 a month plan per phone is fine for me.
Internet: $18 a month with Smart@home. Decent enough if your area has good coverage. And it’s portable as long as you can get coverage. Take it to work or wherever.
Other companies to check are Cellcard, and Ezecom. They use fiber wire to you place. Not portable. More expensive but some good deals to check.
@1:44 Rent
@4:20 Utilities
@7:46 Food
@9:24 Insurance
@10:42 Transportation
@14:10 Entertainment
@15:43 Conclusion
Thanks for the helpful insight! Here are some timestamps I jotted down as I watched the video. Might be useful for those who want to go back and listen to a specific topic.
Hot humid mud pit, no thanks. Heat is relentless and political crap.
However, due to economic and social problems, Covid 19 all over the world, hotels and hotel buildings in Phnom Penh are now more affordable to meet the needs of a large number of Cambodian and Cambodian-foreigners. Thanks for sharing your new and better videos!
Excellent breakdown, thank you very much. We're preparing to move to PP in the Summer. Can't believe you got electricity for 18 cents...!!
Nice thorough video! Totally agree that getting a bike is the way to go.
This was super helpful, thank you! I know when I moved to BK in 2016 I had know idea what I was in for…but now I feel more comfortable with living abroad
You're so welcome!
Well done second life, you certainly covered all the basics and some of the best spots to get started. 👍
Great information Erik!!
Very informative. Thank you for sharing.
Spot on. As you say it depends on ones lifestyle and priorities as to expenses. We live outside of the central part of the city which is often a completely different world than BKK1 and surrounding area. Our expenses are different than yours but so is our lifestyle. We live in a 3 level 4 bedroom, 5 bathroom newer house and rent, utlities plus wifi and all less than $600 per month. Without western culture food our food bill is always less than $100 per month. We do not usually spend more than $150 or even $100 on eating out. Nice area, clean, less traffic, rarely see a rodent, not much petty crime (security pratolling the community 24/7) and some beautiful walking areas and parks. One thing about living here is that you always have choices. Live an expesibe lifestyle,a cheap one or anything in between. We personally prefer the quieter lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle. I enjoy your videos because you just show the everyday life here and the possibilities for people to see if this place is right for them.
Hi can you please tell me exactly the name of the aérea
@@mohammedelbassir9970 Borey Peng Houth, Chbar Ampov. Take Nordom Blvd to Monivong bridge. About ten minutes on your right you see the first of 4 entrances to the community.
@@mohammedelbassir9970 are you in TTP Russian market area? Is so then drive to Monivong and turn right. Follow Monivong and go over the bridge. Ten minutes away 9n the right.
Thanks to TH-cam analytics your channel popped up and am I grateful👏🏻👏🏻 This is a super video that answers all the questions I have about expat life in Cambodia.
Subscribe for more useful info!
Thank you for an excellent update on the cost of living in Phnom Penh. Based on my past experience it sounds quite accurate. The affordable areas to live keep moving out farther away from the city center. It now seems that the affordable area has moved out past street 271 and the Khmer Soviet Hospital. I found that giving up a few luxuries like all day air-con and an elevator can go a long way in reducing costs. It is quite important to always have a fan available, though. Also, having a flat that is correctly oriented in the proper direction so that you can always have a good breeze keeps things much more comfortable. My flat in BKK3 was oriented north-south and always had a good breeze. Shopping at lucky market and going out for western food will blow out your budget. If, however, you like Khmer food, you can save a bundle by eating the local cuisine. There are many ways to keep costs down in a place like Phnom Penh, especially if you don't have to maintain a western life style. Please don't take this as a criticism. I thought your video was quite comprehensive and well done.
On the contrary, I'm in agreement with all of your points.
Thank you for sharing this information with us. Seattle washington state
Good stuff man.
Very informative about Phnom Penh cost thank you
Top video, exactly the information I wanted to know.
Glad it helped you!
thank you for informations
such a helpful video!
Very informative! Thanks for creating this. Electricity seems shockingly expensive. Your wife is very pretty.
Great video bud
Great vodeo. V useful. Tks
Very insightful bro
Well done !
Nice video, I would say you have given authentic information of expenses for decent lifestyle.
That's my aim!
Note that we live on the top floor of a shophouse in a neighborhood that is 100% Khmer. We do not live in a serviced apartment, and that's why electricity is cheap.
@@SecondLifeTravels1 yeah have already kept 500 $ miscellaneous. So would be adjusted in the overall budget
Best price list I've seen so far 👍
Love Cambodian people ❤
Nice info bro
Love the video and the info, especially around the eating out and lifestyle as it can be very expensive or cheap no matter where you are. I love Cambodian people and their friendliness, however it's definitely behind Thailand in term of the how everything work i.e. road, waste management. etc
Banking is something that some people might wonder about. Especially for long term.
One way to open a new bank account in Cambodia is to be working for a Cambodian business. You would have a contract good for a year or two. It helps if they can get you a work permit.
Arranging these things takes time and patience. However, it makes life easier for long stays.
I appreciate the suggestion!
thanks!
Love to retire to cambodia it's my dream
It’s very useful information 🇰🇭thanks
By the way you got the nice and big apartment. If you don’t mine may I ask how much do you spend monthly for everything ?
realiy i like it so good
Good evening my master, permission to watch the video 🙏 greetings from Indonesian 🙏🤗🇮🇩
Happy New Year Erik! I have not seen you coming out with new videos. Also, are you guys still reside in Cambodia?
We'll have some new videos soon
:)
@@SecondLifeTravels1 i thought you guys moved out of Cambodia already
Hi Eric, Thanks for the details.
Can you please explore about some good schools, education standard and tuition fees.
I'm afraid I don't know much about that!
@@SecondLifeTravels1 ok, no issue.
cool, informative video. i lived all over asia for about 10yrs though had not been to phnom penh until recently. spent a bit more than a month.
i could see how folks would want to live here. it checks "all" the boxes. so does thailand, PI and peru-from my experience.
as a 60yoa, US citizen--you really have to have a medical policy, or you should.
i know some ex pats, a few-that just wing it. if something happens they say they will pay out of pocket. here, as in thailand you can do it but it is not the best choice. in peru if you obtain a residency visa (over 50yoa) like 3yrs later you get the governemnt insurance, which is good.
i have CIGNA and it cover's everywhere except the US and the premium is reasonable. it is good if you have a nation "specific" policy. but if you move, travel then what?
my 2cents.
either phnom penh rocks.
Hello, great video. Which network provider do you use for your home internet in PP?
If you're willing to pay, Sinet is probably the best.
Hello welcome to Cambodia😍😍❤❤
All the people are welcome to Cambodia 🇰🇭
$200 a month for foods is sufficient if we decided to eat out often ? Much appreciated !
As a Cambodian, we don't pay for insurance because here in Cambodia medical stuff is pretty cheap unless you have a big accident.
I used to live abroad for 4 years (in Australia) over there you have to pay for insurance because medical stuff is really expensive.
I recommend insurance. You're just a bad luck minute away from a motorcycle wreck that causes $100,000 in medical bills. I recommend life insurance too.
How is the infrastructure in Phnom Penh, electricity, sewage, plumbing, structural safety, noise, air quality, etc.? Do apartment buildings have backup generators for the elevators, etc.?
The infrastructure is fine these days.
I am doing 60 sq meter 2 bedroom in Pehn Houth for $400. An top neighborhood and a stones throw from the gorgeous euro park.
Thanks for sharing! Do you know how much does a driving license for motorbike cost to get in Cambodia?
Do you already have a motorcycle license in your own country?
@@SecondLifeTravels1 No, I do not have a licence for motorbike even if I have experience. Just license for car in Norway.
@@Oggiwara1Then I would just stick with a moto that was 125cc or less. No license required for that!
@@SecondLifeTravels1 If I buy a scooter it will be the Honda ADV 160. Nothing less. That's the reason I ask if you know what it will cost to get a driving license for a motor bike.
@@Oggiwara1I don't know, exactly. Probably at least $100 for your first license, which will have to be rendered annually.
Also, you'll have to pass driving tests. I was already licensed to drive a big bike in multiple countries and didn't have to deal with all of that, though, so I don't know much about it.
What is the name of health care insurance that we can buy over there?
There's a bunch, including AIA.
Where do you get your drinking water in volume? Thanks
Our apartment sells five gallons for one dollar.
@@SecondLifeTravels1 Thank you for answering all my questions!
How does a retirement aged North American adjust to the discomfort of feeling like one lives in a sauna even in a nice city like Phnom Penh? And compared to megapolis cities like Saigon, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, etc.?
Are the areas of BKK1 and Russian Market quiet and clean neighborhoods, or are they similar to many areas of Saigon, Kuala Lumpur, New York City and Manila?
You get used to the heat.
For you single Boys out there? Looking to retire or just get out of the west? There are perfect nice apartments out of the city that will cost you less than 100 a month. Less if you just want to rent a room and electric bike/ scooter into the city.
Set up some solar panels you order in from China if that works where you are staying at, and your fuel costs are almost zero. You can order/ bring in solar panels for cheap. So that $200+ a month you spend on electricity would come back to you in less then a year.
If your willing to make your own Biodiesel? Its cheaper then petrol. Look up the oil prices they have there for the cheap vegetable oil.
You can also if you live out in the country make your own Fuel alcohol or Ethanol. So that takes care of your fuel needs for your gas back up generator etc.
A Lot of the Restaurants there still just throw away their used oil. So this is a good thing to set up for yourself, and as a bonus, can also be used for heat in an oil burning stove.
Lastly, if your willing to wheel and deal? You can get a cargo container shipped to you full of EV batteries from china's electric cars that are just sitting in lots right now as backup power to your home, along with their drivetrains that would make perfect back up generators for your home if you get the powertrain or "Front clip".
My point in all this is that if your handy, and you should be as a western man?
You can reduce the costs down to close to nothing for utilities.
Keep a dozen or more chickens around to take care of pests, and local birds that munch on Skeeters, and your golden.
Find a place where there is some natural water flowing? You got yourself Hydro power with a mini man made pond. Keep it stocked with fish to handle any issues with insects and its a done deal. Even if there is no sun? You always got a power source for hydroelectricity. That also means a very small battery backup system so you don't even have to worry too much about that anymore.
The sky's the limit
It is true, you can live very, very cheaply in Cambodia. I wouldn't call that living at the same level of a middle class American, but everybody has the right to live as they choose!
You cool your room down to 23 degrees Ferenheit>>??? or celsius
Celsius. Fahrenheit is only used within the USA. It took me a while to get used to the different scale too!
Older people won't use motorcycles, so are there reliable Ubers or Grabs?
Grab is very easy and common here.
Lots of older people use motorcycles too.
Are taxis or Grab available in Phenom Pen ?
Grab is available in Phnom Penh.
Nice video. Thanks,can you do a video about a bank ?
Can you elaborate?
@@SecondLifeTravels1 retirement money direct deposit
@@user-us5lq6sd5r That's not really my area of expertise, but we'll see.
Do you wash off all of your vegetables in purified drinking water?
Nope
🔥🔥🔥🔥🇰🇭🇰🇭🇰🇭🙏
😮 Yeah cambodia is the new spot because thailand is Getting too expensive because of too many Foreigners Moving there.
So I wouldn't be able to live confortably, and save some money on a steady income of $1,500 a month?
"Comfortably" is objective. You certainly couldn't live an American-equivalent lifestyle for that and still save a bunch of money.
J.D., I lived very comfortably on $1500 a month in the Philippines. You can certainly do that in Cambodia. Keep in mind that Phnom Penh is the most expensive city in Cambodia. I spent time in Siem Reap on about $850 a month and it’s cheaper overall than PP.
TBH, and contrary to most comments here, I think it is actually MORE expensive to live in PP.
Shop for some of your food at Aeon Mall (reasonably expensive, but good quality and clean - some of the local markets are just horrible barang traps if you don't have a Khmer doing the shopping....), eat out lunch a few times a week in a Western restaurant (which is fairly normal here), drink in one of the 100ks of coffee shops in town occasionally, add in the inevitable monthly 'unexpected' costs (dental and eye-wear costs, new electronic device , annual gym or cable TV subscription, police fines (got fined $25 the other day - WTF.....), new X, new Y etc etc.) and costs escalate rapidly. And are rising even more rapidly now. And if you move up a notch and purchase a 'proper' car (as you would have back home), start buying Western-style clothes, watches, phones, handbags etc in the shopping malls; sometimes eat in a Chinese restaurant (mega expensive....); have coffee and cake regularly at Starbucks etc etc. as all well-to-do Khmers seemingly now do, costs quadruple + +.. ....Yeah, you don't have to do the latter of course - but well, as you say, the idea is not to wear the same $3 T-shirt for a month, use the same roothbrush for 3 years, drink only 50c gut-rot at happy hour and hold all your wordly possessions in a (second hand) rucksack. Just don't think PP is as cheap as you estimate.
BTW, your insurance cost is very cheap. That's a goooooood deal.
I assure you, I do live at that cost! I go out to eat plenty, though some of those places are $3/plate places, not always $10/plate. Starbucks is a rare thing. Instead of $6 coffee, I get $.75 coffee at the local stands, etc. Also, a car is out. Who wants to go that slowly anyway?
@@SecondLifeTravels1 Ha ha. No one in PP gets a car to actually GO anywhere - it's just status........
Is that for two people or one?
That is two people. You can live more cheaply by yourself.
Cheapest way to stay there is to find cambodian family that accept you to stay with them. You could negotiate you pay 100$ month for them. Not luxury, but option.
Definitely not luxury!
Insurance cost will go way up if you are over 65 years old and the insurance company will not pay for most things, so it's a waste of money. I'm 69 and fit but I couldn't get BUPA when I was 63 years old in Thailand for less than $6,000 a year. I just paid as I go. Cambodia can't be much hotter than Phuket is and I rarely used my AC, just fans, but I was in a house with a jungle behind us and no attached buildings to our house. So we had very good air flow with all the windows open. The cost of electric in Cambodia is ridiculous.
Electric is pretty expensive here!
I get about 2400 a month from retirement. And I'll be coming with around 15k in savings. Is that enough to live for my wife and I in one of the nicer places while maintain a decent lifestyle.
Yes!
@Second Life Travels thank you for swift response. I've been watching your videos all morning. We're trying to decide whether Cambodia or Thailand will be best for us. My wife has agreed to give Asia a chance for a couple of years. I personally have been wanting to make this move my whole life.
Good video. Your total of just under $1800USD is for two people correct?
To live well, yes.
@@SecondLifeTravels1 thank you. I appreciate your reply.
@@SecondLifeTravels1 so were all the totals built around 2 people, like the food, insurance etc? I get the rent is 600, so take that away for a second, 1200 is for 2 people? so for your lifestyle it would be around $600 p/m as a single person and around $400 for a decent enough 1bed apartment?
@@djb1317 Yes, a lot of those totals are for two people. You can get a decent apartment for $400 that's one bedroom, for example!
I see a lot of videos with people on pedal bikes in Cambodia!! I think I’d go that route!! I also hear cops pull over and shake down expats for extra cash. I could see it hard to shake an expat out of cash on a pedal bike. Just my thought!!
Thanks for your video. Are you planning to live in Cambodia? I just wait for a few more years for my retirement and my youngest to finish university i will return back home to Cambodia 🇰🇭 i live in Montreal and Toronto for the last 40 years plus i still love Canada 🇨🇦 but I don't like the weather here to cold because I'm getting old now. By the way your wife should learn khmer language because Thai language use 35 per cent of khmer language the same khmer people can learn Thai language very easily too. Thanks for your video again take care bye from milton Ontario Canada 🇨🇦 🙏
Hi Sopha Man, we do live in Cambodia! :D
You
Sopha man,, I came to America in 1981. I’m in the same situation like you. Waiting for my kids to all graduate, sell my shop then I’m off to my home country Cambodia. I’m scouting an area to retire in Cambodia. Hopefully my plan work out.
@@tonpun2988 Good luck!
In the Toul Kork and Sen Sok area nice places to live can be found much, much cheaper.. I have lived in Phnom Penh for 12 years.... While electricity is expensive anywhere in Asia, $200 is very high. Be wise with your use of air conditioning and the electric bill will be lower.
Ah, but I don't want to be wise. I want to it to be 23 degrees in my home 24 hours per day, just like when I lived in America. :)
Some real 'perspective' on life there given your particular 'style' of living. -- From that it can be easier to extrapolate to more expensive than to cheaper it seems to me. -- The Russian market (community) appears most appealing to me & I suspect many other expats. A sharper focus there on rent 'specifically' for a single older more frugal male who may travel some cook some but also mingle with other expats locally. Might a small (but nice) studio be had in the $150 - $200 range in - or near - the Russian area ? Where perhaps a $100 / month elect bill for AC comfort is more likely ? Health Insurance for $200 if your past 70 most likely ? -- Trying to see how the 'average' $1500 / month US SS check does there and if a few hundred dollars might be saved most months for just 1 person ? Visa expenses will also be needed long term - won't they ?
Oh yes, you can certainly live for cheaper than my family does. However, to maintain a typical American standard of living, I'm finding it's about the cost I mentioned in my video.
I’m thinking about teaching English over there. But I think they make $700- 1000 usd a month. And you only work 20-25 hours a week.
You can survive on that but you won't live well.
have you considered buying, not sure if your wife is Khmer. Lovely Family!
My wife is not Khmer.
You need to factor in the lack of any investment - after a few years of this life you will have a hard time going back to a Western country.
Wow, electric there is very expensive.
I'll say!
Can i live with moslem families in Cambodia 🇰🇭 in a village setting greetings from London UK 🇬🇧.
Dog food sounds expensive there
Not if you buy the cheap Chinese stuff!
Our cat costs about $25/yr to feed.
Why is it called The Russian Market? I didn't meet any Russians when I was in PP last year.
It's a name from the last, when there were more Russians.
I don't know how I feel about this video. If you are going to move to another country out of respect you should learn the language. You are ignorant if you move to an English speaking country and do not want to learn English. Likewise you are ignorant if you move to a non English speaking country and want to learn the native language. It works BOTH ways. Most people want to move to Cambodia for an easier life and a budget. If I want to spend a couple thousand dollars on an apartment I will go to Paris New York China or Dubai. I have a two bedroom borei ground floor 20 minutes away from central phnom penh and my rent is $200 a month. I am very happy
I'm glad you're happy, honestly! However, I think you and I have different objectives here in Cambodia. Nothing wrong with that. Everyone has different goals and outlooks on life, and that's okay. I want to do something I can't do in America - for $1800/month, I can live a much better lifestyle than I did in the USA for $5,000 per month. Sure, I could live on even less money than I do, but instead, for a fraction of the price in America, I can actually live BETTER than I did in America. That's my goal.
As I said right away in the intro, this video isn't geared towards people trying to live as cheaply as possible. The intended audience is people like me, who want to live at least as good as in the West (if not better), for a fraction of the price compared to their home country.
In the meanwhile, if you're very happy where you are, that's cool too. There's nothing wrong with each of us being happy with different things.
I hope you have a nice day and good time in Cambodia!
I don't know you sound pretty grumpy.. to me
Hi Cambodians, pls help, i have recieved job offer as assistant professor in it computer sciences, i will shift to Cambodia from india with family of 4, including 2 school going children, will rent 2 bhk rooms house in Phnom city, will also need to save money after taxes, what monthly salary i should ask from employer , thnks n pls help, salary in USD,,
I'm sorry, I don't know how much professors make!
@@SecondLifeTravels1 i m asking for what shd be a pg qualified engineer, officer, accountant etc shd earn to have good life with family of 4 in Cambodia from india, 3000??? or 3500 usd fine???
@@AmitPatel-cl6ou I don't know about your job and what it shoukd pay, but a family of four could live a Western lifestyle for $2k easily.
@@SecondLifeTravels1 that's the answer i needed, thnks dear, so my calculations as under
500 usd 1bhk rent in phone phen city
500 usd home food for family of 4
500 usd health insurance family
500 petty exp net gas electricity mobile water etc
500 salary tax at 20 prcnt
1000 savings for future
500 school fees 2 children
So total 4000 usd per month
So i will demand 3900 usd per month
So i will not accept if it's less than 2500 usd monthly
Right what do you think sir??
@@AmitPatel-cl6ou You shoukd definitely be able to get in under $2500 per month.
Rent is Pretty expensive.
That's how much an American-style apartment costs.
I had an apartment in an old French colonial building about two blocks from the river, and I paid $140 a month. That's my style. I guess I was trying to get away from western-style living.
@@rogermichaelwillis6425 Nothing wrong with that! Glad you're loving your lifestyle!
@@SecondLifeTravels1 I'm in Istanbul now, but I'm considering moving back to Cambodia.
Smartest thing you can do is sell that motor cycle before you get injured. Signed, long term multiple motorcycle owner ! LEARN from us dinosaurs my friend... it is INEVITABLE⚠
It’s cheap there
Compared to the USA, yes.
@@SecondLifeTravels1 you got that right lol I use to travel there’ six times a year doing charity love it 😊
A single guy doesn’t need a 2-bdrm. apt. How much in the Russian area for a 1-bdrm. apt?
$400 for a decent one.
@@SecondLifeTravels1 - Thanks
Any thing for 60?
@@JP-kk2pu I don't know. If so, I doubt you'd want to live there.
@@JP-kk2pu lol if your looking for a 60 month apt you should just stay home...
Just got to Phnom Penh. Compared to Thailand food and goods about 2x-3x higher. Rent is higher. Unfortunately. Note that is Covid-19 times
I can confidently say that food is about the same as Thailand at the local markets. Rent is higher for luxury condos, but not apartments. Manufacturered goods are more expensive here.
@@SecondLifeTravels1 what is the difference between a condo to rent and an apartment?
@@kets4443 Condos are fancy, shiny high-rise skyscrapers. Apartments are just apartments.
@@SecondLifeTravels1 thanks
why don't you go back to USA if you want a real western lifestyle. I prefer living like everyone else in Cambodia. you cannot have both..guess what they already figured this out. the Gov. I mean.
I have both, and for 1/3 the price of if I lived in the USA. :)
Can I hit u up on email I have a question about medication and I was seeing if u could ask next time at the pharmacy lmk thanks man love ur vids just found u !!
Just go ahead and ask here.
200 a month for electricity is a lot!
Very true.
ui ui... someone who stays honest while you find 100s of gossips on YT... who all claim you could live well with $1000 a month....
You can definitely live in Phnom Penh for $1,000 per month, but you won't be living a life of luxury, to say the least.
@@SecondLifeTravels1 and I thought so... but let's leave that... with 1000.- $ or even only 500.- may go, only I don't call it LIVING... I call it SURVIVING... 😉
@@zeus9931 and if you live like locals maybe you can survive for $300 a month too lol..