Pros & Cons of Living in Cambodia in 2023

Every year, I ask myself the question of why I don’t live there yet - here’s what I came up with that has my decision swayed - for now.

Pros - Living in Southeast Asia

PRO: This beer only cost me $1 at a local corner store 🍺

• Cambodia has a low cost of living, making it an affordable place to live

  • Colorado Rent is INSANE and Cambodian rent (even for an American) is so much more cost effective

• Cambodia is a great place to learn new skills, with many opportunities to gain experience in a variety of industries such as becoming a digital nomad

  • Like I have in regard to writing blogs like this to encourage people to go there

• The country has a low crime rate, making it a safe place to live

  • Our experience in Cambodia has been nothing but pleasant and safe - more recommendations on travel tips can be found here

• Cambodian Culture is friendly and welcoming, making it easy to make friends and experience new things

• The country is full of natural beauty and ancient temples making it a great place to explore endlessly

Cons of Living in Cambodia

• Cambodia is still a developing country, meaning the infrastructure and public services may not be as well developed as other countries

  • After having been there 3 times since 2016 and again in 2022, the country has slowly been upgrading and improving it’s major city centers like in Siem Reap and parts of Phnom Penh

• The language barrier can be difficult to overcome if you are not familiar with the language

  • From our experience, 90% of people speak enough English to understand what you’re trying to say

• Healthcare in Cambodia is not as advanced as other countries, meaning medical treatment may not be as accessible

  • As someone living with complications from MS, it could be something to worry about, but it’s healthiest place in the world I’ve ever felt

• Cambodia is prone to natural disasters such as floods, meaning it is important to stay informed about the risks

  • I do usually only visit during the dry season, but sometimes you can’t travel during certain times of year…

• The country has a high poverty rate, meaning that there may be limited resources for some people

  • If you’re trying to make money off the locals with any creative services, I wouldn’t rely on it for your rent necessarily…