fastlearnesl wrote:I will be moving to Phnom Penh sometime over the next year. This is to work teaching ESL.
My research has revealed to me that the average entry level ESL Job which only requires a TEFL certification, pays around $1200-$1500 a month.
My research has shown me that the following are the main financial necessities while thriving in Cambodia.
The pricing is based on one month.
Apartment = $200-$350 (outside of city center)
Utilities = $100
Food = $150
Transportation = $100 plus gas (Moped)
Total = around $650 per month
My goal is not to get rich teaching English. But I desire to save a solid percentage of my income. Based on the prices above it looks like I can save around $500 per month.
What is everyones thoughts on this? Is there anything I'm missing, or anything I should know?
It is actually for the most part a sensible budget, your bills shouldn't be that high unless you are murdering the AC should be more around $50. If you are cooking at home or eating local restaurants the food budget is doable but not much left for western treats if you miss them (you will)
However, you are missing the any entertainment at all, it would be a depressing life to live without any of that.
Even if you don't do the usual teacher route of full blown alcoholism, hookers and meth addiction you would at least want to have some trips away from the city to other places of this beautiful country. A few coffees on a weekend see some entertainment, visit a swimming pool in the hot season, going to a gym?
Also you forgot your insurance thats $1000 up front for the year, plus your annual visa renewal, maybe even having to pay for your work permit.
Perhaps you should invest in a semi decent bicycle, you will save money on motos a one time purchase of a decent road bike would be about $150 and can then also have a few bike rides out of the city to save you from insanity.
oh and don't fall in love with any Srey Sa'art, all your saving plans will go out of the window
[quote="fastlearnesl"]I will be moving to Phnom Penh sometime over the next year. This is to work teaching ESL.
My research has revealed to me that the average entry level ESL Job which only requires a TEFL certification, pays around $1200-$1500 a month.
My research has shown me that the following are the main financial necessities while thriving in Cambodia.
The pricing is based on one month.
Apartment = $200-$350 (outside of city center)
Utilities = $100
Food = $150
Transportation = $100 plus gas (Moped)
Total = around $650 per month
My goal is not to get rich teaching English. But I desire to save a solid percentage of my income. Based on the prices above it looks like I can save around $500 per month.
What is everyones thoughts on this? Is there anything I'm missing, or anything I should know?[/quote]
It is actually for the most part a sensible budget, your bills shouldn't be that high unless you are murdering the AC should be more around $50. If you are cooking at home or eating local restaurants the food budget is doable but not much left for western treats if you miss them (you will)
However, you are missing the any entertainment at all, it would be a depressing life to live without any of that.
Even if you don't do the usual teacher route of full blown alcoholism, hookers and meth addiction you would at least want to have some trips away from the city to other places of this beautiful country. A few coffees on a weekend see some entertainment, visit a swimming pool in the hot season, going to a gym?
Also you forgot your insurance thats $1000 up front for the year, plus your annual visa renewal, maybe even having to pay for your work permit.
Perhaps you should invest in a semi decent bicycle, you will save money on motos a one time purchase of a decent road bike would be about $150 and can then also have a few bike rides out of the city to save you from insanity.
oh and don't fall in love with any Srey Sa'art, all your saving plans will go out of the window :-)