Greetings
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Greetings
Hello everyone!
I have just arrived in Cambodia with the intent of working here teaching English for a few months to a year. I moved over from Chiang Mai in Thailand where I had been living and teaching for 6 months.
My first impressions are that life is quite different here than in Thailand. I had visited Cambodia for a month last year and so I know a little about the place but I had expected it to be fairly similar to Thailand residentialy speaking. Firstly, rent is a LOT more expensive I did some research before coming of course but when I did I was quite surprised. In Chiang Mai you can rent a western apartment with all mod-cons for around 5,000THB (about $150) whereas i'm currently paying $250 for a 2 bed apartment (nowhere near the quality of my Thai apartment that I paid half this price for). I had more in Thailand for less! Further to accomodation i'm finding that the cost of living is generally a smidgeon more here than it was in Thailand. There are not many things that i've seen that costs LESS here than they do in Thailand. I read that inflation is driving costs up here but I don't buy it (no pun intended!). I think Cambodia may be costing itself out of a healthy expat influx. Is that the general feeling or am I off the mark? Personally i'm here to see Khmer culture and experience life in Khmer society but right now i'm missing Thailand and Thai culture I expect that to change as I come to terms with Khmer society and the Khmer psyche.
So, i'm teaching English in a Khmer High School at grade 12. I am currently in Phnom Penh but Iam open to a move to a province a little later down the line. I don't have a degree (had to work when I was at that age) but I do have a well-respected TEFL certificate and a decent level of grammatical knowledge, although there is always room for improvement there! I do not have a wealth of experience but that is something i'm gaining each week that I work. I am just learning that if you don't have salaried work here the Khmer public holidays can be a problem in terms of income and so I am keeping my eyes open for decent salaried positions. Are there any good websites out there for such a thing? Do Khmer schools use the internet for advertising or is it better to just turn up at schools with my certificates and CV in hand?
I am not so much of a party animal that I am out every night but so far I am missing a good western party place. Lots of those in Chiang Mai So are there any decent and not overly-priced places in which to throw some shapes to some kicking techno? I'm also interested in any other recommendations of things to do or places to go and see so any things you guys and gals might suggest will be greatly appreciated
I look forward to chatting to you all on the forums!
I have just arrived in Cambodia with the intent of working here teaching English for a few months to a year. I moved over from Chiang Mai in Thailand where I had been living and teaching for 6 months.
My first impressions are that life is quite different here than in Thailand. I had visited Cambodia for a month last year and so I know a little about the place but I had expected it to be fairly similar to Thailand residentialy speaking. Firstly, rent is a LOT more expensive I did some research before coming of course but when I did I was quite surprised. In Chiang Mai you can rent a western apartment with all mod-cons for around 5,000THB (about $150) whereas i'm currently paying $250 for a 2 bed apartment (nowhere near the quality of my Thai apartment that I paid half this price for). I had more in Thailand for less! Further to accomodation i'm finding that the cost of living is generally a smidgeon more here than it was in Thailand. There are not many things that i've seen that costs LESS here than they do in Thailand. I read that inflation is driving costs up here but I don't buy it (no pun intended!). I think Cambodia may be costing itself out of a healthy expat influx. Is that the general feeling or am I off the mark? Personally i'm here to see Khmer culture and experience life in Khmer society but right now i'm missing Thailand and Thai culture I expect that to change as I come to terms with Khmer society and the Khmer psyche.
So, i'm teaching English in a Khmer High School at grade 12. I am currently in Phnom Penh but Iam open to a move to a province a little later down the line. I don't have a degree (had to work when I was at that age) but I do have a well-respected TEFL certificate and a decent level of grammatical knowledge, although there is always room for improvement there! I do not have a wealth of experience but that is something i'm gaining each week that I work. I am just learning that if you don't have salaried work here the Khmer public holidays can be a problem in terms of income and so I am keeping my eyes open for decent salaried positions. Are there any good websites out there for such a thing? Do Khmer schools use the internet for advertising or is it better to just turn up at schools with my certificates and CV in hand?
I am not so much of a party animal that I am out every night but so far I am missing a good western party place. Lots of those in Chiang Mai So are there any decent and not overly-priced places in which to throw some shapes to some kicking techno? I'm also interested in any other recommendations of things to do or places to go and see so any things you guys and gals might suggest will be greatly appreciated
I look forward to chatting to you all on the forums!
Correct.Eturnal Youf wrote: Firstly, rent is a LOT more expensive I did some research before coming of course but when I did I was quite surprised. In Chiang Mai you can rent a western apartment with all mod-cons for around 5,000THB (about $150) whereas i'm currently paying $250 for a 2 bed apartment (nowhere near the quality of my Thai apartment that I paid half this price for). I had more in Thailand for less!
Correct.Eturnal Youf wrote: Further to accomodation i'm finding that the cost of living is generally a smidgeon more here than it was in Thailand.
You're off the mark. Cambodia is going for a higher class kind of expat than Thailand, that's all.Eturnal Youf wrote: There are not many things that i've seen that costs LESS here than they do in Thailand. I read that inflation is driving costs up here but I don't buy it (no pun intended!). I think Cambodia may be costing itself out of a healthy expat influx. Is that the general feeling or am I off the mark?
99% of Cambodia's expats are here for the culture too.Eturnal Youf wrote: Personally i'm here to see Khmer culture and experience life in Khmer society but right now i'm missing Thailand and Thai culture I expect that to change as I come to terms with Khmer society and the Khmer psyche.
Don't make it too hard on yourself, just go back to Chiang Mai when your money has run out.
As said above, 99% of expats are here for the culture. So we all go to Cambodian Karaoke Beer Gardens.Eturnal Youf wrote: ...
I am not so much of a party animal that I am out every night but so far I am missing a good western party place. Lots of those in Chiang Mai So are there any decent and not overly-priced places in which to throw some shapes to some kicking techno? I'm also interested in any other recommendations of things to do or places to go and see so any things you guys and gals might suggest will be greatly appreciated
I look forward to chatting to you all on the forums!
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Thanks for your reply.SunSan wrote:You're off the mark. Cambodia is going for a higher class kind of expat than Thailand, that's all.
With due respect I don't think I was off the mark What I mean/meant was that the (relatively) high costs are not soley down to inflation. That there was another reason, like the one that you have highlighted to me. That reason is an interesting one indeed. I wonder if it will work?? I guess in all countries there are different classes of expat. One lesson I learned early on in life is that those with more money are not necessarily "classier" people
How do you mean "too hard on yourself"? All is good here And if money did become an issue then I would be heading back to Japan, not ThailandSunSan wrote:99% of Cambodia's expats are here for the culture too.
Don't make it too hard on yourself, just go back to Chiang Mai when your money has run out.
Hehe sounds good I'll check it out! (even though i suspect you suggest that tongue in cheek! )SunSan wrote:As said above, 99% of expats are here for the culture. So we all go to Cambodian Karaoke Beer Gardens.
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Damn right. Locals have very many fine qualities but conversely they are often stupidly rapacious. If you think the rental market is unrealistic, check the real estate prices.Eturnal Youf wrote:Firstly, rent is a LOT more expensive
Welcome to the board, btw.
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Eturnal Youf wrote:Hehe sounds good I'll check it out! (even though i suspect you suggest that tongue in cheek! )SunSan wrote:As said above, 99% of expats are here for the culture. So we all go to Cambodian Karaoke Beer Gardens.
The dude is smart - he'll fit in
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i got a 3 bedroom house for $150, you just need to not live directly in the city, PP aint so big so even if you do live all the way south of the map like me it still only takes 10-15 mins to get into town, no biggy and i got a whole house to myself, far.fucking.out!Eturnal Youf wrote:'m currently paying $250 for a 2 bed apartment (nowhere near the quality of my Thai apartment that I paid half this price for)
Everything gets imported through thailand or vietnam so basically there is a double markup and prices here, the result is a generally higher price level since very little is locally made other than food and textile. This won't change until there is enough scale and proper infrastructure to import directly.Eturnal Youf wrote:There are not many things that i've seen that costs LESS here than they do in Thailand. I read that inflation is driving costs up here but I don't buy it (no pun intended!).
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Thanks very much and yes i've had a little look around and right now I have no interest in investing here too much. It's inflated with no apparent reason as to whykeeping_it_riel wrote:Damn right. Locals have very many fine qualities but conversely they are often stupidly rapacious. If you think the rental market is unrealistic, check the real estate prices.Eturnal Youf wrote:Firstly, rent is a LOT more expensive
Welcome to the board, btw.
From the little i've seen so far "smart" doesn't quite describe goings on in Phnom Penh. So yeah I think i'll definately fit in lolandyinasia wrote:Eturnal Youf wrote:Hehe sounds good I'll check it out! (even though i suspect you suggest that tongue in cheek! )SunSan wrote:As said above, 99% of expats are here for the culture. So we all go to Cambodian Karaoke Beer Gardens.
The dude is smart - he'll fit in
Wow that's great! Well now I have a place (with 3 month contract) I have some time to look about and get my bearings. I'm in BKK3 at the moment so I think a little shopping around will do wonders.Captain Bonez wrote:i got a 3 bedroom house for $150, you just need to not live directly in the city, PP aint so big so even if you do live all the way south of the map like me it still only takes 10-15 mins to get into town, no biggy and i got a whole house to myself, far.fucking.out!Eturnal Youf wrote:'m currently paying $250 for a 2 bed apartment (nowhere near the quality of my Thai apartment that I paid half this price for)
Yes i've noticed this. I've bought a few bits and pieces in the markets and they tell me it's more expensive because it's from Thailand. I say that I know because i've seen it there and at half the price they're selling it for As you say I think a lot of what i'm seeing is due to a lack of quality and infrastructure here. Once that is established it will be easier to provide quality at lower prices. I guess I just assumed it would be cheaper here due to being less developed and wealthy. Well, we lives and we learns!wobbly wrote:Everything gets imported through thailand or vietnam so basically there is a double markup and prices here, the result is a generally higher price level since very little is locally made other than food and textile. This won't change until there is enough scale and proper infrastructure to import directly.Eturnal Youf wrote:There are not many things that i've seen that costs LESS here than they do in Thailand. I read that inflation is driving costs up here but I don't buy it (no pun intended!).
Wine and top shelf spirits are a lot cheaper in Cambodia.
Decent western restaurants are better value as well.
If you are a teacher then this cost benefit might not be applicable to you.
Decent western restaurants are better value as well.
If you are a teacher then this cost benefit might not be applicable to you.
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Why don't you buy it? That's the same reason costs go up wherever you are on the planet.Eturnal Youf wrote: I read that inflation is driving costs up here but I don't buy it (no pun intended!).
Less developed = worse infrastructure/ higher transport bills/higher utilities bills/etc = higher costs.I guess I just assumed it would be cheaper here due to being less developed and wealthy.
What's a Khmer High School? Don't they have any ethnic Chinese or Vietnamese there?So, i'm teaching English in a Khmer High School at grade 12.
What were you doing in Japan? Can you teach there without a degree?I would be heading back to Japan, not Thailand
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I think $11 for a case of becks is the best deal on beer in the city
I'm always a little surprised when people say Cambodia is more expensive than Thailand.. I pay $160-170/4800 baht for a HUGE 2-story apartment in the center of PP with a nice balcony. Last apartment I had in Bangkok (way out in Rachada) I paid 4500 baht for a tiny room. I have never spent less money anywhere in asia than I do in Cambodia. Please elaborate guys.. What's so expensive here?
I usually spend somewhere between $600-1200 a month. INCLUDING rent, electricity, water, parking, eating out several times a week and drinking beer all day, EVERY single day. AND I travel around in Cambodia whenever I feel like it. I'm sure I could spend a lot more if I really tried, but I'm absolutely not "living on the cheap" either. What do you guys spend money on anyway?
I mean the most important everyday things in life - like beer is way cheaper(*) over here. And you can get 1L of Gin for $4/120baht.
(*Anchor 0.70c/20 baht in the supermarket (or $11/330baht for a case+2 delivered!!), Zorok 0.45c/13.5 baht.. The cheapest you'll find in Bangkok is what? 35-40 baht a bottle/can?)
Edited : everything in red
I usually spend somewhere between $600-1200 a month. INCLUDING rent, electricity, water, parking, eating out several times a week and drinking beer all day, EVERY single day. AND I travel around in Cambodia whenever I feel like it. I'm sure I could spend a lot more if I really tried, but I'm absolutely not "living on the cheap" either. What do you guys spend money on anyway?
I mean the most important everyday things in life - like beer is way cheaper(*) over here. And you can get 1L of Gin for $4/120baht.
(*Anchor 0.70c/20 baht in the supermarket (or $11/330baht for a case+2 delivered!!), Zorok 0.45c/13.5 baht.. The cheapest you'll find in Bangkok is what? 35-40 baht a bottle/can?)
Edited : everything in red
Last edited by doktor_d on Tue May 03, 2011 7:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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fucking money bags heredoktor_d wrote:I'm always a little surprised when people say Cambodia is more expensive than Thailand.. I pay 4800 for a HUGE 2-story apartment in the center of PP with a nice balcony. Last apartment I had in Bangkok (way out in Rachada) I paid 4500 for a tiny room. I have never spent less money anywhere in asia than I do in Cambodia. Please elaborate guys.. What's so expensive here?