Potential Newbie Asks Open-Ended Question....

[RstephenB]

American expat moved to Chiang Mai from West Coast in August. I am staying until February and than looking at other locales that may offer a more welcoming longterm visa option than currently exists here in Thailand. My initial spot to check out is Medellin, Colombia but I just joined this site and am interested in hearing from others about their thoughts, reactions or recommendations as I gather input. I will most likely rent for 6 months to check it out and am most interested in either Sihanukville or Phnom Penh. I will be checking out Siem Reap all this week also. I'm not driving here because it craziness and the whole scooter thing is just not going to work for me. I want a vibrant expat and local arts community and social outlets beyond getting tanked every day at 4 p.m. at the local watering hole....well, maybe once in a while...ha! FYI, I am a gay man in his mid-50's who is single after many years and enjoys all sorts of people so not looking to minit myself to that scene at all. If you came from the U.S., I'd be especially interested in your acclimation to S.E. Asia and especially to Cambodia. Thanks.

[pedros]

Columbia.

[gavinmac]

I don't think Sihanoukville has much of an arts scene, but the Phnom Penh Players might have an opening.

[scobienz]

This is Questions and Answers so let's give the guy some useful information please.

For me it would have to be Phnom Penh. As GM says I doubt Shv has much of a gay scene or an arts scene. The OP would find both in Phnom Penh. The visas are of course very easy. To be any more helpful we would need more specific questions.

[MONEYBACKGUARANTEE]

American expat moved to Chiang Mai from West Coast in August. I am staying until February and than looking at other locales that may offer a more welcoming longterm visa option than currently exists here in Thailand. My initial spot to check out is Medellin, Colombia but I just joined this site and am interested in hearing from others about their thoughts, reactions or recommendations as I gather input. I will most likely rent for 6 months to check it out and am most interested in either Sihanukville or Phnom Penh. I will be checking out Siem Reap all this week also. I'm not driving here because it craziness and the whole scooter thing is just not going to work for me. I want a vibrant expat and local arts community and social outlets beyond getting tanked every day at 4 p.m. at the local watering hole....well, maybe once in a while...ha! FYI, I am a gay man in his mid-50's who is single after many years and enjoys all sorts of people so not looking to minit myself to that scene at all. If you came from the U.S., I'd be especially interested in your acclimation to S.E. Asia and especially to Cambodia. Thanks.

The arts in Cambodia exist in only the most perfunctory way. Colombia has WAY more to offer in terms of art and culture. Meaningful conversation with Khmers is rare, even if you speak Khmer. You can probably have more interesting conversations in a week in Medellín than you'd have in a year in Sihanoukville.

[johnnyj]

there appears to be a pretty active gay scene in Siem Reap, both locals and Expats - not being a part of that club I'm not sure how big, got a few mates who do move in those circles and apparently its pretty vibrant.

[PJC]

Arts scene would have to be SR or PP - Sville is full of Russian mafia and unexplained deaths. Don't really know much abt SR but for sure there are several photographers and painters - you didn't say which kind of arts. PP has a wide range, including writers (ahem). Gay scene - I think both PP and SR.

You didn't mention what you plan to do for a living. Not that you need to, but it might matter.

Read the Phnom Penh Weekly. Everyone should read the Phnom Penh Weekly. (Currently NOT on-line).

[johnnyj]

there appears to be a pretty active gay scene in Siem Reap, both locals and Expats - not being a part of that club I'm not sure how big, got a few mates who do move in those circles and apparently its pretty vibrant.

I forgot to mention, most of the ones I know are french leaning belgians - so the vibrancy might be brought into question.

[johnny lightning]

Since I live in SHV I can attest to the fact that there is no arts scene here. You would be sorely disappointed. There are, however, still several places where you can get 50 cent beers! SHV is sleepy and cheap, that's about all it has going for it other than it's proximity to the ocean, which is a bonus.

I have also been to Medellin, and while I do not know the extent of it's arts scene it is a nice place for the size and has good weather. Unless you speak Spanish you will not be having many conversation with the locals. Almost nobody speaks English in Colombia so unless you want to learn Spanish it may not be for you. I found that the single most off-putting factor in all of the country.

Good luck.

Johnny

[pedros]

Spanish is about a million times easier and useful to learn than khmer, though. And a hell of a lot more pleasant on the ear.

Wave your hands around enough and add 'os' 'as' 'ido' 'ero' y 'ena' on to the end of english words.

Muchas gracias cabrone, etcetero.

[Petrol Head]

Colombia. Sampling the local product won't make you pull a Mia Wallace.

[Miguelito]

Since I live in SHV I can attest to the fact that there is no arts scene here. You would be sorely disappointed. There are, however, still several places where you can get 50 cent beers! SHV is sleepy and cheap, that's about all it has going for it other than it's proximity to the ocean, which is a bonus.

I have also been to Medellin, and while I do not know the extent of it's arts scene it is a nice place for the size and has good weather. Unless you speak Spanish you will not be having many conversation with the locals. Almost nobody speaks English in Colombia so unless you want to learn Spanish it may not be for you. I found that the single most off-putting factor in all of the country.

I would agree with these assessments. You're really looking at two very different countries; aside from both having lots of leftover landmines splattered throughout their countries, and a similar latitude, these two countries have very little in common. You'll be hard pressed to find many English speakers in Bogota, let alone Medellin. Learning Spanish would be a must, whereas you can easily survive in Cambodia without Khmer.

I'll let others speak for the gay scenes in Cambodia, but I can tell you that it is more generally accepted in Southeast Asia than in South America, which is entirely Catholic. The beach/tourists areas there are typically more gay friendly, so perhaps take a look at Cartagena.

Based on the little amount of info that you gave, for Cambodia Phnom Penh will certainly offer you the most available recreational outlets.