Cambodia

Cambodia Fast Facts

Laotian field and peopl

Population: 15,762,370
Capital City: Phnom Penh
Climate: Tropical

cambodia temple with monks

Language(s): Khmer
International Dialing Code: +855
Prime Minister: Hun Sen

The Kingdom Of Cambodia

Reviewed by Lief Simon

Lief Simon is the managing editor of Global Property Advisor, Simon Letter, and Offshore Living Letter. He has purchased more than 45 properties, investing in 23 different countries around the world.

The Kingdom of Cambodia, on the Indochina Peninsula is blessed with beautiful lakes, rivers, mountains and forests. But aside from natural beauty and the enticing cost of living, Cambodia’s real draw is its people.

After decades of war and continuing poverty, the Khmers have somehow managed to keep smiling. They’re warm, welcoming, and infectiously optimistic.

Cambodia’s enchanting culture and Buddhist ethos underpin its peoples’ relaxed, live-and-let-live way of life, and there are many reasons more and more people choose it as their retirement destination.

Capital Phnom Penh, known as “The Pearl Of Asia,” is truly a national treasure.

Founded by the French in the 1920s, this city is a vibrant mix of colonial European and Asian cultures. It’s said to be the best example of French Colonial architecture in Indochina and is the economic, cultural, historical, and industrial heart of the country.

For many, Cambodia’s super-low cost of living is the main reason to relocate here. It helps that your cash is king here, too—the U.S. dollar is widely accepted in Cambodia.

For sure, this is one of the cheapest overseas destinations we recommend, and has arguably the lowest cost of living in all the Southeast Asian destinations we cover.

Many expats claim to be able to live on less than US$5 a day, easily and comfortably.

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From the devotional triumph that is Angkor Wat to the cruelty of the Khmer Rouge regime, Cambodia’s history has always loomed large.

But, today, a new Cambodia is emerging. It’s now being hailed as “Thailand 20 years ago” by many expats and foreign visitors.

It’s true—stunning, pristine, white-sand beaches hold up against any in Thailand, but are completely undeveloped, unlike Thailand. Aside from development, the cost of living is likewise comparable to Thailand of the 1990s.

On the other hand, Cambodia is far more comfortable than Thailand would have been in the 90s. English is becoming more widely spoken… golf courses and malls more prevalent… and international schooling options beginning to proliferate.

An inspiring revival is underway as Cambodians rediscover their ancient culture. One which the Khmer Rouge sought to wipe out in a maniacal bid to drag the nation back to “year zero.” The country’s art, food, dance, religion, and music are once again thriving—and the world is taking notice.

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The Cheapest Place In The World To Live Well?

Cambodia is quickly coming of age on the Southeast Asian tourism scene, enjoying annual double-digit increases in international tourist arrivals every year this millennium.

Cambodia has a lot to offer, from a rich culture to accommodating and gentle Buddhist hospitality, great food, and, best of all, possibly the lowest prices of any country in the world.

The country is positioned right where we want it. All amenities you could want and decent infrastructure but low prices because it’s still mostly undiscovered.

Electricity is reliable, international cable television is available cheap, the internet works, the water flows…

Sihanoukville (sometimes affectionately called “Snookyville”) is the oldest and largest seaside resort city in Cambodia with eight gorgeous beaches.

The allure of unspoiled and beautiful islands just leads many tourists to transit quickly through the city and jump on a boat to those offshore points where they can party the night away. Koh Rong, Koh Rong Samloem, Koh Ta Kiev, and Koh Thmei are the most popular islands, with Koh Rong being only 30 minutes from Sihanoukville by boat. Most of that group are younger backpackers on a party vacation.

In fact, Sihanoukville is home to a large expat population. Thousands of mostly French and American expats call this city home.

The big draw? It’s the cost of living and the great beaches.

Cambodia is probably the cheapest place to live not only in Southeast Asia but perhaps in the world.

Living in Cambodia, you’ll find a noticeable absence of red tape and rules, which can be both good and bad.

The beauty of Sihanoukville’s city center is it’s large enough to have everything you could need yet small enough to retain a provincial feel. No hustle or bustle, no traffic jams, and no huge crowds to deal with. The Sihanoukville International Clinic is situated in the center and has a competent team of English-speaking care providers.

The big draw, again, though, is the coastline. Surrounding Sihanoukville are eight white-sand beaches stretching along 25 kms of coast.

The northernmost beach, Victory Beach (locally known as Mlop Chrey), is frequented mostly by locals. Victory is also one point of embarkation for travel to Koh Rong by fast ferry.

Next comes Hawaii Beach (Ratanak locally), followed by Independence and Sokha beaches, each with its own local flavor.

Otres Beach is a collection of beach huts stretching for about 1 km, about 20 minutes from the center of Sihanoukville. Most of the huts are large restaurants and bars with indoor seating plus beachfront lounges along the narrow beach. The big attraction here is the daytime peace and calm. However, come evening, this becomes a party beach.

Serendipity and Ochheuteal, connecting beaches in the southwest of the city center, are the most developed and popular among foreign visitors.

On the whole, Sihanoukville strikes just the right balance between world-class white-sand beaches and the amenities of a city, including quality dining and shopping at the lowest prices in the region.

Plus, the climate is pleasant year-round.

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