Considering move to siem reap from bkk after 12 years?

[Paulinho]

Will keep this brief.....  Ish. 

 

1. Been in bkk for 10+ years. From UK. Lived central bkk whole time. 

2. Had company here but closed down as was not doing well and expensive to run. 10k usd + a year. 

3. Will admit. Am bored of living in a 1 bed Condo in a middle of city. 

4. Have spent some time elsewhere in bkk but this has been my base. 

5. Visa. I have options but costs are Indeed high. I don't do visa exempt. Always get tvs or when had company had non imm b

6. Am tired of bangkok. The vista, no nature or parks really (ok lumphini and Queen sirikit). But generally it is road's and Condos and malls. Of course I'm blinkered and I love the country. But its an issue now with visas and tired of spending time on that. Want a year or so away...... I know many places to live here but feel a move away is now timely. 

7. Nothing bad to say regarding thais. I've lived here a long while and it's comfortable. Can read write and speak basically. Would stay but something telling me to try some where else for a while... 

 

However........ 

 

1. Zest for living here has gone bit like when I lived in London after 15 years just got weary and bored. Am from UK. 

 

2. Would love to stay thailand but feel like with the whole expense and issues with visa, work permits it might be good to take a step back for a while. 

 

3. Cambodia. Have been many times. Only PP. As many have said it is a hustling city and I lived there for a month but found it hard work. 

 

4. I read the SR forums and maybe I'm being wishful, but I have a feeling that it might be a place to try for a while. 

 

What I want... 

 

1. A house. No more Condo for a while. Garden. Cat. Kitchen. Found some nice places on Sr real estate on FB

2. Close to markets where I can buy just basic stuff. I am vegetarian. I could always get stuff sent from BKK also. 

3. Just a peaceful area away from pub street tourists (no issue but just want to be in a Khmer type area and away from glut of tuk tuks although am used to taxis in bkk lol so not that bothered if the guys are working just smile say no) 

4. Get more Involved with Khmer community, maybe volunteer, and maybe teach, whilst having time to work on personal projects I. E. Online work. 

5. Gym. Nature. Places to go for a bike ride weekend or trekking. 

 

I'm in late 40s and single no responsibilities. 

 

I guess I'm hoping for a reboot of sorts. Don't imagine it will be SReap forever but if I can tick the above then I would give it a go. Learn basic Khmer and live a less hectic life than central BKK. 

 

What are your thoughts? I know how to avoid scams to some extent having lived asoke area for a long while. 

 

Just want a Walden pond for a while. 

 

Any advice appreciated. Not so much thailand vs Cambodia, more like positive solutions regarding a sort of retreat in SR. Or if this life is possible. I feel it is. Go there and see is a bit of an issue as I would rather just make a decision and give it a go. Rent out apartment here. Pack up and just go for it. Else need get a Thai visa again from PP and come back pack up. All a bit on the fence that. I have about a month to do the research and pack up here and go with at least a 6 month trial.... If it doesn't feel right taken it from there. 

 

I've checked and there seem some interesting businesses and more nature based activities and I feel like I could get more involved with the expat and local scene. And maybe better and easier to find work opportunities than in bangkok. 

 

Many thanks 

 

Sheryl? 

 

P. S. If anyone wants to jump in with places in VN that checks the 'what I want' list then that would be appreciated. I am considering VN also..... 

 

 

Edited September 21, 2018 by Paulinho
Addendum

[Sheryl]

I will let others say more on the specifics of Siem Reap as I have not lived there.  Though for sure buying fresh veggies is no problem and there are also plenty of restaurants with vevetarian options.

 

But you need to consider what visa you will get as long term visas as not quite as easy as they used to be. There are now 2 main categories, a business visa for which you need a work permit and a retirement visa for which you usually  need to be aged 50 or over.

 

For the business visa you do not need work permit for the first extension but will on subsequent ones. That is to allow people time to look for work. Need to enter on a regular, not tourist, visa then get 1 year extension.

 

I'm not sure how one goes about getting work permit if self employed but there is a way as plenty of foreign entrepreneurs in Cambodia.

[DILLIGAD]

I have quite a few trips to SR and like it too. It’s more ‘International’ because of the vast array of tourists.

My main concern would be medical services. I used to live not too far from the Cambodian border and Thai hospitals there, were packed with Cambodians. There must be a reason for that (unless its now changed for the better?)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Paulinho]

16 minutes ago, DILLIGAD said:

I have quite a few trips to SR and like it too. It’s more ‘International’ because of the vast array of tourists.

My main concern would be medical services. I used to live not too far from the Cambodian border and Thai hospitals there, were packed with Cambodians. There must be a reason for that (unless its now changed for the better?)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Yes. That's also a factor. Appreciate your point there. Thanks. 

[Paulinho]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

I will let others say more on the specifics of Siem Reap as I have not lived there.  Though for sure buying fresh veggies is no problem and there are also plenty of restaurants with vevetarian options.

 

But you need to consider what visa you will get as long term visas as not quite as easy as they used to be. There are now 2 main categories, a business visa for which you need a work permit and a retirement visa for which you usually  need to be aged 50 or over.

 

For the business visa you do not need work permit for the first extension but will on subsequent ones. That is to allow people time to look for work. Need to enter on a regular, not tourist, visa then get 1 year extension.

 

I'm not sure how one goes about getting work permit if self employed but there is a way as plenty of foreign entrepreneurs in Cambodia.

Thanks Sheryl for the info. 

 

OK,  so the entry is on the ordinary visa. How long does that last before I extend for a year to business visa whilst looking for work opportunities for this period? 

 

Thanks 

 

PAULINHO

[Sheryl]

The initial visa is for 1 month. Within that month, get a 1 year extension. Many travel agents and guest houses can handle it for you for only around $5 extra.

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Paulinho]

1 minute ago, Sheryl said:

The initial visa is for 1 month. Within that month, get a 1 year extension. Many travel agents and guest houses can handle it for you for only around $5 extra.

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Thanks. Very helpful, Sheryl. 

 

P

[RisBkk]

Just for your information. Initial Visa before applying for a 6 months or 1 year Business Visa,  must be an E-Visa. If you enter with a regular Tourist visa, then you will not be able to apply for a 1 year Business Visa. 

 

A 1 month tourist Visa can be extended by another month. After that you need leave country and may enter again and restart process.

 

A good option is also to divide time between Bangkok and Siem Reap. Base yourself on a 1 year Visa in Siem Reap and just book a cheap flight with Air Asia anytime you feel like (3 daily flights) and spend time in Thailand until you have had enough and head back to quietness of Siem Reap. Also, Siem Reap is only a 50 minutes flight from Sihanoukville airport and from there its 40 minutes by speedboat to some fantastic island. 

 

 

[bkk6060]

SR is nice for a few days but is truly a major tourist spot now especially for Chinese.

It might be OK for a short time and I know you are looking for a reboot, but I think it is kind of a bore.

You have Pub street which is the main entertainment area but only takes about 10 minutes to walk around.

The Wat but nothing that will keep your interest.

Then what??

It is a 180 from BKK I personally could never live in SR.

Maybe go there and stay in a hotel for a week.  I bet you will be flying back to Thailand after that.

Edited October 1, 2018 by bkk6060

[catman20]

go for it, i hear what your saying, try it if it dont work out, you can always come back, sounds like you have nothing to lose. good luck.

[catman20]

On 10/1/2018 at 1:37 PM, bkk6060 said:

SR is nice for a few days but is truly a major tourist spot now especially for Chinese.

It might be OK for a short time and I know you are looking for a reboot, but I think it is kind of a bore.

You have Pub street which is the main entertainment area but only takes about 10 minutes to walk around.

The Wat but nothing that will keep your interest.

Then what??

It is a 180 from BKK I personally could never live in SR.

Maybe go there and stay in a hotel for a week.  I bet you will be flying back to Thailand after that.

Maybe go there and stay in a hotel for a week.  I bet you will be flying back to Thailand after that.

 

good advice.

[martijn12345]

Just wondering, if you love Thailand... Have you considered other places in the country? I personally love Thailand as well, but BKK not so much. Yes it's got the best shopping, the best nightlife, the most choice in restaurants. But like you said... ALL THAT CONCRETE. I don't mind to visit there but always happy to leave again.

Have you considered Chiang Mai, or say a place like Hua Hin or Phuket. All will give you enough choices to not be bored, yet you can live in a house, close to a market and have a cat.

I know this does not solve the visa issues in any way, just interested why Cambodia instead of elsewhere in the LOS.

[captnhoy]

I agree with martijn12345. What does Cambodia offer that a quieter setting in Thailand does not? Especially considering your Thai language abilities. Or is the visa topic an issue as big as the Bangkok topic? I used to live here based on retirement. In my case it is easier to deal with a multi entry TV than to manage all the hoops to jump through for the annual extension of stay. But in my case I like spending some months in my home country each year. Sorry to stray off topic.

[1FinickyOne]

It sounds to me like you are describing some of the areas outside of Chiang Mai... Doi Saket or Mae Jo or others... even Lamphun... you speak Thai, like Thai people - - try someplace else in Northern Thai... you might like it alot. I do...

 

And yes, many years ago I moved from Bkk mostly because of lack of greenery... 

[Cisco]

Hanoi might tick the boxes for you. Sorry, don’t have anything to offer in the way of visa or accommodation info. Have been to SR a few times, including a combined trip with Hanoi last year. It’s OK. Very impressed with Hanoi. Good weather, bustling town...

 

 

[prakhonchai nick]

On 9/22/2018 at 10:03 AM, DILLIGAD said:

I have quite a few trips to SR and like it too. It’s more ‘International’ because of the vast array of tourists.

My main concern would be medical services. I used to live not too far from the Cambodian border and Thai hospitals there, were packed with Cambodians. There must be a reason for that (unless its now changed for the better?)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

The Thai private hospital in Surin (closest to the border from Cambodia) is still full every day with I would estimate 75/80% of patients Cambodian. There is a branch of the Bangkok hospital group in SR, but I have no knowledge of prices expertise etc.

 

 

[prakhonchai nick]

I came to live in Thailand 32 years ago. Originally Pattaya before it was developed, and now in Isaan, which suits me fine. Having been to SR some 30/40 times, if I could turn the clock back, and had Cambodia been "open" 32 years ago, I would be in Cambodia now, and not Thailand. 

 

Too late to change now. Settled here with family.

 

Good luck, but keep all options open.

 

[Sheryl]

The Thai private hospital in Surin (closest to the border from Cambodia) is still full every day with I would estimate 75/80% of patients Cambodian. There is a branch of the Bangkok hospital group in SR, but I have no knowledge of prices expertise etc.

 

 

Very expensive and very limited range.

 

Medical care in Cambidia is abyssmal and every Cambodian who can do so goes to either Thailand or Viet Nam for care. Be sure to have a health insurance policy that would med evac you to Thailand if necessary.

 

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

[phkauf]

If you are set on moving to Cambodia, I would suggest looking at Kampot or Kep. They are both on the coast and beautiful laid-backed small cities. Kampot has a small expat community and a relatively small tourist vibe, nothing like the hordes in SR. Kep used to be the beach resort of the Khmer Elite prior to the Khmer Rouge nightmare. There are some amazing modernist (60's) houses in various states of ruins in the town. 

It hasn't yet been taken over by the Chinese like Sikhanoukville.

[bkk6060]

Sihanoukville was the biggest disappointment of a place for me in all of Asia. I do not get it if one talks up the place.

Just a filthy hole with no clean up, casinos going up everywhere and large groups of Chinese absolutely no manners throwing crap everyplace.  Any time with a girl was twice or more then Thailand.

Anyone who says it is good probably went there 5 to 10 years ago.

I would go to SR any day before SV.

A joke. Avoid the place!

Edited October 4, 2018 by bkk6060

[KhunFred]

Cambodia could be a pleasant place to live but the access to world-class medical care does not exist there. This is important for many of us.

[4737 Carlin]

I lived in Cambodia for 5 years until very recently and really grew to hate the place - although I was in Phnom Penh. You might find what your looking for in the small seaside town of Vung Tau, south of HCM City, VN. It has a fast boat link to HCM for when you need to get back to the airport. Living costs are considerably lower than both Cambodia and Thailand. It has nice, long beaches and a quiet beach road for cycling/ exercise. The town is on a peninsula so has plenty of fresh sea air. It's one of most pleasant places I've visited in SEA.

[newnative]

On 10/1/2018 at 1:37 PM, bkk6060 said:

SR is nice for a few days but is truly a major tourist spot now especially for Chinese.

It might be OK for a short time and I know you are looking for a reboot, but I think it is kind of a bore.

You have Pub street which is the main entertainment area but only takes about 10 minutes to walk around.

The Wat but nothing that will keep your interest.

Then what??

It is a 180 from BKK I personally could never live in SR.

Maybe go there and stay in a hotel for a week.  I bet you will be flying back to Thailand after that.

   I agree.  My partner and I have been to SR twice and we like it--for a short visit.  But, would not want to live there for any length of time.  

[Ctkong]

3 hours ago, kenk24 said:

It sounds to me like you are describing some of the areas outside of Chiang Mai... Doi Saket or Mae Jo or others... even Lamphun... you speak Thai, like Thai people - - try someplace else in Northern Thai... you might like it alot. I do...

 

And yes, many years ago I moved from Bkk mostly because of lack of greenery... 

Just moving to the outskirt of Bangkok along the ring road will provide some greenery. I lived in a house in the prawet area near mega bangna . I have got birds chirping merrily away at my balcony early mornIng though I am not so keen about their droppings. Air quality is crisp too in the early morning. Minutes away from downtown and airport. 

[freebyrd]

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Very ecoensive and very limited range.

Medical care in Cambidia is abyssmal and every Camboduan who can do so goes to either Thailand or Viet Nam for care. Be sure to have a health insurance policy that woukd med evac you to Thailand if necessary.

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

 

Sheryl, some of the ideas on here regarding medical care are becoming rather archaic. I live in PP and had a serious stroke last year. The Sunrise Japan hospital on the other side of the river gave me great service. Ove 3 decades I've had the dubious 'honour' of being hospitalised in Thailand, The Philippines and Cambodia and Sunrise was far and away the best hospital I've experienced and in relative terms not that expensive. Bad medical advice and incorrect doses of meds at Bangkok Hospital in BKK over a period of 10 years contributed to the stroke which has left me disabled.

 

As for Siem Reap, we used to go every Xmas but of course it's crowded with Chinese and other Asians now, the behaviour of  Koreans and Thais is just as bad as the Chinese. We are going at Xmas this year for the first time in 3 years and I have booked a high end hotel so that we can keep exterior visits to a minimum, supermarkets and little else I hope.

 

I have a friend visiting next March and we will take him to SR because naturally he wants to see Angkor Wat. My wife and daughter will take him to the Wat while I chill out at the hotel with a good book. Visits to other must see locations will of course be on the agenda so he can get his fill. We did think at one time that we would move to SR eventually and enjoy all those things the OP is pining for, but that is history now.

 

All that said, as always, one man's meat.....

Edited October 4, 2018 by freebyrd

[freebyrd]

41 minutes ago, 4737 Carlin said:

I lived in Cambodia for 5 years until very recently and really grew to hate the place - although I was in Phnom Penh. You might find what your looking for in the small seaside town of Vung Tau, south of HCM City, VN. It has a fast boat link to HCM for when you need to get back to the airport. Living costs are considerably lower than both Cambodia and Thailand. It has nice, long beaches and a quiet beach road for cycling/ exercise. The town is on a peninsula so has plenty of fresh sea air. It's one of most pleasant places I've visited in SEA.

 

I've been here in PP for 12 years and it suits me OK, but then I don't really like beaches and as always one man's meat.....

[freebyrd]

1 hour ago, KhunFred said:

Cambodia could be a pleasant place to live but the access to world-class medical care does not exist there. This is important for many of us.

 

Not true, Sunrise Japan Hospital on the other side of the river. Fixed me last year when I had a serious stroke.

[freebyrd]

4 hours ago, catman20 said:

Maybe go there and stay in a hotel for a week.  I bet you will be flying back to Thailand after that.

 

good advice.

 

On 10/1/2018 at 1:37 PM, bkk6060 said:

SR is nice for a few days but is truly a major tourist spot now especially for Chinese.

It might be OK for a short time and I know you are looking for a reboot, but I think it is kind of a bore.

You have Pub street which is the main entertainment area but only takes about 10 minutes to walk around.

The Wat but nothing that will keep your interest.

Then what??

It is a 180 from BKK I personally could never live in SR.

Maybe go there and stay in a hotel for a week.  I bet you will be flying back to Thailand after that.

 

A week may be a long time in politics but when it comes to settling down to live, not so. To get to really know anywhere you would need at least 3 months. That said, I live in Phnom Penh (I know sh****le right ????) again not so. I've been here 12 years where I expect to see the incinerator - eventually ????. I did think about moving to Siem Reap eventually and while it is a good bolt hole for us for a few days once or twice a year, that plan is in file 13 now.

 

All that said, one man' meat......

[prakhonchai nick]

Unless you fly, SR to Surin is far easier and quicker than SR to Phnom Penh. If the Japanese hospital is a good as you say, it is somewhat strange than most of the Cambodian cars in Surin (of which there are a lot every day) have PP number plates.

[freebyrd]

40 minutes ago, prakhonchai nick said:

Unless you fly, SR to Surin is far easier and quicker than SR to Phnom Penh. If the Japanese hospital is a good as you say, it is somewhat strange than most of the Cambodian cars in Surin (of which there are a lot every day) have PP number plates.

 

Sometimes it takes a while for people to get in the know. Personally I'm glad not everyone knows about Sunrise, since opening 2 years ago it now has 30,000+ members. Cambodians are Asian too remember and will often take a cheaper option, perhaps because they want to save that money and own a car, which I don't bother with.

 

And as always, one man's meat.....