How much per month in Phnom Phen ?

[coollife99]

Hi,

How much needed in PP to live confortable life,?

[Denim]

Comfortable.......2000 dollars 

 

Cheapest ......  500 dollars

 

Guesstimate. So many valuables.

[intheheartoftheheart]

Take this with a grain of salt, as I only spent three months there:

 

Had a 1br Airbnb in the 'nicest' building (there are only 3 or 4 nice buildings). Mine overlooked the casino. Rent was ~$1200 month, included daily cleaning and daily water deliveries. Beware the constant construction noise. 

 

Transport via Grab or PassApp tuktuks was 2 dollars for pretty much anywhere in town. $10 or so for a car anywhere. 

 

Beers and liquor were cheap if you avoid the bar fine bars. Not a huge drinker so can't compare to other Thai cities. Everyone said that the alcohol in Cambodia was watered down on purpose. 

Food at the one nice mall (Aeon) was 70% of BKK cost. Maybe a bit less.

For me, food was the issue. Cambodia hasn't had a chance to develop a real middle class, most local people eat at home, so the variety of street food you get in Thai, Vietnam, etc really isn't there. There's not a ton of variety, and what I had wasn't that interesting. Since PP and Cambodia are essentially Chinese colonies now, the best restaurants are the ones catering to the Chinese money launderers and their friends. Great if you can read a menu (most have pics if you need help). There's a new nice mall now, so maybe that will add some variety.

 

Other typical middle-class conveniences are coming to PP but slowly. One nice grocery (again at the Aeon). I am sure pharmacy stuff is cheap. I would prob not step into a PP hospital with any serious issues, but I am sure it is fine for minor stuff. 

 

$2000 noted above seems about spot on. 

[Destiny1990]

I wouldn’t want to live there even for free.

Name us one good thing about PP?

 

[tabarin]

A location monthly rentals from 200-300 with around 500 being really decent for 1 BR's. 
Other than that is up to you, low visa costs, low-zero transport costs, beers from 0.5 USD, cocktails 2-3 USD and food isn't expensive either + bread everywhere.

I'll hook you up with a good English speaking agent that does most moving expats if you send me a PM. Same for visa's.

[seasia]

Food in PP not an issue for me.

Restaurants there can match Thailand and better it,not that Thailand is much good with food.

I have been on more than one occasion to an Italian restaurant in PP that would take some beating in Italy

 

As to other foods, bread, far better, Thai bread is generally over sweet rubbish.

 

Street food I avoid in Thailand. 

 

 

[Sheryl]

You will need to define what you mean by comfortable. Also would you need a short term rental or be prepared to commit to a one year lease? As that mskes a difference to housing costs.

 

Housing and utilities are the the biggest costs so you need to define what you would consider as comfortable housing and in what location.

 

Cost in OP are soaring due to the Chinese influx.

 

At present rates I personally need around 3500 and that is cooking most of my own meals and almost never going out, but having a nice furnished 1 bedroom service apartment in BKK area with a/c etc and monthly rates. If able to sign a one year lease and willing to dispense with the serviced aspect (i.e. do your own cleaning or hire a maid) and all but really basic furnishing, and live further out/ in less nice areas could be brought down to around 2250 - 2500 plus initial investment in furnishings. If willing to live bare bones then of course less still. So please be specific.

 

Be aware that utility costs are very high here with higher premium for foreigners plus many landlords charge more than actual. So when looking at rents need to find out what the charge will be and factor that in. Not unusual for it to reach 25% of the rental cost.

 

Phnom Penh is not cheap and is getting more expensive all the time.

 

If you want to live inexpensively in Cambodia better to look at other locations.

 

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[OneMoreFarang]

11 hours ago, coollife99 said:

confortable

[phuketrichard]

Quote

At present rates I would need around 3250 - 3500 and that is cooking most of my own meals and almost never going out, but having a nice furnished 1 bedroom service apartment in BKK area with a/c etc and monthly rates.

Your joking,right,

great 1 bedroom serviced /furnished apts in PP or over the bridge from $400-700

Utilities $100-125/month

so ur spending $2,400- 2,700 on what???

 

Quote

live further out/ in less nice areas could be brought down to around 2250 - 2500 plus initial investment in furnishings.

Kampot, Kep, Siem Rep $500 will easily get you a 2 bedroom HOUSE semi furnished.

 

In PP with a 1 bedroom serviced apt, eating/night  out 3-4 nights/week,

$1,300-1,500 /month

 

 

but than ur trying to save 1 page in ur passport..... so i get it

 

 

[Des Pickable]

no matter how much you pay you wont escape the vile barking <deleted> thats all over every place and specialises in annoying farang/barang. all day every place you go it will drive you up the wall in no time at all

[BritManToo]

20 hours ago, Destiny1990 said:

I wouldn’t want to live there even for free.

Name us one good thing about PP?

 

Beer is 75c a glass and there are plenty of 'lady bars'.

That's two good things I just named.

 

No.3 you can order cannabis as a pizza topping.

[Destiny1990]

29 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Beer is 75c a glass and there are plenty of 'lady bars'.

That's two good things I just named.

 

No.3 you can order cannabis as a pizza topping.

How was that pizza? Anyway there has to be good reasons why Cambodia isn't even mentioned on that list with most popular Countries for expats. 

[phycokiller]

you can get nice one bedroom apartments in any area for $300, takes a bit of hunting tho as most arent so nice. I pay about $30 for power and water and cooking gas, but I dont use aircon. if your apartment is open at both ends you get a thru breeze which I prefer to aircon, but thats what I mean by having to hunt, most are stuffy closed in boxes that the asians seem to prefer. foods probably about the same as thailand except the street foods not worth eating so you dont have that cheaper option. 

[Sheryl]

you can get nice one bedroom apartments in any area for $300, takes a bit of hunting tho as most arent so nice. I pay about $30 for power and water and cooking gas, but I dont use aircon. if your apartment is open at both ends you get a thru breeze which I prefer to aircon, but thats what I mean by having to hunt, most are stuffy closed in boxes that the asians seem to prefer. foods probably about the same as thailand except the street foods not worth eating so you dont have that cheaper option. 

Not in "any area". In fact not any place I would call central anymore.

Rents have skyrocketed in past year due to the Chinese influx.

I just priced apartments -- simple 1-2 rooms for Cambodian family members and they also did a search. Constrained by needing a place that would rent for just 4 minths, in TTP and Boeung Trabek areas -- which are not the most expensive or upscale areas but also not the cheapest -- average rate for basic apartment was 450. Had they been in a position to sign full year lease would have been more choice and 50 - 75 less a month but they weren't hence my question to OP on that score. With difficulty and inside contacts they finally found a place for 350. Small, ultra tiny (hotel sized) refrigerator, no tv, no a/c in the bedroom, mimimal furnishing (no wardrobe etc). I doubt it would be consideted "comfortable" by most expats. I certainly wouldn't want to live there and they aren't too pleased either but can make do.

You may have a 300 lease now but may well find rent higher at renewal time. Just 3 years ago I was able to rent a furnished 1 BR in central location for 3 months for $250. No more, to put it mildly.

OP specifically asked about "living comfortably" and needs to define that.

If he means, as many would, fully furnished a/c in all rooms, washer/dryer, good sized refrigerator in good condition, fully equipped kitchen, nice TV etc then that is going to cost. If he means all that in say BKK area, even more so.

Can certainly reduce rent by living across a bridge or in outlying areas but trade off is terrible traffic and long commute if wanting to travel into town. If all he wants is roof over his head and meals and not concerned with location or wanting to go into town often then that doesn't matter. But then in that case why Phnom Penh at all, same money will get much nicer avcomodation elsewhete.

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[Sheryl]

On 9/6/2019 at 9:12 AM, phuketrichard said:

Your joking,right,

great 1 bedroom serviced /furnished apts in PP or over the bridge from $400-700

Utilities $100-125/month

so ur spending $2,400- 2,700 on what???

 

Kampot, Kep, Siem Rep $500 will easily get you a 2 bedroom HOUSE semi furnished.

 

In PP with a 1 bedroom serviced apt, eating/night  out 3-4 nights/week,

$1,300-1,500 /month

 

 

but than ur trying to save 1 page in ur passport..... so i get it

 

 

 

As I said - BKK area.  1 BR fully furnished service apartment short term rental (i.e. monthly not yearly rate) around $1500 (There are places are over $2000 but $1500 can be gotten. With a one year lease could probably get $1250). Utilities another $250. Food, travel etc the rest.

 

One can certainly rent much cheaper - by a factor of half or more - across the bridge or in more outlying areas of the city. But traffic in PP now rivals that of Bkk (dramatically worse than even 2 months ago) and coming in from those areas is a pretty awful trek especially if you need to do it daily and during peak rush hours.

 

I have the option of living rent free in Chbar Ampov. I've never taken it because it would mean 3 hours a day sitting in stalled traffic  on work days and I'd nto be near any of the places I like on weekends.

 

OP needs to define his idea of "comfortable" and also address location requirements and length of lease. 

 

For some people "comfortable" just means 4 walls and a roof that doesn't leak and running water. For others it means an attractive 1-32 bedroom apartment with doorman/reception, full furnishing in good repair, dishwasher, washer/dryer, pool, parking space etc etc. And everything in between.

[phycokiller]

3 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Not in "any area". In fact not any place I would call central anymore.

Rents have skyrocketed in past year due to the Chinese influx.

I just priced apartments -- simple 1-2 rooms for Cambodian family members and they also did a search. Constrained by needing a place that would rent for just 4 minths, in TTP and Boeung Trabek areas -- which are not the most expensive or upscale areas but also not the cheapest -- average rate for basic apartment was 450. Had they been in a position to sign full year lease would have been more choice and 50 - 75 less a month but they weren't hence my question to OP on that score. With difficulty and inside contacts they finally found a place for 350. Small, ultra tiny (hotel sized) refrigerator, no tv, no a/c in the bedroom, mimimal furnishing (no wardrobe etc). I doubt it would be consideted "comfortable" by most expats. I certainly wouldn't want to live there and they aren't too pleased either but can make do.

You may have a 300 lease now but may well find rent higher at renewal time. Just 3 years ago I was able to rent a furnished 1 BR in central location for 3 months for $250. No more, to put it mildly.

OP specifically asked about "living comfortably" and needs to define that.

If he means, as many would, fully furnished a/c in all rooms, washer/dryer, good sized refrigerator in good condition, fully equipped kitchen, nice TV etc then that is going to cost. If he means all that in say BKK area, even more so.

Can certainly reduce rent by living across a bridge or in outlying areas but trade off is terrible traffic and long commute if wanting to travel into town. If all he wants is roof over his head and meals and not concerned with location or wanting to go into town often then that doesn't matter. But then in that case why Phnom Penh at all, same money will get much nicer avcomodation elsewhete.

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

you may be right, Im in the riverside area, they actually seem to be having a difficult time renting out places here at the moment. you can get an apartment right on the riverside for $200

[madmen]

Don't forget your Cambodia tm 30

https://www.thephuketnews.com/cambodia-orders-strict-registration-of-foreigners-72228.php#bp9DzBAjkiv7G3u2.97

[madmen]

18 hours ago, phycokiller said:

street foods not worth eating so you dont have that cheaper option. 

what are those slab's of stuff that looks like spam ?

[coollife99]

Thanks all for your answer, seems 1300/2000$ is the right amount

[Sheryl]

3 minutes ago, coollife99 said:

Thanks all for your answer, seems 1300/2000$ is the right amount

Depends on where you want to live and in what sort  of accomodation.

[Des Pickable]

On 9/7/2019 at 2:49 PM, phycokiller said:

you may be right, Im in the riverside area,  you can get an apartment right on the riverside for $200

yeah but why suffer

[bkk6060]

On 9/6/2019 at 7:43 PM, BritManToo said:

Beer is 75c a glass and there are plenty of 'lady bars'.

That's two good things I just named.

 

No.3 you can order cannabis as a pizza topping.

Cannabis and cheap beer.

It is surprising what motivates some people don't you think?.

[BritManToo]

2 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Cannabis and cheap beer.

It is surprising what motivates some people don't you think?.

Sex, drugs and booze.

It's what motivates most normal men IMHO.

[phycokiller]

6 hours ago, Des Pickable said:

yeah but why suffer

I dont think its too bad, good location, 2 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, furnished altho probably that <deleted>ty stuff thats so fashionable here. I havent looked at them but I guess they are similar to what you would get for 5000 or 6000 in pattaya

[phycokiller]

5 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Cannabis and cheap beer.

It is surprising what motivates some people don't you think?.

I dont do drugs these days but I still find them more interesting then roads

[Des Pickable]

13 minutes ago, phycokiller said:

I dont think its too bad, good location, 2 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, furnished altho probably that <deleted>ty stuff thats so fashionable here. I havent looked at them but I guess they are similar to what you would get for 5000 or 6000 in pattaya

yeah but you have to go outside even if its rarely

[Happy Grumpy]

On 9/5/2019 at 11:10 PM, Destiny1990 said:

Name us one good thing about PP?

3.

 

Wine.

Baguettes.

Cheese.

[phycokiller]

11 hours ago, Des Pickable said:

yeah but you have to go outside even if its rarely

thats why they have doors

[PatOngo]

On 9/5/2019 at 11:10 PM, Destiny1990 said:

I wouldn’t want to live there even for free.

Name us one good thing about PP?

 

Bread!

 

 

[Sheryl]

The biggest wild card is housing because that can vary enormously depending on (1) what areas you want to live in (remember traffic now is very, very bad so travelling form one part of the city to another can be a real pain - best to stay in walking distance to the places you want to go to often), (2) how long a lease you can commit to and (3) what sort of place you require.

 

Electricity will definitely cost more than in Thailand, especially if it is private company supply.  Govt charge for foreigners is equivalent to about 6 baht per kilowat hour (compared to a little under 4 in Thailand), private companies charge more and landlords also often charge more (true in Thailand as well). 11-15 baht a kwh not unusual. Figure out how much electricity you currently use and do the math.

 

Health care is both very expensive and of poor quality. There is one private hospital in PP which is a joint venture with Bangkok Dusit Medical group (Royal Phnom Penh), I can vouch for its quality but its costs are on par with Bumrungrad.  In addition it is fairly small and has only the major specialities. So if uninsured (VERY bad idea!) need to factor into budget need for travel to either Thailand or VN for medical care. Health insurance costs pretty much the same, whether living in Thailand or Cambodia, and most expat policies would evacuate you to Thailand if Royal PP unable to provide the necessary care.

 

Note that traffic accidents of all sorts are much more common than even in Thailand, so being uninsured is especially unadvisable. Giovt hospitas will nto treat you for free, they will even withold emergency care if you cannot pay, they are much more expensive than Thai govt hospitals and the quality is poor to boot.

 

I was run over by a motorcylce at high speed while crossing an empty road in a crosswalk (moto was a good 200 meters away at a red light when I started across)....and most road crossings are more obviously dangerous than that. Mytretament bill (Royal PP) came to over $20,000, luckily I was well insured.

 

Costs for al else (food, clothing, incidentals etc) depend obviously on your lifestyle but will not on balance  be less than in Thailand. Some individual items will be,  but others will be more...probably best to just figure on what you are spending in Thailand now.

 

In short it is not going to save money on living costs to be in PP rather than most parts of Thailand, central Bangkok excepted. All in all will probably come out the same or a little more depending ion your lifestyle and flexibility.

 

Can live in say Battambang for way less, though.