I need serious info on living in Cambodia or vietnam

[Kerryd]

23 minutes ago, CaptainCarrot said:

For me their food is the worst aspect of the country. Bland and sugary. They have their own version of MacDonalds but more sugar. I once lived near a mall with 26 restaurants, all of which were fast-food joints I wouldn't consider going in. 

Haven't spent a lot of time there (a couple of one day layovers on the way to somewhere else) and I really can't remember what I ate there ! Nothing out of the ordinary. Probably junk food.
Whatever it was, it apparently didn't leave an impression on me (going in or out) !

[Pattaya46]

27 minutes ago, leggo said:

// however Vietnam where i have lived for the last five years is def cheaper than Thailand , the people are lovely and there's a lot of choices where to live and the visa situation is much easier  than Thailand ( where isnt ?)

Looking to try Vietnam as a retiree, I have read a lot of recent reviews. Most seems to say that in final the main costs (accomodation and local food) are very similar in Vietnam & Thailand.

Visa is certainly not easier (except USA & UK) and recent changes go in the wrong direction; Needing to renew your visa every month is a bad point for people wanting to stay long term.

[buick]

i know you said vietnam and cambodia, but what about the philippines ?  fort bonafacio area of manila is pretty nice (not like the rest of manila).  all the buildings and streets are new.  they've got a nice outdoor, pedestrian mall area called 'high street'.  can live there w/o a car.  i'm pretty sure they even have an immigration office there.  a friend of mine lives there, i love to visit.  i hate manila but i like fort bonafacio.  i've been to PP in cambo, wouldn't want to live there.   i've spent alot of time in danang and saigon.  danang gets boring fast but i could survive there.  i'd do saigon if you really want vietnam.  but i'd take fort bonafacio over saigon.  alot of english spoken in the philippines.

[theonetrueaussie]

Don't listen to the haters, the thing you need to realize is that most people who have moved on and are much much happier by the way no longer visit these forums. Many people have found that thailand is no longer the place it was 7 years ago...let alone more then that, Why live here when quality of life is constantly going down, Nearly everyone I know here has moved to either vietnam or Philippines and is much more content with the quality of life.

As for which is better you will have to do some travel and stay in places for 2-3 months and then determine which place you like best. Don't be miserable and stay here hoping things get better and return to how it was in the past...it's just not going to happen!

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

22 minutes ago, Pattaya46 said:

Looking to try Vietnam as a retiree, I have read a lot of recent reviews. Most seems to say that in final the main costs (accomodation and local food) are very similar in Vietnam & Thailand.

Visa is certainly not easier (except USA & UK) and recent changes go in the wrong direction; Needing to renew your visa every month is a bad point for people wanting to stay long term.

 

Visa changes in Vietnam are coming July 1. And it's not looking good. In fact, my plan to return to living in VN is fading.

 

So far, no new guidance or clarifications since the first announcement. But, if VN Immigration goes with the current plan, there will be no long-term visas (for retirees, for example) unless you become an investor (big money!). Yes, agents will hook you up with a 6-month or 12-month Business (DN) visa but it's a big risk. Dozens, if not hundreds of people on fake Business visas (agents' dodgy companies set up to become sponsors) have had their visas revoked and holder given a few days to get out or been deported, after big fines!

 

VN wants to get rid of all the teachers living there on 90-day Tourist visas and working in fly-by-night language schools. Hence, the changes to the 90-day DL (tourist) visa, forcing you to either leave or get a new residency stamp every 30 days directly from VN Immigration. It takes 5 days to process, so you have to traipse to the Im Office twice a month. If you're prepared to leave VN often, then this is OK, I suppose. But it's still not very palatable. 

 

 

Edited June 5, 2020 by Kaoboi Bebobp

[geisha]

Patchinexpat, I think your main problem is unhappiness with  your present situation, and the pain of loosing your wife so tragically. I don’t know how old you are , but if you feel you don’t have too long left, it would be much better to live near good hospitals. I suppose Thailand is your best bet there. Do you believe that you must leave Thailand because of your wife or her family ? Or can you go elsewhere, down south, Hua Hin , plenty nice places around. Rent a nice condo go out enjoy yourself with other expats , get to know people . You are lucky you have a very healthy pension every month. Otherwise, plenty of choice in neighboring countries,´just travel there first and stay a month or two before taking the plunge. Good luck. 

[sead]

Dear God. If you have 3500usd a month to spend you can chose any country to live in. Are you saying you can't have a good life in Thailand for that money? I'm 8 years in Thailand and was 2 weeks in Vietnam Hanoi in December. That was not a place where I ever could move to. Its so different from Thailand fx the food, cleaning, socialising etc. But it is cheaoer

[rumak]

On 6/2/2020 at 9:28 AM, PatchinExPat said:

I met a Thai lady of good moral character we got married.

Bought the house and the whole  yards.

Take care of the family.

Oh how often i repeat the same message :   If you are not happy,  Change !   Sure, lots of excuses why not to...... I guess i just would rather face some hassles at first to try to get

something better .  Almost always that means leaving your wife/gf  OR  leaving where you live

( or both).    I am getting older and harder to move , but once again i am on that path.

Only constant in life is change....... go with the flow (down the toilet?)   

Or get a paddle and head in a different direction

[erinsf]

Hi, you should look in DaNang, Hoi An or Hanoi. Depending on whether it is big city or, small you are e looking for.  The rent Is affordable. The people are kind. Cambodia is not as ‘settled.’ I felt much safer in Vietnam. 

[Burma Bill]

On 6/2/2020 at 9:59 AM, BritManToo said:

Cambodia,

I totally agree. I "made my escape" from draconian Thailand 4 months ago before borders closed, and I now live in Siem Reap (my personal choice). Being born a UK country lad, I do not really like big cities and Phnom Penh (very busy) would not have suited me. Battambang is quite pleasant with river side promenades but not too many ex-pats. I live in a pent-house apartment ( bedroom, bathroom, lounge, kitchen(photo attached) in a quiet suburb of Siem Reap named Wat Bo (Banteay Chas). I pay 250 US$ per month which includes Wi Fi, refuse collection and TV but not electric/water. I live very comfortably on my pensions totaling around 1,900 US$ per month. I also have to allow 130 US$ per month for my medication for diabetes. Pharmacies are everywhere and you can purchase almost anything over the counter - including insulin (no doctor's signature like in Thailand). There are many private clinics/hospitals but at a price. The Government hospital I do not recommend. I sold my car in Thailand before moving. I do not need one here as there are so many tuk-tuks and Passapp cabs. If necessary, I can fly from Siem Reap airport to Phnom Penh, also international flights elsewhere (for me Air Asai to Thailand). Plenty of ex-pat cafes, bars and restaurants to meet and have a chat. As previously mentioned, a one year retirement visa is so easy - no bureaucratic paperwork or financial requirements. Currency is the Riel and the US$. Easy to open a bank account once you have your retirement visa. Minimum deposit to start an account - just 10 US$ - and no complicated paperwork.

[tlandtday]

3 hours ago, HarrySeaman said:

I have no experience with Vietnam so I won't comment on living there.

 

Apparently you have no experience in Cambodia so it is not a place I would recommend for you. 

 

There are some definite pluses to Cambodia over Thailand such as a lower cost for living, lower cost for medications, lower cost for alcohol.  If you are a punter then Phnom Pen is the place to be for selection, just expect to pay almost as much there as you do in Thailand.

 

With a heart problem you are basically limited to living in Phnom Penh where there is the only decent hospital in the country. That hospital is a branch of Bangkok's Bumrungrad hospital, and it has Western hospital prices like Bumrungrad. 

 

Siam Reap is not too bad and Battambang is very nice if you like the quite life.  There are other places where it used to be good live if you were in good health but places like Sihanoukville and even Kampot are no longer good choices because of the Chinese invasion.  Just look YouTube to see what has happened to Sihanoukville and its lovely beaches over the last few years, and Kampot is next on the list. 

 

My advice is simple, divorce then move to Pattaya where there are lots of expats, which can mean lots of friends.  Much cleaner air than Chiang Mai or Bangkok, Western quality medical care and hospitals, lots of good Thai and Western food, shopping malls for whatever you need, and if you are interested bar girls or boys are widely available, or will be once the COVID-19 crisis is over, or you can pick and  choose girls for home visits from social media sites like Thaifriendly.  A second choice would be the Hua Hin area.

Pretty good advice but choose Phuket where the air is much cleaner than pattaya and the beaches much better.  Pattaya will be an acapulco style hell hole in the not to distant future it is already on its way.

[BritManToo]

On 6/3/2020 at 4:50 AM, Pattaya46 said:

Easy visa? Only for 30-days periods for tourists and retirees ! 

Have to renew visa every 30 days 

Thailand give you 1 year for retirement, mariage,...

Vietnam gives a 5 year VISA for $50, to spouse/parent of Viets.

Probably the best VISA deal in Asia.

Edited June 5, 2020 by BritManToo

[Pattaya46]

5 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Vietnam gives a 5 year VISA for $50, to spouse/parent of Viets.

Probably the best VISA deal in Asia.

Uh? Maybe, but the OP is not married to a Vietnam lady,

so he will be able to get visas for 30 days only, and annoying renewals.

[AAArdvark]

On 6/2/2020 at 7:52 PM, garygooner said:

Consider the Philippines. Take a trip there first and see for yourself. Get as much info first before you take the plunge. Vietnam & Cambodia other options of course. 

Except no one can go to the Philippines now.  However bad it is/was in Thailand during Covid it is far worse in the Philippines.  Still today 59 plus cannot leave their residences. only one person in a family can go shopping, no hotels open, no restaurants except take away, no bars, no or very limited domestic travel, etc.

Immigration/visas in the Philippines is much less hassle than in Thailand. 

[Pattaya46]

13 minutes ago, tlandtday said:

Pretty good advice but choose Phuket where the air is much cleaner than pattaya and the beaches much better.  //

No doubt that beaches & nature are better near Phuket, but there are countless of complains from Phuket expats on this forum about how bad (and pricey) the is transport system, how bad and difficult is Phuket Immigration, etc. So unsure it's the best place to retire... 

[BritManToo]

17 minutes ago, Pattaya46 said:

Uh? Maybe, but the OP is not married to a Vietnam lady,

so he will be able to get visas for 30 days only, and annoying renewals.

30 days should be enough time to father a child, or find a bride.

[Accidental Tourist]

Hi there, the option in Asia are not great when it's comes to visa regulation. Been leaving in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos during my working times. Laos is most difficult for long stay, Vietnam max only 1 Year than you need to leave (NO border runs), Cambodia is still easy to obtain yearly or retirement visa for now.

None of the country's are near Thailand if it comes to "Western convenience". English is not well spoken in either of the three, with Cambodia best in the tourist spots and capital.

Vietnam is the less expensive place to leave but a bit different to any place in Thailand; but money should not your concern by 3500 USD. I guess you need a special medical attention to your FIB; hospitals worst in ALL three places.

What about Malaysia? Good country, easy retirement and best infrastructure against the other three. Spend 4 months there and got around easy and welcomed.

But option are worldwide; worthwhile to search on the internet i.e.  internationalliving.com

[simon43]

...Laos is most difficult for long stay,...

 

Those of us who live here full-time would disagree with you ???? 1 year business visa, work permit, ID card all for $600/year.  No 90 day check-ins, no money in the bank required, no police visits or checks..... no problems!  (But not a good destination for the OP if good hospitals are required).

[moe666]

Just leave the family that seems to be your biggest problem. I spent a year once upon a time in Vietnam no need to go back

[Isaan sailor]

Consider moving to one of those fly over states in USA.  You can buy a nice place with big land in KY, TN.  And very low taxes.  Friend on mine left LoS last year—loves it.

[KhunFred]

On 6/2/2020 at 6:37 PM, sanuk711 said:

Are you not over reacting a little. Is Thailand making it harder to live---or your wife's relations?   You don't seem to be in a great frame of mind--talking about jumping off of a high place etc....If you wish to leave the wife, then with your medical problems somewhere else in Thailand is maybe a better option for you. Or look at the Philippines--there are a lot of Americans there.

 

Cambodia definitely has some ++ medical care isn't one of them.

 

Go take a holiday for a month----you may come back with a different outlook.

Take a long, hard look at the Philippines. You may change your mind about jumping from high places, which is always a bad idea. Visa terms are better than Cambodia and so is the lifestyle. More varied options for healthcare in the Phil, but it is not on par with Thailand in that respect. Philippines is my ticket out of this money-grubbing land of razor toothed smiles.

[Tony125]

I am sending you info on Cambodia as you asked for it but I would not recomend living there if in bad health. Why not simply move to another area of Thailand say Pattaya or Hua Hin ?  With your income it's easy to get retirement visa with income method of 65,000 baht a month.  If you are a US Vet can get a lifetime visa in Phillippines  for $14 or $1500.

 

[Rocking Robert]

What about health insurance? You have to have insurance 

[NoshowJones]

On 6/2/2020 at 7:15 PM, bkk6060 said:

Cambodia is a 3rd world dump for those with low funds that are OK with a downgraded living standard.

Vietnam is getting better, but still not even close to Thailand.

Your income is decent and Thailand is affordable it the best place of the three for overall lifestyle.

Maybe the OP like most of us sees too much unnecessary hoop jumping going on in Thailand.

[AAArdvark]

14 minutes ago, KhunFred said:

Take a long, hard look at the Philippines. You may change your mind about jumping from high places, which is always a bad idea. Visa terms are better than Cambodia and so is the lifestyle. More varied options for healthcare in the Phil, but it is not on par with Thailand in that respect. Philippines is my ticket out of this money-grubbing land of razor toothed smiles.

All true.  The Philippines is lacking in infrastructure compared to the Thailand at least as far as power and internet.  In my condo, I get a whopping 2.5 Mbps and there are frequent power outages.  On the plus side, even though the COVID restrictions were much worse than Thailand, immigration simply told everyone to just forget about extensions and overstays until 30 after the all clear is sounded.  For most, visas are a series of 2 month, and one 6 month, extensions that are super easy to get.  That can be done for 36 months and then a border run is required.  In my case I am in the process of getting an SRRV visa.  For anyone who was in the military of specified countries, will have to deposit $1500.00 and some fees.  Then $10 per year, which can be paid for 3 years at a time, for renewing the visa card that is issued.  Other than that there is no reporting.  Considerately more for non-military affiliated but still half the price of Thailand.  And of course, very high rate of English speaking people.

[yuyiinthesky]

On 6/2/2020 at 7:15 PM, bkk6060 said:

Cambodia is a 3rd world dump for those with low funds that are OK with a downgraded living standard.

Some of my friends moved to Cambodia, and they report that you can live very good in Cambodia.
 

Same as everywhere, up to you if you want to live In luxury or very simple, you can do both in Cambodia. 
I’ll check it out for myself, once the borders are open again. However not so much Phnom Penh, but more Siem Reap and Kampot.

 

See you there!

[JWRC]

After living in Thailand for a couple of Decades, I would not consider Cambodia or Vietnam to live, both these countries have been discussed by others before me. If as you say you are a simple guy with simple needs, escape to the country, there are some really nice places, that still have the facilities you need, medical  etc. I don't find the visa situation too hard, I do it all myself, no need to pay thousands under the table if you have the financial requirements, which you apparently have. If your main aim is to escape the wife and her family, it can be done quite easily. Some posters are suggesting tourist spots like Pattaya and Phuket but that may not be for you, Not everyone wants a beach, tourists and lots of Expats, in fact I couldn't think of anything worse. If you decide to explore your options in escaping to the country, I am happy to provide information on Western Thailand

just pm me.

 

 

 

 

[Sujo]

I stayed in a few places before deciding where to live. Im not retired.

 

I decided on malaysia and been here 7 years. I would also be happy with vietnam but not a mjor city. Danang was nice. I didnt really consider philippines but do like it there.

 

Try penang or langkawi in malaysia. Very nice places.

[onekoolguy]

1 hour ago, Isaan sailor said:

Consider moving to one of those fly over states in USA.  You can buy a nice place with big land in KY, TN.  And very low taxes.  Friend on mine left LoS last year—loves it.

I lived in Arkansas for many years and what you say is very true. However the winters are not that pleasant and you can pretty much forget the easy female companionship you found in Thailand.

[Deli]

1st of all, dump the wife and her family. Get away from them ASAP and don't let them know where you are. Change your phone number, Facebook, etc,  And than, as the others suggested, take your time to travel around, when it will be possible again. I got divorced myself and after that, I was happy again.