11 Reasons Why We Love Living In Cambodia

As Cambodia’s expat scene continues to swell, there’s an obvious appeal to living in the Kingdom of Wonder. We present 11 reasons why we love living in the country.

The people

It may sound like a cliché, but Cambodians are friendly, open and kind – and there’s never a smile far away. This makes daily woes much more bearable, with the sound of laughter ready to lift your mood whenever you’re feeling down, and a gentle face always willing to help out when you need it.

The weather

It’s cheap

Yes, prices are rising, but it’s still possible to grab a 50-cent beer sat next to a place serving them for $3 – and that’s considered expensive in Phnom Penh. In Cambodia, it’s possible to live the life of a king, for a fraction of the price of many countries in the West. At the very least you can live on a shoestring budget and still enjoy life at the same time.

It’s easy

Living in a country where laws are enforced on an ad-hoc basis, rules are rarely abided by and health and safety is scarce, definitely has its ups and downs. The ups being it’s rare something can’t be done in Cambodia – and with no red tape, it can [usually] be done pretty quickly. Of course, the exception to the rule is when it comes to dealing with ministries – although money still often talks.

It has a rich culture

Cambodians are proud to be Cambodian and they love to share their culture and heritage. From the iconic Angkor Wat and the thousands of ancient temples and religious sites that dot the country, to their traditional dance, music, arts and folklore, delving into Cambodia’s history is always an intriguing journey.

Apsara dancers sport traditional Cambodian attire © Rawpixel.com/ Shutterstock

It’s developing

There’s no question that development is happening at a rapid pace in Cambodia, and while not all of it is good, it’s refreshing to see. Roads are constantly being upgraded, infrastructure improved, new initiatives launched, new accommodation or hotels created, and destinations are constantly being made more attractive. This means there’s constantly something new to explore.

It makes you think

While the country has moved on since the tragedy caused by the Khmer Rouge, reminders of Cambodia’s recent bitter history lurk around every corner. Poverty is still prevalent and child beggars are never far away. This leaves those more fortunate constantly questioning how lucky they are and valuing what they have in life.

It’s humbling

The kindness and generosity offered by Cambodians who have nothing will never fail to amaze. Despite not knowing where their next meal is coming from, Cambodians will happily welcome you into their homes and show an incredible hospitality that is hard to find anywhere else in the world. It truly is heart-warming.

It’s really special

One thing you’ll notice when you move to Cambodia is the number of expats who initially came for a few months and have extended their stay to several years. The reason? It’s difficult to put your finger on but there’s just something really special about Cambodia that captures a part of many visitors’ hearts.

Getaways are easy

Weekends are so much more fun – and let’s not forget the insane amount of public holidays enjoyed in Cambodia, which average out at about 27 a year – because you can hit the beach, relax on the river or go deep into the jungle. Cambodia is also well positioned to explore the rest of the region, with a range of budget airlines operating from the country.

It doesn’t get boring

Cambodia never ceases to amaze, whether it be a motorbike transporting 20 live chickens and a family of five, a bizarre building being built, a hilarious mis-translated sign or just one of those crazy, comical Cambodian moments, amusement is never far away in the aptly named Kingdom of Wonder.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.