How to adapt to the expat challenges of everyday life in Cambodia

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Cheryl Moderator

Member since 15 October 2018

CherylModerator19 February 2025 04:39:51

12725

Hello everyone,

Adapting to everyday life as an expat in Cambodia can be both exciting and overwhelming: different habits, systems, and sometimes even unexpected surprises! Simple things like paying bills, using public transport, or even greeting neighbors might work differently than what you're used to.

We would like to invite you to share the biggest challenges you face in your daily routine. Here are a few questions to start with:

What aspects of daily life were the most challenging for you at first?

How did you overcome these difficulties?

Did you find any local habits or customs particularly surprising?

What has helped you in feeling more at ease in your new environment?

Any funny or unexpected experiences you would like to share?

Share your experiences, anecdotes and tips to help fellow expats.

Thank you for your contribution.

Cheryl
Expat.com Team

mpmilestogo Active member

Member since 24 October 2023

mpmilestogoActive memberToday 13:23:47

Hi Cheryl. I guess my experience has been very good. My partner being Khmer has taken on things that normally could be different or even challenging. She does all the shopping and arranges for potable water, pays utilities and rent, and buys my clothing and shoes. She also arranges bus transit when we go somewhere. We live in a Cambodian neighborhood which has been good and bad. I don't particularly care for the Bluetooth speakers and music or sometimes the lack of privacy. We had this privacy curtain out up on our fence which helps me a bit. I guess I value solitude and privacy when I want it.

We live a few km from town so I walk daily for coffee and exercise. Managed to lose about 80 pounds the last 1.5 years. Walking in Siem Reap is very nice compared to other cities I feel. We have very nice restaurants and pubs. I have my favorite coffee shops in our neighborhood. Been going to some for over a year so they know what I want. Mostly Khmer people and I like that.

All in all life in Siem Reap is very enjoyable and my "wife" makes it even more so. She loves caring for me and cooking. We have her family over every so often to visit.

That's how life has been for me the last 3 years.

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