I will give my 2 cents worth. I agree with all that say you are overpaying firstly. A really nice apartment in nice area should be 400, 500$ tops for luxury. A two bedroom western standard maybe 300$. Be careful of some agents as they are like auto sales, as they will take you to the top of budget. I have found two western apartments on a budget easily. Check khmer24 website just for reference, and figure it is 20% overpriced.
construction noise is automatic, and you should ask andd have added to contract. If you live near bars or river, remember, all buildings added onto or rebuilt often. Nature of the beast. I try to stay a little further away, as a passapp taxi is only 2-3$ to go most anywhere.
If you are looking for luxury, try some of the highrise near aeon 1, as most are only 50% rented. Just tell them you want local price. Tell them you live here long time. If you want quiet and nice nieghbors, go to boreys or walk around town like me and find diamond in a rough. I found one nice apartment i did not rent just talking to a local doctor at dinner one day. He said his brother had one empty for 6 months. Just not area i personally wanted. But it was full floor flat, 2 br, 2 bath, mostly furnished, only 280$.
I like Toul Kork area as it is quiet, more local food at local prices, close to aeon supermax, and thai hout markets. No grm or pool, but close to places with... And apartments openalways up. Not luxury area , but the people are nice, talk to you on street. Still get a good haircut abd shave for 3$ too. People in area remember exactly what i order for breakfast, cheers. I dont like living next to bars or above construction either.
One other thing, landlords are strict about how many visitors a foriegner has here. Locals not so much. This is because visitors can mean trouble. If you sign contract for you alone , no addendum of visitors, landlord has right give you notice and keep deposit. I always tell them i have someone and introduce so they know they are not thief.
Street 108, you mentioned. Dont know where you are, but be aware that even tjough the building may be very nice, you must look at the area. Best thing i did when moving here was stay in a short term one month first. Visited night and day to areas i liked.
Finally, rental contracts are very basic here. If you leave early, you forfiet all. No law will enforce. I find most landlords friendly, but set standard before move in. Inspect apartment, insist on what you need. In my case, my first apartment, I asked for what ad on internet showed, bigger frefrigerator and washing machine, the landlord said one week. I left 100$ to guarantee apartment and started when apartment was clean . My landlord loved me because i spoke english to kids and paid on time.
