Cambodia: 5 Best Places To Retire In Cambodia

Written by Glen in Asia

Photo Of Cambodia City During Evening

Have you ever fantasized about retiring to a tropical, peaceful Asian country? With its stunning coastline, pleasant climate, and lush greenery, Cambodia may be the ideal option for you.

The Best 5 Cities To Retire In Cambodia are:

  • Phnom Penh
  • Siem Reap
  • Kampot
  • Kep
  • Battambang

Take a look at the list below to learn why these places can be ideal retirement destinations for you.

Is Cambodia a good place to retire?

Population: 16.5 million
Average Temperature: 27 °C / 81 F
Capital city: Phnom Penh
Currency: Cambodian Riel (KHR)
Language: Khmer

Cambodia is constantly ranked in the top 10 of cheapest places to retire. It has become a popular retirement destination for expats from many countries including the USA. It leads the way as an Asian country makes it easy for expats to relocate and retire with the least amount of red tape, bureaucracy, and financial obligations.

You may get a visa-on-arrival in Cambodia by filling out a brief form, supplying two passport images, and paying $35 for a month of business or ordinary tourist visa. Once you’ve arrived in the country you may renew your visa for a year for less than $300. This  allows you to stay in the country and come and go as you like without the strict income criteria that many other Southeast Asian countries impose. 

The authorities are pleased to welcome foreign guests to their country as long as you behave yourself and contribute to the local economy. Food is also inexpensive. There is a vast range of local and international cuisines to choose from. In fact, a great restaurant meal for two people costs around $10 to $20. It is simple and inexpensive to move about on transport. For a quick tuk-tuk ride, it only costs about $1. Overall, you can successfully live on a $1,000 monthly budget quite well.

This country has much more to offer like a laid-back lifestyle that is a far cry from the intense daily work routine that leaves little time for a healthy dinner. It’s a stress-free environment with a higher quality of life.

What are the best cities to live in?

Cambodia is known as the “Kingdom of Wonder” for a reason. It has a rich local culture with a touch of French influence and it has many lovely locations to explore including historic temples, incredible architecture in colonial capitals, local markets, greenery and mountains, unspoilt coastlines, and pristine islands. Choosing a city to retire in can be difficult, especially if you are unfamiliar with Cambodia. In this post we will make things easy for you by providing all of the information on our preferred locations.

Is Phnom Penh a good place to retire?

Temperature: 24 to 32 °C / 74 to 89 °F
Population: 2.3 million

The majority of foreigners choose to settle in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh. This city has almost everything a retiree needs to live. It’s a combination of the old and the new. In fact the city is seeing an increase in new property projects and shopping centers. Phnom Penh is the place to go for retirees who wish to see a variety of sights and stay in a variety of accommodations and not to mention a vibrant nightlife. This city would also appeal to those who like a busy social life.

Most expats prefer the city because it offers a lovely blend of old and new, with modern complexes and shopping centers constructed around ancient sites and colonial structures. They also have a variety of dining, drinking, and socializing options when it comes to fellow expats. The city is brimming with possibilities. The people here are kind and it’s rare that you won’t have a joke with them.

Phnom Penh is also home to a diverse range of international restaurants. Don’t be fooled by the laid-back vibes; the city offers a good nightlife and live music scene.

NOTE: Check Retiring to Phnom Penh Cambodia: Real Life Experiences To Learn From and discover all you have to know about prices, food, what to do and more in this city.

What To Do in Phnom Penh:

Popular Restaurants in  Phnom Penh:

https://youtu.be/_8CGOzxB-g0
Explore the Riverside of Phnom Penh with this walking tour.

Is Siem Reap a good place to retire?

Temperature: 22 to 31 °C / 72 to 86 °F
Population: 1 million

Siem Reap’s rural area is smaller than Phnom Penh’s and life moves at a slower pace. The law prohibits the construction of any structure taller than Angkor Wat so there are no high-rise buildings here. The town does have a good selection of apartment buildings that are suitable for most expats.

This small town has a thriving expat population so people considering relocating to the country will feel welcome and have a sense of community. It’s also ideal for visitors who wish to be close to the Angkor Wat temples. Because of its rural feel and lots of culture, Siem Reap is popular among foreigners. Although it is a small town it boasts a thriving local market and heaps of pubs and restaurants along the well-known “Pub Street”.

Despite attracting a large number of foreigners, Siem Reap remains a reasonably priced place to live. A month’s rent for a condo or apartment can range from $250 to $550. If you have $600 per month to spare, you can live like a king in a villa with a pool and all utilities included.

Siem Reap has its own international airport as well which makes it very convenient to get there.
LINK: Siem Reap International Airport

There are also multiple good quality hospitals and clinics that you can choose from here where the best rated one is the Royal Angkor International Hospital.  You can get one off medical care there or sign up for a yearly health insurance plan.  A general yearly check-up will cost you $119 USD and includes all the blood work and tests.

TIP: Check this article and find out Why Siem Reap is the best place to live and retire?.

What To Do in Siem Reap:

Popular Restaurants in Siem Reap:

https://youtu.be/msbkO_eSgK0
Check this tour around Siem Reap to see how it looks like post covid.

Is Kampot a good place to retire?

Temperature: 24°C to 32°C / 75°F to 90°F
Population: 590k

In this riverbank town life is calm and easygoing. To meet the influx of recent tourists this town boasts a good number of good restaurants, hotels and apartments. For retirees who enjoy the outdoors and mountains this is the ideal location.

The calmness of Kampot is part of its allure. The traffic is light and it’s simple to navigate the spacious streets by foot, bicycle, or motorcycle. The pace of life is relaxed and unhurried here, with steamy afternoons ideal for lounging in hammocks or swimming in the river.

It can be very humid during the rainy season which is from July to September.  The hottest months are from April to June just before the rainy season.

There are a few local medical clinics for scripts but you will have to go to Phnom Penh for any major medical surgeries.  This is a 3 ½ hour drive or there are private taxi services that can take you there for around $50 USD return in style or you can take the local bus service for way cheaper.

What To Do in Kampot:

Popular Restaurants in Kampot:

Is Kep a good place to retire?

Temperature: 24°C to 32°C / 75°F to 90°F
Population: 6k

Kep in Cambodia’s south is known as the “Saint Tropez of Southeast Asia”. because most of the city’s growth was influenced by French colonialism. The colonial mansions with a strong French influence are well-known in this coastal city. 

It has villas along the beach as well as the famed fresh crab market. Kep is a fantastic place to relax for a while and enjoy a slower pace of life. It is calm  but is steadily developing as more guests arrive each year and is a perfect place to rest after retirement and enjoy a much slower pace of life.

We don’t normally recommend towns this small as they don’t have the amenities that you need in your retirement like a quality local hospital.  There is a provincial hospital in town with doctors for quick prescriptions but if you had anything serious medically there is a 24 hour western hospital 3 ½ hours away in Phnom Penh.  If you are upwardly mobile though this is a great beach side location that is cheap with walks on the beach every day.

There are two local airports but one is 2 hours away and the other 3 hours away.  This means the 3 ½ hour drive to Phnom Penh is the better choice.  There are bus services that can take you down so you don’t have to do the driving yourself.  The Phnom Penh private taxi service can get you there for $22 USD per person if you want to travel in style as well as regular bus services..

What To Do in Kep:

Popular Restaurants in Kep:

Is Battambang a good place to retire?

Temperature: 21°C to 32°C / 70°F to 90°F
Population: 120k

Battambang is a city in northeastern Cambodia located on the Sangkae River. Sala Khaet is the old Governor’s Residence, and is one of the city’s most well-known colonial structures. Battambang is Cambodia’s second largest city. There is now a tiny but rising expat population in the city. There are a variety of restaurants, bars, and hotels here, just like in other cities, making life convenient and comfortable.

Access to Battambang is what is holding it back from booming as it is a 3 hour taxi or bus to the nearest airport in Siem Reap.  Alternatively if you want to get to Phnom Penh then it is a 5 ½ hour bus ride or if you are ok going slow then an 8 hour train ride but the train only goes twice a week.  I personally know people who are happy to travel 6 hours to get to a good retirement location and do so on the bus frequently.

They have an emergency hospital and provincial hospital in town as well as many doctors clinics for prescriptions.  There is also dental surgery as well.  The nearest big hospital is 3 hours away in Siem Reap.  If you don’t need daily medical care then you can always head up there for your yearly and any major medical care.

What To Do in Battambang:

Popular Restaurants in Battambang:

NOTE: If you want to know how is Cambodia post covid check this article and do not miss it Is Cambodia Safe To Retire In? Post Covid Review. Also here there is a list of the pros and cons in Cambodia, check it as well Retire To Cambodia: The Real Pros And Cons.

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