Retiring Comfortably in Cambodia: A Practical Guide

Editorial team
Feb 23
5 min read

Cambodia remains, in the eyes of many, an interesting place and quite well-suited for a comfortable retiree lifestyle.

Renting in Cambodia

Rents in Cambodia remain very affordable. It is possible to live in a Western-style apartment in Phnom Penh starting from $300 US per month. It's even cheaper in cities like Kampot, Kep, Sihanoukville, and Siem Reap.

There are many apartments in the capital with hotel-like services that cover almost all needs. Most come with cleaning services, a gym, security, laundry, and even a pool. This type of one-bedroom accommodation, for example, starts at around $500 per month. Other options include renting a house in Cambodia or a condo, but these can be more expensive near the city center.

For those who want to live quietly without being too far from the city, a Borey can be a wise choice. Generally very secure, very green, and equipped with many amenities like gyms, pools, and supermarkets, rentals start at $300 for a 1-bedroom, $450 for a 2-bedroom, and $800 for a 2-story 4-bedroom. For electricity, unless you're an air conditioning addict, expect less than $100 per month for a 2-bedroom. For internet, there are many providers with plans starting at $25.

Obtaining a Retirement Visa in Cambodia

The visa process is quite simple. There is even a special category for retirees. Upon arrival in the country, make sure to get the regular visa (Class E) and not a tourist visa so you can then obtain the retirement visa in Cambodia. After that, you can simply apply for ER (retirement) extensions. For retirement visa conditions:

Be 55 years or older
Not be employed
Be able to prove retirement status (with a pension or social security document) and have sufficient funds (bank statements or pension fund).

These extensions can be valid for various durations up to one year. Prices are similar to work visa extensions, around $290 for a full year with multiple entries possible. Just go to any travel agency in the city, which can handle the renewal.

Which City to Choose?

Cambodia is chosen by many Western expats for its relaxed atmosphere and advantageous cost of living. The most popular place for retirement is undoubtedly Phnom Penh.

The capital offers multiple advantages: a wide choice of restaurants including a good proportion offering quality French cuisine, a fairly dynamic cultural scene, many entertainments, and the opportunity to engage in a multitude of sports. Public administrative services, embassies, and healthcare are also easy to find in Phnom Penh.

However, if a city like the capital, which is in full transformation, quite congested during rush hours, and hyperactive, doesn't appeal, Siem Reap can be another choice, as the city offers a pleasant combination of urban comfort, calm, and green spaces. There is much less activity than in Phnom Penh, especially at this time, but plenty of leisure opportunities, escapes, and excursions in the surrounding countryside, not to mention the Angkor archaeological park and Tonlé Sap Lake. The provincial capital is seeing a growing number of real estate developments offering interesting rentals. A few kilometers from the center, it's possible to rent charming traditional houses if you search a bit, and always at affordable prices.

Finally, for those who prefer the sea, the small towns of Kep and Kampot can be an option with the advantage of an even more reasonable cost of living and a very provincial calm outside weekends.

Buying Food

Whether you want to cook yourself or eat in a restaurant, eating in Cambodia doesn't require a huge budget.

A meal in a decent restaurant will cost $5 to $10 in Phnom Penh. Prices are even lower elsewhere in the country. For reference, some average prices in the capital:

A loaf of white bread: $1.25
A dozen eggs: $1.60
A kilo of chicken: $4.50
A liter of milk: $2.30
A liter of soy milk: $1.40
A kilo of oranges: $3
Latte or cappuccino in a café: $2.20
A beer: $1.00.Daily life is therefore definitely affordable. To find food, products, cheap clothes, and household items, just go to a local market, which often makes for a pleasant and colorful stroll.

Otherwise, for more Western tastes, there are well-stocked supermarkets rich in products from all origins, such as Lucky, and brands like Super Duper and Aeon Express, which are developing rapidly.

Retired and Active in Cambodia

It's easy to find a productive pastime in Cambodia. There are many clubs and places to practice all sorts of sports popular with retirees like tennis, golf, or gymnastics, both in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

For those who want to get involved in humanitarian work, many NGOs may need help supervising young locals.

For those who like to travel, the country offers many colorful destinations from jungles to paradisiacal beaches via mountains. The country is also right in the middle of Southeast Asia; Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, and several other countries are just a few hours by plane.

Farther away but still a direct flight: China, India, Australia, Japan, and South Korea. Obviously, international connections are currently facing some difficulties due to the pandemic, but hopefully, that won't last forever.

Healthcare

Getting medical treatment in Cambodia can be more challenging. There are advantages and disadvantages. The positives:

Medications are very affordable and almost everything is over-the-counter.
Seeing a doctor for minor ailments like the flu or stomach issues is usually quick and easy.
Phnom Penh's high-end clinics and hospitals tend to have excellent English-speaking doctors.
Some hospitals and clinics also have high-quality French-speaking doctors.However, some downsides:
For serious problems, many people choose to see doctors in Thailand, Vietnam, or Singapore. Generally, the level of care there is more renowned, even if the trend is reversing and many local facilities now offer high-quality care.
Make sure to buy medications from an accredited pharmacy. Choose Ucare Pharmacy, the undisputed best chain.

The Little Extras

Cambodia is a young country with a tropical climate. It's sunny most of the year, and the streets "breathe" youth with many smiles; that's why the expression "Khmer smile" has become a gimmick.

The history and culture of the kingdom are incredibly rich, and those who want to explore will discover fascinating places to visit. Khmer cuisine is also a world of discoveries with fairly unique flavors and an impressive variety of traditional recipes and dishes. French gastronomy is very present with excellent quality establishments offering Michelin-star-worthy menus.

French Gastronomy at Topaz in Phnom Penh

Like any Asian destination, street food is very popular, and sidewalks are crowded with carts and small mobile snacks offering a plethora of local specialties. It's also an interesting discovery, though some hygiene precautions are necessary.

After a long absence, French-language magazine press is now available with Cambodge Mag. For those who want to follow official daily news, Agence Kampuchea Presse offers a French section publishing essential information. Otherwise, many French-language blogs written by travelers who fell in love with the destination exist online. Just type "Blog + Cambodia" into Google.

Loving the Lifestyle in Cambodia

Thousands of people choose to retire abroad each year. If Cambodia isn't the absolutely perfect place, it still has many assets and especially an ease of installation much more advantageous than other countries, including those in the region.

Settling in Cambodia means changing life and habits, and even if many "Western" conveniences are available, some adjustments are needed; the culture is different as are some practices.