Phnom Penh

Although Phnom Penh is not the largest capital in Southeast Asia, it boasts numerous restaurants, bars, and modern shops where you can easily find everything you need.

Phnom Penh is also Cambodia's premier digital nomad destination. There are many air-conditioned cafes and co-working spaces that perfectly blend busy city life with work.

Overall, Phnom Penh perfectly integrates the new with the old, tradition with modernity, providing a comfortable and relaxed urban life.

Advantages of living in Phnom Penh:

Capital city, the national center, concentration of resources

Modern shopping malls and brand stores

Plenty of co-working spaces

Lively nightlife and a large expatriate community

Disadvantages of living in Phnom Penh:

Crowded and busy city

Slightly higher cost of living compared to other cities

Higher housing prices and rents

Siem Reap

Siem Reap can be described as Cambodia's gateway to the world, a millennia-old city known globally for the wonders of Angkor Wat. Siem Reap attracts numerous tourists with its vibrant activities, bustling life, and a variety of entertainment options such as bars and clubs at night, making it a highlight of the city. Siem Reap is very suitable for digital nomads and also for retirement.

Advantages of living in Siem Reap:

Affordable housing and living costs

Large expatriate community

Numerous co-working spaces and cafes

A small town that often has something new happening

Disadvantages of living in Siem Reap:

Rural atmosphere

Underdeveloped public transportation

Poor internet in some areas

Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville, named after the former King Norodom Sihanouk, has evolved from a sleepy seaside town known for its fishing families over the past fifty years into a hub with international tourist attractions and high-rise buildings funded by Chinese investments.

Sihanoukville is the gateway to many of Cambodia's most beautiful islands, including Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem, and its tourism status in Cambodia is increasing year by year.

The architecture in Sihanoukville reaches for the sky, with Chinese casinos standing alongside backpacker hostels, creating an indescribable overall atmosphere. Despite rapid industrial expansion, Sihanoukville still retains its port connections and beaches along the Gulf of Thailand—a feature that is always irresistible.

Advantages of living in Sihanoukville:

Close to beaches and picturesque islands

Good infrastructure connection with the capital, Phnom Penh

Disadvantages of living in Sihanoukville:

Densely packed buildings

Fewer large shopping malls compared to Phnom Penh

Kampot

The laid-back atmosphere of this city complements the slow flow of the Mekong River running through its center.

This relaxed feeling does not detract from the town's liveliness, which features cafes, riverside bars, and a growing expatriate community. If you want to experience the Cambodian lifestyle without the hustle and bustle of modern cities, Kampot is the ideal place to settle.

Advantages of living in Kampot:

Relaxed atmosphere, close to rivers and the sea

Variety of bars and restaurants

Wide internet coverage

Close to islands, national parks, and the tranquil town of Kep

Disadvantages of living in Kampot:

No large retail or electronics stores

Not as walkable as many other towns

Kep

This tranquil seaside fishing retreat is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle. Located just half an hour east of Kampot, Kep combines peaceful beaches, pastoral pepper farms, and beautiful national parks. Although Kep is not the urban center you might hope for, it is the perfect place to rejuvenate.

Advantages of living in Kep:

Calm and leisurely lifestyle

Home to Rabbit Island

Untouched tourist destination

Disadvantages of living in Kep:

Lack of modern infrastructure

Unreliable internet connection