moving-to-cambodia
I’ve been waiting to make this announcement for a while and now that we’re about a month away from the big move I’ve decided to let the tiger out of the bag.  I’m excited and scared. I’m looking forward to it and I’m afraid of what we’ll find. We have no choice and yet we always have a choice.

A year ago the military took over the government and I’ve done my best to keep this blog free of politics and opinions regarding the country I currently reside in and its best that I keep it this way. However, there have been escalating, confusing and continuing visa changes that have made it difficult or impossible for foreigners to stay.

As a result, our time has come to leave.

For the past year we’ve been sweating every time we go in for our 90 day check-in at Immigration so we knew this day was probably coming. It’s okay. We’ve had plenty of time to talk about the next step which is more than what others had under heartache and duress.

The funny thing is we know of two coworkers who are moving to Cambodia around the same time we are, as well. And I’m sure there are plenty more that have made the move since the junta took the wheel. I remember when I was back in CM months ago, sitting on the back of my friend’s motorbike while she pointed out which businesses were moving to Cambodia because they are sick of paying the police bribes.

I know bribes exist in Cambodia, too, but unlike Thailand foreigners can own businesses and property there. I’m already finding it strange to look up hotels to find Westerners running the place. And I’m not saying one is better or worse than the other, I can’t, until I see for myself how the other side lives. Even then, I think I will always be in the shadows collecting information.

The big reason why we’re moving specifically to Cambodia is because visas are much easier to obtain and you have the freedom to do what you want (so to speak). Thailand is on the other end of the spectrum and it’s been super stressful trying to stay ahead of the laws and changes that make no sense to us. My b/f’s education visa has become hella expensive, in more ways than price alone, so that we had to take a look at what we were doing and decide: is it worth it to stay? And what’s to prevent the powers-that-be from changing the rules yet again?

So right now I’m in the “don’t overthink it” and “collecting information” phase. This stage requires a balance of living in the moment and planning ahead. Scouring the Internet for Cambodian bloggers, specifically ones in Siem Reap has been an unfruitful undertaking.  There are TONS of I-went-to–Siem-Reap-for-3-days kinds of posts, and yes, I found the one big site about moving to Cambodia, but that’s about the extent of it.

I have found lots of outdated blogs, negative forums and articles on the vices of Cambodia. And at this point I’m not sure of the value of Siem Reap FB groups, but I’m trying to do some work.

But like I said, I’m not over-trying. I like life to be filled with some surprises, too. The Internet is amazing, yes, but I think reality is different than Internet-fantasy. People over-saturate their photos in Photoshop to the point where I feel like I’m not looking at the real place. Folks edit their lives to sounds super awesome or sometimes they take out what they don’t think will be interesting and yet it is interesting. Plus, I don’t want to see Angkor Wat before I see Angkor Wat. I think this is why I don’t like watching movie previews.

My b/f has been there. Six years ago. He liked it, but we know six years is too long and visiting is very different than living someplace. Hopefully, wanting to live there is a good place to start. A friend of mine did the eyebrow-raise when I told him I am moving to Cambodia, but had never been there.  I don’t see this as anything brave, bold or stupid because for every person who plans their path as carefully as possible, there are the impulsive ones who do end up almost at the same point as the former.

Things are never what you expect anyway. Maybe they are for you, but I’m horrible at predicting what my life is going to be like. I thought my life in CR was going to be great. It hasn’t been great. It’s been alright with lots of stress. It’s been moving three fucking times because we’ve had the worst luck with finding a decent place to call home.

My enemies (You have enemies? Yes, I do. Every good superhero has enemies. I’ve had them since the 2nd grade, yo.) will enjoy hearing about how hard I’ve had it here, but the good thing is I got a lot of work done. I finished my book which was a major accomplishment considering how long I dragged that monster around the room. And I’m happy to report I’m up to 11 Amazon reviews! Woo hoo! Who are these people? I love them!

So, it’s a fresh start in a new country that has really got me thinking about what I’m excited for and what I’m afraid of. Right now, I’m motivated to get rid of all of the stuff I’ve acquired throughout the years. Whenever friends leave, I’m the one that volunteers, “give me the stuff you can’t get rid of” because I want to help and be nice. As a result, I have a lot of crap.

I mean, 14 pairs of shoes? Do I need 14 pairs? No. Do I wear 14 pairs? Nope. I think being heavily laden with stuff has prevented me from moving even more often. Seriously, when our current living situation was unbearable, I didn’t want to deal with the hassle of moving again, but if I had less stuff, I would have been completely up for it.

In many ways, moving out of country has given me the reason I’ve been looking for to finally shed some pounds and return to the minimal lifestyle that I originally wanted to be on. Since I’ve always moved frequently, I’ve never had much stuff and I like that. Then I stayed in Thailand for years and while I have far less than what my cohorts in the US have, I have too much, more than I need and more than is necessary.

Here it is, if it doesn’t fit in my suitcase or carryon, it’s not coming. !!! I don’t trust the mail system to send anything and even if I did, will I really need what I think I’ll need? And if we can’t find sustainable work in Siem Reap, we’ll have to move again. I don’t like the creed, “hope for the best, but expect the worst,” but in this case, I have to – and I want to be light again.

These days I wake up and start thinking of what needs to be given away and what I want to keep. It’s almost meditative and that’s why I’m excited to just do it. If I had to, I could have just woken up one day and started piling up what I wanted to keep and so on, but thinking about this has been rather good for me. I’ve been gaining better ideas of who should have what and massaging my mind towards letting it all go. Going minimal, I think will be strangely therapeutic – or it will send me over the edge of the shopping cart grabbing things like a rabid consumer when I’m settled in the Reap.

To be honest, I wish I had gotten rid of more stuff when I was in the States. Mostly clothes, really, because by now they are moth-eaten I’m sure. Clothes will be the challenge here, as well, but I keep telling myself if it doesn’t fit well, if I don’t wear it, if I don’t love it, if it’s getting ratty, it needs to be given away. I’ve already given away expensive dresses that I hardly wore. That’s one empty drawer.

Thailand and Cambodia I think are similar countries, so it shouldn’t be a big adjustment. The obvious changes are Cambodia uses US currency and Khmer isn’t a tonal language like Thai, therefore my b/f has been blissfully learning the language. I’ll start with Khmer today since it’s June 1st and I’m participating in Zen Habit’s 30 day learning challenge (I didn’t sign up though). 10 minutes. I can do 10 minutes, right?

Cambodia is grittier than Thailand, too. Where we will live should be pretty damn touristic and safe, but I’ve heard about the power outages, the heat (will miss the cooler weather of the North!), the uncouth characters, the street food poison and scams and yes this all sounds like Thailand, but I know Thailand! This is what I’m scared about, the unknown, but I know that’s part of the adventure (if you can call it that) and the exhilaration.

I speak functional Thai. I know, generally what to expect since I’ve been here for about 5 years. I don’t know why, but I’m trying to think about all the things that I take for granted here because those things will be different in a new country. But maybe the transition will be easier than I imagine. And writing about it has been like talking to you and I can feel myself getting it all out and calming down.

I’m going to miss my speakers. I can buy new speakers.

And who knows, we might be back in Thailand sooner than we think. Maybe things will loosen up again, maybe my b/f can get on a different visa after we’ve been away. It’s hard to say. I still have the option of getting my Thai citizenship. My family will always be here so I’ll be back for visits. But I’m fairly certain I don’t want to live in the North again (winter is coming). I’d love to go to the East and experience Issan culture, which is essentially Lao culture.

Yes, I’ve watched The Killing Fields. And my Cambodian friend D has encouraged me not to move to her home country which I found discouraging until I thought about putting the shoe on the other foot. Would I recommend anyone to move to America? No, but you know, it depends. Plus, things are never what you think they will be anyway.

Here’s to the unknown. We’re going in…

61 replies on “Why moving to Cambodia is scary and exciting”

  1. Good luck with the moving and adventuring into the unknown, Lani. It sounds like a very turbulent time with no uncertainty, but press on and fingers crossed things will fall into place. I actually don’t know anyone from Cambodia, so I really can’t give you advice on moving there.

    “We have no choice and yet we always have a choice.” What a paradox. Ultimately we are left with being coerced into a choice at the last minute because we didn’t take our chances well before.

    14 pairs of shoes? That’s quite a few shoes. It reminds me. I need to start cleaning my closet too. My tens of T-shirts are literally bursting out onto the floor each time I open the closet door… :/

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    1. Thanks, Mabel. I’m surprised by the amount of encouragement and love I’ve gotten on FB since I made the announcement. And right now I’m listening to a minimalist podcast, so I’m super excited to “be more with less” and as far as everything else is concerned, I’m sure the next chapter will be fine…

      As far as cleaning out my closet, I did a massive organization project first and inevitably tossed some things out and now I’m getting ready for the big purge!

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  2. Hi Lani, It is a complete surprise to hear you are leaving Thailand but I totally understand why.

    I have considered living in Siem Reap, too, but was always stuck, by choice, in Chiang Mai. I found a business in CM called Assist Thai Visa that took care of my runs to immigrations and was totally worth the small charge involved! I hope Siem Reap works out well for you. As a child of the sixties I have always been curious about the magic pizzas they sell there. 😛

    I am writing this from the airport in Bangkok. After visiting KL and Malaka in Malaysia, Singapore, Bali, and the Philippines I settled back into CM for a month but now find myself heading to Denver, Colorado to housesit for a friend over the coming summer. It will be interesting to be back in the US again.

    Very best wishes on your new adventure. However, I would bet money that you will eventually be back in Thailand. So enjoy.

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    1. Yes, the option to look into visa type businesses is very much a choice that will be seriously looked at in the future. But, to be honest, I’m ready for something new and different. My b/f would be perfectly content to be in CR if it wasn’t for his visa situation. I, on the other hand, have been chomping at the bit to go somewhere. I’m not as well-travelled as people think or as many of my friends. For a while, I was feeling frustrated and trapped by our circumstances. Going to Hawaii helped immensely and now this move I think will shake me up a bit. Thailand isn’t going anywhere, so I know I can always come back. Happy travels, Stu. I miss Colorado! Have fun 😀

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  3. i think it will be exciting. i am looking forward to reading of your adventures there. i think cambodia can overtake thailand as the preferred expat country and you will be a pioneer. you might even be the one to run a business guiding foreigners to set up there, esp as foreigners can own businesses there. that is a big plus vs thailand.

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    1. Thank you. I think there are many pioneers (love it) already blazing the trails over there, but they should could use a few more bloggers!

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  6. Lani, so many big things are happening on your end! All the best for the moving and the logistics, and hoping you’ll love your new home. Stay safe xx

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  7. I swear I get more relevant information on international events on blogs than I do on National TV News. Had no idea this stuff was going on in Thailand, nor what life is like in Cambodia now. Very interesting and informative, as always.

    Glad to hear your preparations are proceeding and I look forward to all the ugly details in a future post.

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    1. Hahhaa. Yeah, underground news, bloggers, the people! Yeah, I’m censoring myself heavily and have been for ages. Ah, well. Can’t take any chances…

      Thanks for the well-wishes. Ugly details will be forth-coming 😛

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  8. How exciting!! Good luck with the move 🙂
    I have been in Cambodia, but only for 5 days and 6 years ago, haha. I loved it. People were very nice. But, as you said, it’s not the same as living there. But I’m sure everything will be alright! Keep us posted!

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    1. Glad you liked it. So many of my friends keep telling me how much they enjoyed it. That’s a good sign, right? Okay, will do 🙂

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  9. Oh man! This is so exciting! I have never known anyone who has moved to Cambodia. I have visited, but that doesn’t tell one much of what it’s really like to stay there.
    I cannot wait to read your posts!
    Also… I wish I wore the same size shoes as you… I’d make you post those shoes down to me. 🙂
    You will be missed here in Thailand, but I am so stoked for you guys and your new adventure! Hooray!

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    1. 555+ Well, now you have Payless, so you should be okay. A lot of these shoes just collect dust. It’s embarassing!

      Thanks for the encouragement 🙂

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  10. Wow. A Big Change coming up, and more adventures on the horizon. It’s certainly exciting, in a slightly scary way.

    Best of luck to you and your partner in Cambodia. I’ve never been there, myself, but [like others] have heard that the people are nice. Siem Reap sounds so very exotic.

    Really looking forward to accounts of your Cambodian experiences. [you probably don’t need to bring all those shoes]

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    1. 😀 No, I’m going to try to bring only 4 pairs, and 2 of them will be slippers/flip flops.

      And I’ll take all the good luck that I can. Yes, the experiences should be invigorating and, possibly even, life changing. Cheers.

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  11. Wow, yay for fresh starts and good luck moving 🙂 Maybe you’ll become the Cambodian blogger everyone knows about! Hope the transition is easy for you! I remember I had more culture shock living in China than I did living in Korea (first time living abroad) because I kept expecting everything to be like Korea. Just not being able to read was a big adjustment.

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    1. Yeah, I feel like China is really on the other side of the Universe. It’s a true test of your mettle because it is so radically different than what we know.

      My b/f can read Thai, but he felt it was a waste of time to learn, so he’s not going to get into Khmer (maybe later). He had to learn to read Chinese though. Yeah, maybe Cambodia will be another wave of culture shock like you experienced, waiting for things to be like Thailand. Thanks for the warning! 😛

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  13. I’m so happy for you! I feel the trepidation, the faith, the instinctive urge to look up everything…I think you have the right attitude in all of this. It will be what it is, so let it be. Good advice. It’s a big, hairy, scary move, but I know you, and I know you’ll be amazing.

    I love that you’re going minimal. Clutter clutters the soul and the mind, and having stuff does make it hard to move on and out when you need to. I’m doing the same thing here now so I’m right in the boat with you. Keep the memories, toss the junk.

    I can’t wait to hear all about it – so know that I’m back in the crowd waving and cheering! And a very big part of me is super happy you’re still going to be in my neighborhood of the world.

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    1. Yes. I hope we can see each other! Won’t that be fun? I need to properly see Korea and not just spend a day in a tour bus.

      I figured you were doing the same thing. And I’ve been doing research on minimalism. I love what’s out there and I can’t wait for this week to be over so I can “roll up my sleeves” and get to work!

      Thanks for the love, right back at ya. xxoo

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  14. Holy crap balls! My Thai blogging homie is off! Yes, I sound like the queen and I said homie.

    I loved SR when I was there, the people, the food and the feel of the place was awesome. Obviously visiting and living somewhere are very different beasts (if one more person tells me how much they loved Bangkok in 2004 and how cool a place it is, I might go full frustrated farang rage on them).

    Good luck with the move mate – I’m hoping to run the Ankor Wat half-marathon in December so you never know, might see you there.

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    1. Ha! That would be wild! Now I know there is a marathon in December. Run away! Run away!

      I know, I feel like everyone and their family has been to Thailand. If you go full frustrated farang on them, can I watch? 🙂

      Then I can used it as evidence of the delicate temperment of the Western mind.

      Good news about SR. Glad you liked it. Yeaaaa!

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  15. Thanks Lani, your blog makes a difference to the way I see things. I am very grateful to know what is happening on the ground. Many farang are muzzled or moving. I have lost my magnetic attraction to chiang mai, for sure, and am impatient with some things about Thailand. Not nearly as impatient as I am with the dictatorship here in Canada, but still…… Best of luck with your move. My advice on Cambodia is do not go to the actual killing fields or genocide museum, because it tears your heart up too much and makes it difficult to know who you are living amongst. Live in the present and enjoy the wonderful people, as always. All best wishes, Sybil.

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    1. Yes, I knew that I could never go to the actual killing fields museum. I don’t have the stomach for such atrocities. We’ll see though. I wonder how I will handle the poverty because I can’t imagine just sticking to my safe corner of the world. Although when I came to Thailand when I was 16, I saw limbless beggars and simple living that shocked my American upbringing.

      We can talk via email if you like, but yeah, been experiencing and hearing about a lot of changes. You could find out more as Canada won’t be censoring these things. Thanks for the good wishes, sending lots of love back.

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  16. Exciting…:) I appreciate how you describe your worries and fears because they’re legit concerns. From what I hear from my friends, I don’t know about that freedom you describe of… But maybe it’s all relative and it’s better than the current environment in Thailand; I don’t know since I don’t live in either place.

    since khmer is not tonal it should be easier to learn. The languages are similar so you may not find it difficult. I know many Khmers who speak Thai and many Lao who speak khmer… So I don’t think it’ll be impossible. And the Thai writing system is based off the khmer system so your boyfriend may pick it up quickly. For example the first consonant looks and sounds the same in both alphabets, except in khmer it has “hair” aka the squiggle on top.

    I look forward to reading about your new life in siem reap lani! 🙂

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    1. Thank you. It’s overwhelming, at times, to think of these concerns and at other times, I tell myself not to worry. It could very well turn out that we will find ourselves in a similar situation like Thailand, or trade one bad thing for another. I don’t know, but I’m willing to take that risk.

      Yes, the writing does look fancier, but similar. I think he just wants to focus on speaking and listening and the writing, if we can make Cambodia work, will naturally follow since he already reads Thai.

      Yeah, I’ve already discovered some similar words, but man, oh, man, Khmer is kicking my butt right now!

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  17. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and your fears. Like many of your followers, I’ll be with you in spirit and wishing you well.

    If it’s any consolation, I moved to the Philippines without ever seeing it and years later to Vanuatu without every seeing it. There were plenty of surprises both places, lots of good and bad. We stayed too long in the Philippines for my taste (20+ years with some breaks). Vanuatu (3 yrs.) was full of surprises, but I loved it. That’s why my next novel will be set in Vanuatu.

    Every time I’ve moved, I’ve gotten rid of lots of stuff but never enough.

    A few years before the Killing Fields, I read a book set in Cambodia, and my main impression was that Cambodia must be the most peaceful place in the world. I hope it’s changed back to that. (Of course, every place is a mixture, and everyone has the potential for good or bad.)

    Best of luck to you.

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    1. Vanuatu! Wow. You have lived such an amazing life! I do need to read more of your writing because I appreciate your point of view.

      I hear good things about how kind the people are despite their insane history. And I’m curious how I will feel there. I think the haves and have nots are becoming bigger issues and there will be no running away from it when I’m there.

      Thanks.

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  18. Hey Lani, Wow. What a courageous leap. Jack was having similar problems with visas too so it was a good time for us to leave Thailand as well. Having moved recently to Taiwan with stricter laws and rules (and they actually adhere to them) I relate to your excitement and anxiety. I had to get rid of a lot of thigns too when we left. And still ended up with a lot of stuff. We are settled now but took us four months to do so. Having a homeschooled kid in tow made things that much more challanging. Hey you finished your book. Yaay! What an admirable accomplishment that is! Maybe you’ll write another one in Cambodia? I’m wishing you and Eric all the best in your new journey. And looking forward to reading all about the good and the not so great stuff that’s part of life. 🙂 Aye

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    1. Thanks Aye. Yes, I’m following your journey, too, but I had no idea Jack’s visa was the instigator. I simply thought you were all ready for something new and reconnecting with Taiwan. Interesting.

      I’m sure it was horribly stressful not knowing where you were going to land/settle, but look at you all now! It seems worth the wait I’m sure.

      It’s difficult to see what’s on the other side for us and while we have the luxury to be Americans, we don’t have the luxury that comes with the rich. So, we’ll be rich in other ways 😉

      Thanks, working on another book (!) and yes, maybe it will be in Cambodia where it will get done. Hope our paths cross again, xxoo

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  19. Lani, some of the feelings you are feeling were the same ones I felt moving to Taiwan all those years ago (I can’t believe it will be 16 years on June 13th.) I moved to Taiwan knowing hardly anything about the place, but that was part of the adventure. I got to see it with your own eyes and got to draw your own conclusions about the place. I am at the tail end of writing a memoir about my first year and looking back, I totally appreciate embracing Taiwan with fresh eyes and I will be the first to admit that all the hiccups along the way (and there were many) where the things that made stronger.

    Good luck in Cambodia. Embrace the adventure and I hope everything works out for you! I can’t wait to read where the journey takes you!

    PS: Congrats on the book! Such an accomplishment!

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    1. Thank you very much! It’s funny. I deliberately wrote a long post because I had so much to say and as a result, I kind of figured not many would read it.

      So, thank you for connecting and commenting. I suppose if you are 16 years (!!!) in Taiwan there is no going back home? 🙂 I’m off to read more about you.

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      1. It is nice connecting with you as well!

        Sometimes the more personal posts are the ones that get the most attention, no matter what the length, because of their honesty.

        It looks like we will be in Taiwan for awhile. I am really happy and content here and buying a house cemented a more permanent foundation in Taiwan.

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      2. Good for you. I have friends in Taiwan and it’s where my family fled during the Chinese Civil War, so I’m keen on seeing it – one day, one day.

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  20. Lani, I am so excited for you. I think it sounds like a fantastic adventure…and I’m trying (and failing so far) at the minimalist life as well. Good luck. I can’t wait to read your first impressions!

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  21. Wishing you buckets of good wishes and stars, Lani in Cambodia. What is the language like?

    I’ve only known 1 person of Cambodian descent here in Canada and she’s only 50% that. (Other is Chinese.)

    Well, I have to say I probably have 12 prs. of shoes in another city plus 7 prs. of shoes and 2 prs. of boots (short winter boot + long dress winter boot) where I am right now. Yea, I got to discipline myself…

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    1. Hahhaha. Get to it. Summer cleaning! Yeah, this week I get to dig into all my stuff and start trimming off the fat. Oh, joy.

      When I was waiting in the loooonngg line at Korean immigration, met a nice 30ish couple born in Thai refugee camps via Cambodia, they were raised in America and were back in their home country doing work.

      Ever since we put our minds to Cambodia, I feel like things like this keep happening. Thanks for the buckets of love, xxoo 😀

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  22. I salute you and your choices, Lani. Yes, we can never be sure how these moves will turn out, and even though they are nerve-wracking in their uncertainty, they are always wonderful opportunities to explore new places, not just in this big old world, but also within ourselves. I am wishing you the best of luck in scaling down, and finding work, etc. I am also quite excited to embark on this journey with you in the blogosphere.

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  24. LANI!!! Oh my goodness, this is soooooooooo exciting!!! I would be bubbling with so much excitement to move to a new country (and also be a tad bit nervous, but still, so much to look forward to!!!). I can’t wait to hear your stories about Cambodia.

    Now that you mention it, I don’t know about many blogs or expats that have taken the Cambodia route. Vietnam, yes, Thailand, yes–but Cambodia is not something I hear about all too often. I simply can’t wait to hear all your new and exciting stories!

    When I tell Chinese people that I lived in China for 4 years, they always ask me: “why would you ever leave America to go to China?” They’re always aghast when I tell them that I loved China and it was a very positive experience for me. When I tell them that America is not the utopia they envision, they’re also just as flabbergasted. It’s strange.

    Either way, I think people should take some pride in their home country. Whenever Chinese people talk bad about their country I get upset. No matter how bad a place is, there’s always some good–and that’s something to be proud of.

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    1. I understand what you are saying. As much as I’m disappointed in America, there are A LOT of really great things about the US that I’m extremely grateful for – I’m glad I was raised in America.

      Everything comes down to personal experience though. You can live in the best place on earth, but if you have a hard/tough/impossible time, then it doesn’t matter, now does it?

      Folks would ask me why I left Hawaii, of all places when I was on the Mainland. Their reactions to hearing that I was from Hawaii were almost carbon copies of each other. The excitement, the dreaminess, the WHY would I EVER leave…and so on.

      And you are absolutely right about the routes expats take. Cambodia flies under the radar. Maybe this is for a reason? But I know there are plenty of thriving expats there, too.

      I’m excited that you’re excited! 🙂 Thank you. It will be an adventure, beyond that, it’s difficult to know what to expect. Hugs.

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  25. Good luck with the move. 🙂 My friend spent 3 weeks there in January and didn’t want to leave. In fact, her girlfriend stayed there for 2 extra months to soak up more of the culture and really get to know as much as she could. I’ve been dying to go down there for a visit ever since I moved to Korea.

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    1. Thank you. I’m looking forward to it! And if you are in Korea, it’s not far away…thanks for saying Hello!

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  26. I know this is an old post already, but i can’t believe I missed it Lani! I really hope things are going well for you in Siem Reap. We were there for 2.5 weeks back in December and we enjoyed our time there. I admit I thought it was kind of a boring city, but I also liked the small-town-boringness of it. And oh, those fresh fruit shakes on the streets were so good!

    The move to cambodia website you mentioned, we met the writer of it. They are offering Siem Reap food tours now too, which we went on (I can’t believe I haven’t written about it yet!) and it was a really fun time. It was definitely a splurge activity though as it was quite pricey.

    I really look forward to hearing more about your experience in Cambodia!!

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    1. Thanks. No worries, I can see why folks might think it’s boring. After perusing the touristic areas, it probably seems sleepy. But working here adds another element, and I’m working on my first Cambo post! Coming soon!

      I’m slowly catching up on blogs as we are getting settled, too. Yeah, I saw the food tours. I hope you write about it. I’d like to know what it entailed 🙂

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  27. My husband and I are looking at taking a post in PP and are trying to research what we should bring with us from the states. Our housing and furnishings will mostly be furnished by work and they pay for us to bring things over. Since you are in Cambodia now, what would you suggest expats bring from the US with them if they are able to bring it?

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    1. I don’t live in PP, but Siem Reap has just about everything you want or need. When I was in the US for a visit, after 5 years of living abroad, I sought quality bras and underwear, a few medical items like Neosporin and Emergen-C.

      If you and your husband are particuarly tall or have shoe sizes that might be hard to find here, I’d bring shoes, clothes, and intimates that you know will last. Most foreigners complained about that, at least in Thailand.

      Plus, the clothes here might not be of your tastes or styles, so put-together wardrobe would be a good idea.

      Other than that, leave it at home or sell it. Oh, and if you are anything like me, you’ll want your Kindle 🙂

      Good luck!

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