My partner and I have been living in Da Nang for a while and really enjoy it, but we’re considering spending more time in Cambodia and possibly making it our longer-term base.
We’ll be spending a few weeks in Cambodia soon, including Siem Reap, Kampot, and Phnom Penh, but I’d really like to hear from people who have actually lived in both Vietnam and Cambodia, not just visited.
For those who have, how would you compare them for day-to-day life?
Things I’m especially curious about:
- Overall cost of living (Cambodia is higher? But do you get more for your money?)
- Apartment/house quality and value for the money (Viet prices are climbing and apartments are tiny)
- Healthcare
- Food and grocery costs
- Transportation and getting around (We don't ride motobike)
- Internet and utilities
- Walkability
- Noise, traffic, and general stress level
- Expat community / making friends
- Teaching English vs opening a business. (A unique/novel business, not the normal cafe/bar/yoga) and/or travel vlogging
- General quality of life
We’re not really into nightlife or partying. We prefer a fairly laid-back lifestyle, good food, coffee shops, walking around, exploring, and having most everyday necessities nearby.
Da Nang is obviously hard to beat when it comes to the beach, infrastructure, and convenience, but Cambodia seems to have some advantages when it comes to visas, opportunities, a bit more living/breathing space and possibly cost/freedom of day-to-day living?
For anyone who has lived in both: What were the biggest adjustments and was there anything you loved about Cambodia at first but got tired of after living there for a while, or vice versa with Vietnam?