[Beyond Borders]

^Pretty typical price range for an apartment in PP (nicer ones for expats, anyhow). I have no recommendation as I just guesthoused the entire time I was there. Just ask around. Shouldn't take long. Rent a moto and just drive around outside the tourist area looking for apartment buildings to find the real deals.

Honestly don't know if I'd bother with an apartment for just a month, though. You end up having to buy all the little knick knacks (even when its furnished) to get properly settled, and suddenly it's already time to leave again. I don't know that you even save having a kitchen for a month, considering that you have to buy all the staples to set up a kitchen in a new place.

Plus the looking around time to start...

For a month, I'd just get a comfortable hotel or guesthouse.

You might throw up a post on Khmer440 though. Be forewarned that there are a lot of trolls there.

I saw some decent prices on agoda for places with pools and gyms. Might be worth a look.

[big poppa]

If you've got 2 weeks or so in Cambodia I'd do the PP->Battambang->Siam Reap route.. Or reverse.

Although I'll probably try and hit up Sihanoukville whenever I get a chance to get out there again.

I fell in love with Phnom Penh. I've heard of many people hitting up Cambodia and staying the whole time in Siam Reap.. Huge mistake in my opinion.

[Beyond Borders]

(02-27-2015 12:11 AM)big poppa Wrote:  

If you've got 2 weeks or so in Cambodia I'd do the PP->Battambang->Siam Reap route.. Or reverse.

Although I'll probably try and hit up Sihanoukville whenever I get a chance to get out there again.

I fell in love with Phnom Penh. I've heard of many people hitting up Cambodia and staying the whole time in Siam Reap.. Huge mistake in my opinion.

Depends what you're looking for.

I lived in Siem Reap for my first five months or so that I lived here. Then I spent a year in Phnom Penh, about a month and a half in Sihanoukville and a month in Battambang.

But all of that brought me back to Siem Reap and like it here best (for now). The only thing I don't like is that there's no ocean.

Of course, I spend very little time in the center, so it may not be Siem Reap as many people know it.

I agree people shouldn't beeline straight for tourist centers if they can help it, but if you've got two weeks pick one place and don't see anything else. 2 weeks is not enough time to see an entire country and it's ludicrous to try - I speak from experience on this as I made the same mistake with my first trip abroad. Much better to actually slow down and actually SEE something, if you know what I mean.

That doesn't mean spend 2 weeks on Pub Street in Siem Reap; there's much more to this place and any other than that. And aside from exploring your primary location you can do some motoing around the countryside, take daytrips, etc.

Don't spend two weeks on boats and buses - biggest, most common world travel mistake, if you ask me.

[big poppa]

(02-27-2015 01:43 AM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  

(02-27-2015 12:11 AM)big poppa Wrote:  

If you've got 2 weeks or so in Cambodia I'd do the PP->Battambang->Siam Reap route.. Or reverse.

Although I'll probably try and hit up Sihanoukville whenever I get a chance to get out there again.

I fell in love with Phnom Penh. I've heard of many people hitting up Cambodia and staying the whole time in Siam Reap.. Huge mistake in my opinion.

Depends what you're looking for.

I lived in Siem Reap for my first five months or so that I lived here. Then I spent a year in Phnom Penh, about a month and a half in Sihanoukville and a month in Battambang.

But all of that brought me back to Siem Reap and like it here best (for now). The only thing I don't like is that there's no ocean.

Of course, I spend very little time in the center, so it may not be Siem Reap as many people know it.

I agree people shouldn't beeline straight for tourist centers if they can help it, but if you've got two weeks pick one place and don't see anything else. 2 weeks is not enough time to see an entire country and it's ludicrous to try - I speak from experience on this as I made the same mistake with my first trip abroad. Much better to actually slow down and actually SEE something, if you know what I mean.

That doesn't mean spend 2 weeks on Pub Street in Siem Reap; there's much more to this place and any other than that. And aside from exploring your primary location you can do some motoing around the countryside, take daytrips, etc.

Don't spend two weeks on boats and buses - biggest, most common world travel mistake, if you ask me.

I definitely agree with your consensus but Cambodia is pretty small and I don't feel like the trip was rushed at all.. From memory it was about 6 hours by bus to Battambang and then another 2 hours to Siam Reap.. So 8 hours travel over 2 weeks isn't too bad. With that being said, I'm going to spend at least a month or so in PP next time I'm in SE Asia because there are things I definitely missed out on and I wasn't ready to leave when I had to.

If you're over in that area and you've got a limited time span it would be silly to miss out on either place just because of a half-day bus ride I think. Especially if you have an interest in both the temples and the Killing fields/Prison etc.

What you said reminds me of group of friends of my girlfriend who visited about 14 European countries in 1 month.. Just to say "I've been to x amount of countries!" Checking in and out of hotels every day, catching buses every day.. Couldn't think of anything worse.

[RichieP]

Just wondering, are there a few upscale bars/lounges/spots in PP? The kinda upper-middle class spots good for meeting educated or rich locals, expats etc? I'm sure there's expensive places for tourists... anywhere with a more local/professional expat flavor? Or has that scene not really sprung up yet.

Cheers!

[Beyond Borders]

(02-27-2015 07:25 AM)RichieP Wrote:  

Just wondering, are there a few upscale bars/lounges/spots in PP? The kinda upper-middle class spots good for meeting educated or rich locals, expats etc? I'm sure there's expensive places for tourists... anywhere with a more local/professional expat flavor? Or has that scene not really sprung up yet.

Cheers!

Yeah, Man, there is plenty of that. Some of my favorites include Riverhouse Asian Bistro, Rahu, and Skybar Eclipse. That third one is on top of the Prudential building, and there are actually three levels, with a different restaurant on the first, restaurant on second, and open-sky restaurant/bar on the 3rd. The Rahu I'm talking about is the one right next door to Riverhouse Asian Bistro; make sure not to confuse it with the other, which is run by the same people but not quite the same talent-wise.

For meeting moneyed locals in clubs, hit up St. Tropez, Nova, and C2 Club (there are plenty more further off the radar but not sure of hte names). The last will definitely not be a crapshoot on the ladies but is best for meeting well-off locals who don't hang with foreigners often, assuming you know how to put yourself out there and break the ice - the other two see more foreigner traffic.

A lot of stars hang out at C2 (my choice spot), but there's also a undercurrent of hard-to-read danger as many rich guys travel at night with their minders, and if something goes down, everyone will look the other way, depending on how important the guy is.

I've never seen anything bad go down in these particular spots, but it's important to at least understand the dynamic and behave yourself.

When you do meet the guys with money, they will drag you around to all the nice clubs and pour booze down your throat until morning to show off their lifestyle, so prepare yourself.

[RichieP]

Wow, very cool. Thanks alot BB, that's some great info.

Yeah I bet it is really wild-west, regarding the undercurrent of danger and presence of minders etc. That sounds a little more out there than anything I've experienced yet. Definitely hear you on getting the dynamics and calibrating properly.

Sounds interesting man. Thanks for the tips!

[Beyond Borders]

(02-27-2015 07:48 AM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  

The last will definitely not be a crapshoot on the ladies but is best for meeting well-off locals who don't hang with foreigners often, assuming you know how to put yourself out there and break the ice - the other two see more foreigner traffic.

I used that metaphor completely wrong and said the opposite of what I meant to say, but I think you got the point.

[Beyond Borders]

(02-27-2015 08:57 AM)RichieP Wrote:  

Wow, very cool. Thanks alot BB, that's some great info.

Haha yeah I bet it is really wild-west, regarding the undercurrent of danger and presence of minders etc. That sounds a little more out there than anything I've experienced yet. Definitely hear you on getting the dynamics and calibrating properly.

Sounds interesting man. Thanks for the tips!

Yeah, the danger is pretty far in the background, but it's always a good idea to remember that it exists. When you give your average kind of joe that much power - a power they never earned - it's inevitable that goofy shit can go down sometimes. For the most part Khmers and other Southeast Asians don't go out looking for trouble but it's good to know how to read people if you're hanging out around booze a lot and try not to offend people if possible.

I've broken all the rules in my time, though, so it's not like you're walking on eggshells and going to catch a bullet if you slip up. haha Common sense is usually enough to get you by.

[Global Entry]

Be respectful and smile at people. Don't be an ass. When in a bar, toast them (don't hold the glass up but rather hold it out to them in tribute). A little bit of courtesy and a smile goes a long way. Girls that are with these groups, in general, are not going to embarrass their hosts openly by doing something that would otherwise put you in a bad way with whoever she's with. She might very well do that out of sight, but otherwise, you'll be fine. And don't dress like a backpacker on a night out, or you'll be looked at like a clown (and appropriately so).

BB, what about the casino - rich locals there? It seemed there might be, playing whatever in between all the pros and semi-pros?

[Beyond Borders]

By the way, turns out that we're overpaying for our apartment (the one in the initial post). We just got wind of very similar ones for 80 bucks. Probably without the annoying extra bed too.

(02-27-2015 11:37 AM)Global Entry Wrote:  

Be respectful and smile at people. Don't be an ass. When in a bar, toast them (don't hold the glass up but rather hold it out to them in tribute). A little bit of courtesy and a smile goes a long way. Girls that are with these groups, in general, are not going to embarrass their hosts openly by doing something that would otherwise put you in a bad way with whoever she's with. She might very well do that out of sight, but otherwise, you'll be fine. And don't dress like a backpacker on a night out, or you'll be looked at like a clown (and appropriately so).

BB, what about the casino - rich locals there? It seemed there might be, playing whatever in between all the pros and semi-pros?

Yeah, for sure, Man. Plenty of rich locals there, and in the clubs within the casinos too. I didn't spend much time in that joint. Just browsed through for a few drinks here and there. Darling Darling usually has a great band playing. I think the upstairs club does get busy sometimes but was dead when I went.

A card shark could probably do well with some poker there. I'm pretty rusty with my hold em' skills and never gave it a go.

[Beyond Borders]

Found some new digs. Was thinking of throwing a weight set outside and throwing away all my personal belongings except for zinc and a box of baking soda.

Think they'll link me up with internet in a spot like this?

   

[Global Entry]

Maybe keep your home tetanus kit as well.

[Beyond Borders]

(03-03-2015 08:18 AM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  

By the way, turns out that we're overpaying for our apartment (the one in the initial post). We just got wind of very similar ones for 80 bucks. Probably without the annoying extra bed too.

Just realized I posted this in the wrong place. When I mentioned the OP, I was referring to this thread: http://www.rooshvforum.network/thread-45121.html

Anyways, I doubt I'll bother to move over, but it's very interesting that you can get a studio here with kitchen, western toilet, and air con for 80 bucks a month.

Young online business builders take note.

[Sybarite]

Where? I just git in today, spent the afternoon wandering bkk1 and Russian market. Clearly just scouting English for rent signs aint working, only finding places that want $800+ and won't do less than 6 months. They're nice, byt not that nice. I get a vibe I could bargain some, but nowhere near the levels you're talking. Is Khmer required to get a half decent deal? Ill just use one of the realtors tomorrow I guess.

[iknowexactly]

(02-27-2015 07:48 AM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  

....rich guys travel at night with their minders, and if something goes down, everyone will look the other way, depending on how important the guy is.

Is a "minder" like a bodyguard?

[Beyond Borders]

(03-06-2015 05:48 AM)Sybarite Wrote:  

Where? I just git in today, spent the afternoon wandering bkk1 and Russian market. Clearly just scouting English for rent signs aint working, only finding places that want $800+ and won't do less than 6 months. They're nice, byt not that nice. I get a vibe I could bargain some, but nowhere near the levels you're talking. Is Khmer required to get a half decent deal? Ill just use one of the realtors tomorrow I guess.

Well, the place in my video and the place I mentioned are both in Siem Reap, but you can find cheap places in PP too. 100 (w/ air con) - 500, depending on your standards, is definitely doable there.

Are you comfortable on a moto?

Yeah, don't pay 800. I'd just get a nice guesthouse before I'd fork that out on a room in PP (unless you want something real nice). Especially for such a short stay.

The real estate agent might be a good bet. Not sure how good of a bet though considering the one-month issue - since the agents make their money on commissions, the landlords probably want to see more long-term leases than that.

Honestly, I always do my apartment shopping by driving around on the moto away from the main landmarks and just popping into places that look like apartment buildings to inquire. Some want leases, some are month-to-month. More expensive ones generally want leases.

Or by asking locals I meet at non-tourist bars, restaurants, or gyms. I've also had girls I met on dates take me for last-minute apartment shopping.

There's a guy named Rick91 over at the NN forum who is teaching English in PP. Maybe he can give you a lead.

All of this takes a little time, and you just flew in today, so while I'm sure you're feeling travel-worn, that's not really long enough to feel like you've given it an honest effort. It will typically take a couple days of serious scooting around to get the lay of the land and do enough scouting to find a cheap and worthy place.

Like I mentioned before, it may not be worth it if you're only going to be there a month (am I confusing you with someone?). You've currently got "Westerner who just stepped off the plane and is in a hurry" written all over your face, and I think the apartment thing is sometimes overrated (for short stays) even with the lower price due to the time and hassle of getting set up. Even when furnished.

(03-06-2015 06:11 AM)iknowexactly Wrote:  

(02-27-2015 07:48 AM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  

....rich guys travel at night with their minders, and if something goes down, everyone will look the other way, depending on how important the guy is.

Is a "minder" like a bodyguard?

Yes, but shadier, more dangerous, and a lot more committed to their job, I'd say.

[WanderingSoul]

I grew up with Cambodians in California. One of my friends uncles got deported and now lives in PP. His uncle's friend got hacked to death with a machete. He told my friend "You think you're a gangster in California, but you'll disappear out here."

I watched a few documentaries on YouTube about deported Cambodians in PP. Basically they said they learned their lesson about bumping heads with the sons of generals and such. If one of them wants their table at the club, they give it up. Cambodian street gangs from California are known for killing people and being ruthless, but in PP the rich are the real gangsters.

Not to fear monger or anything lol.

[Sybarite]

[quote] (03-06-2015 06:31 AM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  

[quote='Sybarite' pid='972954' dateline='1425638881']
Where? I just git in today, spent the afternoon wandering bkk1 and Russian market. Clearly just scouting English for rent signs aint working, only finding places that want $800+ and won't do less than 6 months. They're nice, byt not that nice. I get a vibe I could bargain some, but nowhere near the levels you're talking. Is Khmer required to get a half decent deal? Ill just use one of the realtors tomorrow I guess.[/quote]

Well, the place in my video and the place I mentioned are both in Siem Reap, but you can find cheap places in PP too. 100 (w/ air con) - 500, depending on your standards, is definitely doable there.

Are you comfortable on a moto?

Yeah, don't pay 800. I'd just get a nice guesthouse before I'd fork that out on a room in PP (unless you want something real nice). Especially for such a short stay.

The real estate agent might be a good bet. Not sure how good of a bet though considering the one-month issue - since the agents make their money on commissions, the landlords probably want to see more long-term leases than that.

Honestly, I always do my apartment shopping by driving around on the moto away from the main landmarks and just popping into places that look like apartment buildings to inquire. Some want leases, some are month-to-month. More expensive ones generally want leases.

Or by asking locals I meet at non-tourist bars, restaurants, or gyms. I've also had girls I met on dates take me for last-minute apartment shopping.

There's a guy named Rick91 over at the NN forum who is teaching English in PP. Maybe he can give you a lead.

All of this takes a little time, and you just flew in today, so while I'm sure you're feeling travel-worn, that's not really long enough to feel like you've given it an honest effort. It will typically take a couple days of serious scooting around to get the lay of the land and do enough scouting to find a cheap and worthy place.

Like I mentioned before, it may not be worth it if you're only going to be there a month (am I confusing you with someone?). You've currently got "Westerner who just stepped off the plane and is in a hurry" written all over your face, and I think the apartment thing is sometimes overrated (for short stays) even with the lower price due to the time and hassle of getting set up. Even when furnished.

[quote='iknowexactly' pid='972960' dateline='1425640282']

Yeah, I'm here a month for sure; might stay longer if things seem good though. I'll get a moto tomorrow and go around. I'm a fan of apartments over guesthouses; feels more settled to me, and girls get that vibe too.

Thanks.

[Beyond Borders]

(03-06-2015 09:04 AM)Sybarite Wrote:  

Yeah, I'm here a month for sure; might stay longer if things seem good though. I'll get a moto tomorrow and go around. I'm a fan of apartments over guesthouses; feels more settled to me, and girls get that vibe too.

Thanks.

What are you looking for in a place specifically? I can shoot a message to a Khmer friend who works in the hotel industry there. He gets word on rentals quite a bit.

Have you asked at the hotel, by the way? Also, sometimes you need to tell people, when inquiring with poor locals, your price range. Otherwise they assume you have a fat Western budget and they take you somewhere where they might get a healthy commission out of it.

We're talking about a capital city in a 4th world country crammed full of poor people. You can always expect housing that serves any imaginable price range in such a place.

[DMario]

I've been on deck in Phnom Penh for about a month now. Its definitely a culture shock. especially coming from Budapest. I'll be here for awhile though if any forum members roll through.

[DMario]

(02-27-2015 07:48 AM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  

For meeting moneyed locals in clubs, hit up St. Tropez, Nova, and C2 Club (there are plenty more further off the radar but not sure of hte names). The last will definitely not be a crapshoot on the ladies but is best for meeting well-off locals who don't hang with foreigners often, assuming you know how to put yourself out there and break the ice - the other two see more foreigner traffic.

I hit up Nova last night around 2:30 am . It was rather dead. there was more security in there than patrons haha. You have any suggestions for more late night upper scale places? I will hit up C2 next weekend.

[mute]

You couldn't seal it because you weren't sure if she wanted money? You seem knowledgeable enough to know better, but just in case you haven't figured it out by now somehow, this is what you say in some form or another:

"My friend go with lady last night and in the morning she ask for money! I was so surprised. In USA (or wherever you're from) we no have. I never tried that."

Or if she would never believe that you don't know better, just flat out ask what she does and if she is "expecting" anything from the night.

See how she reacts, and continue with this if necessary:

"If lady go with me for money, she no like me. She only want money." Etc

While doing this, your game needs to have been solid enough to turn her on. You should have kissed her neck already.

You will be able to shore some if you are decent looking and use this method with enough girls to land one.

[DMario]

(05-03-2015 07:28 AM)mute Wrote:  

You couldn't seal it because you weren't sure if she wanted money? You seem knowledgeable enough to know better, but just in case you haven't figured it out by now somehow, this is what you say in some form or another:

"My friend go with lady last night and in the morning she ask for money! I was so surprised. In USA (or wherever you're from) we no have. I never tried that."

Or if she would never believe that you don't know better, just flat out ask what she does and if she is "expecting" anything from the night.

See how she reacts, and continue with this if necessary:

"If lady go with me for money, she no like me. She only want money." Etc

While doing this, your game needs to have been solid enough to turn her on. You should have kissed her neck already.

You will be able to shore some if you are decent looking and use this method with enough girls to land one.

Mute you live in PP?

[DMario]

A place with good expat/local talent I haven't seen mentioned on here is Samai Rum distillery close to AEON mall. You will find girls from all over Asia here. The kicker is its only open on Thursday nights. They do a pretty good Cuba Libre as well. I believe the owners came from Spain.

Another place that has started to grow on me is VITO, its on street 214 not too far from NOVA. Its mostly Khmer and Frenchies. This is a good place to find non-Asians who aren't backpackers. The club its self focuses on Music from the 70's and 80's. I've had some fun times here.

and to end, Bouchon Wine bar. It's a chic little wine bar on street 246. It is also filled with a mix of Khmer/Frenchies. Sometimes they have live music, and from 8-10pm on Saturday they have $2.5 Martinis. I usually spend my time here flirting with the Bar staff, as they probably have the all around cutest bartenders I've seen in the city so far.

Rahu on the Riverfront has now changed to Oskar bistro, with the same owners as the Oskars located in Bangkok. I went to the grand opening last friday. Alot of the crowd was older guys, but there were definitely some stunner Khmer girls sprinkled in. I think this place will eventually be my favorite place once it develops its name in Phnom Penh.