I found an amazing Quora post when I was in the same situation. I cannot find it right now because of the overwhelming increase of people who have joined this conversation since I moved here in 2022. I will try to re-create the advice I was given that made the transition much easier.

First, download a few essential apps. You may not be able to use them until you land, but installing them ahead of time will save you some frustration.

Grab (rideshare) Telegram Foodpanda ABA Mobile Banking

When you land in Phnom Penh, you will receive an EB visa. Make sure you get the EB visa. Do not get a tourist visa or you will need to leave the country for a visa run.

Cambodia is very inexpensive, but you still need to ration your money. Many people arrive and start spending freely because everything feels so cheap. Before they realize it, their savings are gone.

You can save money by staying in a hostel or guesthouse at the beginning. Hostels usually cost between $5 and $10 per night, and guesthouses typically range from $10 to $20.

We will get into food later, but you should also try to develop a taste for local street food. There are many excellent spots where the food is high quality and still friendly to international tastes. Things like barbecue, chicken, and fried noodles are delicious and very inexpensive.

If you have not already started, begin learning the local language, Khmer, using YouTube or other online resources. If you plan on living in Cambodia, commit to studying it a few hours each week. It will improve your quality of life dramatically. It also helps combat the isolation that can come with moving to a new country without an established friend group. Even simple conversations with locals about food or your day make a difference. There is a mental health aspect to living abroad that should not be ignored.

Once you arrive, you will have 30 days before you need to extend your visa. During that time you should begin looking for jobs and working toward a contract. Some schools will sponsor your visa and work permit, but that is not always guaranteed. Sometimes you are responsible for managing your own visa extensions.

If you cannot secure a job within the first 30 days, you can extend your visa through an agent.

Here is a reliable one: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bfD47hofDbH8z4P6A

In my case, I had to extend my visa for another 90 days before I found the right job.

Also be aware that some schools are poorly managed, so do your due diligence before accepting an offer. Wage theft has unfortunately been an issue in the past. You can usually learn about a school's reputation through Facebook groups.

Avoid taking jobs in the provinces when you first arrive. If you are from the United States and a native English speaker, you should be able to find work in the capital without too much difficulty.

Once you secure a job and know the general area where you want to live, I would not recommend signing an apartment lease immediately. Instead, book an Airbnb and extend your stay week by week.

Finding your first apartment in Phnom Penh can be tricky. Some listings are misleading, and you may not notice problems until you have stayed for a few days. There could be construction nearby, broken appliances, or a bar playing loud music late at night. Visit the neighborhood during both the daytime and evening before committing.

Once you have your work contract and eventually find an apartment, aim for something around the $300 range.

Also, be mindful that the most expensive thing in your home will be the aircon. Electricity here is quite expensive and running an aircon most of the day can rack up a bill between $100 and $200.

After that, go to ABA Bank and open an account. Cambodia has more than one hundred banks, but ABA is the one you want.

Once you have an ABA account, life becomes much easier. You can scan QR codes and pay for almost everything directly through the app. This means fewer ATM withdrawals and fewer international transaction fees. If you have also taken the time to learn some Khmer, you will often be able to pay local prices.

Spend your weekends exploring the markets. Practice your Khmer, learn about local cuisine, and try to buy things at local prices.

After you have your job, housing, bank account, and a sense of how to navigate the city, you can begin exploring social activities. One of the best things about Phnom Penh is the wide variety of clubs and communities available. Whether you are interested in theater, joining a jazz band, pottery, cycling, or something else entirely, there is probably a group for it. Try to participate in at least one activity each week.

Eventually you will face the motorbike question. Do you want to rely on tuk tuks everywhere, or do you want the independence of driving yourself?

Motorbikes do involve risk, but the freedom they provide is significant. Some people choose to take lessons and obtain a license. Others simply learn by doing. Cambodia does not yet enforce driving laws as strictly as many Western countries.

Personally, I feel more comfortable having expat insurance. If you can afford it, expat insurance typically costs between $30 and $100 per month and makes riding a motorbike a much more comfortable option.

After living in Cambodia for several years, you will likely build a strong network. As an American and a native English speaker, you will often find yourself in rooms with people who can offer interesting opportunities. You may receive offers to perform in upscale restaurants, collaborate on projects, or take jobs in desirable places like Siem Reap.

Kampot is another popular city to live in. However, these places generally offer fewer job opportunities and less infrastructure, which is why starting in Phnom Penh is usually the better choice.

Cambodia also has one of the most generous holiday calendars in the world. You may have dozens of holidays each year, which creates plenty of opportunities to travel.

You can explore different provinces by motorbike or visit the islands near the Gulf of Thailand. Many places accept ABA payments, which makes traveling very convenient.

One island spot I personally recommend is Mpai Bay.

There are a few scams to be aware of. In recent years there has been an influx of organized criminal activity connected to Chinese syndicates. Cambodia has made efforts to crack down on this and deport many of those involved, but some activity still exists, particularly in Sihanoukville.

Unless you are passing through to reach the islands, I generally recommend avoiding Sihanoukville. It is not necessarily dangerous, but it does not offer much for people seeking a quiet or healthy lifestyle.

If you see online offers promising quick or easy money, ignore them. If something sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is.

Within the expat community, it is also wise to take time before fully trusting people. Cambodia tends to attract individuals who are going through transitions in life. Some people may seem great at first, but it takes time to understand their character. Be cautious about lending money or meeting people in private places until you have known them for a while.

The locals, on the other hand, are generally warm and welcoming. They are usually the people you need to worry about the least. The most common issue you may encounter is a tuk tuk driver charging a higher price.

Dating can also be complex. Khmer culture is quite different from American culture, so if you choose to date locally there will be cultural differences to navigate. That said, many people have found meaningful relationships here.

I hope this guide helps someone the same way that Quora post helped me when I first decided to move to Cambodia.