Siem Reap: the vibe
Videos from people who went, played right here, with what viewers said underneath. Not part of the score.
The verdict
Liked · 72Expats broadly like Siem Reap's friendly people, low costs, calm pace and easy living, with caveats about heat, the small-city feel and a limited social scene.
- friendly locals
- affordable living
- cheap food and drinks
- calm, relaxed pace
- low noise, no honking
- easy visa options
- temples and nature
- extreme daytime heat
- limited social scene
- small-city feel
- infrastructure gaps
- safety and crime concerns
- wildlife and animal issues
- Locals are kind and genuinely welcoming to foreigners.
- Heat during hottest months is a major drawback.
- Cheap living suits retirees and remote workers on a budget.
- Some expats move on to quieter towns like Kampot after a year.
- Calm, quiet vibe appeals to introverts and people wanting a slower life.
Read from 8 videos, 40 comments and 0 posts on 2026-11-07; the summary is written by a language model and can misread sarcasm.
The BEST & WORST THINGS about LIVING in SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA as an EXPAT from the UK
Matt Mckenzie · 47K views · 2025
What viewers said
“Thanks for the tip about buying stuff straight from China and having it shipped to a warehouse, but what site(s) do you use to do that?”
♥ 30 likes
“Tipping in America, when I went to eat at a restaurant , the food cost 60$ , I gave a $100 bill and the waitress said , do you want your change back? Hello, I’m not giving $40 tips. Insane”
♥ 71 likes
“As an introvert the thought of going somewhere no one knows me and won’t be expecting me to do things is a huge reason I want to go.”
♥ 12 likes
“You are absolutely correct about the people being very kind and honest. I couldn't tell you how many times I left the very good tip And their eyes roll Like somebody sent an angel to them. Many times i've walked out of a restaurant Or bar l”
♥ 33 likes
“I cook meat and vegetables with a rice cooker, clean my own hotel room, and wash my own clothes. I'm retired, and a do it myself person. I agree with your PP SR comparison. I do eat street food as well and love the 0.50 draft beer Khmer res”
♥ 9 likes
“Cambodia—my motherland, my homeland, my birthplace. Thank you for sharing, Matt. Your words bring back memories of my childhood during the Vietnam War and the Khmer Rouge era. I endured grueling 14-hour workdays without food or the warmth o”
♥ 20 likes
“Been to Siem Reap twice. Once back in 2001 when it was not well developed. My first observation were Cambodians are very reslient people and on average seemed more intelligent that Thais or others in SE Asia. Second trip took wife and kids ”
♥ 5 likes
“Bravo.. you got that 8 minute video time down pat ! Enjoying your content ! Cheers !”
♥ 14 likes
“Had a great laugh at the toilet revelations mate! 🤣👍”
♥ 25 likes
“I have lived in Siem Reap seasonally for the last two years and loved every minute of it. I originally went for a month in 2023 to check out the temples but like it so much and met so many cool people both locals and expats I stayed. I just”
♥ 1 likes
Found with a YouTube search for the city and “digital nomad”, fetched 2026-11-07; titles, descriptions and comments belong to their authors and link to the originals.