Phnom Penh - Post Report Question and Answers

Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?

This is a great city for families. Cambodians love children and you can easily take your entire family out anywhere - even to a restaurant - without getting judged. The restaurant staff might even dote over your children and play with them. I have some friends here that enjoyed their time here. I understand it's difficult for singles to meet people and socialize here. - Jul 2021


Yes to all. Slow pace of living, lots of expats, great schools, good weekend escapes, amazing restaurants, availability of products. Expats are happy here. Life is more expensive than in other pm cities in the region, but life in general can be affordable and is way cheaper than back home. - Nov 2020


It depends on what you're looking for. I know people from all three groups--some are happy, some are not. There are a lot of options here and your experience will probably be what you make of it. I had a lot of fun with my partner going to events and exploring together. There's a stereotype that Western men who move here only want to date local women, but I'm not sure how true that is. There do seem to be more single women than men. - May 2017


I had single friends who had a great time here, it is good for families for sure. Most people seemed to like it. It is what you make of it. - Oct 2016


Families and single men seem to like it the best. Couples and other singles would find it too small, dirty, moderately expensive (except alochol) and BORING. Plus even the locals get inside their home and lock the gates around 8:30 p.m. It's still dangerous at night because of crime and drunk drivers. Lots of hit and runs. Crimes don't get solved here. - May 2015


I think singles are bored and families with young children find a lack of activities for them. Couples with kids age 8-18 seemed happiest. Phnom Penh is not a happening city. - Feb 2015


Yes, yes and yes. Phnom Penh is very family friendly but has plenty for everyone to do. - Aug 2013


Great for all, I think, though it can get a bit claustrophobic with kids. There's just not all that much to do, and we make it a point to try to leave for as long as possible during summer and school holidays. Most here have a blast with the dining and nightlife scene. It's lively, diverse, cheap, and a whole lot of fun. It can also be easy to go off the rails a bit, so watch out! - Jan 2012


It's a great place for families, singles & couples. - Aug 2011


Yes for couples. Some families like it very much. I wouldn't recommend it, it's very dirty, hot, nowhere to walk to, extremely difficult to push a stroller around. You feel like you are under house arrest. - Aug 2011


It is definitely not a bad city for singles, especially single males. Families seem to fine things to do: trips to Angkor, the beach, etc. - Oct 2010


There are not a lot of Western attractions, but for families there are swimming pools, arcades, a few malls, and cheap DVDs, games and computer software. Kids can play together at each others' houses. For singles there is lots of nightlife, volunteer opportunities, local culture, restaurants and bars. All of the above is very inexpensive. It is easy to get out of town for beaches (4 hrs) or Angkor Wat (5 hrs) and to Ho Chi Minh. There are easy and cheap flights to Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lumpur. - Feb 2008


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