Not Luxe ☼ Travel
  • ABOUT NICK & RAYCHEL
  • WHY “NOT LUXE”
  • Cambodia
  • Australia
  • Travel
  • Teaching ESL
  • Move Abroad
  • Travel Insurance
Not Luxe ☼ Travel
  • ABOUT NICK & RAYCHEL
  • WHY “NOT LUXE”
  • Cambodia
  • Australia
  • Travel
  • Teaching ESL
  • Move Abroad
  • Travel Insurance
Category:

Featured

    a girl stands in a market in Cambodia

    Move to Cambodia Without a Job | The Survival Guide

    by Nick & Raychel March 24, 2020

    How the *%$ did you gain the courage to move to Cambodia without a job? Yes, we are asked that often.

    Unlike some other countries in Asia such as China, Korea, and Japan, Cambodia is one of the many countries in which (at the time of writing this) it is very difficult to get a job unless you are physically
    in the country at the time of applying. This can be very nerve-wracking for first time travellers, oversea-ers, or even if you’ve done it in other countries a hundred times before, yes – it can be scary! Below, we’re just going to chat about how we gained the courage to move to Cambodia with no job prospects or having without ever even visited the country.

    So, here are the reminders we lived by (and the reminders you didn’t know you needed) for your move to Cambodia (without a job).

    There is a high demand for English teachers in Cambodia

    It’s true, especially if you’re in Phnom Penh. If you are a native English speaker, chances are you won’t have a hard time finding an English teaching job when you move to Cambodia. The demand for English teachers is high, and with more and more Cambodian citizens enrolling their children into English language schools, the demand keeps growing.

    At almost any time of the year, there will be expats leaving, ending contracts, and both old and new schools hiring new teachers.

    Cambodia is inexpensive to both visit and live

    So even with little savings, you can live comfortably for a while without having a secured job right off the bat. The cost of living in Cambodia is low, even Phnom Penh. With hostel prices as low as $3/night, you can give yourself some time to breathe and find an excellent English teaching position.

    Exploring jobs on foot can actually provide you with a better experience in the long-run

    This may be the last thing you want to hear when you’re simply looking for a job, but it’s true. As much as it’s fantastic to be offered a contract, a paid flight and lodging, when you come on your own terms you are not stuck to anything. 

    Take it from people who have done it, it is absolutely an advantage to be able to meet your potential employers, shake hands (or in Cambodia – bow), and talk about potential contract opportunities. It’s great to see the school, meet the staff, and decide if it’s a great fit for you.

    You have the power to choose your job. It will not hurt you to explore your options.

    Cambodia is right in the thick of South East Asia, so if you don’t like it, you can try another country

    Something that always put our minds to ease was that: if we didn’t find success in Cambodia, we could always go somewhere else. This may be hard to imagine when you’re still thousands of miles overseas, we know, although it was a fact  we constantly reminded ourselves.

    The surrounding countries like Thailand, Vietnam & Laos, as well as other countries like Myanmar and Indonesia, are also all filled with an abundance of teaching opportunities you can explore if you get there just to realize Cambodia isn’t *really* right for you. 

    And hey – they’re just a short bus ride (or cheap flight) away.

    You can skip the stress of looking for work on a tourist visa, and get an Ordinary Visa instead

    A huge perk of choosing to move to Cambodia, particularly, is that there is a visa that is designed just for this exact situation. Unlike many other countries – where your options are:  having a pre-existing job offer and/or work permit to legally start working OR risking the job hunt on a tourist visa (you’re not legally supposed to do this) – Cambodia has an option called an Ordinary Visa. 

    On the Ordinary (E-Type) visa, you’re legally allowed to move to Cambodia without a job & look for work for 30 days. We personally loved that this was an option and made arriving in the country so much easier on our mental health. To us, the ease of knowing that we were there legally and truthfully helped us gain the confidence to get out there with those resumes & start applying.


    So, are you ready to move to Cambodia? Find our step-by-step guide on How to Move to Cambodia & Teach English.

    Still curious about how much money you could really make over there? We have a write-up about how much money we were able to save while living in Phnom Penh here. 

    Prefer to watch, not read? Find our YouTube channel here.

    0 PinterestEmail

Categories

Trending

  • living in BC vs. living in Ontario Toronto vs. Vancouver
    Travel

    Living in Ontario vs. Living in British Columbia (BC)

    January 23, 2021
  • living in Vancouver Canada
    Move Abroad

    Living in Vancouver, Canada | The Pros & Cons

    May 23, 2020
  • Raychel swims in a luxurious pool
    CambodiaCambodia - Phnom Penh

    15 Things To Do in Phnom Penh: A Visitor’s Guide

    March 29, 2019
Nick & Raychel
Nick & Raychel

In 2018, we sold everything we owned and moved to Cambodia to teach English.

Let’s make this clear: this journey didn’t start with money. This journey started with a desire to see the world and to do something different for a change.

We’re not going to fool you with photos of floating breakfasts and private jets. We know what it’s like to be on a budget. Although we like to take pretty pictures, we aren’t going to wake up at an ungodly hour to give you unachievable travel jealousy. We aren’t going to censor ourselves or lie to you.

What we are going to do is stay in cheap hostels, find ways to make money, give the advice that we would want to hear, and share our experiences with you honestly.

Are you in?

Not Luxe

Recent Posts

  • the interior of a budget van build
    Australia - Working Holiday

    How to Save Money On A Budget Camper Van Build

    February 17, 2022
  • road trip
    TravelVan Life

    How to Prepare for a USA Road Trip (For Canadians)

    November 15, 2021
  • Cultus Lake Chilliwack BC
    CanadaTravel

    Things to do in Chilliwack BC

    November 15, 2021

GUIDE TO MARKETS | PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA (2018)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8v49HKtlIk

IS CAMBODIA SAFE? LIVING IN PHNOM PENH

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NShIg00dj8Q

KAMPOT & KEP | PEPPER PLANTATIONS, KAYAKING, BOAT TOURS & TAPAS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3DgTbP4SKQ

LONGBOARDING IN THE PHILIPPINES | LAPU LAPU & OSLOB

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT6ABZE4mSE

CAMBODIA | PROS & CONS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLMhjVTJUxE&t=14s

Subscribe and Follow

Keep in touch

Instagram Pinterest Youtube

Recent Posts

  • Van Life Myths : Debunked

    November 3, 2021
  • Travel The World For Free With Trusted House Sitting

    February 14, 2021
  • Things Worth Buying as Minimalist Nomads

    April 28, 2020
  • Markets to Visit in Phnom Penh: A Guide

    March 19, 2019
  • How to Move to Cambodia & Teach English

    March 18, 2019
  • 8 Tips You Need to Read BEFORE Moving to Phnom Penh

    March 18, 2019
  • 8 Things to Know Before MOVING to Cambodia

    March 10, 2019
  • Currency in Cambodia: Explained

    March 5, 2019
  • Saving Money: Teaching & Living in Phnom Penh

    February 19, 2019
  • Where to Stay in Phnom Penh : A Visitor’s Guide

    February 12, 2019
  • Day Trip to Phnom Chisor: How to Get to Phnom Chisor from Phnom Penh

    February 5, 2019
  • WHY You Should Teach English in Cambodia

    January 29, 2019
  • How to Save Money On A Budget Camper Van Build

    February 17, 2022
  • How to Prepare for a USA Road Trip (For Canadians)

    November 15, 2021
  • Things to do in Chilliwack BC

    November 15, 2021
  • Van Life Essentials List | What We Can’t Live Without

    November 3, 2021

CATEGORIES

ABOUT NICK & RAYCHEL

About Us Hi! We’re Nick & Raychel, the Canadian travel couple behind the brand ‘Not Luxe’. Far before we were married (and on a mission to see the world), we were working…

Read More

Trending

  • living in BC vs. living in Ontario Toronto vs. Vancouver
    Travel

    Living in Ontario vs. Living in British Columbia (BC)

    January 23, 2021
  • living in Vancouver Canada
    Move Abroad

    Living in Vancouver, Canada | The Pros & Cons

    May 23, 2020
  • Raychel swims in a luxurious pool
    CambodiaCambodia - Phnom Penh

    15 Things To Do in Phnom Penh: A Visitor’s Guide

    March 29, 2019

Instagram

  • Living rent-free in one of the worlds most expensive cities >>> 

… but also, anywhere we want 😉 

It’s been a while since we did a van tour on here so here’s inside of our tiny home. Van life apartment tour format inspired by @samandkellysvan (check theirs out) and the apartment tours on TikTok. 🫶🏼

Any questions? 

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

__ 

Tags: #notluxe  #vanlife #vanlifemovement #vanlifereality #campervan  #vanlifegirl #tinyliving #vanconversion #vanconversionideas #vanbuild #camperlife #homeonwheels #vanlifers #vanlifecouple #travelcouple  #campinggirls #granolagirl #lifeontheroad #roadtrippin #vandwellers #yvr #vancouvercanada
  • We worked the whole time, we just left the desk. 

And turns out there was world out there full of opportunity, friendship, and love we had never quite experienced before. 

We know this lifestyle isn’t for everyone, but it’s for us - and we’re so glad we went for it. 🫶🏼

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

—-

Tags: #notluxe #budgettravel #vanlife #traveldiaries #cheaptravel #gapyear #travelgirls #girlslovetravel #travelgram #getoutstayout #livetoexplore #travelblogger #homeiswhereyouparkit #vanlifediaries
  • How much does van life in Mexico cost?
The truth is, it’s going to be different for everybody.

But here is a breakdown of our budget for 4 months of van livin’ on the beach this winter. 

**Please note that this DOESN’T include our trip to Mexico City which was $497 USD. Full breakdown of that air travel trip can be found on our profile!**

Any questions?

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

__

Tags: #notluxe  #vanlife #vanlifeshot #vanlifemovement #vanlifereality #campervan  #vanlifegirl #tinyliving  #camperlife #homeonwheels #vanlifers #vanlifecouple #travelcouple  #granolagirl #lifeontheroad #roadtrippin #vandwellers #vanlifemexico #yvr
  • Van life: Las Vegas ✨🫶🏼

I don’t even have to words to tell you how fun this evening was. We were almost not going to make it to Vegas this trip, but didn’t it was @cakin_bakes birthday - we couldn’t say no. 

This is what it’s like stealth camping on the Las Vegas strip. 🥂 

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

—-

Tags: #notluxe #vanlifecouple #tinyhome #vanlifers #vanlifevirals #vanlifemovement #vanbuildout #vandwelling #vanlifediaries  #vanlifemovement #vanlifeexplorers #lasvegas #vanlifevlog #stealthcamping #travelblogger
  • Crossing the Mexico/US border: the end of van life Mexico 🇲🇽 

We have crossed a lot of borders in our lives, but only 2 in our ambulance conversion. 

The added stress of having your entire home with you, a stranger walking through your van, etc. isn’t the best feeling, but as you can tell watching this video - we were just fine. 

Anyone else get unnecessarily nervous at border crossings?

(thanks @geneandshay for the inspo to film the live interaction on our phones)

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

—-

Tags: #notluxe  #camperlife #camperlifestyle #vanlifeproject #vanlifeculture #tinyhome #tinyliving #vanlifediaries #travelgram #livetoexplore #vanlifeculture #budgettravel #travelblogger #bordercrossing
  • Van life in Mexico: driving up the Baja Peninsula. 

We spent a few days in La Paz, Mulegé & Guerrero Negro before crossing the border from Mexico into California. This is what it was like. 

A moment of appreciation for Bahía Concepción - shall we? 

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

___ 

Tags: #notluxe #vanlifecouple #tinyhome #vanlifers #vanlifevirals #vanlifemovement #vanbuildout #vandwelling #vanlifediaries  #vanlifemovement #vanlifeexplorers #vancouverblogger
Follow Me!

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Living in Vancouver, Canada | The Pros & Cons

    May 23, 2020
  • 2

    Living in the Okanagan Valley, Canada (What It’s Like)

    May 29, 2020
  • 3

    Living in Kelowna vs. Living in Vancouver

    February 25, 2021
  • 4

    Top 5 Neighbourhoods to Live in Vancouver, BC

    January 12, 2021
  • 5

    What To Pack For Cambodia

    July 22, 2019
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube

@2019 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign


Back To Top