$300 Condo in Cambodia… With THIS View?

The video tour takes place at "Morgan on Mason," a developing residential project. The host, Will, begins by highlighting the local amenities, including a favorite coffee shop known for its friendly staff and affordable prices, and a barber he's been loyal to for three years, emphasizing his preference for consistency over change. He then introduces the "MTV Cribs"-style tour of Building Seven. Will explains that the project is still under construction, with plans for a large central building and two more residential buildings. He notes that the current buildings are relatively new, around two to three years old. The tour moves to the exterior, showcasing a river sidewalk. The gym is located on one floor, with the pool directly above it. While a rooftop bar or space was planned, it is not yet available. Entering the main lobby, Will mentions a coffee shop within the building, but finds it too expensive. He points out the entrance to another building and a convenience store, where he occasionally buys drinks but not food. The ongoing construction is evident, with plans for a central park and shopping area in the middle of the buildings. A highlight is the pool area, which offers a "nice spot" with a river view. Instead of a rooftop bar, they have a "floating bar" on a boat docked nearby, which Will jokingly suggests counts. The swimming pool itself is described as "super nice" with an unexpected view. The video then focuses on the river and transportation. A boat ferry operates across the river, connecting to the port where cars are driven onto it. This ferry system runs from 6 AM to 10 PM. Will illustrates the inconvenience of missing the ferry after 10 PM, requiring a long detour to a casino and then a drive across a bridge. The ferry ride itself takes about seven minutes. The floating bar area is currently used more as a dock and is sometimes rented out for events, like a recent four-day wedding, rather than being a regular community space. Will expresses admiration for the river view, especially at night, and mentions his apartment also has a similar view. The tour continues along the riverside, where a jogging path is planned once construction is complete. Currently, it's a small park. Will uses this area daily for walks, noting that access is restricted to residents through certain entrances, though other entrances are open to the public. He contrasts this with his previous living situation in "Totem Pong," where he used to walk on the roads. Will discusses the walkability of his current location in "Cho Cho Chongba," noting that while there are fewer roads for casual walking, the riverfront path is available. He contrasts the quieter, more chill atmosphere of his current residence with the louder, more energetic but less sleep-conducive environment of Totem Pong. He highlights the need for a motorbike in his current area due to its distance from amenities, whereas Totem Pong was more central and accessible. This distance means planning ahead for outings, unlike the spontaneity he experienced in Totem Pong. Despite the inconvenience, Will admits he enjoys his current apartment, especially given the price. He secured a duplex unit for $300 per month, significantly lower than the original $400-$420, thanks to a good real estate agent. He describes it as a "mini condo." He notes that many Cambodian families live in his building, which he prefers over a predominantly foreign resident population. He acknowledges his unit in Building Seven is more basic compared to other buildings in the complex. Inside his apartment, a single-bedroom duplex, Will shows the living room with modest furnishings. He points out that many decorations, including the TV, entertainment stand, couch, and even a small rat figurine, came with the apartment. He mentions moving a large pink Lego block that previously obstructed the bed's view. The kitchen is described as "kind of small" but adequate for his needs, as he primarily cooks with an air fryer, adopting an "American style." He keeps dishes on a drying rack and notes a minor issue with the sink's faucet that he hasn't had time to get fixed, despite 24/7 maintenance availability. The bathroom is functional with a toilet, sink, and shower. He plans to add a shelf for toiletries. He describes a unique lighting feature in the upstairs bedroom that creates a "cool like orange color" when used with the downstairs lights off. In the fridge, he finds a forgotten bottle of water and reveals its contents: oranges, a month-old gift he hasn't opened, cake items, bread, plastic bags, Tabasco sauce, creatine, rice, and "choco scoops." His dining table also serves as his office. He bought his computer for $140 in Cambodia, and it's performed well for a year. He also has a prize from a carnival game and anime-related items purchased from TK Avenue. The apartment came with several decorative items, including a bicycle. Will addresses a past issue with small cockroaches, which he successfully eliminated by using traps due to his paranoia about insects. The tour moves upstairs to the bedroom, which has a low ceiling, giving it a "Japanese style." The best feature, he reveals, is the remote-controlled curtains that automatically close for sleep and open in the morning, though they sometimes get stuck on the bed. The AC unit is powerful, and he keeps it at 28 degrees Celsius after a previous experience of getting sick from setting it too low. He also notes various animal-themed decorations left by the previous tenant, including peacocks, fish, and deer, which he plans to change as he prefers a "darker" aesthetic and finds the pink decorations too bright. He intends to redecorate soon. He briefly shows a small functional space upstairs, which he finds a bit claustrophobic for working and prefers the downstairs living area. The closet is intentionally not opened, as it contains clothes he quickly put away. Will describes the apartment as "basic" but unique due to its duplex layout. He compares it to a previous studio apartment in Totem Pong, which was similar in price but in a more desirable area. His decision to move to this area was inspired by the river view, floor-to-ceiling windows, and the duplex design. He highlights the convenience of the ferry service, which allows a quick 10-minute commute to Independence Monument, bypassing traffic. He details his monthly expenses: $300 for rent, $40-$50 for electricity due to heavy AC use, and an estimated $250-$300 for food, as he often eats Western food and cooks meals. He spends about $10-$15 daily at AON Mart for groceries. He struggles to reduce food costs due to the lack of easily accessible local markets in his area and his shyness about bargaining prices. He feels it might be rude or embarrassing to bargain as a foreigner, even if it's expected, and prefers the convenience of supermarkets like AON Mart and Lucky Supermarket. He notes that he has never experienced being overcharged as a foreigner compared to locals. Comparing the cost of living, Will estimates a similar apartment in his hometown of Cincinnati, USA, would cost over $2,000 per month, highlighting the significant affordability in Cambodia. Finally, he shows the building's pools. One pool is being drained for cleaning, and the children's pool is described as basic but adequate. He mentions he prefers swimming at his favorite sauna, which also has a pool. He visits the sauna and yogurt room for the first time, noting a refurbished room that might have originally been an apartment. He concludes by reiterating the convenience of his location, with his favorite coffee shop, supermarket, and the riverside walk all nearby, though a motorbike is still recommended.