Is it too late to start over? Not in Cambodia.
Welcome to Starting Out Late (SOL). I’m a teacher who traded the stress of the West for a new life in the "Kingdom of Wonder." At 50+ years old, I’m navigating the reality of expat life in small-town Sisophon—and taking you along for the ride.
What to expect:
Honest Costs: Real numbers on rent, $0.50 street food, and budget living.
No-Nonsense Advice: How to find teaching jobs and navigate local life without the tourist hype.
Authentic Reality: Unfiltered walks through markets and back alleys. I show the broken kettles and the friendly dance-offs.
The Journey: The move from solo expat to bringing my family over to join me.
If you’re a man in your 50s looking for more freedom and more value for your money, this channel is for you. Subscribe to join a community looking for a fresh start in Southeast Asia.
New videos every week. Let’s start over together.
Starting Over
🎉 400 Subscribers — Thank YOU!
We just hit 400 subscribers and I couldn't have done it without this amazing community. VidIQ just certified it and I'm beyond grateful! 🏆
If you're new here and wondering where to start, this video brought in the most of you — check it out 👇
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_78R...
If you haven't subscribed yet, now's a great time to join the journey. Every sub means the world and helps this channel grow. Hit that subscribe button and turn on notifications so you never miss a video! 🔔
We're just getting started — the best content is still to come. 🚀
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 3
View 0 replies
Starting Over
🚨 New video is up — and this one might save you thousands.
I've been living in Cambodia for a while now, and nobody warned me about these costs. Visa surprises. Taxes I didn't see coming. Lawyer fees. Employer deductions buried in the fine print. And don't even get me started on what DHL charged me to ship my stuff over here. 😤
If you're a Westerner thinking about retiring abroad — or you're already here and nodding your head — this one's for you.
What's the biggest financial surprise YOU'VE had living or retiring abroad? Let me know below 👇
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 0
View 0 replies
Starting Over
🚨 NEW VIDEO IS LIVE! 🚨
A lot of guys are wondering if you can still live comfortably in Southeast Asia on a modest budget in 2026, or if inflation has finally caught up with us.
In today’s video, I’m giving you a raw, feet-on-the-street look at the real cost of living here in Sisophon (Serei Saophon), Cambodia. From rent and local groceries to health insurance and hidden expenses—I’m breaking down every single dollar.
If you’ve ever wanted to know just how far your money can actually stretch in a traditional, authentic Cambodian town, this one is for you.
👇 Watch the full breakdown here:
1 month ago | [YT] | 3
View 3 replies
Starting Over
🚨 NEW VIDEO ALERT: CAMBODIA ATTACKED While HOUSEHUNTING 🚨
I thought I was just going out to find a new spot to live here in Sisophon, but the local neighborhood dogs had other plans! This was one of those "real Cambodia" moments that you just can't script.
In today’s video, things get a bit wild:
The Attack: Getting cornered by a pack of dogs while scouting properties.
The Tour: Checking out H3 Guesthouse with a manager who has a very... unique walk.
The Vibes: Walking through local pagodas and some pretty spooky gravesites.
The Decision: I finally reveal if my wife is on board with the house or if her alternative plan is the winner.
I’m trying to show the authentic side of life here—the back alleys, the markets, and the unexpected challenges of being an expat.
Have you ever had a travel "house hunting" story go sideways? Or maybe an encounter with local wildlife that left you shaking?
Let me know in the comments of the video!
https://youtu.be/iY9HB1ZWQ38
#Cambodia #ExpatLife #Sisophon #HouseHunting #TravelAdventure #AuthenticTravel #LivingInCambodia
2 months ago | [YT] | 1
View 0 replies
Starting Over
Headline: Is starting over in Cambodia actually worth it? 🇰🇭
I’ve had a lot of people ask me if moving here was the right move, so I decided to sit down and be 100% honest with you all. In my latest video (just went live!), I’m breaking down the raw pros and cons of building a new life in the Kingdom.
From the low cost of living and incredible local friendliness to the struggles with job hunting, AQI levels, and the hunt for Western-style housing, I’m not holding anything back.
The biggest takeaway? Moving here has made me happy again, and that’s worth more than any cheap beer or low rent.
With my family joining me here very soon, things are about to get even more interesting!
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments—could you handle the heat and the high AQI for a fresh start, or is it a dealbreaker for you?
Don't forget to subscribe to follow the next chapter with the family! 🔔
#CambodiaExpat #StartingOver #ExpatLife #HonestVlog #LivingInCambodia
2 months ago | [YT] | 3
View 0 replies
Starting Over
Headline: Why I skipped the crowds in Siem Reap... 🇰🇭
I’m still washing the talcum powder out of my ears, but it was worth it!
Everyone told me I was crazy to spend Khmer New Year in Sisophon instead of the "big cities," but this is exactly why I came to Cambodia. While the tourists were fighting for space at Pub Street, I was the only foreigner in a crowd of thousands in Banteay Meanchey.
It was loud, it was dusty, and it was one of the most welcoming experiences I've had since moving here. If you’ve been looking for the "Real Cambodia," this video is for you.
The full video is live now! Check it out here: https://youtu.be/K1gyA8pV0OU
Question for the group: Would you rather have a cold beer at a 5-star resort, or get blasted with powder at a local street party where you don't speak the language?
I know which one I’m choosing every time. See you in the comments!
2 months ago | [YT] | 2
View 0 replies
Starting Over
Khmer New Year Day 1 in Sisophon was full of surprises! I found these strange sand piles at the Pagoda (anyone know the meaning behind them?) and ended the day with a full breakfast for just $2.38.
The 'Real Cambodia' is a world away from the tourist crowds in Siem Reap. Just posted the full 34-minute walk through the markets and the Preah Ponlear Pagoda. Check it out below and let me know what you think of those statues!
2 months ago | [YT] | 0
View 0 replies
Starting Over
I went to Wettika Park for a quiet morning walk to check the air quality... I ended up in a dance-off. 🕺
One thing no one tells you about moving to a small town in Cambodia: the hospitality is inescapable. If you’re a 50+ guy thinking about moving to Southeast Asia, you might be worried about fitting in. The truth? You won't just fit in; they’ll rope you into the community (and the morning workout) whether you’re ready or not!
Watch the full 'dance-off' and my honest take on Sisophon social life here: https://youtu.be/ilmE8vP2CZk
Question for you: Would you have joined in, or made a run for it? Let me know in the comments!
3 months ago | [YT] | 1
View 0 replies
Starting Over
Hi have recently uploaded my latest video where I speak openly about how I got my first full time teaching position in Cambodia and what it took to get it. If you are wondering whether you should come on over to Cambodia to teach, don't miss it.
3 months ago | [YT] | 1
View 0 replies
Starting Over
Just uploaded a new video! 🎥
In this one I compare three very different places I stayed in Phnom Penh: an Airbnb, a hostel, and a guesthouse. Each one had its own quirks… from steep spiral staircases and faulty air conditioning to cockroaches, noisy neighbours, and one place that might even have been a brothel. 😅
Trying to live cheaply while starting over abroad definitely comes with some interesting experiences.
If you're curious which one was actually the best value (and which I wouldn’t stay in again), the video is up now on the channel.
Let me know in the comments: what’s the strangest place you’ve ever stayed while travelling?
3 months ago | [YT] | 2
View 0 replies
Load more