I want to move to ... Sala Kamroeuk, Siem Reap

Villa for rentThis upmarket two-storey villa in a sought-after residential area of Wat Bo village, Sala Kamrouek commune, is on the market for $1,500 a month, although the landlord is willing to negotiate. It has four bedrooms and five bathrooms plus a living room, kitchen and dining area. Facilities include 4 A/C units, 8 fans, 4 hot-water points and car parking. The house is 8.6-by-16 metres on a block of land 16-by-23 metres. The property is seven years old.Call David Coleman at Cambodia Angkor Real Estate on 012 831 656 for more details.

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by KYLE SHERER
Wednesday, 18 February 2009

What's going for it?

Although it is less than a five-minute tuk-tuk ride from Siem Reap town, Sala Kamroeuk has none of the hubbub of the city centre. "Quiet" is the word most often used to describe the commune - and for the (largely well-off) expat and Khmer residents, its silence is the strongest selling point.

Sala Kamroeuk covers the riverside area roughly extending from National Road 6 to Lok Ta Nevy Street, near Old Market Bridge and Wat Damnak. Separated from the markets and main streets by the river, fans of the Great Gatsby can consider Sala Kamroeuk to be Siem Reap's West Egg. The sedate area is known for its lush gardens, many of which include slices of the creek that winds through the commune.

What's the catch?

If you moved to Siem Reap for the hustle and bustle of the town, Sala Kamroeuk might leave you feeling a little cold. There is also a chance that the creek will leave you literally cold by flooding your property, as happened to several unfortunate residents last year.

House for rentThis single-storey house for rent is in a mixed residential and commercial area of Wat Bo village, Sala Kamrouek Commune. The house has one bedroom and two bathrooms as well as a living room, kitchen and dining room. The six-year-old house also has off-street car parking. The landlord is asking $260 a month but is willing to negotiate. Call David Coleman at Cambodia Angkor Real Estate on 012 831 656 for more details.

Getting there, and away

Sala Kamroeuk is very close to Siem Reap town, but traffic between the two areas can be bottlenecked at the bridges during busy periods. However, it's usually a quick trip, and easily walked when it's not too hot.

Stone Bridge, on National Road 6, is near the Royal Residence and the FCC and borders the northernmost areas of Sala Kamroeuk. Wat Bo Bridge connects with Samdech Tep Vong Street, which leads to Centre Market. Wat Preah Prom Rath is next to the third bridge, and the Old Market Bridge is near Wat Damnak and connects Sala Kamroeuk to, obviously, Old Market.

Schools

The Smart Kids International School is located near Wat Bo and contains audiovisual rooms, broadband wireless internet, two libraries, a sports centre and a music hall.

Out of the house

The Singing Tree cafe is a notable Sala Kamroeuk eatery that doubles as a community centre, with regular presentations, a shared garden, a DVD library and a fair trade shop. It's located off Wat Bo Road, 200 metres up from Old Market Bridge.
Near Singing Tree cafe is Butterflies Garden, which offers traditional Khmer cuisine and a 45-minute traditional dance show every Friday night at 7:30.

Residents interested in longer Apsara dances can go to the Angkor Village Hotel for a nightly one-and-a-half-hour performance, starting at 6:00 and 8:00.

And for a different kind of bird watching, the Sam Veasna Center for Wildlife Conservation conducts day trips and longer expeditions around the northern provinces for avian enthusiasts.

On the market

Prospective buyers should know that the commune is most expensive in areas near Wat Bo Street, River Street and National Road 6. Land in this part of the commune can fetch $800 per square metre. Flats range from $200,000 to $300,000, or $500 to $600 per month if you're renting.

Serviced apartments are roughly $800 to $1,200 per month, with the higher end fetching you a two-room apartment near Wat Bo. A small villa can cost as little as $300,000, but large houses with gardens are up to $500,000.

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY KYLE SHERER

From the streets of Sala Kamroeuk

Renault Fichet: "It's very convenient, close to the town and has lots of available property. We looked everywhere else, but decided on Sala Kamroeuk because it's a nice neighbourhood with plenty of expats."

Eric Llobis: "It's a nice and quiet area. I've lived there seven years. It has very beautiful gardens, because people really take care of the land. Parts of Sala Kamroeuk look like the countryside. And it's also priced very well."

Rachel Loizeau: "I have a field around my house. It's a completely different life to what you get in the town."