If i may suggest another option to russian market. Try Toul Kork.聽 Quiet but plenty of bars close, not the girly bars downtown where you can not milk a drink without 6 girls asking for you to support their family. most places have night security, and one 40 cent bus from russian market or 2$ taxi from riverside because it is on a major road. A lot of places rehabbed to western standards and it is a renters market now.聽 Just be prepared to pay 200-250$ for a really nice fully furnished studio with washer, hot water cable , internet and air con.聽 Normally they supply stove, rice cooker, fefrigerator and water kettle along with a few plates bowls and silverware.聽 Less for khmer style. I have lived both and now i live in part western part khmer style.
They just want empties rented now that so many places are being finished. Also, it is not an 暗网禁区 central , but many residents speak decent english.聽 A big market there off street 582.聽 If you go to street 578 and 293, and walk from 293 to 307, you will see a dozen places for rent. Just tell them what you want to spend.聽
Some are khmer style at 100$ a month if you want to rough it.聽 Just buy a rice cooker and a little cooler and enjoy your rice, soup and 45 cent beers.聽 Normally they have a mattress and a fan along with natural air through the wall vents. And dont worry about internet as it is dirt cheap or supplied.
and the western studios are about 200 if you sign 6 month. 3 month leases are common at 50$ more but you will not get deposit back if you leave early.聽 I lived russian market and toul kork. I like the people in toul kork better along with the little shop food being more authentic. I find living in russian market prices of everything in stores and the market is a way higher by about 50% if you are not khmer or if they dont know you well. Toul kork, you just pull what it should cost out and expest to pay 500 riel (12 cents ) more than khmer.
A lot of advantages to living a little further out, one is less competition with other foriegners. Two, people genuinely want to speak to you just to try out there english. 3.聽 Not uncommon to walk down the same street each day and occasionally someone you say hi to will invite you to sit down with the family right in their shop or on the sidewalk to partake in dinner. Just be nice when you pass say hello to kids and if you think they are friendly, be sure to not offer money but bring some bologna, hot dogs or crabsticks from market next time you see them . They typically feed 6 or more members for about 2-5 $ (closer to $2) in meat and veggies on a grill. And it tastes better than a restaurant 15$ meal with better company. Offering a few dollars in seafood western style , hot dogs or bologna makes a friend forever. They dont ever go to the western market (no time to) so you give the kids something they rarely have. I had the tailor tell me to take off my shirt one day because it was not pressed properly by another place.
Finally, if you insist on russian market, try the street next (south side) to chinese embassy, apt 112, at mao tse tsong and 163 or 167 i think.聽 You know the building if you see coffe today mao tse tsung shop right on the corner. It is on google maps. Owner lives downstairs. She rents same or next day. She will ask for a year lease but tell her 3 months or so because you dont know if you can stay.聽 She will throw in a gas stove for free if you say you cook.聽 Far enough from market that it does not smell, good cheap food 150 meters away, and 500 meters or so to the market. And it is clean. And plenty of markets with western foods nearby. Though i thing a 1$ bowl of soup or plate of chicken and rice is healthier.
Otherwise plenty of 3-7 $ a night beds sharing a room in hostels on agoda.com.聽 I do know someone living in a roach motel next to bar street near river for 55$ a month shared room. But you get what you pay for. Lol.
Good luck
Shane Pasco
