Photo by: MELANIE BREW

These Aspen villas are still available for rent in Northbridge Communities, but a waiting list is necessary if you want something different.

What's going for it?

One of the oldest gated communities in Phnom Penh, Northbridge has much

to offer in terms of suburban living. A range of villa styles and

apartment buildings can be found in this neighbourhood with spacious

front and back lawns and public spaces. One of the city's best schools

is located at Northbridge, and its recreational facilities include

tennis courts, a swimming pool and a large playground for children.

Situated on more than 125 acres of land (mostly undeveloped),

Northbridge is a pristine, beautifully landscaped environment and an

excellent place to raise a family.

 

What's the catch?

Traffic is a major drawback to living in Northbridge. Regardless of the

time of day or day of the week, it is always bad and unavoidable. As

sectors to the west of the city continue to grow, industrial trucks

hauling building materials, oxcarts, pedestrians and bicycles combine

to create extremely hazardous road conditions. Availability is also a

catch as there is nearly always a waiting list for the apartments, and

rentable villas are often limited, too. Some people say living in the

community feels too far removed from the Cambodian experience and that

if they had wanted to live in Western-style suburbs, they would have

never left home.

Schools

Northbridge International School, one of the city's top two schools, is

located in Northbridge Communities. It is accredited by the Western

Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and most families living in

the community send their children there. The Khmer-run Cambodia

International School is just down the road. More competitive in price,

it offers a Western-style curriculum and a fairly international student

base.

 

Out of the house

Northbridge is a relatively secluded community as far as drinking and

dining goes, but there is a cafe in the grounds called The Club,

offering snacks and meals from The Shop, a restaurant on Street 240

downtown. There is also a branch of USA Doughnuts within walking

distance. They offer a variety of fast foods and a selection of

imported western groceries along with some darn fine doughnuts.

Golf International Driving Range and Sport is a scenic driving range

within easy distance of Northbridge for those who want to keep their

game in good form, and The Cambodia Equestrian Center, on the

Northbridge grounds, offers riding lessons and stage shows.

 

Rental options

There are three types of apartments on the market. The 93-square-metre

two bedroom, two bath option goes for US$1,290 a month; the

117-square-metre two bedroom, two bath option for  $1,590; and the

three bedroom, three bath option, which covers 210 square metres,

fetches $2,690 per month.

Villas also come in three styles. The 245-square-metre Aspen has three

bedrooms and three bathrooms for $3,500 a month; the 310-square-metre

Monterey has four bedrooms and four bathrooms and a price tag of $4,000

per month; and the 345-square-metre four bedroom Santa Fe villa is on

the rental market for $4,500.

All rentals are fully furnished, including maintenance and grounds-keeping. Parking is plentiful and security is 24 hours.

Only the Aspen villas are currently available for rent, but it's worth

getting on the waiting lists if you are at all interested in

Northbridge.

On the market

There are no villas or apartments on the market, but land is available

through private deals. The asking rate is between $400 and $500 per

square metre.