Living in Chile

"I would tell a friend looking to move here to learn a little Spanish first, don't bring everything you own with you because you can find all you need here and prepare to have a wonderful, new cultural experience because Chile is an interesting and beautiful place to live," remarked one expat living in Santiago, Chile.

"1. Expats should research the cost of living in Chile to ensure they can afford to retire there. 2. It is important to understand the Chilean healthcare system and the availability of medical services in the area they plan to retire. 3. Expats should familiarize themselves with the local culture and customs to ensure a smooth transition. 4. It is important to understand the visa and residency requirements for expats in Chile. 5. Expats should research the climate and geography of the area they plan to retire in to ensure it meets their needs. 6. Expats should consider the availability of transportation and other amenities in the area they plan to retire. 7. Expats should research the local job market to ensure they can find employment if needed. 8. Expats should research the local banking system to ensure they can access their funds. 9. Expats should research the local tax laws to ensure they are compliant with all regulations. 10. Expats should consider the availability of recreational activities and other leisure activities in the area they plan to retire," wrote one member in Chile.

"Finding other expats here in Santiago is not very difficult at all really. Just take a stroll down Isidora Goyenechea or El Bosque and you´ll feel as though you found a street somewhere in the U.S. On one side of Isidora you have Bennigan's and directly across from that you find Starbucks's, Ruby Tuesday's and Hooter's. If you walk down the street just a bit farther you will come across TGI Friday's as well. In any of these places (especially at Bennigan's and Starbucks) you will find PLENTY of expats. You can also find, in the same area on Roger de Flor, a place called Cafe Melba which is run by a woman from New Zealand and caters specifically to the expat, English-speaking community. Not too far from there is the NY Bagel. There is certainly no shortage of places in Santiago to find fellow expats," wrote one member in Santiago.

"Here in Chile, I believe that I read that they have the longest work week in terms of hours than any other country. I can believe it. Work days can be very long. I've also noticed that days begin later here for folks but they also end later. Eating your final meal of the day at 10 or 11 o'clock at night is not an unusual thing at all. On weekends however, the city is virtually closed except for the major supermarkets and the big malls. Most weekends you will find Chilean families either going out to one of the many parks around the city or spending the day at one of the malls. Restaurants and pubs mostly don't open on the weekends until after 4pm," remarked one expat who made the move to Santiago.

"Life for expats and digital nomads in Chile is generally quite pleasant. The country is known for its stunning landscapes, friendly people, and vibrant culture. Expats and digital nomads can find a wide range of activities to enjoy, from exploring the country's many national parks to sampling the local cuisine. Chile also offers a good quality of life, with affordable housing, excellent healthcare, and a low cost of living. Additionally, the country is home to a large expat community, making it easy to make friends and find support. All in all, Chile is an excellent destination for expats and digital nomads looking for an exciting and rewarding experience," explained one expat living in Chile.

"Chile generally has a low crime rate compared to other countries in the region. However, there has been an increase in certain types of crime in recent years, such as theft, robbery, and drug trafficking. The government has taken steps to address these issues, including increasing police presence in certain areas and strengthening laws to combat organized crime," remarked one expat who made the move to Chile.

"Santiago is a very diverse city in terms of religious, racial, economic and cultural matters. They seem very accepting of any religious groups but I have noticed here a strong tendency towards "classism" and a definite prejudice (among some) towards any darker skinned people. There is a definite divide among different social classes. Homosexuality is also something that is not well tolerated here. Of course, this is not true of all people here, it is just an observation I have made about some general tendencies," wrote a member in Santiago.

"Chile is a culturally diverse country, with a population made up of people from a variety of backgrounds. Chileans are generally accepting of differences, and the country has a long history of welcoming immigrants from all over the world. Chile is also home to a number of indigenous communities, and the government has taken steps to ensure that their rights and cultures are respected," commented one expat who made the move to Chile.

"This is a school clinging to a bygone era of achievement. This school has a good reputation but I don't think it is necessarily merited anymore. Only about a quarter of students get in, and mostly because of contacts or because of family ties. If you don't do well as a student, you have to sign a contract and will be kicked out if any special needs issues. So really it is up to you as a student to achieve. Good staff leave pretty quickly and are snapped up in better organizations. Lots of internal bullying issues. School identity is unclear, and it does not feel British at all. There are strengths, such as the emphasis on sports. It is hard to find information about curriculum, and anti-bullying. When issues happen there is more of a lets shake hands and forget approach. If your child falls behind be prepared to be blamed and sent to see a psychologist. I wouldn't say it is all bad, but a lot of work to bring it out of the past. If you are wanting your child to be globally competitive then not the right option - especially with the rector saying that computer access and technology would be reduced. If you are looking to be in the whos who of Chile, then this is the choice for you. I am neutral on the education. Some good and some bad. Tutoring would be needed if you want your child to attend another school later on. If you have been to other schools abroad, you will quickly see through the pomp and ceremony and recognize those who are knowledgeable educators," remarked one parent with kids at The Grange in Santiago.

"The cost of living in Chile varies depending on the city and lifestyle. Generally, the cost of living in Chile is considered to be lower than in other countries in the region, such as Argentina and Brazil. Basic necessities such as food, transportation, and housing are generally affordable, while luxury items such as electronics and imported goods can be more expensive. Additionally, Chile has a relatively low rate of inflation, which helps to keep the cost of living relatively stable," remarked one expat who made the move to Chile.

"The cost of living in Chile is generally considered to be quite reasonable. The cost of living in the larger cities such as Santiago, Valparaiso, and Concepcion is higher than in the smaller towns and rural areas. The rental price for a nice 1 bedroom apartment in Chile is typically around $500 USD per month, while a nice 2 bedroom apartment is around $700 USD per month. Eating dinner at a moderately priced restaurant in Chile will usually cost around $15 USD per person," said an expat in Chile.

"Things like gasoline, propane and imported goods are more expensive in Pucon. Things like fresh food, wines, fruit, land, medical expenses, taxes, are cheaper to considerably cheaper," remarked one expat in Pucon.

"In Chile, residents enjoy a variety of recreational facilities, such as beaches, parks, and trails for hiking and biking. There are also many ski resorts located in the Andes Mountains, offering skiing and snowboarding opportunities. Other popular activities include fishing, kayaking, and sailing. For those looking for a more urban experience, there are plenty of shopping malls, movie theaters, and restaurants to explore. Additionally, there are many cultural attractions, such as museums, galleries, and historic sites," said one expat.

" Pucon is blessed with lakes, rivers, three national parks, a national forest, a ski slope, salmon fishing, river rafting, sailing, scuba diving, parasailing, parachute jumping, canoeing/kayaking, trecking, cycling, jogging and marathons. There is a golf course, the main hotels have swimming pools and in the surrounding areas there are several hot springs / day spas. There are tennis courts, massage parlors, exercise rooms, gymnasium, yoga classes. Plenty to see and do. ," commented one expat living in Pucon, Chile.

"The weather in Chile varies greatly depending on the region. In the northern part of the country, the climate is generally dry and hot, while the central and southern regions tend to be more temperate and humid. The coastal areas of Chile experience a mild climate with cool temperatures and plenty of rainfall. In the winter months, temperatures can drop to below freezing in the southern regions, while the northern regions remain relatively warm," mentioned one expat inChile.

" Summers ( December thru March) are fantastic. Not hot enough for air conditioning. a good breeze is all you need. There are no mosquitoes so windows don't need screens. It cools off at night and is fresh in the mornings so a light jacket is always at hand. In winter, the remaining eight months of the year, it is cold and wet. Occasional snow falls in the dead of winter but not enough to accumulate or be a problem. It is about like Seattle or Vancouver. Heating in most homes, and cooking in some, is done with a wood burning slow combustion device, or a combination of firewood and propane / hot water radiators. ," commented one expat who moved to Pucon, Chile.

" As Pucon is a tourist destination, January / February for summer vacations, July for the ski slopes, the restaurants are tourist driven and quite reasonable in pricing. Most have a "menu" system which serves an inexpensive lunch for anywhere between $5 and $15 per person. During the rest of the year many of these restaurants are closed. As for nightlife, as any tourist town, threr is plenty of activity. ," mentioned one expat inPucon.

"One of Chile's most beloved restaurants is La Mar, located in Santiago. La Mar is a seafood restaurant that specializes in ceviche, a traditional Peruvian dish. The restaurant has a modern, yet cozy atmosphere and is known for its excellent service. Another popular restaurant in Chile is El Huerto, located in Valparaiso. El Huerto is a vegetarian restaurant that serves a variety of dishes, from salads to pizzas. The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere and is known for its fresh ingredients and creative dishes. Finally, La Piojera is a traditional Chilean restaurant located in Santiago. La Piojera is known for its hearty dishes, such as empanadas and pastel de choclo. The restaurant has a lively atmosphere and is a great place to enjoy a traditional Chilean meal," commented one expat who moved to Chile.

"People living in Chile typically buy groceries from supermarkets, local markets, and convenience stores. Other shopping can be done at malls, department stores, and specialty shops. Additionally, many people in Chile shop online for groceries and other items," commented one expat living in Chile.

" In Pucon there are three large stores. Unimark, a Walmart food clone with more imported products. A Expres Lider that is quite complete, three El Tit stores with a hardware and lumber yard included. Across from the Express Lider is a farmers market greengrocers store where in season fresh veggies can be found. All organic and local grown with no pesticides or fertilizers. There is a Falabella store, like a small Sears with an on-line catalog system, local delivery or pick-up at the store. All of these are on the main drag of Pucon which in every city in Chile is named Bernardo O'Higgins. For larger purchases, Villarica has the same stores but also a larger hardware store and more specialty stores. As construction is booming, there are many lumber yards and businesses selling windows, doors, roofing, flooring and appliances. Finding something as simple as raisins or BBQ sauce, for example, can be a challenge. ," remarked one expat living in Pucon.

" A 90 day visa is provided upon entry to tourists. This can be renewed by crossing the border with Argentina that is an hour away. A resident visa for 360 days can be obtained either in Chile or from the US. It can be renewed several times. After two or three years of temporary residency one can apply for permanent residency and/or citizenship. Cost of the temporary visa is around $450 and requires a certificate from the FBI showing no criminal record. That can take a month or more to obtain. A cover letter stating that you have amonthly income of more than $1200 US if you are retiring there. Three copies of your current passport and photographs. ," said one expat.

"In order to visit Chile, foreign nationals must obtain a visa from a Chilean consulate or embassy prior to their arrival. The process of applying for a visa involves submitting a completed application form, a valid passport, a passport-sized photograph, and the applicable visa fee. Depending on the type of visa, additional documents may be required. In order to obtain residency in Chile, foreign nationals must apply for a residence permit. The process of applying for residency involves submitting a completed application form, a valid passport, a passport-sized photograph, proof of financial resources, and the applicable fee. Depending on the type of residence permit, additional documents may be required," commented one expat living in Chile.

"Healthcare and health insurance in Chile can be expensive, depending on the type of coverage and services needed. Generally, public healthcare is free or low-cost for those who qualify, while private healthcare can be more expensive. Health insurance plans vary in cost, but can be expensive for those who do not qualify for public healthcare. Additionally, many health insurance plans require co-payments for services, which can add to the overall cost," mentioned an expat living in Chile.