Pros and Cons of Living in Chile

Last updated on Nov 27, 2021

Summary: Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats and digital nomads have to say about the pros and cons of living in Chile.

What are the pros and cons of living in Chile?

Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Chile responded:

"I like living in a home that would cost five million if it was overlooking Lake Tahoe but cost less than half million here. I like owning my own natural spring with plenty of water all year. I like that in winter it hardly ever freezes and in summer we don't need A/C. I like the clean air, I like waking up in the clouds some mornings. I don't like the bureaucracy. Everything is more complicated. Takes longer or requires the blessing of the only notary in town. I have trouble finding gas fittings, I miss eating sweet potatoes, mexican food, chinese buffets, BBQ and going to the movies," remarked another expat in Pucon.

"This city is known as the portal to the Chilean Patagonia. It is the second tourist destination and has almost everything to offer. Surrounded by mountains, volcanoes, national parks, lakes, rivers, trails, one hour from the beaches, one hour from the border with Argentina, all sorts of sports, trekking, skiing, sailing, whitewater rafting, canyoning, kayaking, biking, scuba diving, skydiving, flying, fishing, paragliding and shopping. Sorry, no hunting," explained one expat living in Pucon.

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What do expats in Chile appreciate most about the local culture?

"The focus on family! It is the most important focus of everyone's lives here! Also, the sense of community. People here seem like they are united when it's important to do so - during the earthquake, a political issue. They are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in, nor unite during times of turmoil. I admire the nationality of this country for these reasons," remarked another expat in Valparaiso.

What do expats find most challenging?

"Getting to know people. How strangely people look at me when I prefer to drink a glass of water instead of a "bebida" (pop/soda), and when I want to use my own bags at the supermarket instead of getting the bag-boy to give me a new bag for every two items I buy," explained one expat living in Valparaiso.

"The main thing is you have to use extreme caution in certain areas and protect your home," said another expat in Santiago.

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.