Your Expat Community in Chile

Living in Chile: Your Questions, Answered

If you’re a new or soon-to-be expat in Chile, you probably aren’t quite sure yet what it will be like. That’s why we gathered the answers to some key questions you may have about life in Chile. If you want to ask more specific questions — or even share your own tips — join InterNations! You’ll be part of a community of new and experienced expats who love to help each other out.

What are the most common nationalities in Chile? As an expat in Chile, you'll meet people from many different cultures (especially if you're an InterNations member!) The top nationalities in the InterNations Communities in Chile currently are:

• Americans
• Venezuelans
• Argentinians
• Colombians

Which cities are most popular among expats in Chile? Some cities attract more expats than others. These are the cities with the largest expat communities in Chile:

• Santiago
• Valparaíso
• Arica

How much rent do expats pay in Chile? Your personal situation plays a role here. Single expats spend on average 437 USD on their accommodation per month, while expat families spend around 842 USD. And of course, rents can also vary greatly depending on the location and city within Chile.

To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some rent averages for the most popular cities in Chile.

Average rent in Santiago

• Single expats: 470 USD
• Expat families: 915 USD

Average rent in Valparaíso

• Single expats: 379 USD
• Expat families: 705 USD

Average rent in Arica

• Single expats: 260 USD
• Expat families: 580 USD

How safe is Chile? You may be wondering about safety. In general people perceive their personal safety situation in Chile as rather unsafe. People rate the risk of falling victiom to petty crime (such as pickpocketing or minor theft) as high. They consider the chance of being the victim of violent crime (including mugging) high. And, they rate confidence in the police force and related local authorities as mediocre.

How safe is Chile for women? Female expats rated the safety situation in Chile as relatively safe. This is based on the feedback of expat women living in Chile (rather than actual crime statistics). So obviously this can be highly subjective and depends on factors such as where people live.

Learn about Expat Life in Chile

The pace of life in Chile is far more relaxed than in many other places. While Chileans are endlessly friendly and diplomatic, Spanish is the country's first language, which means you'll have to get to grips with it to fit into your new community. Family is an important focus of many Chilean's lives, which makes it an ideal place for expats with young children. For a blend of low-cost living and a family-friendly atmosphere, try Santiago, or the coastal regions near Coquimbo City. If you're willing to live a short distance outside the city center, you'll find that the rents are low, but the need for personal transportation is high. If you're prepared to shop around, you can live a healthy lifestyle with cheap fresh food and an abundance of US goods on tap. Both public and private healthcare systems are available, with private fees coming in much lower than other areas of the world.

InterNations is the largest global network for expatriates, with communities in 420 cities around the world. Meet fellow global minds in your city of residence or get to know local expatriates before you're moving or traveling abroad and never feel like a stranger. InterNations makes it easy for you to stay in touch with your expat friends, both online and offline, so you can grow your network of friends and contacts from all over the world. Whether they live in Peru or China, InterNations allows you to be close to them even if they are miles away.

Your Social Network for Expatriates in Chile

InterNations is a unique social network that features an array of carefully approved members who can offer advice on living as an expatriate in Chile. After becoming a member yourself, you can strengthen our community further by making your own contributions in our forum or writing an article for our Expat Magazine. As expats have experienced life as new arrivals in Chile themselves, they offer invaluable advice on making the experience easier. Whether you want to know more about using the public healthcare system, finding an English-speaking school for your kids, or seeking out private Spanish tuition, our members will point you in the right direction. Once you're settled in, why not pop along to one of our regular events? They act as the perfect opportunity to meet new friends and participate in the expat community.