Best places to live in Chile: Santiago, Valparaíso...

• Home
• Expat Guide
• Life in Chile
• Best places to live in Chile

It is not always easy to choose where to settle for an expatriation. What are the best cities to live in Chile? Which places offer a good quality of life, an affordable cost of living or many professional opportunities? To help you decide, we list below some of the Chilean cities that we consider the most pleasant to live in Chile.

Chile is a big country with a small population (19 millions), so there is plenty of space to settle. The population is unequally distributed: Santiago hosts 6 million inhabitants, that is to say 1/3rd of the population, while the remaining 2/3rd are spread in the rest of the country. Most expatriates live in Santiago or by the sea in the fifth region, in Valparaíso or Viña del Mar. The north of the country concentrates the mining activity, while Patagonia has strong tourist and energy sectors, so that you can find work in these sectors more easily.

Santiago

Santiago is the only big city of more than one million inhabitants in Chile. The other towns and cities are more rural and therefore offer very different and much slower life styles. Most expatriates choose to settle in Santiago because this is where most professional opportunities are and the standard of living is close to the one in western cities.

The main negative points of living in Santiago are air pollution, especially in winter (from June to September), and noise nuisance. If you want more information, you can read our article about the life in the Chilean capital.

For detailed neighborhood guides within Santiago, explore our comprehensive pages on specific areas:

• Ñuñoa: Affordable area with cultural attractions
• Providencia: Central location with excellent metro access
• Vitacura: Upscale residential area with international schools
• Las Condes: Business district with luxury amenities
• Lo Barnechea: Exclusive area popular with expat families

Valparaíso & Viña del Mar

Valparaíso is a UNESCO World Heritage colorful port city known for its open-air street art and bohemian atmosphere. Viña del Mar is the upscale beach resort neighbor, popular with wealthy Chileans and expatriates. Together they form Chile's main coastal metropolitan area.

Key highlights: Historic port culture, beach lifestyle, cultural attractions, proximity to Santiago Best for: Those seeking coastal living with urban amenities Consider: Ocean temperatures are cool year-round

→ Complete Valparaíso & Viña del Mar Living Guide - Detailed neighborhoods, costs, lifestyle, and practical information

La Serena

Pleasant Mediterranean coastal city (250,000 inhabitants) with mild summers that rarely exceed 26°C/79°F. Gateway to the Elqui Valley wine region and close to some of the world's best astronomical observatories.

Key highlights: Perfect climate, mining job opportunities, great for retirees, beach access Best for: Retirees, mining professionals, those avoiding Santiago's summer heat
Industries: Mining, astronomy, tourism, agriculture

→ Complete La Serena & Coquimbo Living Guide - Neighborhoods, expat communities, costs, and practical details

Antofagasta

Antofagasta is a port city of 350,000 inhabitants located in northern Chile. The paradox of Antofagasta is that your feet are in the Pacific Ocean but behind you stand huge hills where the world's driest desert begins.

The air of the ocean helps to reduce the desert climate: temperatures reach 16°C / 60°F in winter and 25°C / 77°F in summer, and it almost never rains.

Originally, the city was built for miners, so it offers opportunities in the mining sector. However, recent investments have led to the creation of new artificial beaches, parks, and sports infrastructure, making Antofagasta increasingly attractive. The city is built all along the beach: beautiful neighborhoods are located in the south of the city, while the poorest are north and on the hillsides.

The drawbacks of the city are the fact that it is quite dirty and one of the most dangerous cities in Chile. Another downside: if Chileans can drink tap water, European and American stomachs are less resistant. Thus, we advise you to drink only mineral water.

Iquique

Desert beach city (200,000 inhabitants) uniquely positioned between the Pacific Ocean and Atacama Desert. Famous for duty-free shopping zone (ZOFRI), surfing, and paragliding.

Key highlights: Year-round warm weather, duty-free shopping, adventure sports, low humidity Best for: Those seeking desert beach lifestyle, duty-free business opportunities Unique features: Tax-free zone, world-class paragliding, historic nitrate ghost towns nearby

→ Complete Iquique Living Guide - ZOFRI benefits, neighborhoods, desert lifestyle details

Concepción

Concepción is a central city in southern Chile. It was rebuilt after an earthquake devastated it, so Concepción is a modern city. The climate can be cold in winter (about 4°C / 40°F) and temperatures rarely exceed 25°C / 77°F in summer. The city is located on the Pacific coast, therefore the ocean is quite cold. And do not expect white sand beaches, you will get rather isolated and atypical seaside places. In Concepción, life is quiet, without problems of insecurity.

Pucón

Southern Chile is a great region in terms of quality of life. If you are looking for a more rural lifestyle, Pucón is a city of 22,000 people located in the middle of the Araucanía District. It looks like an alpine mountain village.

The city is frequented by well-off people and tourists. It is full of agencies offering sport and adventure activities. If you work in the tourism sector, Pucón is an ideal city to settle. However, be careful with the weather, this region has one of the highest rainfalls in the whole country!

Punta Arenas & Puerto Natales

Gateway to Patagonia and some of the world's most spectacular wilderness. Punta Arenas (130,000 inhabitants) is one of the world's southernmost cities, while Puerto Natales serves as the base for Torres del Paine National Park.

Key highlights: Adventure tourism, stunning wilderness access, unique frontier lifestyle Best for: Outdoor enthusiasts, tourism industry workers, those seeking remote living Climate: Cool year-round, strong winds, limited daylight in winter

→ Complete Punta Arenas & Puerto Natales Guide - Patagonian lifestyle, adventure opportunities, practical living details

Valdivia

Chile's picturesque river city (150,000 inhabitants) with German colonial heritage and vibrant university atmosphere. Known for its temperate rainforests, historic architecture, and cultural richness.

Key highlights: German heritage, Universidad Austral, river access, affordable living, cultural events Best for: Students, academics, those appreciating European charm with Chilean authenticity Climate: Rainy, temperate, lush green landscapes

→ Complete Valdivia Living Guide - University life, German heritage, neighborhoods, cultural attractions

Do you want to go more in detail?

I wrote the Chile Handbook for Foreigners for anyone and everyone looking to move permanently and enjoy life in Chile. It's a 265-page book that goes over all aspects of relocating to Chile. Here is what you get:
✅ Practical tips based on 7-year relocation experience
✅ To-do lists to help you start
✅ Last updated in 2025

DOWNLOAD TODAY