Living in Santiago de Chile

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Although living in a city on the other side of the world often makes people dream, an expatriation is also a source of anxiety because many factors remain unknown: the importance of the culture shock, changing your eating habits, dress code, lifestyle, and circle of friends. To prepare you as best as possible, we give you below an overview of your future life in Santiago if you decide to come and live there.

The Chilean capital, located in the center of the country, has almost 6 million inhabitants, that is to say a third of the total population of the country. Santiago is the city that hosts the most foreigners in Chile, so that expatriate communities are important and active.

Climate in Santiago

First, let's not forget that you will change of hemisphere if you come from a country located in the northern hemisphere. Thus, the seasons are reversed: the temperatures begin to cool from April, whereas they increase from October and the days begin to lengthen from September. Therefore, the Chileans celebrate Christmas in T-shirt and sandals, summer holidays are in January and February, back-to-school season is not in September but in March... You may lose your temporal markers at the beginning!

Santiago has a very pleasant Mediterranean climate. Summer is long (about 5 months), days are hot but nights are cool. As for winter, it is cool without being too cold and it rains very rarely. However, Santiago is rather polluted in winter (in particular in July / August) because of the city's geographical situation, so that exhaust gas is not swept by the wind.

Cost of living in Santiago

The cost of living in Chile is significantly higher than neighboring countries such as Peru or Bolivia. If you're planning to move to Santiago, you need a substantial budget. For detailed information including current prices, budgets, and cost comparisons, see our comprehensive cost of living in Chile guide.

Food

As far as food is concerned, you can find almost all the products you are used to in your home country. However, the Chileans are highly influenced by the American culture, so they consume a lot of prepared dishes and soda. They are gradually becoming aware of the need to eat a balanced diet, and organic products have made their appearance in supermarkets in recent years..

Several supermarket chains exist in Santiago:

• Jumbo: it is the most upscale supermarket chain, offering a large selection of imported products.
• Tottus: it is Jumbo's competitor but a little cheaper. The range of choices is a little more restricted but still very sufficient.
• Santa Isabel: it belongs to the same group as Jumbo and is the more "popular" version of it. You will find fewer imported products.
• Líder: it belongs to the Walmart group and is a relatively basic chain, where you will find essential products if necessary.

For fruits and vegetables, local markets offer better quality than supermarkets most of the time, at a cheaper price. 

Accommodation in Santiago

In Santiago, it is quite easy to find an apartment or a house to rent or buy at affordable prices. Property prices in Santiago remain more affordable than major international cities like London, New York, or Paris. For current real estate prices, rental costs, and detailed neighborhood comparisons, see our accommodation section and cost of living guide.

Santiago's Neighborhoods and Municipalities

Santiago is divided into 37 municipalities with diverse neighborhoods offering different lifestyles and amenities. Each municipality has its own character, from the historic center to upscale residential areas where most expatriates settle. Below is a comprehensive guide to the main areas where expats typically consider living.

Santiago Centro

Santiago Centro is the historic heart of the city, built around the Plaza de Armas during the 16th century. Most central administrations and many historical monuments are located in the Cívico neighborhood. This is where you'll find vestiges of the colonial era, including the Museo Histórico Nacional and Museo Colonial.

Characteristics:

• Historic significance: Starting point of Santiago's development
• Shopping: Commercial passages like Paseo Huérfanos and shopping malls
• Residential areas: Many twenty-floor buildings south of Alameda Avenue
• Cultural attractions: Lastarria district around Cerro Santa Lucía, Museo de Bellas Artes
• Markets: Barrio Patronato (Chinatown), La Vega market for fresh produce

Best for: Students, young professionals working downtown Consider: Parking is expensive, traffic is complicated, ongoing construction noise Avoid if: You need to use a car daily or prefer quiet residential areas

Providencia

Located east of Santiago Centro, Providencia is one of the most popular areas for expats, combining urban amenities with residential comfort.

Key Attractions:

• Cerro San Cristóbal and Costanera Center (tallest building in Latin America)
• Barrio Bellavista: lively arts district with restaurants, bars, and Pablo Neruda's house (La Chascona)
• Multiple parks: Parque Bustamante, Parque Inés de Suárez
• Excellent metro connectivity (Lines 1 and 4)

Residential Areas:

• North: Bellavista - vibrant but noisy nightlife district
• South: Quiet residential streets with tree-lined avenues
• Metro vicinity: Good compromise between accessibility and tranquility

Best for: Couples, families wanting metro access, young professionals seeking social life Lifestyle: Cosmopolitan, heterogeneous population, very safe for nighttime walking

Ñuñoa

A pleasant, safe municipality south of Providencia, known for single-family homes with gardens and protected architectural zones that prevent high-rise development.

Features:

• Plaza Ñuñoa: Central square with restaurants, bars, ice cream parlors
• Cultural hub: Teatro Universidad Católica relocated here in the 1970s
• Barrio Italia: Bohemian neighborhood near Santa Isabel metro - perfect for weekend brunches and gallery visits
• Transportation: Well-served by metro and bus networks
• Housing: Mix of houses and low-rise buildings

Best for: People wanting more space, families needing parking, those who appreciate cultural activities Character: Residential with artistic flair, more affordable than Las Condes

Las Condes

Las Condes is Santiago's largest and wealthiest municipality, popular with expatriates for its safety, amenities, and business opportunities.

Overall Character:

• Safety: Very safe, burglary main concern rather than violent crime
• Mixed use: Business districts, residential areas, shopping centers, cinemas
• Size: Large municipality requiring area-specific analysis

El Golf/Alcántara

The business district known as "Sanhattan" (Santiago-Manhattan), developed since the 1990s.

Features:

• Business center: Office buildings along Apoquindo and Isidora Goyenechea avenues
• Residential: High-quality apartment buildings on adjacent streets
• Golf club: Exclusive golf club north of Presidente Riesco Avenue
• Atmosphere: Busy weekdays, quiet evenings and weekends

Best for: Short-term expats working nearby, business professionals Consider: Limited weekend activities, primarily business-focused

Escuela Militar

Extension of El Golf with similar characteristics but more affordable housing options.

Features:

• Similar layout: Offices on main avenues, residential buildings nearby
• Lower costs: Less expensive than El Golf
• Metro access: Close to Escuela Militar station
• Construction quality: Slightly lower than El Golf area

Best for: Families with teenagers, professionals wanting metro access at lower costs Advantage: Quieter than El Golf, good metro connectivity

Manquehue/Parque Araucano

Modern mixed-use area offering excellent family amenities.

Family Features:

• Parque Araucano: Large park perfect for children
• International schools: Close to Colegio Alemán, SEK Chile
• Metro access: Near Manquehue station
• Shopping: Quick mall access
• Modern buildings: More recent construction than other Las Condes areas

Best for: Families with children, those prioritizing modern amenities Cost consideration: More expensive than El Golf due to park views and modern facilities

Vitacura

One of Santiago's wealthiest municipalities, located north of Las Condes, extremely popular with affluent Chileans and expatriates.

Key Features:

• No metro access: Metro line planned for 2028, currently requires car or lengthy bus rides
• Cultural district: Barrio Alonso de Córdova with art galleries and gardens
• Dining: El Mañío paseo with gourmet restaurants
• Recreation: Parque Bicentenario for weekend activities
• Security measures: Electric fences, municipal patrols, private security due to wealth concentration

Transportation: 45+ minutes to Providencia/Santiago Centro by bus during peak hours

Best for: Expatriate families, especially with children at French school or Bradford School Requirements: Car essential for daily life Character: Luxury residential with cultural amenities

Lo Barnechea

The most northerly and upscale residential municipality in Santiago.

Residential Character:

• La Dehesa: Exclusive neighborhood with luxury houses and condominiums
• Contrasts: Also includes underprivileged areas like Pueblito Cerro 18
• Expatriate hub: Many affluent Chilean families and expats
• School proximity: Close to multiple international schools (Santiago College, Lincoln Academy, Nido de Aguilas, Craighouse)

Transportation: Very limited public transport, car essential

Best for: Expatriate families prioritizing exclusive residential environment and international schools Lifestyle: Suburban, family-oriented, requires significant financial resources

Other Notable Municipalities

Huechuraba: North of Santiago, includes residential and office areas (ciudad empresarial), Mall Plaza Norte. Less popular with expats but offers affordable houses with gardens.

La Reina: Residential area at the Cordillera foothills, wooded with Santiago views. Close to Parque Aguas de Ramón. Limited expat presence due to distance from city center and international schools.

Choosing Your Santiago Neighborhood

For detailed neighborhood information:

• Detailed Ñuñoa Guide - Affordable cultural district
• Detailed Providencia Guide - Central expat favorite
• Detailed Vitacura Guide - Upscale residential luxury
• Detailed Las Condes Guide - Business and residential hub
• Detailed Lo Barnechea Guide - Exclusive family-oriented area

Quick Selection Guide:

• First-time expats, metro access priority: Providencia
• Families with school-age children: Vitacura, Lo Barnechea, Las Condes
• Young professionals: Providencia, Ñuñoa
• Business travelers, short-term stays: Las Condes (El Golf/Escuela Militar)
• Cultural enthusiasts: Ñuñoa (Barrio Italia), Providencia (Lastarria)
• Luxury lifestyle with car: Vitacura, Lo Barnechea

Public transport in Santiago

Santiago's public transport network (bus and metro) is quite dense and efficient. However, be aware that the metro is often crowded. Regarding the bus, it is better to know the city before using this means of transport or have a map of the city with you because the stops served are often not indicated. It is therefore difficult to find your way around.

Also, be sure to keep an eye on your belongings in public transport, as these are subject to numerous thefts. We advise you to always keep your bag closed, in front of you or on your lap. For more information on public transport in Santiago, you can consult this article.

If you decide to drive, you should know that driving in Santiago is quite aggressive and not always faster than public transport.

Safety in Santiago

Chile is the safest country and the country with the lowest crime rate in Latin America. However, as in all countries, there are some safety rules to respect. First, watch your belongings because thefts are frequent, especially in public transport and tourist areas. If you have a car, do not drive with the windows completely down, be it on the passenger or driver side, because pickpockets are very quick and can steal your stuff in seconds.

Come to Chile with your children

Except for the air pollution in winter (in July / August), Santiago is an ideal city to raise children, all the more so as the safety level is high. For family outings, Santiago has many green spaces, not just small squares but big parks such as the Cerro Santa Lucía, a hill in the middle of the city that offers a wonderful view of Santiago, or the Parque Metropolitano.

As far as the education system is concerned, the Chilean academic pace is peculiar. Each school has more or less its own rhythm. As for the school calendar, back-to-school season takes place in March, and the year ends in December. If you move from the northern hemisphere, your children will probably have to spend a few months in the year they already were in their home country. Only the Nido de Aguilas school follows the school year of the northern hemisphere.

Every school offers a bus system that consists in picking up your children at home in the morning and bringing them back at the end of the day. This service is well developed and works very well.

Having a "nana", that is to say a maid, is a widespread practice in Santiago. The nana can live at home or come one or several days a week. She can help you a lot at home: babysitting, going out to the park with the children, cleaning, ironing, and cooking. It all depends on the working time and the salary granted. To avoid any legal complication, we advise you to declare your nana. Word of mouth is often the best way to find a good nana.

Leisure / sport

Santiago is less than an hour from both the Pacific Ocean and the mountains, so day trips or weekends are very easy to organize. During the winter season, it will only take you 45 minutes from the center of Santiago to reach the first ski resorts: El Colorado is the closest station and Valle Nevado is the largest ski area in the southern hemisphere.

If you are fond of hiking, the Andes Mountains offer a lot of trails, for all levels. However, be aware that there is no IGN map, so you will have to do with a GPS or maps provided at the entrance of the national parks.

In Santiago, most multi-sports clubs are private. To access it, the easiest way is to know a member who can then invite you. Membership fees vary but can be very high in the most select clubs. If you have a smaller budget, you can consult the website of your municipality. Most of them organize sport activities on a weekly basis, at a reduced rate for their inhabitants.

Moreover, Santiago is a cultural city, as it has many museums, such as the famous Pre-Columbian Art museum, but also the Natural History museum and La Chascona, which was the house of the poet Pablo Neruda. Take time to have a cultural parenthesis every now and then!

Find a job / do business in Santiago

Santiago is a growing city which has changed a lot in the last ten years. It was named first city in Latin America to do business. Thus, you can find work or start your business without much difficulty.

However:

• if you are looking for work, you should know that if you are not qualified, or if your profile is not in line with what companies are looking for, it will be difficult to have a decent salary allowing you to live well.
• if you do not have a visa, very few companies will wait for you to go through the procedure. It is therefore necessary to initiate all the steps from your country of origin, before coming.

Relationship with Chileans

In general, Chileans are very welcoming and most foreigners are well received. However, in the long run, it appears that the society is quite homogeneous and is not used to the contact with other cultures and thoughts, so even though relations between Chileans and foreigners are pleasant, it seems that friendship remains very superficial. Actually, Chileans mainly build links in their families, which are often very large, and at school when they are young.

Frequently asked questions about living in Santiago de Chile

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