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25/05/2017, updated 15/06/2023
You have just decided that you will be living in Chile for the new few years? Or maybe your boss has just announced you that the company has an interesting opportunity for you there?
And now you are wondering where to live in chile?
Let's have a look at Chile. In this section, we will see where most expats live. This will allow you to get a better understanding of the different areas, and (hopefully) decide where in Chile you want to relocate.
If you need help to decide or, if you have specific criteria and are looking for the perfect place, do not hesitate to book a call with us.
A few words about Chile
The country is very concentrated. The Chilean population (around 19 millions inhabitants) is mostly located in the metropolitan region around Santiago (40%), the regions of Valparaiso and Concepción (around 6-7% each). The remaining 50% are living in the rest of the country.
In the table below, you can find the top 10 of the biggest cities in Chile. You can easily notice that the amount of population decreases really quickly.
TOP 10 cities in Chile
| Name | Region | Inhabitants |
|---|---|---|
| Gran Santiago | Metropolitana de Santiago | 6.158.080 |
| Gran Concepción | Biobío | 1.083.043 |
| Gran Valparaíso | Valparaíso | 1.066.893 |
| Gran La Serena | Coquimbo | 413.716 |
| Gran Temuco | Araucanía | 410.520 |
| Antofagasta | Antofagasta | 380.685 |
| Gran Iquique | Tarapacá | 279.408 |
| Gran Rancagua | O'Higgins | 277.090 |
| Gran Puerto Montt | Los Lagos | 266.200 |
| Talca | Maule | 253.743 |
Where do foreigners live in Chile?
As a foreigner, you are likely to work in Santiago. Most large companies have their offices in the metropolitan region. Therefore, most expatriates live in Santiago. Some prefer Valparaiso/Viña del Mar, especially those who can afford to work remotely.
Yet, it really depends on what you plan to do in Chile. Indeed, if you are specialized in a sector like mining exploration, you may find more opportunities in the north of Chile near Antofagasta. If you are looking for a job in the tourism sector, it is good to know that this is one of the leading sectors in the southern regions. It can be worth to look for positions in these regions. You'll likely be facing less competition than in the region of Santiago.
In this section, you will find a detailed description of the various cities (communas) where foreigners live in Chile. Please click on the links below for more information:
In the Santiago region:
Just south and west of Santiago, these cities can also be great alternatives if you don't mind a more rural way of life, amongst the vineyards:
- Pirque
- Isla de Maipo
- Casablanca
Near the sea, most foreigners live in the fifth region, not to be too far from Santiago. You should have a look at:
- Valparaiso
- Viña del Mar
- Renata
- Concon
And the rest of Chile?
As far as the other regions are concerned, there are very few expatriates who live there. Therefore, it is quite difficult to get up-to-date information. If you live there, we will be happy to hear your opinion on your region/city. Pros, cons, photos…
If you are interested in a particular region, and if you have difficulties finding information, here is a tip: it can be interesting to contact the main companies located in these regions (especially international ones). You will be able to ask if one or more expats are working there. If you can manage to get their contacts, this will allow you to get information and a more precise understanding of the region.
Finally, contacting a high-end real estate agent could also be a good option to gain contacts with other expatriates.
Good luck!
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