Living in Chile Pros and Cons: Honest Assessment

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Considering living in Chile but not sure it is the right country for you? After helping expats relocate here since 2016, we have a clear-eyed view of both sides. Below is our honest assessment: the genuine advantages, the real disadvantages of living in Chile, and the cases where we would tell you not to move.

Pros

Safety

Chile is the safest country and the country with the lowest crime rate in Latin America. Yet, there are some rules to follow. First, keep an eye on your belongings because thefts are frequent, especially in public transport. If you have a car, we advise you not to drive with your windows completely down, because pickpockets are able to steal your bag on the passenger seat in a few seconds for example. In the most upmarket neighborhoods, where many foreigners and expatriates live, we advise you to equip your home with an alarm, if it has not already been done. For a full breakdown of crime statistics and which areas to avoid, see our guide Is Chile safe?

Weather

Given the country's geography, the climate varies a lot between regions. However, the metropolitan region has a Mediterranean climate, which is very pleasant to live. Summers are hot but nights are cool, winters are mild and it rains only a few days a month. The rest of the time, the air is dry.

Real estate prices

Chile's real estate prices are still quite low compared to Western cities, so you can buy or rent a nice apartment or house at affordable prices.

Santiago, a growing city

Chile's capital is a very pleasant place to live, because of its parks, historical monuments, restaurants and so on. If you want to know more about the life in Santiago, see this article.

Landscapes

Chile is known around the world for its wonderful landscapes, from the glaciers in Patagonia to the Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world. Moreover, Chile is full of opportunities for tourism, especially for nature-lovers (treks, hiking, stargazing, national parks, swimming in lakes or the Pacific Ocean ...). The holidays are unforgettable every time!

The health system

Chile has the best health system in Latin America. According to the World Health Organization, the Chilean health system is ranked 33rd out of 190, which is five places ahead of the United States. If you have a health problem, you will receive good care in public and private hospitals. Yet, the caveat is that the waiting time for an operation can be long in the public system, and the private system may be very expensive if you do not have a good health insurance.

Wine

Chile is the fourth largest exporter of wine in the world and Chilean wine is renowned throughout the world. Thus, the country attracts wine producers from around the world. It has a great variety of wines at very affordable prices (you can find good wines for 8-9 dollars a bottle). You can find many known grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Chardonnay, but also a rare variety hard to find outside Chile, Carménère, which is a red wine a little lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon. If you are a wine lover, Chile is the right country for you!

The history of the country

If you dig into it, the history of Chile is fascinating. The Spanish conquest, the Moai statues of Easter Island, the military dictatorship of Pinochet… Chile has an impressive history. Furthermore, Chile has six UNESCO World Heritage sites (Rapa Nui National Park, the churches of Chiloé, Valparaíso historic district ...), enough to keep you busy on weekends and holidays!

Cons: the disadvantages of living in Chile

The language

Although Chile is a Spanish-speaking country, the language is very different from the Spanish we are used to in Europe. You may need to review some of your expressions and learn new vocabulary words. Especially since English is rarely spoken by Chileans from the middle class.

The pollution in Santiago

The air pollution in Santiago is quite unpleasant in winter (from June to September), so that an alternate traffic circulation according to license plate numbers has been implemented.

Currency

Some countries have currencies that are easy to convert. Unfortunately, Chile is not one of those countries. The Chilean peso fluctuates significantly against major currencies, making it challenging to quickly calculate expenses, especially when shopping. For current exchange rates and detailed cost information, see our cost of living guide.

Slowness

If you come from a big Western city, you will surely feel that the rhythm of life is slower, be it in the personal or professional life. This feeling is only a question of habit, but it can be disturbing at the beginning. Bureaucracy in particular: visa processing, bank account opening, and administrative procedures all take months rather than weeks.

Distance from home

Chile is far from everywhere. A flight to the US East Coast takes 10+ hours, to Europe 14-17 hours. If you expect to visit family often, the distance, and the airfare, wears on people more than they anticipate. This is one of the most commonly cited reasons expats eventually leave.

Earthquakes

Chile is the most seismically active country in the world. Buildings are engineered for it and fatalities are rare, but if the idea of regular tremors (and the occasional major quake) keeps you up at night, weigh this honestly. Our natural risks guide covers how Chileans live with it.

Is Chile expensive to live in?

A question we hear constantly, so here is the honest answer: Chile is the most expensive country in South America, but still 30-50% cheaper than the US or Western Europe.

If you compare it to Peru, Bolivia, or Argentina, Chile will feel expensive: groceries, rent, and restaurants all cost noticeably more than elsewhere on the continent. If you arrive with dollars or euros, it will feel affordable: a comfortable single-person budget in Santiago runs USD 1,500-2,200 per month, far below equivalent US metros. Imported goods, cars, and electronics are the exception: they cost the same or more than in the US.

For full price tables and sample budgets, see our cost of living in Chile guide.

Reasons not to move to Chile

An honest assessment means telling you when Chile is the wrong choice. Reconsider the move if:

• You will not learn any Spanish. Daily life, bureaucracy, and friendships run in Spanish. Expats who refuse to learn tend to isolate and leave within two years.
• You need to visit family monthly. The distance and flight costs make frequent trips home impractical.
• Your income is small and in pesos. Earning a low local salary while keeping Western consumption habits is a recipe for frustration. Check the average salary in Chile before accepting a local offer.
• You expect fast-paced career energy. Chile's professional market is solid but conservative, so if you thrive on hyper-growth environments, you may find it slow.
• You cannot tolerate seismic risk or Santiago's winter smog.

None of these apply? Then Chile is one of the best moves in Latin America, and the cons above are manageable trade-offs.

Retiring rather than working? The calculus shifts: healthcare quality and cost of living weigh more, career factors disappear. We cover retiring in Chile pros and cons in our dedicated retire to Chile guide.

Still weighing it up? Book a consultation and we will give you a frank assessment of whether Chile fits your situation.

Frequently asked questions about living in Chile

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