Where to live in Santiago: Ñuñoa, a more affordable area

If you want a good quality of live in Santiago, and don't need to be close to the metro line 1, see Ñuñoa! Especially recommended if you want a garden

Where to live in Santiago: Ñuñoa, a more affordable area

Last updated on 03/09/2026

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Where is Ñuñoa in Santiago?

Located on the south of Providencia and the east of Santiago Centro, Ñuñoa is a liveable comuna, very safe. As it is a little bit far from the metro, it still contains a lot of nice areas with only houses. Some areas are classified by the city due to their historical interest, which avoided the invasion of 20-floor buildings like in Santiago Centro.

Below a small map so that you get an idea:

Map Ñuñoa
Location of Ñuñoa in Santiago

Two neighborhoods tend to attract mostly foreigners:

  1. The Barrio Italia (also called Santa Isabel), on the north-west of the comuna, close to metro Santa Isabel. You can find a lot of restaurants, bars, cafes, as well as small art galleries and organic shops (very expensive, let's be honest, that's not where I would do my weekly shopping). The neighborhood is very lively during the weekend between 10am and 8pm. This is a place Santiaguinos like to go for a walk or a brunch on Saturday or Sunday. You can find a few nice bars. However, you will not find many people partying late at night, it is not really the spirit of the area.

  2. The surroundings of plaza Ñuñoa (where is the city hall). Most bars and restaurants are installed near this place. So living nearby is a good idea if you want a quiet area with a few restaurants. A bus can bring you directly on metro line 1 in around 15-20 minutes.

Ñuñoa lets you benefit from a house with a small garden, at a more affordable price than in one of the upper-class comunas of the north-east of Santiago. However, there are no international schools nearby.

What type of accommodation can you find in Ñuñoa

Houses and apartments, it depends on where you look. The closer you are to a metro station, the more likely you are to find buildings (and constructions in progress too, be aware). On average, it is cheaper than Providencia. Most apartments will be unfurnished. The Barrio Italia area is protected and therefore contains very few buildings. Near plaza Ñuñoa, you can find a lot more buildings and therefore flats.

Average cost of accommodation Ñuñoa

  • 1-bedroom apartment: $300,000 to $450,000
  • 2-bedroom apartment: $400,000 to $600,000
  • 3-bedroom apartment: $500,000 to $700,000
  • House: $1,000,000 to $1,700,000

In the barrio Italia, you will find houses from $1,000,000 to $2,500,000. There are also many overpriced houses, because their owners try to transform them into restaurants/shops or bars.

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We recommend Ñuñoa for

Couples or families on a budget or looking for a little more space than Providencia. Especially good for those who work outside of Santiago and want a parking for their car.

Ñuñoa, Santiago
Ñuñoa in Santiago

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Jeremie Le Pevedic

Jeremie Le Pevedic

Helping foreigners in Chile since 2016. French naturalized Chilean.

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