12 Best Places To Live In Chile

Chile (officially the Republic of Chile) is located in South America and is a popular country for expats hoping to relocate somewhere which offers a good quality of life and a rich cultural heritage.

We’ll be looking at the best places to live in Chile for work, families, immigrants and more.

Let’s start by taking a look at the best places to live in Chile.

Sections

Best Places To Live In Chile

City	Reason
Santiago	Best for work
Vina Del Mar	Best for affordability
Pucón	Best for families
Antofagasta	Best for immigrants
La Serena	Best for retirement
Iquique	Best for young adults
Santiago	Best for students
Santiago	Best for food and nightlife
Iquique, Cavancha	Best for singles
Santiago	Best for weather
Vina del Mar	Best for beaches
Santiago	Best for mountains

Best Places To Live In Chile for Work

Santiago – the capital of Chile – is one of the best cities in the country for expats looking to relocate somewhere with good working opportunities. The active job market in Santiago is one of the biggest draws for expats looking to work.

Agriculture and mining are some of the biggest industries throughout Chile, but there are also plenty of job opportunities in the service sector, particularly in service and hospitality.

Teaching English as a foreign language is another sought-after position. Do keep in mind that Santiago is quite a crowded city so there is likely to be a fair amount of competition for both skilled and unskilled jobs.

La Serena is a city located on the Pacific coast and is a good option for those who are hoping to find work in the mining industry. The city also has a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

Cheapest Places To Live In Chile

The living costs in Chile are more affordable than in many countries in the West. Santiago is one of the best cities in Chile with affordable rent and housing prices that still provide an excellent quality of life.

As with all places, the costs in Santiago can differ depending on how many people you’re hoping to home and the type of lifestyle you lead but Santiago is good for those thinking of their budget while still hoping to enjoy splurging now and then.

If you’re hoping to relocate and are eager to settle in a town or rural destination, you’ll likely find your costs are much lower. Towns such as La Serena and Vina Del Mar are good options with lower costs than Santiago.

Vina Del Mar is located only two hours away from Santiago and is very popular due to how well-maintained the city is, with clean and tidy streets. It also has some outstanding beaches.

Best Places To Live In Chile for Families

Pucón is located in the region of Araucanía on the shores of Lake Villarrica and is a great potential choice for expats hoping to relocate somewhere with family.

The town is smaller than some of Chile’s bigger cities but the relaxed atmosphere and wonderful surrounding scenery are a big pull for international families.

There are plenty of job opportunities in the tourism industry in particular.

Santiago, the country’s capital, is another wonderful option for relocating families. There are lots of job opportunities in the city and it offers a high quality of life, similar to cities located in the West.

Best Places To Live In Chile for Immigrants

Antofagasta has a similar feel to Santiago in terms of what you can expect to find in the city, though be prepared for some living costs to be slightly higher than the capital, depending on what kind of lifestyle you lead.

There are quite a few job opportunities in Antofagasta as well as attractions and eateries to spend time in when you’re not working. It’s important to keep in mind that some areas of the city may be safer than others.

For those hoping to live somewhere with more of a cultural influence, the port city of Valparaíso may be a strong contender. There is lots of interesting architecture and art throughout the city and a good range of transport options.

Best Places To Live In Chile for Retirement

La Serena is one of the fastest-growing developed areas in Chile and holds huge appeal for international retirees. The city is near Valle del Elqui, famous for its clear skies and fantastic weather.

The atmosphere of La Serena is relaxed and laidback and it’s known to be a favourite location for international retirees. The infrastructure of the city is also good with plenty of public transport options.

There is a wealth of culture available to explore here and La Serena is appealing to many for its good food and the wide range of eating options available.

Vina Del Mar is another population option with retirees. Known as the ‘Garden City’ due to its immaculate presentation, the city is also considered a safe area.

Best Places To Live In Chile for Young Adults

Iquique is a coastal city in northern Chile that is more relaxed than some of Chile’s other cities, such as Santiago or Antofagasta and is a great option to consider for young adults.

The cost of living and housing in Iquique is affordable in comparison to the larger cities, which is ideal for those keeping to a smaller budget. There are also fantastic beaches and fun parties to attend in the city which is a perfect way to socialise and meet new people.

Watersports are a big part of Iquique’s culture and you’ll find plenty of opportunities here for paragliding, surfing and swimming.

Santiago is another great option for young adults due to the fast-paced nature of the city and the range of job opportunities available, however, you can expect costs in the capital to be far more than in other locations.

Best Places To Live In Chile for Students

Chile is a good city for many international students because of the high quality of many of its institutions. Many of the universities also award accreditations that are recognised in the US and the West.

Some of the best universities are located in the capital city, Santiago. A selection of these universities includes Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Universidad de Chile and Universidad de Santiago de Chile.

There are several student accommodation options in Santiago including a range of apartments. The city is also relatively safe (though students should still take necessary precautions) and has good entertainment and dining options as well as a rich culture.

For students hoping to study in a more relaxed environment, Vina del Mar is another good potential option. The coastal town has a definite beach culture with plenty of water sports opportunities as well as is home to universities such as Universidad del Viña del Mar.

Best Places To Live In Chile for Food and Nightlife

Santiago has a thriving gastronomic scene which is largely comprised of street food vendors, like in many parts of Latin America. Chilean cuisine contains many Spanish influences and uses ingredients such as garlic, potatoes, onions, meat and tomatoes.

One of Chile’s most famous national dishes is sopapillas which are fried flatbreads that are made from a mixture of pumpkins, butter and flour and flattened into circles.

Santiago also has good nightlife – though it’s worth bearing in mind that Chileans are known for having a slightly more reserved partying style. Despite this, Santiago has a range of bars, clubs and cafes – the district Bellavista is renowned for having a range of different venues for every type of party.

Another good city for both food and nightlife is Antofagasta. Prices may be slightly higher in this city than in Santiago but the city has plenty of options when it comes to entertainment and dining.

Best Places To Live In Chile for Singles

Iquique is a favourite city among single travellers and expats – it has an affordable cost of housing and living and there is a relaxed beach culture to enjoy. For singles who are hoping to find work in the tourism industry, Iquique is a good potential option.

Cavancha is known to be a solid base to settle in, as some parts of Iquique can be dangerous, so it’s worth keeping in mind when travelling around the city.

If you’re keen for more diverse work opportunities, then Santiago is potentially a better choice of city. The capital will be slightly more expensive than Iquique but you can expect a broader range of job opportunities as well as a large international community.

Best Places To Live In Chile for the Weather

Chile has a range of different climate zones: tropical in the North, Antarctic in the South and Mediterranean in the centre. There are also a range of different climate regions across the country depending on geographical factors such as mountains or lakes.

The best city in Chile to experience good weather is the capital, Santiago. The climate in the city is typically temperate and sunny which is why so many Chileans call Santiago home.

Do keep in mind that Santiago also has a rainy season which lasts from late November to mid-March and is characterised by intense rainfall. The summer months are usually hot and dry.

Best Places To Live Near Beaches

Without a doubt, the best city in Chile to experience spectacular beaches is the resort town of Vina del Mar. It’s Chile’s fourth largest city and is located in the Valparaíso Region which resides on Chile’s west coast.

Vina del Mar is mainly known for its elegant hotels and thriving tourism industry but the city is the perfect spot for relocators hoping to stay close to the well-maintained sandy beaches and soak up some of the best-relaxed beach cultures in Chile.

Iquique is another port city that is a fantastic option for beach lovers. The city’s iconic waterfront is a tourist hotspot during the summer. There is more to Iquique than its beaches – the city is famed for being of historical importance and there are several sites and museums dedicated to preserving some of Chile’s culture.

Best Places To Live In Chile Near Mountains

Chile’s capital, Santiago, is privileged to have such an outstanding backdrop to the city. The Andes Mountains tower above the capital and the tallest, Tupungato, rises to 6,500 metres.

It’s easy to access the mountain range by driving up the Camino al Volcán, alongside the Maipo river up to Cajón del Maipo, and there are many established hikes and trails to follow.

Almost 80% of Chile’s land is mountainous, meaning you’d be hard-pressed to find a city or town that wasn’t located near or within some type of mountain range. As a result, mountain biking, hiking and climbing are popular sports in Chile.