Chile Forum

Fishy humor should be reported to flag@whitehouse.gov

Hi Everyone!

I am new to the forum and the site. I have been looking for an area to visit and possibly move to in Central/South America for some weeks now. Both Costa Rica and Panama were at the top of my list....until I found Chile. I have looked into Ecuador, Brazil, and Argentina in South America. Chile caught my attention because it is nearly identical to our SoCal climate, but the cost of living is about 1/2 or less of what I spend in a month. I can rent my home out and likely net between $800-$1100/mo. for it. From what I have read that might work for two persons living in Chile.

We lead simple lives and will not need to spend big $$$ for a fancy apartment and the best dinners money can buy. I would just like to have internet availability and cell phone service, and maybe a TV or at least a DVD/monitor. A few other frills maybe. Can we swing this and live in Santiago? How about Vina Del Mar? I can likely augment my income by teaching English (I possess a BS/BA and will get a TESOL/TESL cert.) Can we do this?

That is completely possible give the budget you have.

Hello,

I just wanted to introduce myself. Originally from Southern Indiana, living in Concepcion, and looking to make work contacts. My work back ground is in Hazardous Waste Remediation with Environmental Consulting Firms, Ground Water Studies, and Gas Desorption sampling for Natural Gas exploration. Natural Gas exploration is what brought me down to Chile for the first time almost 2 years ago to the day. While working on the project, I ended up hitting it off with the translator. She came to visit me in the states for 6 months last year and now I am down here visiting her. Thanks for the forum and and a way to connect with other English speaking Gringos!

Hi! This site is great! I'm looking into being a missionary in Chile. I know I am going to get a lot of help from this site. Thanks so much! -Anthony

Hello,

My first trip to Chile was almost exactly two years ago as a consultant on a natural gas exploration project. We were located in Arauco, 8th Region. I was only given three days notice that I was going to Chile and did not speak a word of Spanish at the time. I was only supposed to be here for 3 weeks but ended up staying until the project finished 3 months later. Working on the project was more like a dream than a job and I vowed to come back and learn Spanish. I have been back down here since the beginning of August and just recently found this forum. Currently, I am trying to find contacts for work in Environmental Consulting, Ground Water Hydrology, or even just teaching English to fund learning Spanish and gaining more international experience. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. I am currently living in Concepcion.

Regards,

Aaron Spicer

OK. I'm posting. My family and I are trying to figure out everything we need to do to be prepared for our move to Chile in the upcoming months. I'm currently researching visas, which is best, etc. I'm opening up a business so I'm a bit unsure how to choose. I believe the temporary Resident visa is best, but I've heard that is a bit challenging to get. I am a professional and have read that may be enough. I've visiting the Chile Consulate in Chicago next month to verify.

I've also read it's best to apply in Chile vs. in the US as the Chile Consulate workers in the US don't understand the paperwork. Anyone's help would be appreciated. Oh, my wife does freelance writing, editing, etc. from home. Will she still be able to do that in Chile if she comes over as a spouse of the person applying for a temp. resident visa? Thanks.

Just wanted to introduce myself.

I've loved Chile since I first landed there back in 1995 as a missionary. Chile is an amazing country of spectacular natural beauty and the people are wonderfully friendly.

They have a famous song in Chile, "Si Vas Para Chile" with a line:
"y verás como quieren en Chile
al amigo, cuando es forastero"

Which roughly translates to:
And you'll see how in Chile they love
the friend, when he is a visitor

I loved Chile so much after returning home that I started a website about it that just celebrated 11 years online. I still love helping others going to Chile and learning more about this great country myself.

I look forward to the discussion here.

Pepe

It's good to see you here, "Pepe". And I'll look forward to viewing your website, once you've written enough here to be allowed to post the URL.

We are Paul and Gena Suarez, publishers of a homeschooling magazine in the US. Very interested in pursuing a move to Chile with our six kids. Hopefully by 2011. We have been reading these threads with great interest; you all have a world of knowledge.

Hello, I registered here in hopes that someone can help me, the name tells all... I will post in the approporiate place.

Thanks

I just want to say thank you for striving to keep this board on track. We are not in Chile - yet. But are making our plans. All this information is a little overwhelming right now....but I know it will be unbelievably helpful. I'm trying to figure out how to absorb all this info. There is so much here.

Thank you