Chile Forum

You can buy a home whenever you like.

Just forget about getting a mortgage in Chile without some permanent status.

And dont listen too much about the negative comments about Chiles culture.

I left Canada in 97 for a one year work opportunity in Chile.

I like Canada and I like living there and wasn't running away from anything.

I am still here in Chile after 14 years, i wouldn't be here if I didn't like it or if I thought the culture sucked.

Is it perfect? Very far from it!

Sometimes I wish people were more open and friendly like I found them to be in Colombia, with more joie de vivre like in Mexico and Brasil, etc etc.

But there is lots to like and if you find your niche there are lots of opportunities.

But I do sometimes wish that I could find someone to do renovations to my apt who could do it better and faster than i could in my spare time.

However, on the bright side I have found a mechanic who is both competent and honest and that is a rare combination indeed anywhere in the world.

PenquistaDeCorazon wrote:The abort comment was a dig more at Simon.... lol

He paints a rosy picture of everywhere he supposedly knows about because he is trying to selel you, the reader, a product.

Anyways, smart approach visiting first.

That makes sense. As a rule of thumb I don't pay for subscriptions. Too many ways to cross verify what people say.

I am from New Zealand & live in Chile. Yes, New Zealand is expensive. Not sure about comparisons with the US though, as I've only visited the US and not lived there, but found the US to be pretty different to NZ.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE is that Chile is just as expensive as New Zealand. In many things, more so. Biggest cultural differences for me in Chile, so far, is the bureaucracy & form filling in, the enormous lengths of time it takes to get (what I consider) simple things done, the massive gap between the rich and the poor, the filthy/dirty/broken streets and pavements. I live in the North of Chile though - apparently the South is pretty. Everyone keeps telling me it's just like New Zealand
So why am I here? My Chilean partner has three kids here. When they are old enough we'll leave. He fell in love with New Zealand and how easy everything was when we visited last year, so it might be there, but who knows, in 10-12 years time where we will end up. All we know is that it will NOT be Antofagasta! (He's from here and hates it too!)

My advise - visit! Spend a couple of months and see if it might be for you.

Finnthecelt wrote:

PenquistaDeCorazon wrote:Hi Finn....
If you chose Chile based on what Simon Black told you alone then I have but one word.
ABORT ABORT!
Bring lots of money or a skill that is in demand. Sorry. I mean take.....

That's it? Abort? Do you think you don't need lots of money and special skills in America? The job market is quite finicky in America. Corporations can basically snipe the exact skill sets they need. If you don't have them you will live a very mediocre life; which I do anyway with decent savings.

Unfortunately I have to weed through so much information it's hard to disseminate. Can you offer anything constructive on why I should not heed Simon's advice? And for the record I don't get spoon fed by Simon. I read many sources about Chile and have no illusions (delusions?) of what we're up against. I grew up in the country here and live with a lot less than I have to. Simple is better for me. My greatest concern are my PM's. AG is for me. I've seen some of your posts on other threads so I'll be catching up with you.

Thx

Hi Steve,

First off do not interpret the short answer as disinterest. It was just a cut to the chase answer as to what I feel (speaking only for myself) is the one factor that will have the greatest impact on your Chilean experience. If you do not like Chilean food, there are plenty of alternatives. Don't like Conchali? There is always La Dehesa. Hate CHilean TV and culture? You can always get Direct TV. You get the picture..... But the one thing that will make Chile unpleasant for anyone is lack of money. Not just lack of money but lack of a job as that is important to a sense of fulfillment.

I go hard on Simon Black cause he is trying to sell a newsletter and consulting services. Therefore when you said that you first considered Chile after encountering him I was concerned because he paints a very rosy picture.

There are answers to pretty much any question that you might have on the forum. On some of the answers, forum members go to great lengths to post pics, links, crime stats, maps, etc. So the best way is to use the search function because it takes a while to repost and re-answer.

Now as to coming for a year? Do up a budget and be realistic about the things you are willing to give up (If you have a ton of money and the list is zero things all the more power to you ). Chile is not cheap. So set your monthly budget number and then go from there.

I think for most expats 1500 for a couple per month would be a minimum in Santiago. And that is just food, apt., utilities, phone, transit.... That does not include travel, having a car, gas, etc. For some that figure will seem low, for others high. But seriously a small one bedroom apt. in a safe neighbourhood will easily run you 700 USD. I mean if you come from the states having had an annual income of say 70 grand then you will have certain expectations and they will not be met cheaply in CHile. I could live on less but then I might be willing to live in certain areas many expats would not, I do not need fancy restaurants or McDonalds just cause it is gringo, or Starbucks if push comes to shove, like porotos, humitas, and charquican (cheap.....) as much as steak, crab, and lobster. But of course you will note I said if push comes to shove. Given the choice, I do love a nice neighbourhood, iPad2s, iPhones, high speed internet, tech toys (cost more in Chile), etc.

Coming from Detroit you will be no stranger to winter so you can cope with most of wha CHile can throw at you but most houses lack central heat like in the states. Well some comunas of course will have more of that.

If you come to Chile for two weeks it will gave you an idea of what Chile is like as a tourist. It will take a three month stay to give you an idea of what it is like as a resident.

rachelmarama wrote:I am from New Zealand & live in Chile. Yes, New Zealand is expensive. Not sure about comparisons with the US though, as I've only visited the US and not lived there, but found the US to be pretty different to NZ.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE is that Chile is just as expensive as New Zealand. In many things, more so. Biggest cultural differences for me in Chile, so far, is the bureaucracy & form filling in, the enormous lengths of time it takes to get (what I consider) simple things done, the massive gap between the rich and the poor, the filthy/dirty/broken streets and pavements. I live in the North of Chile though - apparently the South is pretty. Everyone keeps telling me it's just like New Zealand
So why am I here? My Chilean partner has three kids here. When they are old enough we'll leave. He fell in love with New Zealand and how easy everything was when we visited last year, so it might be there, but who knows, in 10-12 years time where we will end up. All we know is that it will NOT be Antofagasta! (He's from here and hates it too!)

My advise - visit! Spend a couple of months and see if it might be for you.

Thanks for the message rachel,

Well being from the Detroit area there are plenty of dirty and broken roads!! lol. It's getting worse every year. I can see the bureaucracy being the biggest annoyance of mine. Things can happen pretty fast here and sometimes the pace frutstrates me. Some of that may just be my expectation though. When I know the variables I face I tend to adjust my attitude to that pace. We'll see.

Our plan is that after our trip, if all goes well, I'll move down to Chile for a couple of months while the Mrs. stays in the US. If I approve of the experience she'll follow. If not, I move on or return home. Two options I deem more expensive than staying

PenquistaDeCorazon wrote:Hi Steve,

First off do not interpret the short answer as disinterest. It was just a cut to the chase answer as to what I feel (speaking only for myself) is the one factor that will have the greatest impact on your Chilean experience. If you do not like Chilean food, there are plenty of alternatives. Don't like Conchali? There is always La Dehesa. Hate CHilean TV and culture? You can always get Direct TV. You get the picture..... But the one thing that will make Chile unpleasant for anyone is lack of money. Not just lack of money but lack of a job as that is important to a sense of fulfillment.

I go hard on Simon Black cause he is trying to sell a newsletter and consulting services. Therefore when you said that you first considered Chile after encountering him I was concerned because he paints a very rosy picture.

There are answers to pretty much any question that you might have on the forum. On some of the answers, forum members go to great lengths to post pics, links, crime stats, maps, etc. So the best way is to use the search function because it takes a while to repost and re-answer.

Now as to coming for a year? Do up a budget and be realistic about the things you are willing to give up (If you have a ton of money and the list is zero things all the more power to you ). Chile is not cheap. So set your monthly budget number and then go from there.

I think for most expats 1500 for a couple per month would be a minimum in Santiago. And that is just food, apt., utilities, phone, transit.... That does not include travel, having a car, gas, etc. For some that figure will seem low, for others high. But seriously a small one bedroom apt. in a safe neighbourhood will easily run you 700 USD. I mean if you come from the states having had an annual income of say 70 grand then you will have certain expectations and they will not be met cheaply in CHile. I could live on less but then I might be willing to live in certain areas many expats would not, I do not need fancy restaurants or McDonalds just cause it is gringo, or Starbucks if push comes to shove, like porotos, humitas, and charquican (cheap.....) as much as steak, crab, and lobster. But of course you will note I said if push comes to shove. Given the choice, I do love a nice neighbourhood, iPad2s, iPhones, high speed internet, tech toys (cost more in Chile), etc.

Coming from Detroit you will be no stranger to winter so you can cope with most of wha CHile can throw at you but most houses lack central heat like in the states. Well some comunas of course will have more of that.

If you come to Chile for two weeks it will gave you an idea of what Chile is like as a tourist. It will take a three month stay to give you an idea of what it is like as a resident.

Thanks for the follow up message. We are trying to be as realistic as possible and this forum is about the best thing I've found so I'm thankful for that. We did have a figure of around $1500 in mind. Perhaps I'll throw a few hundred on top of that. We'll come with at least that amount x 12 to give ourselves time to acclimate and find work. We also plan on having a fund specifically for the situation that if we don't like it we'll be able to come back. Of course that would also apply to the fact that if we don't find work, we'll have to leave!

I suppose I should also account for the expense of travelling to Argentina or Peru for a weekend if I don't find work within three months. That's fine with me though, I want to go to both places. Maybe I'll just plan for that anyway.

Travelling to Mendoza or Peru is cheap. Mendoza is cheap to stay in. Eat lots of beef and drink lots of wine. If you stay the year you will have to do a VISA run anyways.
And of course Santiago is not Chile. You might want year round warmer climate, or the beauty that is southern Chile. Plenty of places outside Snatiago cheaper too.

PenquistaDeCorazon wrote:Travelling to Mendoza or Peru is cheap. Mendoza is cheap to stay in. Eat lots of beef and drink lots of wine. If you stay the year you will have to do a VISA run anyways.
And of course Santiago is not Chile. You might want year round warmer climate, or the beauty that is southern Chile. Plenty of places outside Snatiago cheaper too.

It does seem that the Mrs. (Carrie) and I are not particularly keen on Santiago. Although my impression is that there is where most of the work would be. One would deduce anyway.