Chile Forum

Hello,

I am planning a 12 month -18 month timeline to move to Chile. I have 3 kids aged 3 , 9, 11. I have been to Chile but my family has not. I am taking them down for 3 weeks this Christmas to visit a few areas - Santiago, La Serena, and the lakes district - hopefully with a goal of finding a place that feels right for us. My biggest concern is schooling for the kids. I understand we would be better off in private schools. Does anyone have an idea of how much schooling costs in these various areas? Any recommendations ?

We currently speak very limited Spainish but have a native Chilean who begins Spainish lessons for our family starting next month.

Thanks!

Gozzar wrote: My biggest concern is schooling for the kids. I understand we would be better off in private schools.

Have you been reading the news on this forum and in Chilean media about the conflict in local schools? Private schools are not immune. There have been takeovers and sacking of even the private schools, in Santiago and throughout the country, even in frozen Patagonia. At any given time there may be 100 or more elementary and secondary schools "en toma" or in takeover, and effectively halted, by students. Many not in takeover have been suffering attempted takeovers, or have been cleared out by police. You might be lucky, and you might not. This is not a tranquil time for Chilean schools.

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CNN in English

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/ameri ... .protests/

wait, are you moving here indefinitely? that is a very big decision especially considering your wife and probably you kids have never even been here...

if you will read testimonies of the hardships of life here, you might want to think long and hard before selling everything and moving here.

Gozzar wrote:We currently speak very limited Spainish but have a native Chilean who begins Spainish lessons for our family starting next month.

jessicak1234 wrote:wait, are you moving here indefinitely? that is a very big decision especially considering your wife and probably you kids have never even been here...

if you will read testimonies of the hardships of life here, you might want to think long and hard before selling everything and moving here.

I totally and absolutely agree!!!!...however as the saying goes.....you can lead them to the waters but you cannot force them to drink! Read, read and read til your eyeballs falls off.Have a plan A-B-C and if necessary even D will do. We know better, we live here.

Px, what happened to "why Chile?"

Gloria wrote: as the saying goes....you can lead them to the waters but you cannot force them to drink!

I always thought it was "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him fish."

O algo por el estilo.

patagoniax wrote:

Gloria wrote: as the saying goes....you can lead them to the waters but you cannot force them to drink!

I always thought it was "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him fish."

O algo por el estilo.

El orden de los factores no altera el producto, en resumidas cuentas = es la misma wea'.

Tough crowd huh? Hello..... I said I am trying to come up with a long term plan? I didn't say I was moving there with my wife and 3 kids tomorrow. If I take my family there over the holidays and they don't like it so be it. We are a very adventurous family and have traveled all over the world.

Gloria, I always have a plan B. Do you not enjoy living in Chile? How come?

Thanks!

Gozzar wrote:Gloria, Do you not enjoy living in Chile? How come?

Thanks!

Sure I do BUT after 3 1/2 years of my return, I'm still trying to get adjusted and I was born here!

Gozzar wrote:. We are a very adventurous family and have traveled all over the world.

Ser turista no es lo mismo que ser inmigrante.

Gloria, What exactly do you mean? Adjusting to society or government issues or work or ????

Thanks!