Chile Forum

pajaritoblanco wrote:I have never been to Chile, but must add that whether a budget is doable or not depends pretty much on your lifestyle. In the UK, I (a single male penny-pincher in his 30s) spend roughly 60.000 CLP/per month on food, hence I am sure that 30.000 CLP/month would be enough for me in Chile.

I have an acquaintance in Arica, a gap-year student in her mid-20s, she rents a room at a Chilean family for 46.000 CLP/month and spends a similar amount on groceries. Basically, 200-250 USD/month is enough for her. This is not much more than subsistence, but she is not starving, enjoys her time in Chile, and occasional shopping trips to neighbouring Peru make it even more doable for her.

If you have never been to Chile, then I don't think you are very qualified to give advice on this matter. I can imagine the quality of life of this poor girl you speak of must be difficult. In all reality, this type of budget is very unrealistic.

I don't want to mislead anyone, so I put here the price list that I received from my friend in Arica. If you think it is not correct, please correct it:

Food prices in US dollar:

bread: $ 1/kg
rice: $ 0.6/kg
lentils: $ 2/kg
pasta: $ 0.65/half kg
lunch meat: $ 3.5/kg
hot dog sausage: $ 0.65/ six pack
cheese: $ 6/kg
milk: $ 0.7/liter
instant soup: $ 0.4/pack
tuna in tin: $ 0.65/200 gramme
chicken fresh meat: $ 2.75/kg
Cristal local beer: $ 2.5 /six pack
mineral water: $ 0.4/liter
soft drinks: $ 0.65 /liter

At lunchonette: half grilled chicken with big portion of chips (French fries): $ 3

Menu at taverna: $ 2-2.5 (big portion, fills you)

Single room at Chilean family in outer districts: $ 100 /month all utility bills included
Single room in city centre with room service, washing, ironing: $ 200 / month all utility bills included

A 4 bedroom+hall+2 bathrooms flat at city centre with ocean view: rent: $ 300/month, water: $ 7.5/month, electricity: $ 35/month, gas (used only to cook): $ 5/month

I have lived in Chile for many years and it is possible to live on $500.000 per month, of course you would have to live like a Chilean. Ditch the insurance and use Fonasa, give up meat, expensive liquor and eating out. Think legumes and veggies, home schooling and no doctors. Totally do-able. Lastly, the coco-cola DOES NOT taste the same. Coke in Chile is sweeter.

My 5 pesos.

nvm.

pajaritoblanco wrote:I don't want to mislead anyone, so I put here the price list that I received from my friend in Arica. If you think it is not correct, please correct it:

Food prices in US dollar:

bread: $ 1/kg

Bread might be about $2 /kg .. that's for standard marraquetas and similar, at least here. Guess it can vary depending on where in Chile you are

pajaritoblanco wrote:I don't want to mislead anyone, so I put here the price list that I received from my friend in Arica. If you think it is not correct, please correct it:

At lunchonette: half grilled chicken with big portion of chips (French fries): $ 3

Menu at taverna: $ 2-2.5 (big portion, fills you)

Single room at Chilean family in outer districts: $ 100 /month all utility bills included
Single room in city centre with room service, washing, ironing: $ 200 / month all utility bills included

A 4 bedroom+hall+2 bathrooms flat at city centre with ocean view: rent: $ 300/month, water: $ 7.5/month, electricity: $ 35/month, gas (used only to cook): $ 5/month

My observations in Southern Chile, all prices in CLP and monthly unless otherwise specified:
- menu ejecutivo (set lunch menu) = $2,000 - $3,000
- 2 BR unfurnished apartment = $180,000 - $300,000 plus monthly gastos of $30,000 - $80,000 and rental agent fees of 50% of 1 month's rent
- 2 BR furnished cabana in great location with wifi included = $260,000
- 3 BR house with yard for rent in outer districts = $200,000
- 45kg gas tank, lasts 2 - 5 months = $49,000
- internet/cable = $40,000
- electricity from $20,000 - $30,000 in winter, probably negligible in summer if you have lots of windows
- bus fare soon to be $400/per ride (no transfers available), collectivos now $450/ride

pajaritoblanco wrote:I don't want to mislead anyone, so I put here the price list that I received from my friend in Arica. If you think it is not correct, please correct it:

Food prices in US dollar:

bread: $ 1/kg
rice: $ 0.6/kg
lentils: $ 2/kg
pasta: $ 0.65/half kg
lunch meat: $ 3.5/kg
hot dog sausage: $ 0.65/ six pack
cheese: $ 6/kg
milk: $ 0.7/liter
instant soup: $ 0.4/pack
tuna in tin: $ 0.65/200 gramme
chicken fresh meat: $ 2.75/kg
Cristal local beer: $ 2.5 /six pack
mineral water: $ 0.4/liter
soft drinks: $ 0.65 /liter

In U.S. dollars (Santiago supermarket prices)

bread $2.50+/kilo
rice $1.25+/kilo
lentils ?
pasta $0.80+/bag
lunch meat $2.50/ 1/4 kg
hotdogs ?
sausages $2.25+/pack(small)
cheese $2+/ 1/4 kg
milk $1.50+/liter
instant soup $0.50/pack
tuna ?
chicken meat $5.00/ kilo
Cristal ? (guacala!)
bottled water $0.80/liter
soft drinks $1/liter

as you can see prices are about double what you listed.

Thanks for your data. Well, I don't think my friend would mislead me on purpose. She had been in Arica for a year when sent me the list which is from early 2011. Prices may have risen in the meantime or Arica is much cheaper then Santiago and the South. I don't know.

My friend is from Hungary, which is a relatively cheap country within Europe, and she was glad to tell me how cheap Chile was comparing it to Hungary. Internet was the only service she found a bit expensive, in Arica she paid for it roughly 50 USD/month.

pajaritoblanco wrote:Thanks for your data. Well, I don't think my friend would mislead me on purpose. She had been in Arica for a year when sent me the list which is from early 2011. Prices may have rised in the meantime or Arica is much cheaper then Santiago and the South. I don't know.

My friend is from Hungary, which is a relatively cheap country within Europe, and she was glad to tell me how cheap Chile was comparing it to Hungary. Internet was the only service she found a bit expensive, in Arica she paid for it roughly 50 USD/month.

It might be an exchange rate issue; your friend may have either made a mis-calculation when converting CLP to USD or may have used the wrong exchange rate. Either that or Arica is the cheapest place to live in Chile...

Well I'm the OP and I'm back. To be sure I was low-balling on the 500K figure, with the idea that 6-7 was more likely, but within reason. To put things in perspective my family of 4 currently lives off of less than 22K per year plus about 6K per year housing allowance. The children have healthcare through the state, but that's it. Point being we understand what it's like to scrape by. I'm not looking for a life of luxury, just a life with opportunity and a future for my children. If one is going to attempt this it would take specifically focused visits to figure out a plan and feasibility. We're not set in stone as to what we're going to do, just exploring options and looking for the best plan facilitating our options. For instance I'm currently looking at the Free State Project and New Hampshire as a very attractive option.

Obviously becoming fluent in Spanish is the first order of business before moving. Next is securing jobs, which is why Spanish is the first order. Then just live life and learn the culture. I'm simply wondering how to go about finding a career path in Chile. Law School is still an option for me, international law?. Since my first post I've located some fabric and wallcovering manufacturers in Chile. However in the states I'm not looking to be in the graphics field anymore because of market saturation with potential employees has driven wages so far down. Anyone have input on the situation in Chile?

Really appreciate the comments about mine or forest engineering. I for instance live about an hour away from a tremendous forestry school at Mississippi State University... one of the bright spots to living in this state. Any other input here as to other in-demand/high-demand careers?

As I stated before my interest in leaving the US is more future economic based than anything else, I just don't see how our economy survives the continued bubble-bust-bubble-bust cycle being forced upon it via market manipulation.

Again, thanks for the input,
Phil