Santiago offers a pleasant year-round climate with hot summers (up to 95 °F) and winter lows in the low 30 °F, though occasional smog can be a factor in still winters. Rich in history and activity, the city centers around Plaza de Armas, a centuries-old hub with notable architecture and cultural significance. Its setting at over 500 m elevation makes it both suitable for living and vibrant with Chilean life.
Santiago is not the type of city many people would imagine when they think of Chile. For a start it’s huge: The population is over 6 million.
The city spreads out in front of the eye when viewed from one of the mountains which ring the area. Plus, the Andes mountain range can be seen from most places in the city providing a spectacular backdrop.
Reviewed By Kathleen Peddicord
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
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The town is located over 500 meters above sea level and benefits from a pleasant year round climate. Temperatures in the summer (November to March) can hit 95°F and lows in the winter can get down to the low 30’s.
Santiago receives a few earthquakes each year, but the buildings have been designed to withstand tremors and are safe. However, the city does suffer from smog pollution issues on days when the wind is low and especially during the winter months.
The Chilean government has been working hard to improve the pollution levels which have fallen over the last 20 years.
At the heart of Santiago is the Plaza de Armas, the historic center of the city.
This is the part of the city where the maps of Santiago begin, this is the starting point from which all maps make their measurements. It is home to the finest architecture in the city and has been Santiago’s most important area for close to 500 years.
The Plaza de Armas was originally a military training zone and has served a number of different purposes throughout the years.
There have been four different churches, on the site of the current cathedral. Every one of them devastated by the earthquakes which can be so catastrophic here.
Alongside the Cathedral, there are government buildings, the fighter’s headquarters, city hall and the Chilean Natural History Museum.
Santiago has a thriving restaurant scene which both Chilean food and dishes from is neighboring countries.
The Peruvian influence is strongly felt, and the immigrants who arrived from Peru over the last 20 years have contributed hugely to increasing the quality of food here.
Traditional Chilean food, served at picadas, is simple, heart fare which takes advantage of the high quality ingredients available throughout the country.
Most importantly, you can find lots of canteens and small restaurants serving stews and meat heavy sandwiches for a very reasonable price. And, if you are looking for something more upscale, Chile has some fine dining comparable with Argentina.
Like so much else, the prices are refreshing, a 20 course taster menu at a top restaurant will cost half of what you would pay in the U.S.
Chile is becoming one of the world’s wine producing super powers. Traditionally regarded as excellent value, Chile is also home to plenty of fine wines. From Santiago, you can book yourself onto any number of wine tours.
The region is bursting with quality vineyards and you can spend many a happy afternoon wandering the vines and cellars becoming better acquainted with all that Chilean wines have to offer.
Many of Chile’s best and most highly decorated wineries are close to Santiago, making it the perfect base for people on wine tasting tours. Viña Santa Cruz is particularly notable, as it combines a vineyard with an indigenous museum and observatory with a number of telescopes.
The Andes provide Chile with some top quality skiing resorts, popular as a summer ski destination for European and American ski teams and vacationers.
The ski season in Chile begins in mid-June and finishes in mid-October. There are plenty of ski resorts close to Santiago and many of them have the attraction of being overlooked by steaming volcanoes, framing your skiing in the most unique style.
Santiago is a three hour drive to some of the best surfing you can find anywhere in the world.
Surfers brave the freezing water all year and enjoy waves which can hit 6 meters. Also, there is a range of beach and reef breaks you can surf and an international contest is held each year in Pichilemu.
Chile now has a well-established democracy, but the country was subjected to incredible hardships under Augusto Pinochet’s brutal dictatorship.
In order that the horrors of the age never be forgotten. Pinochet, who rose to power on September 11 1973, was guilty of torture, murder and illegal detentions throughout his reign of terror.
The museum covers 3 floors and features a range of exhibits. You’ll find newspaper and film clips alongside some of the machines which were used to torture dissenters.
Most importantly, the Museum of Memory and Human Rights is a sobering way to spend an afternoon but a vivid reminder that freedom must never be taken for granted.
| Expense | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent | CLP 250,000 – CLP 500,000 |
| Transportation (bus, taxi etc) | CLP 20,000 |
| Gas (cooking/heating) | CLP 7,000 |
| Electricity | CLP 60,000 |
| Water | CLP 35,000 |
| Telephone | CLP 20,000 |
| Internet | CLP 25,000 |
| Cable TV | CLP 15,000 |
| Entertainment | CLP 50,000 |
| Groceries | CLP 75,000 |
| TOTAL | CLP 557,000 – CLP 807,000 |
| Expense | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent | CLP 400,000 – CLP 700,000 (2 bedroom |
| Transportation (bus, taxi etc) | CLP 20,000 |
| Gas (cooking/heating) | CLP 7,000 |
| Electricity | CLP 60,000 |
| Water | CLP 35,000 |
| Telephone | CLP 20,000 |
| Internet | CLP 25,000 |
| Cable TV | CLP 15,000 |
| Household Help | CLP 70,000 |
| Entertainment | CLP 100,000 – CLP 200,000 |
| Groceries | CLP 120,000 |
| Gym Membership | CLP 30,000 |
| Medical Appointment | CLP 30,000 |
| TOTAL | CLP 902,000 – CLP 1,302,000 |
| Expense | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Mortgage | Not included as too variable. |
| HOA Fee | CLP 100,000 |
| Property Taxes | 1% – 1.4% (depending on value) |
| Transportation (bus, taxi etc) | CLP 20,000 |
| Gas (cooking/heating) | CLP 7,000 |
| Electricity | CLP 60,000 |
| Water | CLP 35,000 |
| Telephone | CLP 20,000 |
| Internet | CLP 25,000 |
| Cable TV | CLP 15,000 |
| Household Help | CLP 70,000 |
| Entertainment | CLP 100,000 – CLP 200,000 |
| Groceries | CLP 120,000 |
| Gym Membership | CLP 30,000 |
| Medical Appointment | CLP 30,000 |
| TOTAL | CLP 632,000 – CLP 732,000 |
Reviewed By Kathleen Peddicord
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
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Santiago, Chile, is special because it allows you to ski in the Andes and then, only 45 minutes later, relax on the beach or surf in the Pacific Ocean.
The Chilean empanada is a popular and signature food in Chile. It has a thin, crunchy shell that is filled with different ingredients and can be cooked by baking or frying.
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