Life in Santiago?

Question

I am considering moving to Santiago, Chile to teach English. What can I expect to pay for rent. I don't need anything fancy. What about internet access? I will be making about 350,000 pesos a month so I know I won't be living the high life, but is that enough to live semi-comfortably? Anything else I should know about Santiago would be helpful. Thanks.

Answer 1

First of all, you need to figure out where you're going to live.  Will you have a roommate?  Will you live on your own?  I highly recommend looking for an apartment instead of a house, as it is cheaper and safer.  If you don't need to worry about rent, with $350,000 you will live comfortably.  Otherwise, you will be a little tight as rent could be anything from $100,000 to $300,000 depending on where you are.

Where will you be teaching?  Try to live close to work then maybe you can avoid getting yourself a car.  Try to stay in neighbourhoods close to Providencia and Las Condes (Sector Oriente).  Also, Chile has a complex public transportation system.  You may want to plan your locations based on metro stations and bus stops.

Here's a link for classifieds... remember to select "Propiedades Arriendan."

http://propiedades.elmercurio.com/_porta...

Chile has several companies that provide internet access: both broadband and dial-up.  Try getting quotes from VTR and Telefónica.  You may even be able to get a bundled Internet/cell phone/local phone package.  Check out this wiki article for more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_in...

Regarding the city itself...

If you like to shop, uptown Santiago has two very large malls and several small malls with stores like Hugo Boss and Lacoste. You can also find beautiful jewelery made from lapislazuli, a stone that can only be found in Chile and Afghanistan. These are just a couple of examples.

If you like eating out, there are plenty of Chilean restaurants that serve dishes made from seafood or beef (beef is very good in Chile!). They also have most chain American restaurants, from Burger King to Tony Roma's.

If you like to party, you won't be disappointed. Chile's nightlife is second to none. You can dance, drink, chill...

The only downsides are very heavy traffic during rush hour, impolite drivers and smog. The latter is worst in areas close to the airport and downtown. Safety has improved in the last decade, but I would still recommend against walking through downtown with a diamond necklace.

If you like to travel, the South of Chile is amazing! You can take the train and see how the landscape becomes more and more green...

If you like to ski, ski resorts in the Andes mountains are only an hour away. If you like the ocean, it is a two hour drive.

The weather is pretty mild. In the Winter it is rarely below freezing and in the summer it is usually under 90 degrees. Humidity is low... I currently live in Los Angeles and the weather has felt very similar.

You may also want to check out these sites:

http://www.geographia.com/chile/

http://www.sernatur.cl/internacional/?la...

Hope this helped!

Note to vaylalo: I updated the lapislazuli information... thanks!

Answer 2

i am the wrong person to ask

Answer 3

yes my frend  santiago i will want u to use the internet access were u will be making money so u can pay rent there,and it will be enough

Answer 4

To Gili:

Great answer, the only thing is the lapislazuli stone you can find it in Chile and Afganistan, not in New Zeland.