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9. Moving to Chile

Chile at a Glance

Moving to Chile

Expats moving to Chile experience an incredibly diverse country with volcanoes, mountains, and beautiful beaches to discover.

The Location and Climate

Chile is an incredibly diverse country, with deserts, islands, the Andes, and Antarctica to discover. Expats moving to Chile get to explore a country which stretches across three continents. While Chile's main territory is located on the South American west coast, the Easter Islands, its westernmost border, belongs to Oceania. In the south, it reaches all the way to Antarctica.

Much like its geography, Chile’s climate boasts a wide range of diversity which changes depending on whether you are in the north, south, east, or west. In the north, you are prone to experience desert weather, while you get to see ice fields in the south on your move to Chile. The central zone is known for its mild and warm climate but rainfall is more frequent. The Patagonian south, on the other hand, is icy and cold, known for its strong winds.

Different Areas

As mentioned above, Chile has a lot to offer to expats. Not only the capital Santiago is well worth a visit but other areas in this long-stretched country also impress with their own unique characteristics. Should you ever travel from north to south on your move to Chile, you will become aware of the severe contrasts of the country.

Santiago de Chile

One of the first things you may notice when you visit Chile’s capital is the Andean mountains rising to the east and a smaller coastal range located to the west. If the smog, pollution, and noise allow you to enjoy the scenery at all, that is. Santiago may be loud and dirty at first sight. However, expats moving to Chile’s capital have a lot to discover there. Spanish-style arcades, beautiful palais, and neo-classicistic cathedrals, Santiago has it all.

In summer, the temperature is always around 30°C, but may fall down to 15°C at night. In winter, you will enjoy the close proximity to the Andes for some winter sports. But regardless of the weather, you can always explore the city’s charming cafés, fine museums, and an up-and-coming art scene.

The Andes and Norte Grande

The Cordillera de Los Andes forms the backbone of Chile. The mountain range has an average height of 5,000m but begins to descend just south of Santiago and vanishes in the continent’s south. Outdoor enthusiasts moving to Chile will love to explore its most outstanding peaks. For instance, the volcanoes Llullaillaco, Tres Cruces, and Ojos del Salado.

Norte Grande, or Grand North, shares borders with Peru and is home to the Atacama Desert, which is considered one of the driest areas in the world. Some areas of Norte Grande do not see any rainfall throughout the entire year, which is why most people settle at the coast.