Is it expensive to live in Santiago de Chile? In a word: yes. OK, so prices aren’t anything like Switzerland, Angola or Japan, but salaries aren’t either. We love it here in Santiago de Chile. It’s great for small kids, the climate is fantastic and I adore the laid back vibe. But the quality of life doesn’t match other expat…
Moving to Santiago de Chile? Meet Helen. She’s been living in Santiago since falling in love with a Chilean guy five years ago, and is now moving back to her home country, New Zealand. Here she reflects on the pros and cons of life in Chile and offers up a few tips to Expaters considering the move. What will you miss…
I’ve written a lot about my love of Chile. I love the sunshine, the people, the relaxed vibe. Not to mention the wine, the mountains, the nature… and did I say the wine? I really do love this country. But like any country, it’s not all perfect. I’ve been asked by a few people considering the move about the worst…
It’s 4.30am. I’ve barely slept. I ache all over. My back is so stiff it hurts to move. I’ve eaten an obscene amount of avocado on toast to fuel me through the morning. Why? Because once upon a time I lived in Germany. Expat princess and the pea Back in 2008 I was transported into another world. Angels gently massaged…
Over the years living as an expatriate and making friends within Expater circles, I’ve noticed that a fat pay slip doesn’t always equal the most comprehensive expat deal. Some friends really seems to have sold themselves short, while others have blagged their way into a paradise lifestyle. So here’s the question – what’s included in an expatriate contract anyway? Not…
I’ve been too scared to drive since I arrived in Chile. Perhaps it’s dumb, but the traffic rules are soooo confusing for us newcomers. More to the point, I’m pregnant and rather sick, and I don’t fancy throwing up on the steering wheel. Besides, getting by taxi in Santiago is easy and cheap. I live centrally and I have been…
I’ve been in Santiago, Chile for a fortnight now. It seems like most of that time I’ve spent in supermarkets. Who knew a one year old could eat so many bananas? Santiago is not a cheap city. Mind you, today a fantastic manicure and pedicure cost me just £25. Avocados and watermelon are as good as free compared to the U.K.…
I’ve lost one of my favourite rings. The stone is quite large so I take it off to sleep and it usually rests undisturbed on my bed side table until the following morning. My toddler has a habit of ‘tidying’ my keys, phone and anything which I value into the bin and I can only guess that my ring has…
Last week I wrote about a survey of the best and worst countries to live in, as voted by Internations’ members. The comments I received were overwhelming. Some were shocked, others unsurprised, many were very, very angry. The most insightful feedback for me was about making your expat lifestyle work for you as an individual. As Rene, a Canadian in…
I’ve just got off the phone from a chat with a man called Malte Zeeck. If anyone gets expat life, it’s Malte. Ten years ago as a German TV reporter struggling to get by in very foreign climates (India, Brazil and China, to name a few), he decided to get together with a couple of his university mates and start…
