12 Best Places to Live in Chile If You Love Culture and Adventure

Chile blew my mind in ways I never expected. After traveling from the Atacama Desert down to Patagonia, I discovered that the best places in Chile aren’t just about epic landscapes. They’re about communities where you can spend your morning hiking through mountains, then catch world-class theater by night. And somehow, it all feels completely natural.

Take Valparaíso, where I spent weeks wandering through streets packed with art, joining locals for evening concerts, and hiking up to viewpoints that made my jaw drop. Or Puerto Varas, where I found myself plotting ways to stay longer, captivated by its perfect mix of German heritage, Chilean soul, and those ridiculous volcano views. If you’re ready for a life that blends culture with outdoor thrills, here are the Chilean cities that’ll make you want to stay!

Top Places to Live in Chile

Looking for the best places to live in Chile? Experience the dynamic urban life and cultural scene in Santiago. Enjoy the coastal charm and artistic vibe of Valparaíso. Settle in Pucón, a paradise for nature lovers with stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Consider Viña del Mar, known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant lifestyle. Whether you prefer a bustling city, coastal beauty, or a scenic retreat, these are some of the top places to live in Chile.

• Best for cosmopolitan lifestyle: Santiago
• Best for bohemian charm: Valparaíso
• Best for outdoor adventures: Pucón
• Best for coastal elegance: Viña del Mar
• Best for historical richness: La Serena
• Best for beach life: Iquique
• Best for remote beauty: Punta Arenas
• Best for desert oasis: San Pedro de Atacama
• Best for vibrant city life: Concepción
• Best for tropical paradise: Arica
• Best for scenic tranquility: Puerto Varas
• Best for urban dynamism: Antofagasta

1. Santiago

• 💰 Average Monthly Cost: $1,500 – $3,500
• 🌟 Unique Features: Cosmopolitan lifestyle 🏙️, top universities 🎓, and vibrant cultural scene 🎭
• 📅 Best Time to Live There: September – April ☀️
• 🏆 Perfect For: Professionals 💼, students 📚, and city lovers 🌆

If you want the best of city life with a side of adventure, Santiago is the place to be. This bustling capital sits at the foot of the Andes Mountains, offering a skyline of modern skyscrapers with snow-capped peaks in the background. Life here is fast-paced but balanced—weekdays are for business in Las Condes, weekends are for skiing in El Colorado or wine tasting in Casablanca Valley.

Each neighborhood has its own vibe: Providencia is green and laid-back, Bellavista is the city’s creative heartbeat, and Vitacura is all about upscale living. The metro system is efficient, the food scene is top-tier (think fresh ceviche and pisco sours), and there’s no shortage of parks, museums, and rooftop bars. Whether you’re a digital nomad, entrepreneur, or adventure junkie, Santiago offers the perfect mix of urban energy and outdoor escapes.

• Read next: 12 Bucket List-Worthy Places in South America To Call Home

2. Valparaíso

• 💰 Average Monthly Cost: $1,200 – $2,800
• 🌟 Unique Features: Colorful hillside houses 🏡, artistic vibe 🎨, and coastal views 🌊
• 📅 Best Time to Live There: October – April 🌞
• 🏆 Perfect For: Artists 🎭, digital nomads 💻, and seaside enthusiasts 🌅

Forget polished skylines—Valparaíso is raw, colorful, and full of life. This bohemian port city is a maze of steep hills, funiculars, and street art, giving it an energy that’s equal parts gritty and inspiring. Every wall here tells a story, with graffiti-covered alleys leading to hidden cafés, boutique hotels, and live music spots.

By day, wander the UNESCO-listed historic center, where old mansions sit beside trendy coworking spaces. By night, sip Chilean wine in a rooftop bar overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The city’s ascensores (funiculars) make getting around a thrill, and you’re never far from the beach or a fresh seafood market.

Valparaíso isn’t for those who want a polished, quiet life—but if you love art, music, and a little chaos, you’ll feel right at home in Chile’s most rebellious and free-spirited city.

3. Pucón

• 💰 Average Monthly Cost: $1,000 – $2,500
• 🌟 Unique Features: Adventure sports 🏞️, stunning lakes 🌊, and active volcano 🌋
• 📅 Best Time to Live There: November – March ☀️
• 🏆 Perfect For: Nature lovers 🌿, thrill-seekers 🚴, and outdoor enthusiasts 🏕️

If waking up to a volcano view and spending your days in the great outdoors sounds like your dream life, Pucón is calling. Nestled in Chile’s Lake District, this adventure capital sits at the foot of Villarrica Volcano, offering a mix of thrill-seeking and relaxation.

Summer is all about hiking, kayaking, and hot springs, while winter brings skiing and cozy lakeside retreats. The town itself is small but lively, with craft breweries, backpacker-friendly cafés, and a tight-knit expat community. Thermal baths, black sand beaches, and Mapuche cultural experiences add to its charm.

Pucón isn’t just a vacation spot—it’s a lifestyle. If you’re after fresh air, outdoor adventure, and a slower pace of life, this is one of the best places to settle in Chile. Bonus? You’ll always have a killer sunset over the lake.

4. Viña del Mar

• 💰 Average Monthly Cost: $1,400 – $3,200
• 🌟 Unique Features: Beachfront city 🏖️, beautiful gardens 🌺, and lively festivals 🎉
• 📅 Best Time to Live There: October – April 🌞
• 🏆 Perfect For: Retirees 👴, beach lovers 🏝️, and foodies 🍽️

Looking for coastal elegance without the chaos? Viña del Mar blends beach life with city convenience, making it one of Chile’s most desirable places to live. Just a short drive from Valparaíso, this seaside city is known for its manicured gardens, golden beaches, and high-end dining scene.

The waterfront promenade is the heart of the city, where locals bike, jog, or simply soak up the ocean views. Summer brings international festivals and buzzing nightlife, while the rest of the year offers a peaceful, scenic retreat. With excellent healthcare, good schools, and a relaxed vibe, it’s a favorite among families, retirees, and remote workers.

Want to spend your weekends surfing? Reñaca Beach has you covered. Prefer a glass of wine by the sea? The Casablanca Valley wineries are right next door. In Viña, life is as laid-back or lively as you want it to be.

• Read next: 12 Mind-Blowing Places in South America To See in 2025

5. La Serena

• 💰 Average Monthly Cost: $1,200 – $2,700
• 🌟 Unique Features: Historic architecture 🏛️, sandy beaches 🏖️, and astronomy tourism 🔭
• 📅 Best Time to Live There: October – April 🌤️
• 🏆 Perfect For: Stargazers 🌠, retirees 👵, and students 📚

If history, beaches, and a touch of mysticism sound like your vibe, La Serena is the place to be. This colonial-era city blends cobblestone streets, Spanish churches, and a long stretch of Pacific coastline, making it one of Chile’s most laid-back yet culturally rich destinations.

Mornings start with a stroll through Plaza de Armas or a visit to the local markets for fresh papayas. Afternoons? Surfing at Peñuelas Beach or wine tasting in the nearby Elqui Valley. But the real magic happens at night—this region has some of the clearest skies on Earth, and the observatories in Elqui offer a front-row seat to the stars.

La Serena is big enough for convenience but small enough for peace, making it ideal for families, creatives, and retirees looking for a charming coastal escape with an otherworldly twist.

6. Iquique

• 💰 Average Monthly Cost: $1,300 – $2,900
• 🌟 Unique Features: Duty-free shopping 🛍️, endless beaches 🌊, and desert landscapes 🏜️
• 📅 Best Time to Live There: Year-round ☀️
• 🏆 Perfect For: Entrepreneurs 📈, beachgoers 🏝️, and remote workers 💻

Picture this: golden sand dunes on one side, the Pacific Ocean on the other, and a duty-free shopping paradise in between. Welcome to Iquique, a beach city with a desert soul, where life is all about surfing, sandboarding, and sunset strolls along the boardwalk.

Start your day with a coffee in the historic Baquedano Street, lined with colorful Georgian-style buildings. Then, hit Playa Cavancha, where the waves are perfect for surfers and the sand is soft enough for sun-seekers. Feeling adventurous? Take a trip to Humberstone, an abandoned nitrate town frozen in time.

Iquique has a thriving expat scene, great nightlife, and a tax-free shopping zone (Zofri), making it affordable without sacrificing quality of life. If you’re looking for year-round sunshine, beach vibes, and a little urban edge, Iquique should be on your radar.

7. Punta Arenas

• 💰 Average Monthly Cost: $1,100 – $2,500
• 🌟 Unique Features: Gateway to Antarctica 🐧, breathtaking landscapes 🌄, and historic charm 🏡
• 📅 Best Time to Live There: November – March ❄️
• 🏆 Perfect For: Adventurers 🏔️, wildlife lovers 🦭, and history buffs 📖

Living at the edge of the world has its perks. Punta Arenas, the southernmost city in Chile, is the gateway to Patagonia, where rugged landscapes, penguin colonies, and glacier-studded fjords are part of daily life.

The city itself is a mix of historic mansions, colorful buildings, and a surprisingly vibrant cultural scene. Grab a drink at La Taberna, one of Chile’s southernmost pubs, or take a ferry to Isla Magdalena to walk among thousands of penguins. For outdoor lovers, Torres del Paine and Tierra del Fuego are just a road trip away.

Winters here are cold, but the warm, tight-knit community makes up for it. If you’re after adventure, tranquility, and the kind of beauty that makes you feel small, Punta Arenas delivers. Bonus: You’ll never get tired of those epic sunsets over the Strait of Magellan.

8. San Pedro de Atacama

• 💰 Average Monthly Cost: $1,000 – $2,400
• 🌟 Unique Features: Mars-like desert 🏜️, geysers 🌋, and world-class stargazing 🌌
• 📅 Best Time to Live There: April – November 🌤️
• 🏆 Perfect For: Astronomers 🔭, explorers 🚶, and nature lovers 🌿

Ever wanted to live on another planet? San Pedro de Atacama is about as close as it gets. This tiny desert town sits in the middle of the Atacama Desert, home to otherworldly landscapes, salt flats, and some of the best stargazing on Earth.

Days here are spent exploring the Moon Valley, soaking in natural hot springs, or watching geysers erupt at sunrise. The town itself is small and rustic, with adobe houses, artisan markets, and cozy cafés where travelers swap stories over pisco sours.

Internet can be spotty, and life moves at its own pace—but that’s the beauty of it. If you’re a nature lover, digital nomad, or someone who craves peace and solitude, San Pedro is the ultimate escape. Plus, every night, the sky puts on a show you’ll never forget.

9. Concepción

• 💰 Average Monthly Cost: $1,300 – $2,800
• 🌟 Unique Features: University town 🎓, strong music scene 🎶, and nearby nature 🌳
• 📅 Best Time to Live There: September – April 🌞
• 🏆 Perfect For: Students 📚, musicians 🎤, and young professionals 💼

If Santiago feels too hectic but you still want city life, Concepción is the perfect middle ground. This university town is packed with live music, green spaces, and a buzzing creative scene, making it one of Chile’s most youthful and dynamic cities.

Start your day with a coffee in Barrio Universitario, then head to Parque Ecuador for a morning run or a lazy afternoon under the trees. The city’s music culture is legendary—Chile’s biggest rock bands got their start here, and you’ll find live performances almost every night. Want to escape the city? Beaches like Dichato and Pingueral are just a short drive away.

With affordable rent, great universities, and a laid-back but lively atmosphere, Concepción is ideal for students, young professionals, and anyone who loves culture without the chaos of a mega-city.

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10. Arica

• 💰 Average Monthly Cost: $1,200 – $2,600
• 🌟 Unique Features: Year-round sunshine ☀️, beautiful beaches 🏖️, and relaxed vibe 🌴
• 📅 Best Time to Live There: Year-round 🌞
• 🏆 Perfect For: Sun seekers ☀️, surfers 🏄, and retirees 👵

Nicknamed the “City of Eternal Spring,” Arica is Chile’s northernmost city, where the weather is warm year-round, the beaches are stunning, and life moves at a relaxed pace. If you’re looking for sunshine, surf, and a mix of desert and ocean landscapes, this is the place.

Playa Chinchorro is perfect for morning walks, while the cliffs of El Morro de Arica offer sweeping ocean views. Need a break from the coast? Head inland to Lauca National Park, home to flamingos, alpacas, and snow-capped volcanoes. The city also has a strong indigenous influence, with Aymara traditions and colorful festivals adding to its cultural charm.

Arica is affordable, peaceful, and packed with natural beauty. If you want a laid-back beach lifestyle without the tourist crowds, you’ll find your slice of paradise here.

11. Puerto Varas

• 💰 Average Monthly Cost: $1,200 – $2,800
• 🌟 Unique Features: Stunning lake views 🌊, German heritage 🇩🇪, and cozy atmosphere 🏡
• 📅 Best Time to Live There: November – March ☀️
• 🏆 Perfect For: Nature lovers 🌿, expats ✈️, and retirees 👴

Tucked in Chile’s Lake District, Puerto Varas looks like something out of a storybook—German-style houses, deep blue lakes, and snow-capped volcanoes create a setting that’s almost too perfect. Life here is a blend of European charm and Patagonian adventure, where every day feels like a postcard.

The town sits on the shores of Lago Llanquihue, with the iconic Osorno Volcano towering in the background. Mornings start with fresh kuchen (German cake) at a lakeside café, followed by kayaking, hiking, or chasing waterfalls at Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. The expat community is strong, and the town’s relaxed but adventurous vibe makes it an easy place to call home.

Winters are cozy, summers are full of adventure, and whether you’re here for the outdoor lifestyle, stunning scenery, or small-town charm, Puerto Varas is hard to beat.

12. Antofagasta

• 💰 Average Monthly Cost: $1,300 – $3,000
• 🌟 Unique Features: Mining hub ⛏️, desert meets ocean 🌊, and modern amenities 🏙️
• 📅 Best Time to Live There: Year-round ☀️
• 🏆 Perfect For: Engineers ⚙️, business professionals 💼, and families 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

For those who love coastal cities but prefer an urban edge, Antofagasta is a unique blend of beach, desert, and business hub. Known as Chile’s mining capital, this city is growing fast, with modern infrastructure, solid job opportunities, and a strong economy.

The natural beauty here is stark and dramatic—from the Pacific Ocean to the endless Atacama Desert, the landscapes feel straight out of a sci-fi movie. The city’s iconic La Portada rock formation is a must-see, and nearby ghost towns like Humberstone offer a glimpse into Chile’s mining history.

Antofagasta isn’t as green or charming as some southern cities, but if you’re looking for career growth, high salaries, and a warm climate, it’s an underrated place to live. Plus, nothing beats watching the sunset over the ocean after a long day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Best Places to Live in Chile   

Interested in learning more about the top living destinations in Chile? Below are some frequently asked questions about the finest places to reside in Chile that I often encounter.

Where are most expats in Chile?

The majority of expats in Chile reside in Santiago, the country’s capital. Santiago attracts the largest expat population due to its comprehensive range of amenities, including shopping, restaurants, and entertainment venues. This is largely because most of the businesses in Chile are located in and around Santiago. Additionally, Santiago is the most populous city in Chile, with approximately 6 million people in the city and 8 million in the metropolitan area, accounting for about 45% of the country’s population. This makes Santiago a natural choice for expats seeking a cosmopolitan lifestyle with access to various public offices, big companies, restaurants, shops, and cultural outlets​​​​.

Other popular locations for expats include the coastal cities of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, which are close to Santiago and frequently referred to collectively due to their proximity and shared public transport system. These cities are significant tourist attractions and offer a cheaper cost of living than Santiago, with better air quality and magnificent views​​.

La Serena, known for its clear skies and being a gateway to sites like Valle del Elqui, is another location where many expats reside, particularly those working or studying in astronomy-related fields​​.

Puerto Varas is also a prime spot for expats, situated in breathtaking surroundings on the waterfront of Lake Llanquihue. This area is well-developed by Chilean countryside standards and has a fairly extensive expat community, including amenities like English-speaking book clubs​​.

Where is the most affordable place to live in Chile?

The most affordable place to live in Chile, based on the cost of living, is Ovalle, with a cost of living index of $694. This makes it the city with the lowest cost of living among the major cities in Chile​​​​. ​​

Is Chile a good place to live in?

Chile can be a good place to live, with several pros and cons to consider:

Pros:

• Affordable Cost of Living: Chile offers affordable rent and a variety of goods and services at competitive prices. This extends to utilities and public transportation, which tend to be lower in cost compared to many other countries​​.
• Beautiful Landscapes: The country boasts diverse and stunning landscapes, from the Andes Mountains to the Atacama Desert, offering a unique living experience​​.
• Thriving Expat Community: Chile has a welcoming and diverse expat community, providing opportunities for socializing and networking​​.
• Strong Economy: Chile has a stable economy, with opportunities especially in mining, agriculture, finance, and tourism. It is also supportive of entrepreneurs and start-ups, particularly in technology and innovation​​.
• Vibrant Culture and Rich Heritage: Chile’s cultural scene includes festivals, music, dance, and culinary delights, reflecting the country’s diversity​​.
• Good Public Transport and Connectivity: Santiago, the capital, has an extensive and reliable public transport network. The country also offers scenic road trips and efficient domestic flights​​.

Cons:

• Expensive Education: Private schooling in Chile can be costly, though some expats may reduce this cost through employment contracts​​.
• Air Quality Issues: Cities in valleys like Santiago often experience trapped pollution, particularly in winter​​.
• Work Culture and Job Market Restrictions: The work culture can be slow-paced, and the job market may favor those with qualifications from the US or UK. A language barrier exists for non-Spanish speakers​​.
• Challenging Dialect: Chilean Spanish can be difficult for foreigners due to its rapid pace and use of slang​​.

What is the most beautiful part of Chile?

Chile, with its diverse landscapes, offers some of the most beautiful places in the world. Here are some highlights:

• San Rafael Glacier: Within the Laguna San Rafael National Park. This glacier stands majestically, creating a stunning view against the Patagonian mountains and lush forests​​
• Valle de la Luna: Located in the Atacama Desert. It resembles the surface of the moon with its stone and sand formations in an array of colors and textures, especially captivating during sunset​​​​.
• Torres del Paine National Park: Known for its turquoise glacial lakes, rugged scenery, and towering peaks. It’s a must-see destination for adventure travelers, offering some of the world’s most magnificent views​​​​.
• Lauca National Park: Set in the Andean range, this park is known for its striking volcanoes and diverse flora and fauna, including vicuñas and viscachas​​.
• Laguna Verde: This green lake in the Atacama region, surrounded by high mountains, changes color from green to turquoise depending on the time of day​​.
• The Capillas de Marmol: These marble caves, located in the heart of Puerto Rio Tranquilo, are formed by the natural collision of wind, water, and rock over thousands of years​​.
• The Lake District: Encompassing regions like La Araucanía, Los Ríos, and the Lakes District, this area is known for its volcanoes, glaciers, and roaring rivers​​.
• The Beaches of Bahía Inglesa: Featuring white, powdery sands and crystal waters, these beaches offer a magical coastal experience in the driest desert in the world​​​​.
• Altiplanic Lagoons: Part of The Flamingoes National Reserve in the Atacama Desert, these lagoons are surrounded by volcanoes and mountains, offering an ethereal landscape​​.
• Osorno Volcano: Compared to Mount Fuji, this active volcano in the Chilean Andes provides a stunning backdrop for the Chilean Lake District​​.

Where is the rich area of Chile?

In Chile, the wealthiest areas are predominantly located in Santiago, the capital city. The most exclusive districts include:

• Lo Barnechea District: Located in the east of Santiago, it is characterized by luxury houses, mansions, beautiful green areas, and private security. It is considered the most exclusive district in the city and offers tranquil living with low pollution levels​​.

• Las Condes District: A wealthy district adjacent to Lo Barnechea, Las Condes is a hub for commercial activity. It comprises modern and spacious apartments, luxury offices, large shopping centers, and excellent parks. Neighborhoods like San Damian and San Carlos de Apoquindo are particularly exclusive within Las Condes​​.

• Vitacura District: Known for its high quality of life, Vitacura is a family-oriented district with international schools nearby. The area includes upscale residential areas such as Santa María de Manquehue and Lo Curro, often chosen by embassies for their representatives​​.

These districts offer a mix of luxurious living, cultural amenities, and natural beauty, making them attractive to wealthy residents and expatriates.

What is the richest region in Chile?

The richest region in Chile, in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), is the Santiago region. It significantly surpasses other regions in economic output. For instance, the GDP (PPP) of Santiago is $175.108 billion, which is much higher than other regions like Antofagasta ($38.886 billion) and Valparaíso ($30.758 billion). The economic dominance of Santiago is attributed to its status as the capital and the largest city, housing most of the country’s businesses and financial institutions​​.

Final Thoughts on the Best Places to Live in Chile  

Chile is a tapestry of breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultures, offering a myriad of lifestyles to suit diverse preferences. From the bustling streets of Santiago to the serene shores of Viña del Mar, Chile caters to every inclination. If you’re contemplating where to live in Chile, the choices are as abundant as they are appealing.

For budget-conscious individuals, cities like Ovalle and Talcahuano present an affordable way of life without sacrificing quality. These places demonstrate that living in Chile can be cost-effective with the right location. Conversely, for those seeking an active and dynamic lifestyle, cities like Santiago and Valparaíso offer boundless opportunities for career advancement and cultural immersion.

Happiness also plays a key role in choosing a place to live. Locations like Puerto Varas and La Serena are often praised for their ideal mix of natural beauty and modern conveniences, making them some of the most livable areas in Chile.

So, what are the best places to live in Chile? The answer is as diverse as the country itself, depending on what you value most in your ideal habitat. Whether it’s the job prospects, scenic splendor, or cultural vibrancy that draws you, one thing is certain: Chile is more than just a location—it’s a way of life.