Articles & Guides
Practical information about moving to Chile and building a life here—from a family who has called it home since 2013.
Latest Articles
Our newest articles share firsthand experience and practical information for people researching a move to Chile from the United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and beyond.
What Is It Really Like to Live in Chile?
That is the question behind almost everything we do at Chile Expat Family. Travel websites can show you Chile’s mountains, lakes, cities, and coastline. Living here is different. It means learning how healthcare works, what groceries cost, how to buy a vehicle, where to find property, how to deal with utilities, what winter is really like in the south, and a hundred other things you may never think to ask before you arrive.
We moved to Chile in 2013 and have spent more than 13 years building a life here. This section brings together our articles, videos, firsthand experiences, and practical information so you can explore the subjects that matter most to you.
Explore Life in Chile
Browse our practical guides and firsthand articles about choosing where to live, understanding Chile’s regions and climate, relocating, and building a life here.
Places to Live & Regions
- Best Places to Live in Chile for Expats: Our Guide After 13+ Years in Chile
- The Geographical Boundaries of Patagonia
- The 5 Geographical Regions of Chile — Norte Grande
- The 5 Geographical Regions of Chile — Norte Chico
- Geography of Chile
Climate, Gardening & Rural Living
Moving to & Living in Chile
- The Biggest Mistakes Foreigners Make When Moving to Chile
- Why Move to Chile?
- Moving to Chile? Why You Should Rent Before You Buy Property
- The Reality of Living in Southern Chile: What Nobody Tells You Before You Move
- Why Expats Leave Their Adopted Country
- How to Get a Tourist Visa to Visit Chile
- How Much Money Do You Need to Retire in Chile in 2026?
- Moving to Chile in 2026? Understand the Residency Rules Before You Go
Taxes & Finances
Buying Property in Chile
- Why Is Land So Expensive in Chile? Understanding the Real Estate Market Behind the Prices
- Buying Property in Chile: A Complete Guide for Foreigners (2026)
- Buying a Parcela in Chile: What Foreign Buyers Should Know Before They Buy
- Can Foreigners Own Property in Chile? Rules, Restrictions and Requirements
- How Much Does It Cost to Build a House in Southern Chile in 2026?
Our growing Buying Property in Chile section covers the practical side of purchasing homes, farms, parcelas and rural land as a foreign buyer.
If you are considering property in southern Chile, visit our Real Estate Services page for information about buyer representation, rural and agricultural properties, and how we help clients search from Temuco south toward Patagonia.
Our Chile Relocation Guides
The Chile Relocation Guide — Book One brings the major subjects together in one 297-page guide, helping you understand the bigger picture before deciding to move.
The Chile Relocation Guide — Book Two: Living in Chile shares what we learned about building a life here after more than 13 years in Chile.
See Our Life in Chile
Our videos show the everyday side of Chile—shopping, property, homesteading, travel, projects around the farm, costs, and the things we learn as we go.
