The Chile Relocation Guide — Book Two: Living in Chile

The practical 2026 guide for people who have decided to move to Chile and are ready to build a life here.

The Chile Relocation Guide — Book Two: Living in Chile picks up where Book One leaves off. Jim and Lori Dorchak share what they have learned after more than 13 years of living in Chile, establishing a homestead, navigating the residency process, buying property and vehicles, and handling the everyday realities of making Chile home.

Everything We Learned About Building a Life Here After 13+ Years

This 204-page guide focuses on the practical steps and decisions that come after you have decided Chile is where you want to live, including:

• Preparing for the move and organizing the documents you will need
• Temporary Residence, Permanent Residence and Chilean citizenship
• What to bring—and what to leave behind
• Shipping a household container and bringing pets to Chile
• The real costs involved in relocating
• Phones, internet, buying a vehicle and driving in Chile
• Renting a home and purchasing property
• Strategic relocation and choosing where to live
• Off-grid living, solar power, water, septic systems, fencing and rural infrastructure
• Chilean gun laws and firearm ownership
• Banking, currency and starting a small business
• Learning Spanish and navigating healthcare
• Mail, online shopping and working with the U.S. Embassy

Written From Our Own Experience

We moved to Chile in 2013. This book is not simply a collection of information from the internet. It combines the practical information you need with what we have learned from actually living here, raising a family, buying property, developing a rural homestead and helping other expats make the move.

2026 Fourth Edition • 204 pages • PDF digital edition

This is Book Two of The Chile Relocation Guide. If you are still deciding whether Chile is right for you, start with Book One. If you already know you want to make the move, Book Two is designed to help you take the next steps.