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A bohemian city at heart, Valparaiso has been modernizing over recent years. It has super-fast internet and rental properties are cheaper than in the capital of Santiago.
There is no country in the world with more to offer than Chile. It has become a popular expat destination in recent years due to the abundance of lifestyles it provides.
Chile remains the country in Latin America with the highest standard of living, one of the strongest economies, and one of the most stable governments.
Lief Simon is the managing editor of Global Property Advisor, Simon Letter, and Offshore Living Letter. He has purchased more than 45 properties, investing in 23 different countries around the world.
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Long and narrow, stretching 4,270 kilometers (2,653 miles) tip to tip, the country offers ample space to explore its length. And despite being so narrow, the geographic diversity you find traveling in Chile is astounding…
Valparaiso is located on the central coast about 75 miles northwest of Santiago, Chile’s capital city.
It is one of the country’s largest cities and also one of Chile’s most important seaports. Since 1817 it has been the headquarters for the Chilean Navy.
Most importantly, Valparaiso offers a more traditional Chilean experience. Multi-colored buildings and street art let you know you are in Latin America.
The air quality is better than Santiago, a city prone to suffering from heavy smog at certain times of the year.
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Just 90 minutes from the capital of Santiago, lots of expats have chosen to live in the city of Valparaiso because they get all the advantages of living in a big city, but on a smaller scale than the capital.
Plus, Valparaiso is on the beach and has beautiful parks and rich cultural offerings.
For those who enjoy an active lifestyle, Valparaiso has a lot to offer. Locals are open and friendly to foreigners, so it’s easy to make new friends here.
In fact, Valparaiso has a real sense of community, which is appreciated by the expats who live there.
It’s possible to find apartments to rent in the city for less than US$500. Canteen food is cheap and plentiful and restaurants cater to most budgets, but aren’t a bargain.
Chile has lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and cooking for yourself is an affordable option. Plus, if you buy your produce at the local markets, you can keep your monthly grocery bills low.
Let’s take a closer look at the cost of living in Valparaiso, Chile.
Check for currency conversion from Chilean peso to dollar at today’s exchange rate.
| Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total | US$1,594 | |
| Rent | US$650 | Two-bedroom apartment in the city center. |
| Transportation | US$54 | Monthly pass for a couple. |
| Utilities | US$120 | Electricity, including heating and cooling, and water. Internet and Cable TV. |
| Cell Phone | US$24 | Monthly plan with calls and 10GB+ data. |
| Entertainment | US$350 | Eating out twice a week at a local restaurant. Beers twice a week at a local pub. Movie theatre trip twice a month. |
| Groceries | US$300 | Monthly grocery haul. |
| Household Help | US$96 | Twicer per week. |
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Valparaiso is well-known for its awesome street art. Some of Chile’s most renowned artists have worked on the walls in the city and you can take a street art tour to check out the murals and learn more about the art and the artists.
Head to Plaza Sotomayor to join a free walking tour of the city. These three-hour tours are a great way to see the city and learn about its history and the importance of its port.
The tours are run by local, knowledgeable guides. And while the tour is free, you are encouraged to tip your hard-working guides when the tour is over.
For instance, check out the neighborhoods of Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción. Located in the hills that surround the city, you’ll get the best views of the Pacific Ocean from here and you’ll also get to see some of the city’s best street art.
In Cerro Alegre, go see the Piano Staircase—as the name suggests, it’s a staircase painted like a piano. There are cool cafés, restaurants, and galleries to explore in this neighborhood, too.
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Dating back to the early 1900s, the city’s funiculars were used to transport people from their homes in the hills to work in the commercial areas of the city below. Some are still functioning and from them you can take in the spectacular views of Valparaiso and the sea below.
Once the home of a noble Croatian family, Baburizza Palace is worth a visit. It’s located at the top of Cerro Alegre neighborhood and the palace is one of the most elegant-looking premises in Valparaiso. The Art Nouveau-style, dating back to the early 1900s, is typical of the architecture at the time in the city.
Today the palace is home to the Museum of Fine Arts, where works from Chilean and international artists are exhibited.
A few miles up the coast from Valparaiso is the town of Viña del Mar, a popular summer retreat for Santiago locals. This seaside resort city is famous for the Festival de Viña, one of the biggest annual music festivals in South America.
Finally, eat out in one of the many restaurants that dot the city and be sure to try the wonderful seafood.
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Overall, Valparaiso is a safe place to live. The downtown areas are the safest, but be vigilant in areas as you move away from the center and up towards the hills. Here are some neighborhoods that are best avoided altogether: Glorias Navales, Reñaca Alto, Forestal Alto, Gomez Carreño, Miraflores Alto, and Achupallas.
After dark, be careful around the port area and Plaza Sotomayor. In general, be aware of your surroundings and don’t have any valuables on show.
Chile is known for having high quality health care, with both private and public options available. Public health insurance is administered by the Chilean government and is available through the Fondo Nacional de Salud (FONASA). It’s limited to Chilean citizens and legal residents paying local taxes in Chile.
Las Instituciones de Salud Previsional (ISAPRE) is the private system of health insurance companies, which often provides better quality service than the public system.
Private insurance costs around US$80 for an individual per month. Most doctors in the private system speak good English. For this reason, and the better quality of care overall, expats generally choose to go down the private health care route.
In Valparaiso there are several hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, and dental surgeries.
Here are a few of the main hospitals: Hospital Dr. Gustavo Fricke, Hospital Carlos Van Buren, Laboratorio Clínico Hospital de Quilpué, and Hospital Clinico IST Quilpue.
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As a tourist to Chile you get a 90-day visa. But, you need to show proof of a return or onward ticket before you can get through customs.
If you wish to stay for longer than 90 days, you need to seek permission to remain in the country.
The good news is that Chile offers one of the easiest residencies you’ll find; you can even apply by mail and no background check is required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
Most importantly, Chile is one of several countries where you need to hold a temporary residency first, before applying for permanent residency.
The temporary residency visas are easy to obtain because in the long run, their main purpose is to establish your track record before applying for permanent residency.
A temporary resident visa is issued for a period of one year, and it can only be renewed once. (You can’t have been out of the country for more than 180 days.) In short, after this two-year period, you must become a permanent resident or hit the road.
The two Chilean visas commonly used by expats are:
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This visa is for retirees (jubilados) and those with income from abroad (rentistas). There is no specified requirement for income, although you must show that you can support yourself while in Chile.
This visa is for investors, business people, and entrepreneurs. It has two sets of requirements: one for businesses that are still in the idea stage and the other for businesses that are up and running.
In short, visa-holders may work in Chile, although there will be specific registration requirements if you work in a regulated profession, such as a doctor, professional engineer, teacher, etc.
Dependents may come with the visa-holder if they are part of his or her immediate family, but they may not earn money in Chile.
Both residency and tax obligations can be complex issues in Chile. Some of the rules are very detailed, with many exceptions.
Anyone serious about living full- or part-time in Chile, should consult a Chilean tax and immigration specialist; in the long run, it will be time and money well spent. And, be patient, especially with immigration issues.
Chile has the advantage of being an honest rather than a corrupt country, but the downside is that the wheels of bureaucracy often move slowly.
Residency in Chile can lead to a second passport and dual citizenship.
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Year-round temperatures in Valparaiso are mild, ranging from 48°F to 70°F. The warmest months are January and February and the cooler months are June to August.
Humidity levels in Valparaiso are highest (70% to 80%) from May to August. And, the best time to visit the city is between November and February.
Lief Simon is the managing editor of Global Property Advisor, Simon Letter, and Offshore Living Letter. He has purchased more than 45 properties, investing in 23 different countries around the world.
We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
Valparaiso, Chile, is a cultural city. For example, you can find more than 95 national monuments, a historic center that UNESCO has named a World Heritage Site, a port, and distinctive hills that envelop the area.
Some well-known hills in Valparaiso are Cerro Concepción, Cerro Alegre, and Cerro Bellavista.
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