Living in Buenos Aires versus Santiago - pros and cons

[Uncle Dermot]

C'mon i can build santiago whit a few buildings of palermo and some from puerto madero and thats all, trust me. Try to comparate it, its a real joke.

Maybe you haven't noticed that yet, but BA's main pro is definitely that its inhabitants are very, very, very humble...

 

[Brigadier]

yeah yeah, right...

 

[mini]

I meant that chili have a sane economy, but its small..... Their economy its less than the half of our economy considering that they are in their better time in their whole history and we are going out from the worth economic situation in our whole history, thats all. (thats what I meant when I said that "they are the half of us")

The country is called Chile, in English and in Spanish. In French it's Chili. Oh, maybe you are French.

I would never has guessed that's what you meant. I was convinced you meant number of people. See sometimes it's not good to assume you know people are trying to say. lol.

 

[gouchobob]

Actually Chile's GDP per ca pita is about the same Argentina's. The difference is that Chile has been growing steadily and significantly for a number of years compared to Argentina. In effect Chile has closed the gap and today is probably the continent's most successful economic story over that last 20 years.

 

[Uncle Dermot]

The country is called Chile, in English and in Spanish. In French it's Chili. Oh, maybe you are French.

I would never has guessed that's what you meant. I was convinced you meant number of people. See sometimes it's not good to assume you know people are trying to say. lol.

Now everything makes sense: the French economy is much stronger than the Chilean one and most of all it is worth it!

 

[JoeBlow]

more pretentious people

In my opinion people are not pretentious in Argentina though they seem very unfriendly until you break the ice.

 

[Mano Negra]

I am single mid thirties no kids. Most likely I would be there for couple years not long term. I have a business in the US that I can operate from overseas. I am looking for adventure. For me adventure means a city where I can walk to lots of great restaurants and shops, beautiful architecture, natural beauty and of course beautiful women. I speak Spanish reasonably well. So pedroC why do you prefer BA to Santiago? How would you compare the two? Thanks for your insights.

On this description I would say don't go to Santiago, its a bloody bore. I went last Christmas and hated it. Couldn't wait to get back to BA. Chile is a very small country and feels like one. If you are earning a decent dollar living you can find anything you want in BA and a lot that you might not have thought you wanted. The one thing that does work amazingly well here is the ministry of culture. Always things on, festivals, concerts, exhibitions. And the night life here is still rocking. I wouldn't even consider Santiago for what you want.

 

[marksoc]

I supposse that Chile is better to get a wife or to feel superior, after all their marketing,they are not even close to Argentina (that you know, has this thing called "Middle Class"). And if you like world culture and are interested even a little in politics, well, BA is your place.

 

[Bajo_cero2]

Kind of depends on what you want. Chile definitely has a big edge in economic and political stability, very important if you plan to invest, buy real estate, etc.

Yes, but they have big earthquakes , tsunamis and volcanes.

 

[Rafael]

Santiago.
What can I say…
Large city located in one of the rear ends of the planet, behind the massivity of the Andes on their way to the Pacific Ocean, which is very blue –and very cold- over this latitude.
The first thing one can see upon arriving in the city is nothing. The thick, dense copper-brown-grayish layer of dirt that covers it completely will not allow you to appreciate the place in size or form. Nevertheless, once you have arrived, you will be able to realize all the many positive aspects that Santiago has to offer.
In certain moments, especially after big, rare rains, the view of the surrounding mountains from the city is just magnificent. Unfortunately, clearness and nitidity are not a frequentstandard for the vision in Santiago, nor are they for the lungs.
Nature in the proximity is definitely a plus of this city. In spite of the permanent dust, one must recognize that the weather in Santiago is outstanding: never too warm, never too cold, dry, sunbathed and fresh in the evenings. A real pleasure, in my opinion.
The oldness of the city (1540´s) would make one think there is an outstanding heritage in art, an extraordinary sense for culture, a remarkable feeling for tradition. Well, none of this is true, as much of all that has been left behind due to the power of indifference, ignorance, and earthquakes.
What is Santiago today? A city of 5 million inhabitants roughly, distributed in 37 communes, of which 2 live in the sky with diamonds, 4 others in a certain kind of acceptable reality and the “remaining” 31 try to survive this everlasting grey and dusty feeling of slums.
Still, one have to recognize that all of the 37 communes share one significant aspect: a dreadful lack of character, an appalling concentration of ugliness, a continuous lack of any kind of harmony or enchantment.
There certainly is an air of development: there is a clear orientation towards business, even in lower populations, and general well being has been growing more and more solid throughout the country. Businesses work, people have jobs, main industries show significant levels of activity throughout the country. In Santiago, for instance, buildings are permanently being built in different parts of the city. Customer service is certainly offer in first line commercial chains. Goods are available at –usually- competitive prices. This is why most people think of Santiago as a project development city, as a good place to work and get a fair salary, which is sometimes more certain than others.

Health:

Public, forget it. However, health assistance is excellent in the 3 or 4 main private clinics. Be ready to pay, though...

Culture: present, but certainly not overwhelming.

Upper class (economic): quite ignorant and American-oriented compared to other Latin American upper classes. They usually love modern constructions as high up in the mountains as possible. These bunkers, which can be seldom considered beautiful in architectural terms, tend to be furnished as impersonally as one could imagine and look quite similar one to the other. Quality furniture is a rarity in their imagination. Mixture of the old and the modern happens also very rarely. Spectacular views over the mountains or the city are available in various neighborhoods. Nevertheless, the actual possibility to see beyond 500 metres is limited to one´s imagination the most part of the year, due to the filthy layer of smog that haunts the whole city from above. A real pity. Rich people here have their own ways of recognizing themselves: they love, for example expensive car. Some are beautiful, as you can spot, every once in a while, a fabulous Lotus, a new Aston Martin or a vintage Maserati. Unfortunately, the wealthy here tend to lean more on expectable and tacky models such as Porsche Cayenne or BMW X6. The whiter they are, the better. However, as people tend to get credit for everything here, the car you drive does not necessarily mean how rich you are, but for how many years you are indebted.

Aristocracy:
Credit, another delice from Chile. Do not get surprised if when paying the 6 bananas you got at the supermarked you are asked at the front line: “cuotas?”, which means: would you like to pay in installments? The possibility is right there for you.
Commercial transactions:
Wherever you call, whatever kind of transaction or consultation you would want to make at a hospital emergency line, or a service provider, a shopping center, etc. etc., your RUT (or “Registro Unico”) will always be asked. If you do not have one, you will most likely have a few inconveniences, as very rarely other means of identification are accepted. In case you´re lucky enough to have a RUT, you will be asked for it not only by the machine which first picks up your call, but by the 2, 3, 4 or 5 colombian, Dominican or equatorian ladies to whom you will be successively transferred throughout your adventure. Good Luck!

In the street:
Most probably, only in your wildest dreams will it happen that you ask someone in the street what is the name of a close-by avenue, or where to grab a taxi, or until what time does the metro works, and they know what to answer. In general terms, guy/girl next door have very little information, and show even less disposition to help. One funny little issue: if you see a garbage can in the street and you have something to put in it, don´t miss it. It might take a long while until you find the next one.

Security:

Unfortunately, socialism has done well its job, and Santiago has become as insecure as other cities such as Buenos Aires or Montevideo, still far away from reaching the alarming levels of violence found in Lima or Mexico City. Usually, robberies develop “smoothly” and take place without violence. Burglars are certainly fast and rather professional, two qualities that are not always present for the good purposes. Do not choose to reside in houses without permanent security, as even in closed condominiums robberies do take place. Appartments tend to be safer, especially above the 3[sup]rd[/sup] floor. Never leave any kind of belongings unattended and be alert at all times if you happen to take public transport.