InesIESEG → UC · Automne 2025“1. Understand the city layout
Santiago is huge but well-structured. Key neighborhoods:
Providencia & Ñuñoa → great for students, cafés, bars, and safe streets.
Bellavista → bohemian vibe, nightlife, colorful murals.
Las Condes & Vitacura → modern, upscale, business area.
Centro → historical heart, but can be chaotic.
The Andes Mountains are visible from most parts of the city — perfect for orientation (and for your mood).
2. Get around efficiently
The Metro is clean, fast, and safe — get a Bip! card (works for metro + bus).
Peak hours (7:30–9:30 AM, 6–8 PM) = packed trains. Try to avoid them.
Uber and Didi are widely used, often cheaper and safer than taxis.
Walking and cycling are safe in central areas (especially Providencia & Ñuñoa). But take care of your belongings (try to not use your phone in the streets), the is a lot of thiefs.
3. Food
I don't recommend Chilean food, didn't like it - but could be fun to try a "Mote con huessillos" or a "pastel de choclo"
Cheap market to go shop groceries : La Vega
4. Cost of living & money hacks
Expensive: rent, imported goods, tech, and eating out often.
Affordable: public transport, local produce, markets, street food.
Use apps like Rappi, Cornershop, PedidosYa for delivery.
5. Stay safe & practical
Santiago is relatively safe, but:
Don’t show valuables in public.
Keep an eye on your bag in crowded places (metro, events).
Smog can be an issue - lots of pollution”
📍 Providencia, near Patio Bellavista
LolaIÉSEG Paris → Universidad del Desarrollo · Automne 2025“Santiago is a pretty city but quick to visit. I especially recommend going to San Cristóbal, which has an amazing view, and there are several nice neighborhoods to explore. As for the city itself, Chile is one of the most expensive countries in Latin America. It’s still cheaper than France, but if you visit Peru or Bolivia, you’ll realize it’s relatively pricey. So don’t expect super low prices.
In terms of transport, the city is very well connected, with both metro and buses. You’ll probably use the bus more often, and for that, you’ll need a rechargeable card (there’s no subscription system).
As for the weather, it’s quite similar to France but reversed. Their winter is shorter and a bit milder, but temperatures can still go below 10°C. They start to rise around September, and then summer arrives with temperatures around 30°C, though it rarely gets hotter. I’ve heard summer temperatures last quite a while, but I was only there for one semester.
Regarding safety, since it’s often a concern in Latin America, Chile is considered a safe country, and that’s true. Of course, some areas should be avoided, especially at night (like Estación Central), but overall it’s safe, just be careful with your phone.
Overall, it’s a really pleasant city to live in ”
💶 Payé ≈ 410 €📍 In las condes, a safe résidentiel neighborhood recommended for students
VictoireEDHEC LILLE → UDD · Automne 2025“Transport in Santiago is extremely easy to use and very affordable. The metro is clean, efficient, and well-connected, so you can move around the city quickly without spending much. Uber also works very well and is a convenient option at night.
The weather is one of Santiago’s biggest advantages — long sunny seasons, dry heat in summer, and generally mild temperatures the rest of the year. You can enjoy outdoor activities almost every week.
In terms of safety, the city is safe as long as you stay aware, mainly in a few central areas at night. The biggest risk is phone theft, so keep it inside your bag when you’re walking around.
Overall, Santiago is a great place to live as a student: affordable daily life, excellent transport, a pleasant climate, and a relaxed lifestyle that’s easy to enjoy once you get into the rhythm of the city.”
📍 In the center, close to "la Moneda"
Thomas IÉSEG School Of Management → UNAB (Andres Bello) · Automne 2025“Nice school with friendly people (however most of them don't come to talk with you, you have to approach them). The campuses are clean, new and well equipped. The registration is a bit difficult however. The people in charge of the exchange students are not very present and send only a couple mails during the entire semester. This makes the experience a bit dull. There is no international association so you are basically solo if you don't have friends there.
To be honest if I could pick an other university I would....
But it is still a pretty good university. ”
💶 Payé ≈ 425 €📍 In the "Bario Brazil", a neighborhood located near the center of Santiago
