- Home
- Expat Guide
- Accommodation in Chile
- Share a flat, find flatmates
14/10/2016, updated 11/08/2025
Shared accommodation in Chile offers an excellent way to experience Chilean culture, practice Spanish, and build lasting friendships while keeping living costs manageable. Whether you're a student, intern, digital nomad, or professional, finding the right flatmates and living arrangement is key to a successful Chilean experience.
Cost Savings: Sharing accommodation can reduce housing costs by 40-60% compared to living alone, especially in expensive areas like Las Condes or Providencia.
Understanding Chilean Shared Housing Culture
Living Arrangements
Chile has a strong shared housing culture, particularly among:
- University students (local and international)
- Young professionals starting their careers
- Digital nomads and remote workers
- Recent graduates saving money
Typical Arrangements
Room Types:
- Private bedroom in shared apartment (most common)
- Shared bedroom (budget option, mainly for students)
- Master bedroom with private bathroom (premium option)
- Studio with shared common areas (less common)
What's Usually Included:
- Furnished bedroom (bed, desk, wardrobe)
- Shared kitchen and living room
- Utilities (water, electricity, gas)
- Internet WiFi
- Basic cleaning supplies
- Security deposit (1-2 months rent)
Best Neighborhoods for Shared Accommodation
Santiago Centro
- Price range: 250-350 USD/month
- Pros: Affordable, excellent metro connections, central location
- Cons: Can be noisy, more urban/less residential feel
- Best for: Budget-conscious students, those who like city life
Providencia
- Price range: 300-500 USD/month
- Pros: Safe, trendy cafés and restaurants, expat-friendly
- Cons: More expensive, highly competitive market
- Best for: Working professionals, those prioritizing safety/amenities
Providencia (Bellavista)
- Price range: 300-450 USD/month
- Pros: Vibrant nightlife, cultural activities, bohemian atmosphere
- Cons: Noisy weekends, party-focused environment
- Best for: Young professionals who enjoy nightlife, artists
Ñuñoa
- Price range: 250-400 USD/month
- Pros: Artistic neighborhood, affordable, good public transport
- Cons: Farther from business districts
- Best for: Creative professionals, students, alternative lifestyle
Las Condes
- Price range: 400-700 USD/month
- Pros: Upscale, safe, modern amenities, business district
- Cons: Expensive, less cultural immersion
- Best for: Business professionals, those with higher budgets
Location Strategy: Choose based on your priorities - students near universities, professionals near work/metro lines, and cultural enthusiasts in neighborhoods like Bellavista or Ñuñoa.
Finding Flatmates and Accommodation
Top Digital Platforms
CompartoDepto.cl (Most Popular)
- Primary Chilean platform for shared accommodation
- Pros: Extensive listings, local focus, detailed profiles
- Cons: Requires payment for contact details
- Cost: ~10-15 USD for monthly access
- Tip: Create compelling profile with photos and detailed description
Facebook Groups (Free Alternative)
Dedicated Housing Groups:
- Room Mate and Flat Finder
- Room Mate and Flat Finder Chile
- Arriendo de piezas- Comparto depto. Todo Chile
Expat Community Groups:
- Gringos/students/foreigners in Chile
- Extranjeros en Chile / Foreigners in Chile
- Santiago Exchange Network
Other Online Options
- Marketplace Facebook: Search "arriendo pieza Santiago"
- WhatsApp Groups: Ask expat communities for group invitations
- University Housing Boards: Contact international student offices
Traditional Methods
University Connections:
- International offices: Contact Chilean universities directly
- Student exchange programs: Connect with previous participants
- Study abroad coordinators: Ask for referrals to past students
Professional Networks:
- Company HR departments: Ask about employee housing assistance
- Professional associations: Networking events and contacts
- Internship programs: Connect with previous interns
Local Networking:
- Hostels: Many transitioning travelers seek longer-term arrangements
- Language exchange events: Meet locals and other foreigners
- Expat meetups: Check Meetup.com for housing-focused events
Advanced Search Strategies
Facebook Group Optimization
Instead of posting "Help! Looking for roommate!" like everyone else:
- Search Historical Posts: Look for posts from 4-6 months ago
- Contact Previous Seekers: Reach out to people who were looking then
- Ask for Referrals: They likely know who's moving or have housing contacts
- Offer Value: Mention what you bring (cooking, language exchange, etc.)
Timing Your Search
Peak Seasons (Start 6-8 weeks early):
- March: University semester starts, high demand
- August: Winter semester, secondary peak
- January: Summer break, some opportunities
Best Times to Find Rooms:
- December: Many students traveling, last-minute openings
- June: Mid-year moves, less competition
Safety and Scam Prevention
Here are a few red flags to avoid:
- Requests for money before meeting or seeing property
- Deals significantly below market rate
- Pressure to decide immediately
- Reluctance to video call or meet in person
- No physical address or vague location descriptions
- Poor quality or stolen photos
Contract and Legal Considerations
Understanding Rental Agreements
- Individual vs. joint contracts: Know your legal responsibility
- Notice periods: Usually 30 days minimum
- Deposit terms: When and how it's returned
- Included services: What's covered in rent vs. additional costs
Documentation Requirements
- Passport/ID: Valid identification
- Proof of income: Employment letter, bank statements, or family support
- References: Previous landlords or character references
- Emergency contact: Local Chilean contact preferred
Contract Language: Most contracts are in Spanish. Consider hiring a translator or asking a Spanish-speaking friend to review important clauses before signing.
Budget Planning
Monthly Cost Breakdown (Santiago)
Basic Accommodation (Santiago Centro):
- Rent: 250-350 USD
- Utilities (portion): 30-50 USD
- Internet: 15-25 USD
- Total: 295-425 USD/month
Mid-Range (Providencia/Ñuñoa):
- Rent: 350-500 USD
- Utilities: 40-60 USD
- Internet: 20-30 USD
- Total: 410-590 USD/month
Upscale (Las Condes/Vitacura):
- Rent: 500-700 USD
- Utilities: 50-80 USD
- Internet: 25-35 USD
- Total: 575-815 USD/month
Additional Expenses to Consider
- Security deposit: 1-2 months rent
- Agency fees: 0.5-1 month rent (if using agencies)
- Moving costs: 50-150 USD
- Initial setup: Bedding, personal items (100-300 USD)
Frequently asked questions about shared housing and flatmates in Chile
Getting Started
Prices vary by neighborhood: Santiago Centro 200-350 USD/month, Providencia 300-500 USD/month, Las Condes/Vitacura 400-700 USD/month. Includes utilities in most cases.
Typically: passport/ID, proof of income or financial support, deposit (1-2 months). Students often use parental financial support letters. Owner a more lenient on required documents when renting a room.
Generally yes, especially in popular expat neighborhoods. Always meet flatmates in person, verify the property exists, and use secure payment methods.
Usually furniture, utilities (water, electricity, internet), basic kitchen equipment.
Finding Flatmates
CompartoDepto.cl is the main Chilean platform. International options include Facebook groups, university housing boards, and expat community networks.
Never pay deposits before seeing the property, verify landlord identity, meet flatmates in person, avoid deals that seem too good to be true, and use secure payment methods.
Both have advantages. Chilean flatmates help with language/culture immersion. International flatmates may be more flexible with contracts and understand expat challenges.
Start 4-6 weeks before your arrival. Peak seasons (January/February, July/August) require earlier planning. Some great places are found last-minute, so stay flexible.
Practical Considerations
Popular areas: Santiago Centro (affordable, central), Providencia (trendy, expat-friendly), Ñuñoa (artistic, affordable), Bellavista (nightlife, young crowd). Consider commute to work/school.
Ask about lifestyle, cleanliness standards, guest policies, noise tolerance, shared expenses, lease terms, and house rules. Cultural compatibility matters.
Options include: individual contracts with landlord, subletting from main tenant, or joint contracts. Understand your legal responsibilities and notice requirements.
Usually included in rent for shared accommodation. Confirm what's covered: electricity, water, gas, internet speed, cleaning services, and any usage limits.
Do you want to go more in detail?
I wrote the Chile Handbook for Foreigners for anyone and everyone looking to move permanently and enjoy life in Chile. It's a 265-page book that goes over all aspects of relocating to Chile. Here is what you get:
✅ Practical tips based on 7-year relocation experience
✅ To-do lists to help you start
✅ Last updated in 2025
