Antofagasta, Chile

Capital City

This is a mining town that punches above its weight economically, but don't expect cosmopolitan polish. The copper and lithium industries keep money flowing, which shows in the decent infrastructure and university presence. You'll feel the isolation—it's a 14-hour drive to Santiago, and the Atacama Desert climate means zero rain and relentless sun. The port area gets sketchy after dark, but most expats cluster in the safer residential zones near the universities.

Living in Antofagasta means accepting a work-first culture where everything revolves around the mines. English speakers are rare outside corporate offices, so basic Spanish is mandatory. The environmental court presence hints at ongoing tensions between industry and sustainability. For those who can handle the remoteness, the low rent-to-income ratio makes it one of Chile's better FIRE options outside the capital.