Gonzalo Perez, an Engineering Manager for Uber Groceries Growth, recently relocated back from Berlin, Germany to his hometown of Santiago, Chile, with his nine-year-old dog, supported by Uber’s relocation program. After six years in Europe’s food delivery industry, he’s now embracing Santiago’s bouldering scene—a passion sparked in Germany—complete with top-notch gyms and plenty of Uber colleagues who love climbing, too. With a variety of mountains and stunning landscapes just a stone’s throw away, Gonzalo is excited to be back in Santiago’s outdoor adventure and tech scene.
What made you decide to relocate back to Chile?
“I wanted to be closer to my family and return to somewhere with better weather. I’m not great with cold winters, and after six years of long European winters, I was ready for a change. Chile’s sunny climate and long summers were a big draw!
At the same time, I wanted to continue working for a big tech company, and Uber’s presence in Chile made that possible. Moving here allowed me to work in a role I love, for a global company, while enjoying better weather and being near my family. It’s a win-win for me.”
How was the process of moving to Chile?
“Uber made my move easy. Uber provided a relocation budget for me and my family, and I could make purchases and get reimbursed quickly. Uber also offered relocation support to guide me through any questions or challenges during the process. Additionally, the relocation package included tax declaration support for both countries, which was invaluable. Tax issues can be complicated and expensive without assistance, so having this support made a big difference.”
Tell us all about the office!
“The office is located in Providencia, a central district in Santiago with excellent public transport connections and plenty of nearby restaurants and bars. It’s easy to reach from anywhere in the city.
I’ve rented an apartment 15 minutes away by bike, and I make the most of the district’s bike paths. The office also has parking spots for bicycles, which is super convenient.”
What is the expected timeline for the process, particularly for candidates requiring relocation?
“In my case, the move was quite fast, taking about a month from signing the contract. However, the timeline may be longer for non-Chilean citizens who need a visa. Fortunately, Chile’s visa process is highly digitalized and efficient, so it’s still relatively quick.”
What do you love about Chile?
“The incredible natural diversity. In just a few hours’ drive or a short flight, you can completely change your surroundings. You could be in Patagonia with its lush, Nordic-like climate, and with a three-hour flight, find yourself in a dry desert or snowy mountains. There are also beautiful beaches where some people surf (not me, though!). ”
What do you love about the Uber Chile office?
“The location is fantastic—you can get to almost anywhere in Santiago from the office, and it’s surrounded by great spots for lunch or after-work drinks. That said, we usually have lunch at the office, which Uber provides with a variety of free meal options as well as breakfast.”
What’s special about Uber in Chile?
“Uber in Chile stands as one of the most global companies offering tech roles in the country, particularly in product and engineering. It’s a unique experience to develop something locally that has a global impact, with your work immediately being used in countries like Japan, the US, and across Europe.
You also get to work with teammates from different countries, which brings a rich perspective to software development—something not easily found in many local companies. It’s truly a special place to work.”
Any advice for people who are interested in making the move to Santiago?
“Research the activities you enjoy and see how they align with life in Chile. If you’re into sports, nature, and travel, this is absolutely the right place for you.”
Learn more about relocating with Uber → https://www.uber.com/blog/relocation-support/
Posted by Stephani Domako