What has changed is the infrastructure. Viña, now, is a fully functioning city in its own right. It has 2 large shopping malls, many large supermarkets and all the major shops from Santiago have offices and locales in the city. Viña has excellent restaurants, great shopping and is perfectly livable all year round. it also has a very large casino in a beautiful old mansion. It is Valparaiso's smarter sister city-not as much charm but better infrastructure.
There are many real estate options, from large houses on the exclusive Cerro Castillo to beach front apartments with incredible views out over the Pacific. During the summer months of January and February, the city is packed-driving and shopping can be slightly stressful for the less patient among us but the masses are not completely overwhelming and you can live your daily life without problems. Outside of these months, the city is quiet and relaxed, despite being a year round home for almost 300,000 people.
Viña is, and will always be, Chile's most desirable large resort city for the country's expanding middle class. At just an hour and a half from Santiago, it is within easy reach for day trips and weekends away.
Photos of Viña courtesy of Yahoo Travel
