Housing

I didn't think it would be so difficult to find a house for 6 months but this has turned out to be so frustrating!!!
La Serena is the resort getaway for the entire country of Chile, or so we have been told.  What that means is that there are tons of huge condos and apartments on the main drag, Avenida Del Mar.  They are really pretty and the view is beautiful!  BUT... they are very expensive (3-4 bedroom about $4000-$6000 per month not including utilities) AND Jan and Feb are apparently the busiest months of the year and this place is packed.  Condo owners don't want to rent for a 6 month amount of time because they can make mucho bucks in Jan and Feb. 
We have called and called on property after property trying to find something.  Here is another factor in this house hunting.  We are kindof stuck with the vacation rentals because those are the furnished houses.  We can't afford to furnish an entire house and then have the worry of trying to sell furniture before we leave.
We have looked at houses away from the beach up in the barrios but have the same problem.  People don't want to rent for 6 months at a time and then we have to find furnished houses.  The houses away from the beach feel a little less safe and don't have quite the amenities that the condos on the beach have.

Our hunt continues.....when Geoff gets back from Argentina next week.