Immigration is one of the defining features of our time and calls into question processes of the construction of identity in relation to the experience of belonging and ties to space, territory and social worlds. This paper presents the perspectives of 14 Colombian immigrants regarding their lives in Santiago, analyzing how some features of the space make cultural trends and particular ways of dwelling visible. Santiago plays the role of the main character in their narratives, as it illustrates, reflects and participates in the construction of social issues. The article discusses how moving beyond localisms and incorporating a peripheral perspective can contribute to adding dynamism and depth to the understanding of social cohesion.