La Paz - Post Report Question and Answers
What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Almost all of the diplomatic housing is very large. We have a three story house, with four bedrooms and seven(!) bathrooms. The diplomatic community lives in Zona Sur, the lowest elevation area. Commuting time is 20 -40 minutes depending on traffic. Some people also commute by cable car, which is fun and relaxing, though rarely saves time unless traffic is really bad. - Jan 2024
Housing is ok. Mainly stand-alone homes or nice apartments. All have at least 2BR's, maybe 3-4. All in Zona Sur. But where you will end up can be luck of the draw based on what's available when you arrive. Commute to Embassy is about 25 min. - Aug 2022
Housing is generally very nice in La Paz, especially in the suburbs of Zona Sur. Commute times to the embassy are around 20-45 minutes depending on traffic. Houses are generally fairly large, brick, and some have yards. We loved our house. Some are a bit too far from the embassy, like those in upper achumani and a bit far to walk to anything. - Dec 2019
The housing here varies. I have seen houses in one neighborhood that are large and lovely with great yards. The neighborhood, however, is set off from main roads and there are fewer amenities close by. In lower Achumani the houses tend to be smaller, but there are parks every few blocks and grocery stores are walking distance, as is the Achumani market. Our house has six bedrooms (and six bathrooms!). There are a few houses in San Miguel that would be ideal for singles; San Miguel is a bustling commercial center in a central location with a lot of restaurants. I have not been to any of the houses in Calacoto. Commute time is approximately 30-45 min by car. There are some who have biked to the embassy and the teleferico (cable car) system also offers a stop that is a 7-10 min walk from the embassy. Most of the houses have skylights and carports. - Feb 2019
Housing is superb. Big houses with 'quinchos' (outdoor barbeque), which is big for lazy family Sundays. Most all of embassy housing is in Calacoto (smaller houses, but near ACS Calvert American School), La Florida, Achumani (5-10 minutes farther away from school/embassy, but bigger housing, and close to fantastic market). Commutes from farthest reaches takes around 30 minutes to Sopocachi (where embassy is located). Calacoto take around 20 minutes. - Sep 2016
Single family for us, it is quite large. About 25-minute drive from the Embassy during rush hour. - Jun 2015
Most, if not all, embassy personnel live in the Zona Sur, which is about 20 minutes to the Embassy. Houses are spacious and normally about 3 floors. Apartments are an option too, but I haven't been to one to comment. - Apr 2015
Housing is good -- mainly large detached homes with small gardens in quiet, safe, upscale neighborhoods lower in elevation (more air!). After reductions in local staff, facilities is a little slower to respond and less willing to help with anything but the most urgent requests; they say it's due to manning problems. Commute is 20-30 minutes. - Nov 2014
Housing is primarily detached houses with yards; most are quite nice and perhaps architecturally unique. Houses can range from Alpine cottage type detail to concrete modern boxes. Most tend to have 3 or 4 floors with somewhat unusual layouts and sometimes trees and plants growing in indoor flowerbeds. There are a few apartments and townhouses which are also quite nice. Embassy personnel live in the Zona Sur, in the neighborhoods of San Miguel, Calacoto, Los Pinos, Aquisamana Bajo and Achumani. These neighborhoods also host many of the nicer restaurants and shopping options. Commutes to the Embassy are usually about 20-30 minutes at peak traffic hours. - Jan 2014
Most live in nice, large houses with high walls. A lot of people live in Achumani. - Jul 2013
Housing is amazing here. There are some apartments for singles and couples with no kids. Standalone housing is the norm, and all are walled and protected. Most have great BBQ areas, yards, and space. - Jun 2013
Great and spacious, about 20-40 minutes commute. - Jul 2012
Large houses, usually very nice. Commute about 20 minutes if you leave before 7:30 AM. - Feb 2012
Mostly single family homes (multi-level) and apartments. Top floor is better for noise control because there is no sound insulation. - Aug 2011
Housing consists of houses and apartments. Last report about some kind of unique feature with each place is spot on. I would add that there are positives and benefits for everyplace. You might be close to the 'action' but you put up with the noise. You might live in a big beautiful house but far away from everything and it sometimes hard to get a taxi. Most people love their housing here but there are a few people who can never seem to be satisfied. - May 2011
Houses are big, spacious with big yards. People from the Embassy live in the same area called Zona Sur. The location is good, there is a new small mall andthree or four different grocery stores. Commute time to the Embassy 40 min. - May 2011
Houses for the expat community are generally nice. Most have a small yard, and most of the houses are older but are very pretty. Commute time varies, from 15 to 45 minutes to work, depending on the traffic. - Mar 2011
Nice homes about 15- to 20-minute commute time. - Aug 2010
We had a house in the southern residential area. Houses are huge but have no heating (most of the time) so you are always freezing - Jan 2010
Typically everyone gets a house. There are some apartments. Most have smallish yards. Houses are generally big and comfortable. - Aug 2009
