La Paz, Bolivia Report of what it's like to live there - 06/09/15
Personal Experiences from La Paz, Bolivia
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Yes
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
SC
Shortest trip is about 14 hours with two stops. For the most part, it seems you can't leave La Paz without making a stop in Santa Cruz, it can add about 3 hours to your flight. It is not the same when coming in.
3. How long have you lived here?
shy of a year
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Government
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Single family for us, it is quite large. About 25-minute drive from the Embassy during rush hour.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Depends on if it is local or American. American stuff can be really, really expensive. On the other hand, local stuff is typically good quality. Our empliada prefers to use local brands.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Juice, maple syrup, EVOO, bubble solution for the kids.
Fresh juice is good here but sours quickly. Boxed juice tastes like a box. You can get Ocean Spray here but it is expensive.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
There is a BK but everyone tells you not to eat there. "Fast" is a very loosely translated word here.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
ANTS
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO and Pouch
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Affordable.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes, and the Embassy just put in a really nice one.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
So far so good. Prefer chip technology here.
5. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
If you don't speak the language, get a tablet and use Google Translate. English is more common here than what I was expecting but I still need electronic hep to express more intricate instructions or inquiries.
6. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes. Everything is uphill here.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Taxis are safe and affordable. We have an excellent working relationship with a driver here.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
The regs for importing a car here have recently changed. It is now something like no older than 1 or 2 model years as opposed to three. This is rumored to be a decreasing window so check with someone in the know before you plan. As for types of cars, they are all over the map here, VW Bugs to giant SUVS, as long as you are ok with bumps and dings, you'll be fine.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes. US$160 or so a month. We can use it to Skype, watch Amazon Prime etc on many devices at once.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Get one. Email isn't a thing with the locals or schools. They like phone calls, text messages, and Whats App
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
The Med Doc has a charity that is always looking for volunteers.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
They are pretty American here when it comes to style but athletic wear is sometimes looked down on. Some folks would rather be late dropping their kids off for a playdate than wear yoga pants.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
None that I know of.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Our med unit is good and the hospital, though utilitarian, is ok too.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Good. The dryer days can be harder because of the dust and smog from the cars but otherwise we are ok.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
DUST, specifically road dust is a nuisance.
Since there is little humidity, I think pollen allergies are low here. Food allergies aren't common (there are no rules at my children's schools).
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
It is like spring or fall all the time here. Rainy season is Dec-March or so.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
They are here. French, German, US. - we chose a local school as we were unhappy with ACS.
2. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Yes. We love the preschool the girls attend (CEAMI). It is affordable. Children are promoted to K/1st grade early here. They begin taking children at age 2 in preschool here, potty training not required.
3. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes. Soccer is big here.
Expat Life:
1. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Alcohol is big here.
2. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
I think so. Our biggest challenge is how late everything is: dinner starts after 7; lunch after 1; people routinely show up late for birthday parties; etc. It is hard to keep a schedule and be involved at the same time. Also, if you have stroller sized kids, getting around can be hard because the side walks aren't stroller friendly.
3. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
They say everyone is equal under the law here but there are some obvious classist tones to things/situations.
4. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
All of my children have been exposed to Spanish. My 20-month old even seems to understand more than me! My other 2, 3 and 6 year olds, are relatively fluent.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
Everything costs something, even going to a park is a coin or two.
2. But don't forget your:
Sunscreen
