Home Life

ACS Housing Policy: 

Houses and apartments are leased by the school and assigned to the faculty based on factors such as family size, age of children, and special needs. Accommodations are chosen to meet Western living standards and are equipped with basic furnishings upon your arrival.  Most housing in Bolivia doesn’t have central heating. Most homes and apartments are located in the Calacoto neighborhood, typically within walking distance of the school.  The teacher is responsible for paying the building administration and all utility fees. 

If a teacher is not satisfied with the school assigned housing for any reason, they may request to move after one year; however, the teacher is responsible for all costs associated with the move. 

Furnishings: Upon arrival in La Paz, you will be taken directly to your home or apartment.  The apartment or house will be semi-furnished with the following items:

• • • • Sofa

      • Chairs

      • Coffee table and side tables

      • Dining table with 6–8 chairs

      • Beds (primary bedroom typically king or queen; additional rooms may have double or twin beds)

      • Nightstands

      • One bed per person (as applicable)

      • Major appliances: refrigerator, stove, and washing machine

Starter Kit: New overseas faculty will receive a basic starter kit of household items to help you settle in comfortably during your first days in La Paz. Items include bedding, towels, dishes, cutlery, pots, and other essentials to get you started. These items are meant to support you upon arrival, and most teachers choose to gradually replace or add items based on their personal preferences. 

To help you prepare, here are a few local websites where you can start exploring household items and supermarkets:

• Hipermaxi – Supermarket

• Farmacorp  - Pharmacy

• Casa ideas - Home store

Household Help:  Most staff members employ maids who cook, clean, run errands, do the laundry, and provide childcare. Some prefer to have daytime maids, who are usually more plentiful. The current average salary for a part-time maid 2 days per week, 8-10 hours per day) is approximately $100 per month. In addition to the monthly salary, Holiday bonuses and fees related to Bolivian labor laws are required.  

For some new staff members, employing a maid may be a new experience. Being a domestic employee is a respected position in Bolivia, and many maids seek to work for foreigners because they are treated well and paid well.  At the teacher’s request, ACS will assist teachers in finding a school recommended maid upon your arrival. 

Electricity: 

In La Paz is either 220 volts. It is best to leave most 110-volt appliances behind and purchase only those you need locally, such as a toaster or hair dryer. Surge protectors are available locally and are advisable for protection of stereo equipment, TVs, computers, etc. 

Utilities/Bills

This is covered by ACS.

ACS staff members will help you get your Internet and cable set up. 

There is no central heat in Bolivia. Many staff members find that it is helpful to purchase small space heaters to heat chilly rooms. You can buy space heaters in the local markets. 

Security. 

While the Calacoto neighborhood where teachers live is safe, most apartment buildings have security guards, and guards and police are also found on most street corners for added protection. In almost all apartment buildings, tenants are required to pay a monthly building administration fee to cover security and utility fees for public areas.  Teachers are responsible for paying the monthly fee.  The money should not be paid directly to the doorman unless he provides a receipt. Teachers living in houses usually pay the security guard who watches the block.  

Communications. 

While at home, your telephone, cable, and internet will connect you with the outside world. Cable TV connection is available through your local home telephone provider or an independent company. There are two common options for internet connections: cable (DSL) or WIFI. Cable internet and WIFI are similar connections, and which one is available to you depends on where you live. 

Cell phones can be purchased all over La Paz (starting from $100 for a smartphone). Incoming calls cost nothing on cell phones when you hire a local provider (including international calls), and outgoing calls are subtracted from a credit you enter from a purchased phone card 20, 30, 50, or 100 Bs at a time. A 10 minute local phone call is about 6 Bs. Home telephone numbers have 7 digits, starting with a 2, and cell phone numbers have one extra digit.  Outgoing international calling can be quite expensive, and the most economical option, aside from a SKYPE or WhatsApp  call, is going to “Punto Viva” or “Punto Entel.”