Considering moving to Bolivia

by Ivelisse
(Washington, DC)

Hi everyone, First I'd like to say, I love this site and find it very useful. I have been married to an amazing Bolivian for the last 20 years, I have been to Bolivia about six times in those 20 years (including when I had my awesome 3 day wedding). It is my dream to move there for good, and we are considering doing so this year. We are sending our oldest child off to college here in the US, and have one more to go, but she loves Bolivia and the possibility that finishing high school there will open doors for her to study either in Brazil or Spain, so gladly she is on board. I am writing because I'd like to hear from people in Bolivia (native or foreign), we are considering Santa Cruz as the city to live in. I have over 20 years of experience in the hotel industry as an Executive Housekeeper, I would not mind looking for a job in a hotel, but would also consider starting a business. Can I get some feedback? And please understand that I love Bolivia, so if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't. I am not concerned about crime or poverty, those are things that exist everywhere. I am more interested in opinions on what other things I could do for a living, are there companies that could benefit from my ability to speak both English and Spanish? What good schools could I find for my child that will help her be prepared, or may offer programs for her to study abroad? etc.

Thanks,
Future Bolivia Citizen ;-)

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Jan 30, 2015
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Santa Cruz and work options
by: Milan

Santa Cruz is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, and that brings with it a lot of opportunities. I don't think I am wrong in saying that employment, specially in housekeeping, is likely to disappoint you as wages are extremely low even at 5-star hotels, with many housekeeping people making little over the minimum $200 a month (even double that minimum is not much). However, your idea of starting a business is likely to have more traction as in a fast-growing city like this there are lots of holes in the infrastructure, meaning that there are plenty of unmet needs, and in such cases supply creates demand. There is an old Bolivia that coexists with a new Bolivia that leapfrogs all the steps in between and has expectations similar to those of people elsewhere as far as standards of cleanliness, service, quality and presentation, therein lies the opportunities which will far outweigh the risks.

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