Brits in Los Angeles

[britinnyc1]

We currently live in Brooklyn NY and DH has been offered a position in LA. Our community in NY is a lot of other british and other Europeans and we don't know anyone in LA or anything about it. We hear it is lower COL than NYC but that schools can be difficult (we use public schools and are very happy). The thought of having to drive everywhere is a bit overwhelming as we don't drive here. Have been in NYC 2 years and thought we would stay but this new offer is too good to not seriously consider. Anyone have any info about neighborhoods/schools? DH would have some flexibility with hours which I know is important due to commute, the office is in downtown

I don't know LA other than having visited it recently when looking at colleges with DD. We looked at the area round UCLA, Pasadena and Claremont and they are lovely areas. We stayed near the airport and drove to the various areas each day. But honestly, nothing would convince me to move there. The traffic was just so unbelievably awful.

Now, maybe if you could live properly outside, and if you never had to drive near the center, it might be OK?

I do think that sometimes a job just isn't worth the move. DH was offered an amazing job a few years ago - COO, double the salary etc. But it was somewhere we just did not want to live. I went and checked out areas, schools, houses etc, then I said I just didn't think it was fair that the whole family had to make the sacrifice of living there so that he could have the job of his dreams. And he wasn't willing to commute, so that was that.

Tough decision, and others may have more positive things to say about LA.

Hi Britinnyc1. I live in Los Angeles. I am American, but lived in London for many years and have been on Mumsnet for 15+ years. I'm an expert on the Public School system in Los Angeles and would be happy to give you advice. I have lived in a lot of places and visited a zillion more, but I LOVE living in LA the most. I did live in NYC (before my dc's) so can also give some help with comparisons.
You would not want to live in Downtown with dc's, but there are a lot of very nice areas within an easy commute either by car or train. Picking a neighborhood to live in really depends on the age of your dc's and if they have any special needs and/or interests. LA is a lot like London in that it's quite spread out, but there are a lot of places that are great to live depending on your interests and lifestyle. Do you like to walk out your door to stores? Will you be working? Do you want to be near the beach? Do you cook or eat out? Are your dc's athletic? I am sorry that no one explained LA to Stupomax, because one of the most important things to remember is that unlike European cities, there is no "Center," but rather lots of "centers"...a lot like London.
Traffic is indeed bad, but certainly no worse than NYC. If your dh's hours are flexible, then it will be fine. You just don't set out to do certain things at certain times. For example, I work from home and arrange my meetings around traffic times. My dc's went to/still go to local schools both public and private. I love going to the theater and have enjoyed an enormous amount of small independent theater here in Los Angeles. My dd is an aspiring musician and has found all sorts of outlets for that even as a teenager. Lots of great food and restaurants and farmers markets.
Feel free to PM me if you want more personal detailed information.

I spent some time there. Look at silver Lake. Not bad for a Downtown commute. Larchmount and Wilshire Blvd also not too bad for him. Some great private schools that cost a lot and a very complicated range of other solution including public schools. How old are your dcs? Driving everywhere becomes part of what you do. It is what it is. It is quite easy to live there once you figure it out/ PM me if you like. I was there for 4 years and have just moved to NYC!

I am sorry that no one explained LA to Stupomax, because one of the most important things to remember is that unlike European cities, there is no "Center," but rather lots of "centers"...a lot like London

Well I'm not going to move there, but DD might end up at college there, in which case I'll be wanting to know lots more about Pasadena, the surrounding areas, and the best way to get there from the east coast

I think Claremont is still on her list too... it's hard to keep up with what when and where she's applying.

I would be happy to help!!! Is she going to CalTech? I'm on the Westside, but my cousin commutes from Culver City to JPL every day, so could definitely get the scoop from him. Are you in NYC or elsewhere on the East Coast?

Is she a senior? Please feel free to PM me if you come out for college tours.

It 100% depends where your DH works! We’ve lived in LA for 6.5years and we live on the Westside because DH works in Santa Monica and trying to get into the Westside from any other part of town if you work regular hours (our rush hour is 7-11am and 2-7pm no joke) it will take him a stupidly long time to get home

The Westside is albeit one of the more expansive parts of town (also proximity to the beach!) but if you can afford it, it’s worth it!

How old are your DC? Ours are elementary aged and our area has several excellent elementary schools (we’re in Mar Vista) though areas not far from us with their own public school systems that are great are Culver City andManhattan Beach - Santa Monica does too but I personally am not a fan of Santa Monica in general. Downtown is the only area that is accessible by the metro so you actually have a good pick and if you wanted to live on the Westside for example he can get the expo line all the way from the beach - traffic in and out of downtown is always really really bad.

I would say thought that I’ve gone through the heartbreak of close friends leaving every year who are European/from the U.K., LA has felt quite transient in that respect so we have made an effort to make close friendships with Americans as well.

I really like living inLA, I came from London and couldn’t drive when we moved and learnt quickly - it’s quite unlike any other city because it’s very spread out and there are clear demarcations between areas (unlike New York and London where areas tend to gently blend into each other)

Feel free to PM me about our experiences living here - we meant to come for 3 years, we’re def staying another 2 (bringing our current total up to 8) and who knows what will happen then.

I also want to add that people who have only visited often comment on how fake LA people are - I’m as cynical as they come and I’ve learnt over time that they’re not, they’re actually just friendly and the sun makes everyone a little happier, I now find it weird not to have every stranger smile at me on the street! There are things I still vehemently dislike about living here but I have become very fond of the city and it’s people and it does grate on me when people who’ve only been to Disneyland and Hollywood blvd make shitty comments about it!

Also get on the Brits in LA Facebook group - on the whole a lovely friendly bunch and an easy “in” into a community

I would be happy to help!!! Is she going to CalTech? I'm on the Westside, but my cousin commutes from Culver City to JPL every day, so could definitely get the scoop from him. Are you in NYC or elsewhere on the East Coast?

Yes, applying there, and Harvey Mudd I think, although it all seems to change fairly regularly. She's very much a math geek. We already did tours - we're north of Boston and flew over there for a week which was fantastic and confirmed to her that California is rather wonderful. I had to agree!

I've got a family full of math geeks!!! My other cousin (sister of the jpl one) majored in math at Berkeley. I majored in Economics at MIT. But my dd can only add numbers if $$$$ are attached to them (and then she's really really good at it).

I agree with pretty much everything DeliveredByKiki said. By the way, DeliveredByKiki, PM me if you need any assistance with the Magnet system and info about middle schools and high schools. My dc's went to Castle Heights and my dd is at Hamilton.

Thanks SofiaAmes we’re in 4th grade so starting the whole tours of middle schools now! Where on Westside are you?

DeliveredByKiki I just realized that I posted too much personal information. I am on the Westside near you. I will PM you with my info.