Moving to LA with 3 kids in July

[acapulco]

It’s not the ideal time to be moving anywhere but here we are. My partners job is relocating to the office in Hollywood. We’re in the process of applying for an L1 Visa and realistically we should be moving by July.

It’s my job to scope the cost of moving and setting up life in LA. I was hoping someone on here could offer all the insights and advice they have and anything I should be aware of and consider. We won’t have credit history obviously and will be renting.

For various reasons we’d like to be living within easyish reach of Marina Del Rey but not live in that actual location. We have drawn a curve around potential places and high schools that could work - so Venice, El Segundo, towards Manhattan Beach (I think this is too far to commute to Hollywood daily?).

We have 2 boys 16yr, 13yrs and a toddler. Obviously we need to make it work for the 16yr old on every level. Particularly school wise.

What is it that can tell me that I should aware of or be thinking about? It’s all slightly daunting when we can’t travel to scope everything out properly. That said we have travelled to LA a few times and travelled around so understand the geography but not practicalities.

[acapulco]

@mathanxiety might need to buy an umbrella soon that’s for sure.

@4plusthehound ohh interesting we are looking all over but definitely thinking of moving more that way. Still need to figure out elementary schools as well.

[4plusthehound]

@mathanxiety

@acapulco
It sounds as if your DS found a compromise that worked well for him.

Hope you're all enjoying LA and avoiding the effects of the unusual weather right now.

You are lovely!

[4plusthehound]

@acapulco

@Clymene um not entirely there’s a wider landscape to the situ. Still on for straight As possibly Astars. So no compromise there.

And knowing what we know, that you couldn’t, it may be absolutely worth it. He has some top US college acceptances so difficult doesn’t mean end of the world when balancing the whole experience. Difficult doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Difficult doesn’t guarantee a shit show may not have happened in the UK for whatever reason.

Very well said OP.

Some people.....

[4plusthehound]

@acapulco

@Aria999 yes Santa Barbara is lovely but too far the other way. Husband works in The Grove are We’re thinking moving inland to Culver area or north of. We have slightly complicated logistics.

We were behind the Farmers Market for a while and LOVED it - your dh could walk to work!

[mathanxiety]

@acapulco
It sounds as if your DS found a compromise that worked well for him.

Hope you're all enjoying LA and avoiding the effects of the unusual weather right now.

[Clymene]

@Cantstandbullshitanymore - because I was that kid. How many international moves did you do as a child? I did four.

I was advising the OP with the benefit of my experience and that of all the other kids who got shunted around the world for their parents' careers. I have loads of friends who are bringing their kids up in a similar peripatetic way. Good on them. They are all staying in one place for their kids' teenage years. There are good times to move children and bad times.

Sorry, I know that's super boring.

Ps I lived in Los Angeles for 3 years. Absolutely would go back as I love it. Not now though as my kids are teenagers.

[BabsDylan]

I think Clymene may be a little jealous?

[acapulco]

@Cantstandbullshitanymore All good advice though thanks.

Getting there thanks for asking.

[Cantstandbullshitanymore]

@acapulco ignore my first post, I just realized you already moved last year. Hope everything is going well?

[Cantstandbullshitanymore]

@Clymene

So entirely as I and other people predicted, it's been an absolute shit show for him.

Hope it's worth it.

Why do you have to be so negative and critical?

[Cantstandbullshitanymore]

@acapulco in addition to the good advice to open an Amex card which we did and were able to get an Amex card in the US based on our UK usage, I was also able to get a credit card from Bank of America based on offer letter when I went in to open a bank account, they gave me a limit that was 10% of my annual salary so worth trying.

I think it was a program called bank at work or something where they open accounts and card for employees of certain large companies. And Irs not just BoA I think the other big banks also participate but I’m struggling to find I formation online.

I found this, it’s specific to Polk schools but gives you an idea what I’m talking about:

polkschoolsfl.com/pef/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/BAW.pdf

So go into a branch and say we’ve transferred to the US with xx employer, want to open bank account and also can we get a credit card based on employment?

Goodluck with the move. The US has its issues but it’s also a beautiful amazing place even though MN focus only on the negatives.

[acapulco]

@Clymene it amounts to a difference experience and that doesn’t have to be a negative thing.

[acapulco]

@Clymene um not entirely there’s a wider landscape to the situ. Still on for straight As possibly Astars. So no compromise there.

And knowing what we know, that you couldn’t, it may be absolutely worth it. He has some top US college acceptances so difficult doesn’t mean end of the world when balancing the whole experience. Difficult doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Difficult doesn’t guarantee a shit show may not have happened in the UK for whatever reason.

[Clymene]

@acapulco

@DistrictCommissioner @MrsMitford3

He had the choice (and a place) at a UK boarding school or to come to the USA. He decided to come to the USA. Just for full disclosure he did a semester in a public HS and left and ended up doing online A levels. Not ideal for him but we’re close to the end as he has his finals in May. So much of this is personality dependent and for him he was very fixed on what he wanted to do for A-levels. Whilst it’s been tough if he gets into a place at some of US colleges he applied for he may end up in a great position.

I must say though that I know others families who moved with same aged kids from UK (at the same time as us) and assimilated into HS system albeit with a few academic compromises. They’re super happy.

My now 9th grader is fine. Bumpy start getting head around the new school system but again the more relaxed approach may just suit him better.

So entirely as I and other people predicted, it's been an absolute shit show for him.

Hope it's worth it.

[MrsMitford3]

*life

[MrsMitford3]

@acapulco that's great news-thanks for coming back to update!!

Sounds like you have managed a tricky transition really well-are you enjoying like in US?

[acapulco]

@DistrictCommissioner @MrsMitford3

He had the choice (and a place) at a UK boarding school or to come to the USA. He decided to come to the USA. Just for full disclosure he did a semester in a public HS and left and ended up doing online A levels. Not ideal for him but we’re close to the end as he has his finals in May. So much of this is personality dependent and for him he was very fixed on what he wanted to do for A-levels. Whilst it’s been tough if he gets into a place at some of US colleges he applied for he may end up in a great position.

I must say though that I know others families who moved with same aged kids from UK (at the same time as us) and assimilated into HS system albeit with a few academic compromises. They’re super happy.

My now 9th grader is fine. Bumpy start getting head around the new school system but again the more relaxed approach may just suit him better.

[MrsMitford3]

@DistrictCommissioner

What happened with your eldest, OP? Did he come or stay for boarding school?

that's what I was wondering as well...

[DistrictCommissioner]

What happened with your eldest, OP? Did he come or stay for boarding school?

[JesusWeptLady]

Hello. I'm from the UK and living in Los Angeles now with teens. We originally lived in Santa Monica for the schools when they were younger (and then we moved to another state for a few years and have just returned) and I would say, if you can, I would aim for Santa Monica High School district rather than Venice HS. There's always the Lycee Francais in Culver City area which does the IB and has an English as well as a French track (though the English group is definitely in the minority) and that school is more known for humanities than maths and sciences. Your best bet for all the kids and schooling is Santa Monica, which is going to be closer to Marina Del Ray than other strong school districts (Malibu, Beverley Hills, Pacific Palisades).

[acapulco]

@Aria999 yes Santa Barbara is lovely but too far the other way. Husband works in The Grove are We’re thinking moving inland to Culver area or north of. We have slightly complicated logistics.

[Aria999]

@acapulco we were thinking about moving inland a bit when we left, maybe near Culver City. Less exciting but less touristy and cheaper,

Depending on your logistics - some friends moved out to Santa Barbara during the pandemic and have stayed. It's a lovely town with great restaurants.

[acapulco]

@LALALife @Aria999 lol we spent our first month in Santa Monica and then landed in Palisades. Coming from East London the shock and confusion was immense. Been an intense and interesting ride and to be fair as we are tucked up a hill and not embedded in the place have met some lovely people from all walks of life.

Moving somewhere else in the summer. Any suggestions LA people? (Not Manhattan Beach sorry lovely place logistics don’t work).

[acapulco]

@Lilikaoua I’ll PM you my experience. Don’t forget a lot depends on the resilience and hopes and dreams of your kids. I’ll switch to PM.

[KyraMartini]

Im in San Diego so not a million miles away. I would avoid the public school system at all costs, especially in LA. We made huge sacrifices to put ours into private. The traffic in LA is abysmal but you will learn how to drive there. We only ever go up for Universal/Disney and it's always a shit show. Life is fast paced, everything (I mean everything) is very expensive, you will see homeless people all around. The weather is incredible, opportunities to be outdoors every day, the food is amazing (but you will pay for it!). There are great ex pat British communities everywhere, they've been a god send for me. Be prepared to be mistaken for an Australian every single time you leave the house. It's exciting - I enjoy living here despite it's flaws. You do need to crack on with the marriage though! Good luck!!