Moving to L.A.

[stevie lee]

you jammy lucky git.

no-ones mentioned earthquakes yet.

they have a lot apparantly - http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lano...for-alarm.html

the 1. something from the fracking a few years ago near me was wobbly enough, so 4. + will be even wobblier.

and dont forget 'the big one' is due. so with it being the mayan end of the world natural disaters thing, you should have fun at christmas



enjoy yourself. and dont eat too many doughnuts.

[TeePee]

I've spent quite a bit of time in the valley, and I think the translation is 'Like totally thanks homie'.

California is pretty bad when it comes to concealed carry permits, and Los Angeles County does not issue permits. Good job they don't have a crime problem, right? If you can live further out then San Bernadino county is better.

Traffic and driving anywhere is horrific. Buy an SUV. Gas is cheap compared to the UK (but about 20% more expensive than the rest of the country).

Taxes, between federal and state income taxes, are some of the highest in the US, and with the state being bankrupt they are likely to go up. Bankrate.com has a cost of living table, which tells me that to maintain my standard of living when moving to the area my income would have to increase by 51%! I want to really express to you just how high the cost of living is out there. Moving from the UK to most places in the US with the same income will result in a generally improved standard of living. LA is the opposite. The average house price in the UK is GBP227K. The average house price in the US is about GBP160K. The average price in LA is GBP323K.

You will need to find a private school. Public schools in LA have metal detectors. Your children's potential will be wasted. Encourage them to maintain their English accent as best they can. They'll thank you when they reach puberty.

Expect to put on 20lbs.

If the company is getting you there, then use the opportunity for the best! Travel as much as you can around the US. The Western states are one of the most beautiful places in the world. Colorado is where I would be given the choice. Longer term you won't be tied to the company. If you find yourself struggling to adapt, there are Expat communities in most cities, there are a lot of us over here (It's the women!) and we can help with a lot.

[IBM]

TeePee, thanks man. Figured you'd be along to contribute, and very glad that you did.

My salary is increasing with the move, and since I'm coming from West London, the prices are all considerably cheaper - average house price in my area is roughly £450,000, so £325k is an instant saving.

We're looking at Calabasas. Some of the best schools in the country by all accounts. I don't mind metal detectors if it keeps knives and other weaponry out.

I eat my bodyweight in bad stuff every day and keep relatively trim. Looking forward to going jogging in all the California sunshine, might even put on some muscle. Maybe.

We travel more than just about anyone we know. We certainly travel more than anyone I know with more than two kids. You couldn't stop us from travelling around if you tried - although the office is going to do their best to work me into the ground.

[TeePee]

Keeping knives and weaponry out is not really the point. Sending your kids to a school which needs metal detectors to reduce shankings is.

[Output]

If not, I'll take a 'lucky bar steward'/'jammy git' or a 'good luck' of two...

Good luck, jammy git.

I don't really have anything else I can add, other than reiterating that I wish you good luck with it.

[cptwhite_uk]

Good luck with the move IBM, make sure to keep a diary or sorts for us

[Larkspeed]

oh yes and if you go to McDonald's in LA and they ask you if you want them to super-size it, for gods sake say no!

[csgohan4]

They sell Milk there in the gallons, not in pints lol

[peterb]

They sell Milk there in the gallons, not in pints lol

US gallons, though, not imperial (about 6.6 imperial pints)

A fluid oz is the same as the imperial measure, but there are 16 fluid oz in a US pint (and 8 US pints in a US gallon)