Moving to L.A.

[IBM]

Made the decision back in May after a holiday to Florida that we want to move to the States.

Spoke to the bosses back in July and persuaded them of the necessity of moving me to the U.S., where our main operating is based out of Los Angeles.

With any luck, going to be out of here before December. Good salary, relocation package, great prospects.

The wife used to live in Culver City, and is utterly delighted to be going back and I'm really looking forward to finding a place to rent with a pool (amongst other things).

As always, the collective wisdom of the Hexus...collective is always appreciated. Any thoughts, musings, ponderings or otherwise?

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

[Disturbedguy]

Good luck!

[Funkstar]

Well done!

I'm not sure I could handle L.A., I have only been there for a few days, it's pretty intense. But it sounds like you know what you are getting into

I hope the move goes well, moving 50 miles north way stressful, I can't imagine how hard it would be to go all that way.

[TeePee]

I love the US. But I couldn't live in LA.

[peterb]

Great news, hope it all works out well for you!

LA will be interesting, but you have San Diego a few hours down the road, and from there it is a shirt step to Mexico. San Francisco not far away either, and Nevada!

[santa claus]

And thanks to the wonders of the internet, you'll still have us all with you. Good luck IBM; it's a brave new world and Christmas in LA

ps say hello to my cuzzins santa fe and santa barbara

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

You are closer to real life Moose! Beware of those flipping Elk!

[Andeh13]

Lucky bugger, once upon a time I would have chewed anyone's hand off offering me a job in the USA.

Now with a daughter and girlfriend I am somewhat fixed for the forseable future...one day though...

[Guy]

Wow, sounds like a very big decision! All the best.

I'm not envious at all... (promise)

[GTX Matt]

wow, what an fantastic opportunity, best of luck!

[scaryjim]

... the collective wisdom of the Hexus...collective is always appreciated. ...

... I'll take a 'lucky bar steward'/'jammy git' or a 'good luck' of two...

Yeah, you can have one of those

Very jealous, have a couple of friends who headed out there a few years back and they're loving it. We visited them one May a few years back and that was already about as hot as I'd like it - be ready to pile on the sunblock if you're at all prone to burning! Remember you can't just cross the road anywhere (that one always freaked me out) and look out for the cockroaches (they fill the gutters in the late evening!).

But mostly, enjoy it for as long as you can/do stay out there - great opportunity

[IBM]

Thanks y'all (what's that? Texas? What's the Cali equivalent? Dude?)

L.A. and I didn't get on when I went out there for a few months back in 2002. No character, no architecture, hot, nothing but blue skies. But by the time I left, loved the place. Incredible people, beautiful beaches, incredible food, and some amazing variety with all the little urban centers scattered around. Thought I was going to like San Fran more than L.A. but in my opinion they just don't compare.

It's an experience, right? A challenge to be savoured and enjoyed. Sure it'll be stressful, but in ten years time I like to think I'll look back and be glad I did it.

Looks like we're going to be living in the Valley, which means I'm going to need to live in the fridge for around five months of the year, but I'll put up with it. Excellent schools, low crime rate, short commute.

Now we're looking into getting visas sorted, then comes the packing and the moving, and plane tickets and all that crap....six of us moving in total, so it's going to be a bit nuts for the next few months. Appreciate all the well wishing.

[scaryjim]

... six of us moving in total, so it's going to be a bit nuts for the next few months.

you don't say! You have kids? Everyone in their new schools will assume they're extra-smart, just because they've got English accents. Don't know why, but it seems to be a pretty universal association in the US...

[Dareos]

Congrats and Good Luck

[Larkspeed]

I visited LA in 1992, actually I was there when the riots broke out.

Advice I can give:

Unless you are a mega hard bugger don't make waves. People tend to be willing to start something very rapidly in the LA county area (or the US in general) and a lot do carry guns even though it is illegal. So unless someone is putting you in direct danger let it go.

Driving is a total nightmare so be prepared to leave a LONG time ahead when you want to go certain places, you'll soon learn where and when.

Satnav is your friend, I did not have it when I was there and I frequently got lost

And since you will be in California don't forget to take a drive down to Miramar just north of San Diego, not much there but at least you can say you have been to Top Gun USA. (or at least where top gun was when they made the movie about it, it's moved to Nevada since)

As for the heat I would not worry about it nearly everywhere has aircon

[IBM]

you don't say! You have kids? Everyone in their new schools will assume they're extra-smart, just because they've got English accents. Don't know why, but it seems to be a pretty universal association in the US...

lol ... yeah, four of the little buggers. 10, 8, 3 & 19 months. Firstborn I reckon will always have a bit of an English accent even after a few years over there, but I'd imagine the rest of them will been full on californians before a couple years have passed.

One Direction's pretty popular over the States at the moment, so I'm hoping they'll ride a bit of that popularity when they enter the schooling system. It's either that or they'll be bullied without mercy. Time will tell. At least we know all the parents will want their kids to play with our kids for the accent thing.

Unless you are a mega hard bugger don't make waves. People tend to be willing to start something very rapidly in the LA county area (or the US in general) and a lot do carry guns even though it is illegal. So unless someone is putting you in direct danger let it go.

Driving is a total nightmare so be prepared to leave a LONG time ahead when you want to go certain places, you'll soon learn where and when.

Satnav is your friend, I did not have it when I was there and I frequently got lost

The wife is already coaching me on this. I can handle myself, but not when there's guns to be had. Going to have to work very hard - nearly got myself into a lot of trouble back in 2002 and I don't think I've mellowed much since then.

Not looking forward to the driving....Didn't enjoy it much while I was over there. I like finding my way around places, and the whole grid layout makes it too damn tedious.

Even so, we got stuck in traffic yesterday on the M25. Blazing sunshine. Made us think of L.A. .... If I'm going to get stuck in traffic, I'd rather it was sunny than raining.