No idea where to start - moving from UK to coastal California
#16
Re: No idea where to start - moving from UK to coastal California
Thank you guys. Really helpful answers. A friend has recommended we request they hire a Relocation Advisor to sort it all out so we might do that.
We should all be going to LA next month to investigate the area. Hopefully the business will have decided the office location by then.
We should all be going to LA next month to investigate the area. Hopefully the business will have decided the office location by then.
Do a bit of your own investigating beforehand though.... the relocation advisor can help you narrow areas/schools down but they need to know your priorities/needs to do it well.
#17
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 83
Re: No idea where to start - moving from UK to coastal California
This may be of interest.
Median Income Ranking - Mapping L.A. - Los Angeles Times
However one of the most important issues is where the job will be, or even if he could work from home?
Yes, traffic can be soul destroying.
Thousand Oaks/Simi Valley is not a bad middle class area however given the choice I'd prefer to be in Orange County. (Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Dana Point.)
Either way, a very high salary would be in order.
Median Income Ranking - Mapping L.A. - Los Angeles Times
However one of the most important issues is where the job will be, or even if he could work from home?
Yes, traffic can be soul destroying.
Thousand Oaks/Simi Valley is not a bad middle class area however given the choice I'd prefer to be in Orange County. (Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Dana Point.)
Either way, a very high salary would be in order.
For example
Carlsbad to Irvine - over an hour for 50 miles
Carlsbad to LA downtown - 80+ miles and well over 2 hours!!!!
Doesnt seem much on a map, killer on the freeway! But, if you do it infrequently and can work out of peak rush hours (does LA have any not-peak rush hours?) then it might be do-able.
#18
Re: No idea where to start - moving from UK to coastal California
On 2 out of 3 of my relocations the (company supplied) realtor was the best help/source of advice. However in the other one the realtor was horrendous - just like the relocation advisor.
#19
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Re: No idea where to start - moving from UK to coastal California
Thank you so much. I'm feeling more confident that we can ask the right questions now.
#20
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Re: No idea where to start - moving from UK to coastal California
So we're going out there for 11 nights to explore. Anyone on here live in Venice or Santa Monica? Where should we go first?
#21
Re: No idea where to start - moving from UK to coastal California
Venice is a little quieter, lovely beaches again, and not the same large downtown. The boardwalk seemed really trashy the last time I was down there, but there are some lovely little areas. Again traffic can be a nightmare, and the weather can often be mistier than other areas. Again it's rather pricey.
Check out Zillow.com for rentals. Personally, we couldn't afford to live in either with needing space for a kid.
Houses For Rent in Venice Los Angeles - 120 Homes | Zillow
Did you find out the office location yet?
#22
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Joined: Jul 2016
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Re: No idea where to start - moving from UK to coastal California
It all depends on how good the relocation advisor is. Mine was useless and essentially got in the way. If you go down that route make sure that you get along well with your advisor.
On 2 out of 3 of my relocations the (company supplied) realtor was the best help/source of advice. However in the other one the realtor was horrendous - just like the relocation advisor.
On 2 out of 3 of my relocations the (company supplied) realtor was the best help/source of advice. However in the other one the realtor was horrendous - just like the relocation advisor.
#23
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Joined: Sep 2016
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Re: No idea where to start - moving from UK to coastal California
You've picked two of the most expensive places. Santa Monica is lovely, they have a lovely downtown area, lots going on, fabulous weather, the beach, Boardwalk... However, it's obviously a huge tourist attraction and that means even more traffic, long waits at restaurants, and very high rents.
Venice is a little quieter, lovely beaches again, and not the same large downtown. The boardwalk seemed really trashy the last time I was down there, but there are some lovely little areas. Again traffic can be a nightmare, and the weather can often be mistier than other areas. Again it's rather pricey.
Check out Zillow.com for rentals. Personally, we couldn't afford to live in either with needing space for a kid.
Houses For Rent in Venice Los Angeles - 120 Homes | Zillow
Did you find out the office location yet?
Venice is a little quieter, lovely beaches again, and not the same large downtown. The boardwalk seemed really trashy the last time I was down there, but there are some lovely little areas. Again traffic can be a nightmare, and the weather can often be mistier than other areas. Again it's rather pricey.
Check out Zillow.com for rentals. Personally, we couldn't afford to live in either with needing space for a kid.
Houses For Rent in Venice Los Angeles - 120 Homes | Zillow
Did you find out the office location yet?
RE private schools, there's no way we could afford them so if the company aren't up for footing the bill for three children, it'd have to be public school.
#24
Re: No idea where to start - moving from UK to coastal California
Does your husband suffer from depression or have a history of suicidal thoughts?
Last edited by Pulaski; Oct 10th 2016 at 12:53 am.
#25
Re: No idea where to start - moving from UK to coastal California
Cycling in Santa Monica is fine, there are bike paths everywhere, and people cycle to work in CA all the time
#26
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Location: 30 miles from a decent grocery store.
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Re: No idea where to start - moving from UK to coastal California
You may be a bit behind the curve as far as the Left coast goes. In the Portland area they turn streets with one southbound lane and one northbound lane and one center turn lane into one north, one south, no middle turn and a squeeze entering most intersections. Very few bikers are ever injured since it is expected downtown that they can and may appear anywhere at any time.
#27
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Location: 30 miles from a decent grocery store.
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#28
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Re: No idea where to start - moving from UK to coastal California
Thanks. Yes the office is going to be in Santa Monica itself and we're determined that my husband won't spend hours in the car. So we'll need to look at rentals within cycling distance of the office which will therefore be expensive. I'm hoping therefore that it will be paid for by the company. Ideally we'd find areas outside the tourist traps but within an easy commute.
RE private schools, there's no way we could afford them so if the company aren't up for footing the bill for three children, it'd have to be public school.
RE private schools, there's no way we could afford them so if the company aren't up for footing the bill for three children, it'd have to be public school.
I live up the road in Marina Del Rey, personally we would not live in Santa Monica as beautiful as it is, it is very touristy and I will only go there if I have to!
Yeah LA traffic is appalling but it is manageable, I drive 33 miles each way and cope.
The Metro train is now fully functional into SM so it could be an option to live further out, and use the train.
The area is fantastic, not too hot, beaches are nice, plenty of good food, cycle tracks along the beach (I refuse to cycle on the main roads!!)
As stated before Venice Beach is a tourist trap and a dump, all the bums have set up camp along the boardwalk and it stinks of piddle.
You have Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, Manhattan beach et al.
I love living here, but it effin spendy, gas is on average a buck a gallon more, rentals are stupid prices, but hopefully the salary you receive covers this.
My wife and I both earn very good salaries, but my eyes still water when paying the rent.
Any questions ask away, there are a lot of knowledgeable folk on here.
Last edited by dj6372; Oct 10th 2016 at 2:07 pm. Reason: formatting
#29
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 10,009
Re: No idea where to start - moving from UK to coastal California
Thanks. Yes the office is going to be in Santa Monica itself and we're determined that my husband won't spend hours in the car. So we'll need to look at rentals within cycling distance of the office which will therefore be expensive. I'm hoping therefore that it will be paid for by the company. Ideally we'd find areas outside the tourist traps but within an easy commute.
RE private schools, there's no way we could afford them so if the company aren't up for footing the bill for three children, it'd have to be public school.
RE private schools, there's no way we could afford them so if the company aren't up for footing the bill for three children, it'd have to be public school.
#30
Re: No idea where to start - moving from UK to coastal California
Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, The peninsula on Marina Del Rey (Speedway,) Playa Del Rey and the east side of Santa Monica away from the tourists...
Brentwood is really nice, but the eastbound traffic to the 405 is a huge concern right now.