Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
Jun 4th 2011, 12:17 am
#46
BE Commentator
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 8,424
Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
I went to law school in San Francisco and owned a VW Type I Bug. So, I learned to parallel park pointing downhill! Bill Cosby's classic "Driving In San Francisco" still makes me laugh. Although the joke about the "Dip" signs is no longer funny given the current condition of the streets due to government budget cuts.
Jun 4th 2011, 12:19 am
#47
Just Joined
Joined: May 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 2
Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
I've been here almost a year now in the Northern Virginia/DC area. I'm okay driving around town now, and I've got used to everyone tooting their horns all the time. I still hate the highways though... cars weaving in and out everywhere..... and overtaking on the inside. But I'm definitely more confident on the roads here than I was. It just takes a little time to get used to it.
Jun 4th 2011, 12:26 am
#48
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,021
Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
Things must have changed since I came here 15 years ago (L2)...I got my SSN the day after I arrived. My daughter (then 11) got hers at the same time. I didn't apply for an EAD but it arrived in the mail a couple of months later.
Jun 4th 2011, 12:27 am
#49
Account Closed
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 0
Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
Went into my work to meet everyone today and they seem great. It's a bit awkward but I guess you get that until you settle in.
I also booked a 2 hour driving lesson for tomorrow to brush up on a few things and get a bit more confidence on the road. I don't have a green card, just a J1 Visa/I94 but haven't sorted a SSN yet but it sounds like maybe I won't need that to get my license. I'm sure I'll be fine distinguishing a car from a bag of potatoes so should be all set
My fog of misery is slowly starting to clear.
Jun 4th 2011, 5:55 pm
#50
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 63
Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
Pleased to hear things are looking brighter now Dek.
We were fortunate in that we didn't have to take a driving test here, just the "psycho" written tests..pictures, symbols etc but a speed test too.
Actually getting out license wasn't easy, we had to make 3 or 4 trips to the equivalent of a DMV, spending a total of around 11 hours there, only to be given a piece of paper and told to come back in 6 months.
When we did go back they said "no, not today, the 11th, come back on the 15th, so that was another visit (the 5th now). On the 15th they did have our licenses but wanted us to come back the next day, at which point I had to put my foot down in my best Portugeuse.
Every Govt department seems to be like this, and the Banks too...hopeless and irritating.
We have survived despite everything, and you will too. Although the USA isn't perfect, I know you will be able to get everything organised and before you know it, you will be "living the dream" and wondering why you were ever worried.
We were fortunate in that we didn't have to take a driving test here, just the "psycho" written tests..pictures, symbols etc but a speed test too.
Actually getting out license wasn't easy, we had to make 3 or 4 trips to the equivalent of a DMV, spending a total of around 11 hours there, only to be given a piece of paper and told to come back in 6 months.
When we did go back they said "no, not today, the 11th, come back on the 15th, so that was another visit (the 5th now). On the 15th they did have our licenses but wanted us to come back the next day, at which point I had to put my foot down in my best Portugeuse.
Every Govt department seems to be like this, and the Banks too...hopeless and irritating.
We have survived despite everything, and you will too. Although the USA isn't perfect, I know you will be able to get everything organised and before you know it, you will be "living the dream" and wondering why you were ever worried.
Jun 5th 2011, 12:10 am
#51
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 156
Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
Moving from you home country to anywhere is always difficult, I actually felt the complete opposite to you.
We currently live in NE Brazil having moved here nearly 4 yrs ago and boy, was that a culture shock!
We had bought a house overlooking the beach which is a 35 minute drive from the city. We arrived with 8 suitcases & a dog.
Language is Portugeuse (we learned a little before arriving but found the local language was very different).
House had no furniture so spent a week in a hotel with dog whilst trying to buy furniture, trying not to pay "Gringo prices" and even more difficult, getting them to deliver it. Even after moving into our house and buying a car, we spent every day for at least the first 3 weeks driving into the city (on the wrong side of the road for a Brit) trying to sort things out and not getting home until after dark. It certainly didn't help that nobody spoke English except the agent who sold us the house.
We didn't have internet for the first 12 months and still don't have a landline. Only chance to contact the UK was when we went into the city.
Services in general are very poor, products expensive (and not usually ood quality) and customer service almost non existent.
Roads are poor, driving standards even worse and in the past many drivers "Bought" their licenses. Have had numerous "close encounters"...my wife won't drive here.
The problems have been endless, I could probably write a book on our experiences.
For us, it was a case of deciding what we were going to do first and working through everything.
We currently live in NE Brazil having moved here nearly 4 yrs ago and boy, was that a culture shock!
We had bought a house overlooking the beach which is a 35 minute drive from the city. We arrived with 8 suitcases & a dog.
Language is Portugeuse (we learned a little before arriving but found the local language was very different).
House had no furniture so spent a week in a hotel with dog whilst trying to buy furniture, trying not to pay "Gringo prices" and even more difficult, getting them to deliver it. Even after moving into our house and buying a car, we spent every day for at least the first 3 weeks driving into the city (on the wrong side of the road for a Brit) trying to sort things out and not getting home until after dark. It certainly didn't help that nobody spoke English except the agent who sold us the house.
We didn't have internet for the first 12 months and still don't have a landline. Only chance to contact the UK was when we went into the city.
Services in general are very poor, products expensive (and not usually ood quality) and customer service almost non existent.
Roads are poor, driving standards even worse and in the past many drivers "Bought" their licenses. Have had numerous "close encounters"...my wife won't drive here.
The problems have been endless, I could probably write a book on our experiences.
For us, it was a case of deciding what we were going to do first and working through everything.
Jun 5th 2011, 12:17 am
#52
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 156
Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
Would have scored 100% on my driving test if i hadn't gone *blasting* throught a residential area at 35mph..
When we finished the test she said "they must teach a very high standard of driving in the UK, you're very good"
I then told her I'd only been driving cars for 4 weeks in the US, but had been riding motorcycles in the UK for 15 years...
Jun 5th 2011, 12:28 am
#53
Account Closed
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 0
Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
Just remember to stick to 25mph in residential streets, unless you take your test in the Antelope Valley where we have residential streets with 45, 50 & 55mph limits...
Would have scored 100% on my driving test if i hadn't gone *blasting* throught a residential area at 35mph..
When we finished the test she said "they must teach a very high standard of driving in the UK, you're very good"
I then told her I'd only been driving cars for 4 weeks in the US, but had been riding motorcycles in the UK for 15 years...
Would have scored 100% on my driving test if i hadn't gone *blasting* throught a residential area at 35mph..
When we finished the test she said "they must teach a very high standard of driving in the UK, you're very good"
I then told her I'd only been driving cars for 4 weeks in the US, but had been riding motorcycles in the UK for 15 years...
So I just need to learn the theory stuff and get that test out of the way then I'll take the driving test. All Good
Jun 5th 2011, 12:37 am
#54
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Las Vegas,NV
Posts: 18
Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
Dek, I have only been a member on this site for less than 24hrs but there is some great advice on here.I have been living in the states since 2002 and the past 6yrs in Las Vegas. I would never drive anywhere first of all because I had read horror stories of the drivers here in Vegas.I'm the opposite of you in that I don't like freeways,especially getting on them,so I use side rds and I find it much better.Just remember the drivers are crazy and impatient and you'll get used to the 4-ways and turning right on a red light.As for your general state of being down,give yourself a pat on the back for having come this far on your own.So many people dream it but don't do it and regret it later. The US takes time to get used to,if I had a penny for everytime I have been asked if I am from England I would be very rich, and people still don't understand my accent at times,just say the word/words they don't understand in a very exaggerated american accent and then they will 
Things will get better,just give it time
Things will get better,just give it time
Jun 5th 2011, 12:45 am
#55
Account Closed
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 0
Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
Thanks cheryl56. Once I'm settled in work and have the driving down I think I'll feel much better. One of the main reasons for me coming here was so that I could get out and about at the weekends and explore the coast so as soon as I get to that stage I'll be happy.
Jun 5th 2011, 5:19 am
#56
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 156
Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
Just remember that pedestrians have right of way when some silly sod walks out in front of you... well, they have right of way if there is a copper about.. I've made a few idiots leap out of the way by leaving my braking so I come to a stop about 6inches from them. I was a London motorcycle despatch rider for 6 years, I know how to treat wayward pedestrians
Jun 5th 2011, 12:04 pm
#57
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 63
Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
Hi RickWG, just to clarify. I didn't say it was "that bad" only that it was extremely difficult due to the fact it is a completely different culture, language etc etc. but we survivied, as will the OP.
In fact, the weather here is an average 26C all year (hotter in Summer), we have a great house with swimming pool etc less than a 1 minute walk from the beach and as I sit at my computer now writing this note, at 0830 in the morning (wearing a pair a shorts), I can see the Ocean, the beach, a lagoon and the surrounding hills.
We are also in the early stages of building 2 houses next door which will share the same situation/views and which should give us a nice little profit. Maybe we will be able to afford the USA ??
In fact, the weather here is an average 26C all year (hotter in Summer), we have a great house with swimming pool etc less than a 1 minute walk from the beach and as I sit at my computer now writing this note, at 0830 in the morning (wearing a pair a shorts), I can see the Ocean, the beach, a lagoon and the surrounding hills.
We are also in the early stages of building 2 houses next door which will share the same situation/views and which should give us a nice little profit. Maybe we will be able to afford the USA ??
Mar 14th 2012, 12:15 am
#58
Account Closed
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 0
Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
Just re-read this thread that I started a few days after I arrived. Oh how things have changed. I love it here now. I feel like I've been here for years. Driving is now completely natural to me, I don't even think about it. I have my own car and been in a great apartment for about 9 months.
What do I miss? Not much. Bread I guess :-) I probably speak more to family now (with Skype) than I did back in England.
And as the one reply mentioned. I've grown some balls.
Hopefully this thread can serve as comfort to anyone who is as nervous as I was when I first arrived.
What do I miss? Not much. Bread I guess :-) I probably speak more to family now (with Skype) than I did back in England.
And as the one reply mentioned. I've grown some balls.
Hopefully this thread can serve as comfort to anyone who is as nervous as I was when I first arrived.
Mar 14th 2012, 12:21 am
#59
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Reno Nevada
Posts: 15,917
Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
Just re-read this thread that I started a few days after I arrived. Oh how things have changed. I love it here now. I feel like I've been here for years. Driving is now completely natural to me, I don't even think about it. I have my own car and been in a great apartment for about 9 months.
What do I miss? Not much. Bread I guess :-) I probably speak more to family now (with Skype) than I did back in England.
And as the one reply mentioned. I've grown some balls.
Hopefully this thread can serve as comfort to anyone who is as nervous as I was when I first arrived.
What do I miss? Not much. Bread I guess :-) I probably speak more to family now (with Skype) than I did back in England.
And as the one reply mentioned. I've grown some balls.
Hopefully this thread can serve as comfort to anyone who is as nervous as I was when I first arrived.
Mar 14th 2012, 12:27 am
#60
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: Malibu, CA
Posts: 921
Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
Just re-read this thread that I started a few days after I arrived. Oh how things have changed. I love it here now. I feel like I've been here for years. Driving is now completely natural to me, I don't even think about it. I have my own car and been in a great apartment for about 9 months.
What do I miss? Not much. Bread I guess :-) I probably speak more to family now (with Skype) than I did back in England.
And as the one reply mentioned. I've grown some balls.
Hopefully this thread can serve as comfort to anyone who is as nervous as I was when I first arrived.
What do I miss? Not much. Bread I guess :-) I probably speak more to family now (with Skype) than I did back in England.
And as the one reply mentioned. I've grown some balls.
Hopefully this thread can serve as comfort to anyone who is as nervous as I was when I first arrived.