Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
Jun 2nd 2011, 6:35 pm
#16
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Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
This site is a godsend for me. Thanks all. 
Jun 2nd 2011, 6:46 pm
#17
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Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
As a prime example, I've been here for eight years and I still hate 4-way stop signs. Driving takes a bit of extra focus at first, but it'll eventually become second nature; then again, every now and again when I'm really tired I still find myself drifting to the left of the road.
Jun 2nd 2011, 7:00 pm
#18
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Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
IMO once you realise you're not the only one going through all this...you've overcome a major hurdle. I thought it was just me who found it hard...so there must be something wrong with me...right? Wrong...almost all the Brits on here have been through the same emotions.
Jun 2nd 2011, 7:04 pm
#19
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Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
Jun 2nd 2011, 7:26 pm
#20
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Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
I do like 4-way stops though. Here in rural New York, drivers are so unbelievably courteous and punctilious, they all come to a stop and pull out in strict rotation of order of arrival. It makes me feel all warm & fuzzy about old-fashioned politeness!! I know it isn't that way in Boston, and probably not in CA either.
Jun 2nd 2011, 7:30 pm
#21
Joined: Mar 2009
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Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
Thanks for the replies. I'm feeling a little better (although not much). It helps knowing others have experienced the same even after such a short amount of time.
My major hangup at the moment seems to be the driving. I need to drive to get to work and as I found out yesterday (after a 3 hour walk in the hot sun), things are pretty spaced out here. I'm ok on the freeways (experienced rush hour on the way from the airport), it's the normal roads I struggle with, 4 way stops, left turns, where to pull in to places etc. I'm thinking of getting a few lessons (even though I've been driving in the UK for over 20 years) to give me a bit more confidence and to explain the whole procedure of getting a US license. If I became comfortable with driving I could go to the coast at the weekends which I love and is one of the main reasons I wanted to come out here.
On a side note, when filling up with gas, I believe you have to pay first here. If using a US credit card, you enter your zip code. As I don't have one yet, would I go in to pay first and how would that work if you wanted to fill up and didn't know how much the tank would take? It's amazing how such trivial things cause stress when you're out of your element.
My major hangup at the moment seems to be the driving. I need to drive to get to work and as I found out yesterday (after a 3 hour walk in the hot sun), things are pretty spaced out here. I'm ok on the freeways (experienced rush hour on the way from the airport), it's the normal roads I struggle with, 4 way stops, left turns, where to pull in to places etc. I'm thinking of getting a few lessons (even though I've been driving in the UK for over 20 years) to give me a bit more confidence and to explain the whole procedure of getting a US license. If I became comfortable with driving I could go to the coast at the weekends which I love and is one of the main reasons I wanted to come out here.
On a side note, when filling up with gas, I believe you have to pay first here. If using a US credit card, you enter your zip code. As I don't have one yet, would I go in to pay first and how would that work if you wanted to fill up and didn't know how much the tank would take? It's amazing how such trivial things cause stress when you're out of your element.
I was also really nervous of the driving when we landed in LA and did a 1 hour driving lesson with these guys. I told them I had just moved from the UK and was nervous about driving. TBH for what I learnt on the lesson it was a waste of money, after driving for 15 years it turns out I already knew most things. However, as a confidence thing it was priceless. They offer in car training in Stevensons Ranch.
http://www.driverseddirect.com/
Good luck, and welcome to BE, it honestly can be the best website you'll ever come across.
Jun 2nd 2011, 7:37 pm
#22
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Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
I do like 4-way stops though. Here in rural New York, drivers are so unbelievably courteous and punctilious, they all come to a stop and pull out in strict rotation of order of arrival. It makes me feel all warm & fuzzy about old-fashioned politeness!! I know it isn't that way in Boston, and probably not in CA either.
DH says he can't get used to them, they're just way too polite.
Jun 2nd 2011, 7:38 pm
#23
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Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
I'm sure you are realizing from all the replies that most of us have gone through the same thing.
I was also really nervous of the driving when we landed in LA and did a 1 hour driving lesson with these guys. I told them I had just moved from the UK and was nervous about driving. TBH for what I learnt on the lesson it was a waste of money, after driving for 15 years it turns out I already knew most things. However, as a confidence thing it was priceless. They offer in car training in Stevensons Ranch.
http://www.driverseddirect.com/
Good luck, and welcome to BE, it honestly can be the best website you'll ever come across.
I was also really nervous of the driving when we landed in LA and did a 1 hour driving lesson with these guys. I told them I had just moved from the UK and was nervous about driving. TBH for what I learnt on the lesson it was a waste of money, after driving for 15 years it turns out I already knew most things. However, as a confidence thing it was priceless. They offer in car training in Stevensons Ranch.
http://www.driverseddirect.com/
Good luck, and welcome to BE, it honestly can be the best website you'll ever come across.
Jun 2nd 2011, 8:26 pm
#24
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 1,352
Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
I do like 4-way stops though. Here in rural New York, drivers are so unbelievably courteous and punctilious, they all come to a stop and pull out in strict rotation of order of arrival. It makes me feel all warm & fuzzy about old-fashioned politeness!! I know it isn't that way in Boston, and probably not in CA either.
Jun 2nd 2011, 9:10 pm
#26
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Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
On a side note, when filling up with gas, I believe you have to pay first here. If using a US credit card, you enter your zip code. As I don't have one yet, would I go in to pay first and how would that work if you wanted to fill up and didn't know how much the tank would take? It's amazing how such trivial things cause stress when you're out of your element.
Try www.meetup.com to find new friends/acquantainces/things to do.
It will get better
Jun 2nd 2011, 11:34 pm
#28
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Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
Thanks for the replies. I'm feeling a little better (although not much). It helps knowing others have experienced the same even after such a short amount of time.
My major hangup at the moment seems to be the driving. I need to drive to get to work and as I found out yesterday (after a 3 hour walk in the hot sun), things are pretty spaced out here. I'm ok on the freeways (experienced rush hour on the way from the airport), it's the normal roads I struggle with, 4 way stops, left turns, where to pull in to places etc. I'm thinking of getting a few lessons (even though I've been driving in the UK for over 20 years) to give me a bit more confidence and to explain the whole procedure of getting a US license. If I became comfortable with driving I could go to the coast at the weekends which I love and is one of the main reasons I wanted to come out here.
On a side note, when filling up with gas, I believe you have to pay first here. If using a US credit card, you enter your zip code. As I don't have one yet, would I go in to pay first and how would that work if you wanted to fill up and didn't know how much the tank would take? It's amazing how such trivial things cause stress when you're out of your element.
My major hangup at the moment seems to be the driving. I need to drive to get to work and as I found out yesterday (after a 3 hour walk in the hot sun), things are pretty spaced out here. I'm ok on the freeways (experienced rush hour on the way from the airport), it's the normal roads I struggle with, 4 way stops, left turns, where to pull in to places etc. I'm thinking of getting a few lessons (even though I've been driving in the UK for over 20 years) to give me a bit more confidence and to explain the whole procedure of getting a US license. If I became comfortable with driving I could go to the coast at the weekends which I love and is one of the main reasons I wanted to come out here.
On a side note, when filling up with gas, I believe you have to pay first here. If using a US credit card, you enter your zip code. As I don't have one yet, would I go in to pay first and how would that work if you wanted to fill up and didn't know how much the tank would take? It's amazing how such trivial things cause stress when you're out of your element.
On driving -- it take a little time. You are on the "wrong" side of the road and car. I have a bitch when renting a car in the UK.
On gas -- try and estimate it. Give the cashier behind the bullet-proof window payment and say something like "Pump 8, please" If you have change coming back -- the cashier will give it to you. BTW, if you have an AmEx card, join Costco. They have the best prices for gas. I remember a trip to Oregon some years back -- I went to fill my tank and the guy comes running out "This is not California! No self-service!"
I've been driving here since 1966. If two cars come simultaneously to an intersection, the car on the right has the right-of-way. So, this morning, for the very first time, four of use came simultaneously to a four way stop. It was interesting.
Jun 2nd 2011, 11:39 pm
#29
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Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
Jun 2nd 2011, 11:44 pm
#30
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Re: Struggling already with move from UK to SoCal
I do like 4-way stops though. Here in rural New York, drivers are so unbelievably courteous and punctilious, they all come to a stop and pull out in strict rotation of order of arrival. It makes me feel all warm & fuzzy about old-fashioned politeness!! I know it isn't that way in Boston, and probably not in CA either.
I've already written about my experience at the four-way stop this morning where we all arrived simultaneously.
btw, my UK clients have assured me that traffic circles are, in fact, a plot to drive American tourists nuts.