Sounds good, i will take a little cash with me and use XE to covert and transfer th rest when im over. Will have an account open asap so shouldnt take too long

And crisps... they have rubbish crisps here.

Agree on XE.com... use it transfer money between Barclays in the UK and Chase here and it's very quick and easy to use. Chose a bank here with branches near where you live/work because you have to pay to use ATMs that aren't your banks (unless you get one of the more expensive accounts).
Get any old credit card if you can't get a good one (but still try) and start building up your credit score asap.
Get letters from your current car insurance detailing no claims bonus - some people say this is irrelevant but my insurance (State Farm) halved my premium when I was able to track it down for them.

Supermarket - I vote for Trader Joe's.

Traffic wise LA isn't too bad if you have flexibility of when you're travelling and definitely get to know side streets well if you don't. Either way, being stuck in traffic is nicer than being stuck in a tunnel on the tube during rush hour. As for the freeway, it's not scary you just need to drive differently to the UK. Don't wait for people to let you change lanes by indicating, they won't, in fact they'll go out of their way to stop you. Just check your blind spot and go. And avoid the 405 as much as possible.

Doubt that the OP will be concerned with these niceties 'n distinctions for awhile (maybe years - as he's just 24 and probably has different priorities and is into other things - in addition to the complete overhaul to his entire life)....but for what it's worth...
add "Whole Foods Market" to top of the list - and then top that off with the local weekly Farmers Market....and LIVE HEALTHY (healthily)!!!!
Only venture into the aisles of un-super Supermarkets for toilet paper and toothpaste (well that's my advice tho most will disagree)

Even more so the younger folk crave the goodies just a much if not more then us old farts

But organic broccoli, collard greens, sapotes, cheremoyas etc.........these ARE the goodies!
Aren't they?
Even Sasha and Melia would agree (I think?)

Sasha and Melia have a rich daddy lol they can eat what they like, and Whole Foods is super expensive, plus I am not into the organic style personally!!

Hmm possibly.. personally I'd rather spend my money on proper food than going out drinking!

Quite glad I've found this thread!

I am doing almost exactly the same as you - I'm 25 and moving to Los Angeles in 3-4 weeks on H1B - Speciality Occupation nonimmigrant visa. I had full approval at my interview this week and I am just waiting for the courier with my passport before I book my flight.

I have some extended family (aunt, uncle, cousins) in SoCal so I'm quite familiar with the area from various vacations throughout my life.

I am going with Chase for my regular bank account but I am keeping UK bank account for at least a year as my brother is subleasing my car in the UK and will need to pay me for it. I am also going to keep my UK Mastercard for when I need a credit card in the US.

What are you doing about buying / leasing a car in the USA? Because you have to drive everywhere, everyday, I think having a comfortable and reliable car is really important. Some automakers seem to have good programs for foreigners with no US credit. I am using Audi's Foreign Professional Program and will have a 2013 Q5 with 10 miles on the clock waiting for me at the dealer. I will be leasing for 36 months (don't see the point in buying new cars). I feel like a bit of nob getting an SUV just for myself but to be honest, when in Rome...

I am getting mobile phone through my employer as iPhone 5 contracts hard to get without any credit history. My new colleagues inform me that Sprint's service is rubbish and to go with AT&T or Verizon if you want an iPhone.

My new employer is being incredibly helpful with reference letters and has offered to act as guarantor on apartment rental. One realtor I spoke to was happy with that for a 12 month lease.

Good luck with your move and I'll probably see you in traffic on the 405!

How did you wrangle that, or was this a cap exempt position?

Look at www.latimes.com Loads of Info For you. Take Care.

No, I'm part of the 2012 cap. RFE in October but final approval Dec 31. We had a decent attorney and I fulfill all the criteria.

For future reference and for people's own sanity, Premium Processing is a must.

Good going

Just leave it open - downgrade it to a free account if it's currently a premium one. Apparently it's really hard to open a UK bank account if you don't have one already, so you want it left open if/when you go home.

I've heard you can without a history but usually with a hefty deposit, like $500. But via the employer sounds good. As to which service to go for, perhaps your colleagues would be willing to visit your new apartment with you to check the phone reception. There are stories on here of people having to go outside their apartment to find a signal!

Sounds like you've got a good employer. Good luck! Where are you going to be located? Out in Encino/Tarzana if your username is anything to go by?

Re: IPhone 5
Here's something to consider.....
If you buy one outright (unlocked) 16GB is $649 - yes very pricey - but:
You can then avail yourself of a no contract $45 per mo. unlimited plan offered by a company called "Straight Talk". They operate on both Verizon and ATT's cell phone towers - tho for the IPhone - with Straight Talk you are limited to ATT.
IF () ATT connectivity is good in those areas where you'll be using the phone most frequently - then it really works out as a great deal, despite the high initial outlay.
FWIW: Where I live - ATT is horrid

http://news.cnet.com/8300-5_3-0.html...d=StraightTalk

Hi bud and thanks for your advice, ill try and work through it.

As for a phone thats pretty much already set up through my work they are taking care of all that for me.
Ive already pretty much found somewhere to rent, landlord only asked to see a bank statement to prve that i had money in the account and proof of a job!

As for the car thats one area im a little stuck, maybe you could PM me details of this audi thing and how it allworks, maybe yor payments

Mark