Before I moved to Los Angeles last year I had never been here, not even to hang at LAX. So in the three months between being offered a job and turning up I read and spoke to everyone who had lived in or visited the City of Angels.
No amount of advice prepared me for my first freeway interchange. I thought I was going to die as I merged from the 10 west to the 405 south all I could see was a sea of traffic lights with six lanes of traffic and I confess I let out a shriek of terror….
So anyway this advice helped me in my first few weeks:
1. Start driving it is true LA is a car town so get behind the wheel. Mapquest everything (check the box to avoid highways).
2. Listen to KCRW radio station, it makes those miles you will drive so much easier and Nick Harcourt’s morning becomes eclectic is simply the best music selection I have ever heard. If you join the station they have great ticket give aways and local business discounts.
3. Set up a postal address (I used my work address) and start working on your credit history as soon as you can it seems to impact everything – including gas bills, leases and banking. The simplest way to get credit is to apply for an AMEX card in Australia before you leave then call AMEX as you arrive and they will issue you a US one. Also many newcomers swear by Macy’s store cards. They will give them to anyone (and there is a discount on the day you sign up, great for bedding, etc)
4. Sign up for a cell phone. The plans are pretty good, look for lots of minutes and texts included. Watch the rates to OZ. All the plans make you sign up for two years so also check the penalties for breaking a plan.
5. Sit for your driver’s license. Having a license gives you some US identification and significantly reduces your car insurance costs. The handbook has an introduction from our illustrious Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger which gave me a thrill during an otherwise totally uninspiring experience. Nothing like reliving the horror of a driving test in my 30’s.
Good luck!
Next – 5 tips for Finding a place to live.
4 responses so far ↓
Jaki // April 15, 2008 at 8:27 pm |
How did you find a job there while still in Australia? Or was it through your job while you lived here?
Lis in LA // April 17, 2008 at 6:13 pm |
I was relocated by an existing job initially. The second job I found was while I was in LA but still working with an Australian Company. Good luck
pauline // February 23, 2010 at 1:05 am |
how exactly did you go about setting up a banking account in the US from here? Which bank did you go with?
Lis in LA // February 23, 2010 at 7:16 pm |
Hi Pauline,
Thanks for your message – one of the co-writers (who nolonger blogs) wrote that entry but shall see if she can help anyway.
I would try Advance – which is an Australians abroad network in the meantime and also sites like Craigs list.
But will see what I can find out
Robyn