The second largest city in the USA and well known for its celebrities, film industry & 284 days of sun a year, LA is a popular city for expats. There is a growing British community of over 200,000 expats in LA, along with many other nationalities including Latino, Chinese, Persian and Korean communities.
Expat lifestyle in LA can be anything you make it, the quality of life is high and with so many diverse and unique neighbourhoods, you’ll find one which fits you perfectly. LA itself is vast and comprised of a collection of neighbourhoods, smaller towns and cities.
If you’re relocating with the family Pasadena, Burbank and Sherman Oaks are some of the family-friendly neighbourhoods to consider. They offer charming houses, lots of family-friendly amenities, good schools and importantly are considered safe neighbourhoods.
If you want to make the most of the weather, then beachside living in Santa Monica or Venice Beach are perfect for expats. Santa Monica is an exclusive and sought-after place to live; it draws a diverse crowd of families, students and travellers alike. If you’re looking for a luxurious laidback lifestyle by the beach, this is the place for you. Beautiful beaches, upscale shopping, lots of fine dining restaurants and live music venues can be found. The nightlife is much more relaxed than in the city and most places don’t require a strict dress code.
Make the most of the LA sun and head to one of the exclusive rooftop bars to watch the sun go down. In West Hollywood, you can mingle with A-listers at the Skybar in the Mondrian Hotel. The bar is known to have one of the strictest bouncers in LA; to get in on a Friday or Saturday, unless you have connections, bottle service is usually required.
The High Rooftop Lounge in Venice is the only rooftop bar to take in views of the sun setting over the ocean in LA. Make a reservation to avoid disappointment as it gets very busy. If you want to mingle with LA’s trendiest clientele, the rooftop bar Broken Shaker in Downtown LA is essential. Enjoy views of Downtown, sip on Carrot Colada and taste their street-food inspired dishes.
If you’re after something a little more exclusive, descend underground and discover some of LA’s most mysterious bars. Secret entrances and being in the know are the only way to visit some of these joints. Speakeasies, bank vaults and an old power plant are just some of the insider locations you can enjoy a drink. A visit to The Croker Club is a must. The club is a 1920’s bank vault hidden in the basement of the Spring Arts Tower. Former safety deposit box rooms have been turned into 10 private VIP chambers, there’s a strict dress code and reservations are a must.
If you love live music make sure you visit The Mint or The Sayers Clubs and for the best comedy nights head to the Hollywood Improv Comedy Club.
If you’re moving to Los Angeles, you’ll find there is no end to sampling cuisine cooked by Michelin star chefs at one of their many restaurants, before heading out to enjoy the LA nightlife.
If you need any help moving to the USA, we can take the stress out of packing and shipping your belongings. Read our guide to get you started and check out our tips for finding accommodation in LA.