Englishman - Feeling like the littlest hobo is California the answer? (Berkeley: home, neighborhoods)

[Petemon]

Hey all,

I'm originally from the UK and moved to Boston in November, I SO wasn't prepared for the weather and lack of night life.

In Boston it's half empty bars until they close at 2am. Coming from London where I could go to a trendy bar, an 80s night club or a rock / metal club it's a massive let down.

I'm lucky in that I can work pretty much anywhere as I have to fly to clients across the US.

As a massive movie fan, someone who's never had decent weather (UK really is that bad) and who loves rock and metal music I get the feeling LA could be the place for me. I was thinking somewhere near or on the beach around Santa Monica.

Does anyone have an opinion of if LA is a good fit or should somewhere else in California, I like San Fran but it seems a bit small after London and the weather is a bit like a warm UK (foggy).

Any advice would really be appreciated!

Thanks

Pete

[Snort]

Santa Monica would probably be your place.

[zlm837]

Hey Pete!
I'm a little surprised about Boston, I have been there and have friends there, I had fun, but then again I'm not a big partier.

I lived in L.A and you would probably find yourself in good company with fellow Brits, one of my friends is from England and lives in Santa Monica, she absolutely LOVES it. She refuses to leave.

I'm a "Massive" movie fan also, have you seen Avatar? One word... Awesome!! I like the movie theaters in the U.S better than the ones in London, better popcorn, screens and sound systems.

Anyways, getting back to helping you. lol

Snort was right, you would probably love Santa Monica, but, it's super crowded and can be super expensive for a nice place to live. Venice is a good choice also, it is Santa Monica's more "hippy" sister right on the ocean.

If you don't mind being a a few minutes from the Ocean, try West Hollywood (large gay population) but it's trendy, lots of stuff to do, it's fab, fab, FAB! West L.A has a lot of nightlife, and don't forget Hollywood ofcourse, if you have the money go for the Hollywood Hills, super ritzy but party like a rock star;-)

Cheers!

Sandra

[Curmudgeon]

This should make you feel at home in Santa Monica: Ye Olde King’s Head British Santa Monica Pub

It's probably a better fit than all those Irish pubs in Boston!

[Petemon]

Thanks all for the replies.

Sandra, Yes I loved Avatar, as a child I watched Aliens 57 times so I'm a bit James Cameron fan, worrying I know!

The cinema's in Boston arn't really that great, The Regal is nice but doesn't show all the new releases. The other main cinema... well I saw Cop Out yesterday and something with a large pink tail walked down the steps as I was watching the movie. I reported it to the staff who didn't really seem too bothered!

Curmudgeon, love the English pub, I do miss English Bacon and baked beans!

I felt quite at home last year around Venice, it reminds me of London's Camden but with sunshine and a beach, so I think that might be a winner!

Pete

[slo1318]

If you like that massive city feel, then in the US, its pretty much NYC or LA, and if you want very nice weather then its LA. Plenty of UK expats, Morrissey one of the more famous, course he's no metal head. LA has a huge music scene, and of course any band on tour will play LA.
I wouldnt totally discount SF either, although the city of SF is only 750,000 and has cool weather, the metro area is 6.5 million and has many micro-climates within and to rival Venice, SF has many quirky neighborhoods like that as well as Berkeley across the bay....