Should i relocate from suburban London - Southern California? (Los Angeles: apartments, houses)

[uk-mike]

Though violent crime has risen in the UK recently, I don’t think we can compare it (YET) to the US. Though firearms are common, ammunition is not. Its mostly home made, inaccurate and lacking in power. You cannot (yet), buy it cheaply in Wal-Mart (ASDA) unlike off the shelf in L.A. (together with the firearm if required).

As for Brits moving into the US in droves, how can this be happening?
Have the US now got an open door policy to Brits. I know many nurses who are welcomed with open arms. But generally we are discriminated against (the green card lottery excludes Brits, unless it’s recently changed?)

Do I stand any chance of getting in?
I'm a CSI with a quarter of a century experience.

[jessemh431]

Originally Posted by uk-mike

Though violent crime has risen in the UK recently, I don’t think we can compare it (YET) to the US. Though firearms are common, ammunition is not. Its mostly home made, inaccurate and lacking in power. You cannot (yet), buy it cheaply in Wal-Mart (ASDA) unlike off the shelf in L.A. (together with the firearm if required).

As for Brits moving into the US in droves, how can this be happening?
Have the US now got an open door policy to Brits. I know many nurses who are welcomed with open arms. But generally we are discriminated against (the green card lottery excludes Brits, unless it’s recently changed?)

Do I stand any chance of getting in?
I'm a CSI with a quarter of a century experience.

since ur a CSI, you would find a lot of work in florida, nevada, and missouri. nevada is the most dangerous state in the country, mainly because of las vegas, and, surprisingly, reno is a VERY dangerous city. florida, mainly miami, orlando, and tampa are very scary places to live especially if you're not filthy rich. at least in parts of CA you can be middle class and be safe. missouri is unsafe b/c of st. louis. oh yeah. also, arizona and new mexico have high crime rates, mainly b/c they are growing too fast. i dont know how the raffle works though. maybe it doesnt matter what occupation you're in

[mrbathman]

We are leaving the UK to live in Poway in April this year. It is a bit scary as we haven't been there in many years. We have friends in Poway. The UK has really changed and there are a lot more gangs than people realise although they may be smaller in number they are particularly dangerous in that 15 and 16 year olds are killing other kids in record numbers and young people are killing older people at random. But thats not the main problem here. The worst problem is the open door immigration polices that are crippling the economy and the constant taxation which has reached 50% for small business owners. We are being driven out of business. This is a beautiful country. Liberalism, Socialism, and a Godless society have taken their toll on this once gentle land. Its people afraid to stand up, apathetic and confused have let the bats into the belfry. And a once great nation whose prime minister only this week signed away its future to the European Union without the promised referrendum, has taken a final step to the destruction of a once great nation. The liberalisation of the USA will lead to similar problems. So be careful! Yes we are leaving in droves. Will the last Englishman to leave England please turn out the lights? I am sad to leave this green and pleasant countryside, but the beautiful sunshine of Southern California and its friendly happy people will I am sure be some compensation........Thanks for reading!

[uk2nc]

Igrew up in a council estate in London and we had a lot of people that the council put as our neighbours to try and get them to change their lifestyles - drugs, wife beating, etc.
I was lucky as my estate was a more upmarket kind of place but the Arndale Centre near me was horrific. Terrifying to walk through and it did not matter day or night. The stench of trash and people throwing up, etc, etc.
Still, I loved growing up in London and did feel safe.
Different story now - I go home to visit my family and I hate London. It is dirty, crime ridden and just generally a hell hole. I still love the history there but it is not the same London that I grew up in.
Even now my parents moved out of London, I witnessed a gang of thugs beating up a man and then jumping on cars and smashing their windows, etc. People just stood and watched and nobody did a thing. I went running to the nearest Security Guard and he just mumbled something about phoning the police. I found out later the police did come, the man was taken to hospital and needed stitches, etc. They caught a couple of these thugs who were well known in the area. This was in a seaside (beach ) town and in the height of Summer.
My brother used to live in Brixton and would often look out his window to see drug deals, people stealing cars, people getting robbed, etc.
We are facing a problem with this all over the world it would seem.
I wish there could be a solution and fast.

[croydon lewi]

you UK folks have to be kidding me[/quote]
nah were serious, london is worse than nottingham and manchester for gangs, a lot worse,
in 2004 nottingham and manchester was the worst, rite now in 2008 london tops the headlines everyday, london has got a lot worse, maybye no where near as bad as l.a thogh but i did hear that youre more likely to get attacked in london than in new york.

[vincero]

Originally Posted by jessemh431

since ur a CSI, you would find a lot of work in florida, nevada, and missouri. nevada is the most dangerous state in the country, mainly because of las vegas, and, surprisingly, reno is a VERY dangerous city. florida, mainly miami, orlando, and tampa are very scary places to live especially if you're not filthy rich. at least in parts of CA you can be middle class and be safe. missouri is unsafe b/c of st. louis. oh yeah. also, arizona and new mexico have high crime rates, mainly b/c they are growing too fast. i dont know how the raffle works though. maybe it doesnt matter what occupation you're in

Jessemh, that is a load of rubbish. I live in Orlando, I'm not filthy rich (far from it) and I'm perfectly safe. I've lived in my house in Seminole County for seven years, without so much as a minor scare. My brother lives in St. Louis, which is a beautiful, historic city. I visited him last summer, we went all over, had a great time, no problems.

I'm wondering how so many Brits think they are just moving here, as well. My stepson is English, is here on a student visa, applied for a green card, has been waiting six years for it, and still doesn't have it. His line moves like molasses and stops dead for months on end.

[talktobrent]

I'm so sick of people playing up the violence factor in american cities. The reality is, the vast majority of murders involves drugs/gangs and the conflicts that ensue from them. Random violence to innocent bystanders does happen, but it is very rare. The reason people get scared is because when innocent people get attacked, it's all over the news, as it should be. It is not the norm. Innocent people do not walk around in fear here.

[katenik]

listen to brent!

[mading6]

From what you stated hell yeah you need a change. MOve. Do it. You will love Southern California it is sooooo beautiful. I mean it is lovely. I love the weather. Perfect. You should come visit first. Now remember nothing is absolut perfection. But here we have mountains, oceans, city. Love it.

Come take a trip and visit.

[premier soccer fan]

Unemployment is 10% and rising in Los Angeles. More budget cuts are on their way. Instead of getting a refund of the taxes that we over-paid to the State of California, we're now going to get IOUs. Traffic is bad, housing is expensive, gas is higher here than in most other states in the U.S.

I know that's pretty much the same story (unemployment & fiscal insecurity) but if you aren't positive you'll have a job (and be able to escape any downsizing or corporate cuts) then now is not the time, in my opinion, to come to California for anything more than a sweet (awesome) vacation.

Just one soccer fan's opinion....

Stay safe.