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| I moved from the UK to Los Angeles and encountered lots of surprises. Jess Esa |
Though I’ve lived in cities across the globe, nothing could have prepared me for the cultural shift that came with trading the UK for Los Angeles.
Back in 2023, I left behind the sheep-dotted hills of Wales and the hustle of London life for palm trees, sunshine, and a new chapter in Southern California. It wasn’t a career move or a whim that brought me here it was love. I first visited LA in 2020, met a local, fell for them, and after a few years of long-distance romance, we got married. That relationship eventually became my path to becoming a resident of the City of Angels.
Even after living abroad in places like South Korea and China, I can honestly say no relocation has tested my adaptability quite like this one.
Here are the biggest surprises both good and bad that I’ve encountered since swapping the UK for LA life.
Friendships in LA Don’t Happen by Accident
In Los Angeles, I've found forming genuine friendships to be significantly harder than it was in the UK. Early in almost every conversation, people ask what part of the city I live in and, more often than not, that answer dictates whether we’ll ever meet up again.
With LA’s notorious traffic, driving from one side of the city to the other can take more than an hour. That means a meet-up often requires careful scheduling, a willingness to brave gridlock, and sometimes a Plan B.
In London, it was a different story. Even when my friends lived in different boroughs or even different towns the excellent train and Tube systems made it quick and easy to get together. Distance rarely hindered the development or maintenance of friendships.
But in LA, geography can become a social barrier.
LA’s Theater Scene Is Gritty, Bold, and Surprisingly Refreshing
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| I've found that magic shows are popular in Los Angeles. Jess Esa |
Coming from a country steeped in theater tradition from Shakespeare to the West End I was skeptical about LA’s stage scene, especially in a city best known for Hollywood.
But I’ve been pleasantly surprised.
Whereas London’s theater scene often leans toward polished, professional productions in big venues, LA thrives on quirky, low-budget, experimental performances. Small black-box theaters, comedy clubs, magic venues, and even living room shows all contribute to a vibrant, grassroots culture.
Clown comedy and experimental performance art are everywhere, often produced on shoestring budgets but with no shortage of creativity or boldness.
If the UK’s theater scene is refined and structured, LA’s is wild and unpredictable and it’s shifted how I view performance art.
LA’s Mexican Food Is on a Whole Different Level
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| There's lots of Mexican-inspired cuisine in LA. The Photo Pot/Shutterstock |
While LA is often associated with green juice, wellness trends, and plant-based menus, one of the first things that stood out to me here was the depth and quality of Mexican cuisine.
Back in the UK, my experience with Mexican food was limited to pub-style nachos or overpriced tacos that rarely lived up to their name.
In Los Angeles, though, authentic Mexican food is everywhere. From taco trucks and street stands to family-run taquerias, flavorful dishes like tamales, mole, and chilaquiles are not just common they’re part of daily life. According to Pew Research, LA County has the highest number of Mexican restaurants in the US and my tastebuds are grateful.
Before I moved, I hadn’t even tried a burrito. Now I can’t imagine life without one.
LA’s Hustle Culture Is Both Inspiring and Exhausting
Perhaps the most striking cultural difference I’ve experienced is LA’s relentless hustle mentality.
Here, ambition is worn on your sleeve and sometimes even on your LinkedIn before it's realized. I've met countless people who identify as writers, actors, or directors, even if those roles are pursued after hours or between shifts. In LA, it’s about what you're aiming for, not just what you're currently doing.
Networking is constant. Self-promotion is second nature. There’s always a side project in motion or a pitch being prepared.
And while that level of drive can be incredibly motivating, it also comes with pressure. In the UK, that kind of overt ambition is often seen as boastful or over-the-top. Here, it’s expected.
I've had to find my own rhythm between the laid-back modesty I grew up with and the high-energy career-chasing culture that defines so much of LA.
Moving to LA has been a whirlwind of cultural adjustments, from traffic-induced social silos to unexpectedly inspiring performance spaces. I’ve eaten foods I never knew existed, witnessed levels of ambition I’d only seen on TV, and found beauty in LA’s messy, vibrant, and creative corners.
But most of all, I’ve learned that even when you cross oceans for love, the biggest transformation often happens within you.
