Name: Laure L Nationality: French Languages Spoken Fluently: French English Current Location: United States California Los Angeles Date Moved to this Location: September 2002 Other Countries Lived In: France Spain Maldives Type of Expat Woman: Professional Traveler

My name is Laure L.  I was born in Toulouse, France.  I am 30 years old and currently living in Los Angeles, California, where I relocated in September 2002. 

Previously, I did my share of traveling.  I lived for a year in Illinois as an exchange student. I did a 4-month internship with the United Nations in New York.  I did another internship (6 months) again with the UN in the Maldives.  I traveled extensively throughout Europe: Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Greece, London, as part of my family's life abroad.

Currently, I am working as a paralegal at a small law firm in Beverly Hills which specializes in Immigration law as well as Business law.  I have a Bachelor degree in International Law and a Masters degree in Political Science.

When I came to Southern California I was supposed to stay 18 months, but I met my significant other and decided to stay under a working visa. 

Right now, I am in the process of transitioning to a career as a professional organizer and am very excited about creating my own business.

If you ask me “What’s the best thing about living in Southern California?”  I would say the weather and the laid back attitude that comes with it.

http://clutterfreeliving.blogspot.com

1. If you are coming for work, plan carefully in which neighborhood you want to live in Los Angeles, as it is one of the largest cities in the world and you might end up living quite far from your job location. Commute times can sometimes be counted in hours.
   
   
2. Make arrangements to buy or rent a car (with a navigational system if you don’t have a good sense of direction) as soon as you arrive. Public transportation exists but can be a very frustrating way to travel in the area.
   
   
3. If you have not lived in the USA before, start building your “credit history” early on (get a credit card from a US bank and use it), as it will help when you want to rent an apartment or make any substantive purchase.
    
4. Stay open minded as Southern California is home to many different cultures. Learning some words of Spanish will not hurt either as Spanish speaking people counts for almost half of the population living in Los Angeles.
   
   
5. Enjoy the beautiful weather; invest in a pair of rollerblades, hiking shoes, or beach towel as Los Angeles offers a wide array of outdoor activities.

www.expatcontact.com/?id=8&ty=ci
http://french.meetup.com/63/
www.consulfrance-losangeles.org/
www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/reps/nameri/vusa/cgla.html
www.afdela.org/
www.losangelesaccueil.org/
www.westsiderentals.com/
www.at.la
www.la.com
www.dmv.ca.gov/
www.socialsecurity.gov/