Meet Darren Darnborough from London who moved to LA 7 years ago to pursue…. life.
Was there a particular reason you chose LA?
I was getting bored and stagnant in the UK and knew I wanted to make a drastic move. LA was a sensible choice as I was working as an actor at the time, plus have a film degree, but the actual inspiration started after going to a seminar on a rainy night in London with LA-based Brit Casting Director Zora DeHorter. Two pints, total downpour, and a chat with two equally frustrated friends later, we decided to call a random immigration lawyer’s advert that we’d clipped out and set the ball rolling.
What one thing do you miss from home?
Windowsills. Which is a microcosm of the lack of architectural, design and culture sometimes in LA. Have a look. There aren’t many windowsills. And don’t even get me started on cheap plastic light switches and plug sockets in million dollar homes.
What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus the UK?
It moves quicker. People are more instantaneous. Socially and in business things accelerate.
And people on the whole are friendlier. Some say it’s hard to make good friends here, which may be true, but when I walk down the street, people make eye contact and say hello. When I sit at a bar, someone strikes up a conversation. When I wait in the restroom…argh… toilet line, I meet Craig Robert Young.
Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want to share with us?
One of my favorite quick escapes is Castaic Lake, just up the 5 freeway by Magic Mountain. Rent out a cheap simple boat, get out on the lake and appreciate the country and the weather.
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here?
Give it a chance, and move for the right reasons. You’ve got to love living here. If you miss home too much or are only here for work and don’t make an effort to embrace it, you won’t like it and it won’t like you. Save up or set up some sort of residual income stream first. The move will be tough on your wallet, and you’ll want to enjoy yourself to get involved, not bootstrap. Find your groove. It don’t happen overnight. Get a good lawyer. Gil Brito of BeltranBrito.com is your man.
Lastly , how can we find you on the Internet?
Website: www.DarrenD.co.uk
Twitter: @darrendarnboro
Articles: In British Weekly, BBC America’s Mind The Gap, JetsetExtra, 72m Magazine, FVM Global
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