Meet Valerie Byron from Sale, Cheshire, who moved to LA in 1969.
Was there a particular reason you chose LA?
My mother had come to Los Angeles in 1968 at the urging of her family, and I joined her the following year. I left my brother and lots of relatives behind. Actually I came to the United States twice. The first time was when I was 12 years old and we stayed here for almost five years.
What was our first impression of Los Angeles – and has it changed?
I thought California was a paradise and loved everything about it. When I immigrated for the second time at age 26, I still loved Los Angeles and after forty nine years of living here, near the beach, I would not trade it for anything.
What do you miss most from home?
My family, my friends and the British sense of humor.
What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus Cheshire?
Outdoor living and fabulous weather is the biggest difference for me. The cold North of England in my day was brutal. We didn’t have central heating in the homes then, and suffered with a freezing climate.
Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want to share with us?
I am a beach baby. I rarely venture from the South Bay and adore driving down to the ocean and visiting the Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes. The views are stunning and it has a feel of Hawaii about it.
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here?
If you can get here legally, pack your bags and don’t look back. I only visit England to see relatives and, to be honest, I kiss the ground when I return to the USA. England’s green and pleasant land is not the same to me as it was when I left for the second time in 1969. It has changed enormously in so many ways that I would not want to live there now. Be prepared to embrace this country and assimilate if you really want to be a part of it.
Lots of our members join our group Brits in LA seeking out words of wisdom – what is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
England and America are different in many ways. There is good and bad in each country. Try not to have a superior attitude – “Well, England is better because of …” I used to do that all the time, and it is pointless. If you choose to live here, accept this land with all its beauty and ugliness. Americans are usually generous, open and friendly – willing to accept Brits with open arms.
How can we find out more about you – are you working on anything right now?
I am now 76 years old and retired from a very interesting set of jobs. I worked for Granada Television in Manchester in the 1960s for the Head of Light Entertainment, Johnnie Hamp. He put the Beatles on TV for the first time and discovered basically every pop star of the era. They were exciting times. When I arrived in California, I worked for Universal Studios, and then for a top talent agency, ICM. I mingled with the clients – Raquel Welch, Natalie Wood, Warren Beatty, to name but a few. I then went on to work for a movie producer until being a mother of two took priority. In 2010 I decided to write my memoirs, No Ordinary Woman, which was accepted by a British publishing house. I went on to write a book of short stories, a novel, and two children’s books, all of which can be found on Amazon.com. My daughter had a set of twins when she was 44 years old – and I am their full-time caregiver, while she works. They are two years old and keep me on my toes. Life has been so good to me here in California. I would not wish to live anywhere else.
