Meet Adrian Merritt from Portsmouth who moved to LA 10 years ago to pursue his wife!
Was there a particular reason you chose LA?
I was in Las Vegas on holiday with some friends when I met the most amazing and beautiful woman from L.A. We got chatting and exchanged phone numbers. We kept in contact from across the Atlantic until she made arrangements to come and visit me in Portsmouth. Well that started several years of back and forth trips for us both until we decided that I should move to the U.S. Well, that was ten years ago, I now have a fantastic wife and two lovely kids, Chloe, 9 and Max, 7. So you could say that it was circumstance that I ended up in L.A rather than me choosing L.A.
What do you miss most from home?
The usual things, Family, friends, pubs, watching Pompey lose on Saturday. I also miss things like a good ploughman’s lunch and putting my clothes out on the washing line. Why does no one use washing lines here? It’s 95 degrees and people are using dryers! Bonkers! This may also sound odd but I do miss the rain sometimes, not the smashing down hurts your face when it hits you rain but the shower that you get caught in walking home.
What was your first impression of LA and has it changed since?
I was completely starstruck with Los Angeles when I first moved here and to be honest I couldn’t quite believe where I was. You see it on films and TV growing up and then to be a resident was a bit strange. I couldn’t work for the first six months I was here while I was waiting for my green card so I would go for walks to explore my new neighborhood. My first impression was how all the houses, shops and streets looked the same, I found it difficult to tell them apart, everything is painted the same colour and on more then one occasion I got lost on my walks. I found the constant hot weather a struggle, too. However I’m used to those things now, I’m a firm believer in throwing yourself into whatever community you find yourself in. I love living in L.A.
What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus Portsmouth?
The traffic was also something that I had to get used to. In Portsmouth I didn’t own a car, I walked and got the train everywhere I needed to go, so sitting in L.A traffic for three hours to go 40 miles was a shock.
Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want to share with us?
We live close to a great Sushi restaurant called J Shushi and Raman at 18 Ranchio Camino Dr, Pomona. The owner and chef is a chap called Charlie who’s a great character and make great food.
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here?
Make sure you have some sort of health insurance in place. I have been here 10 years and the health care system still thoroughly confuses me! Also be prepared to be asked if you are Australian almost daily!
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?
What has helped me out a lot is something my wife gave told me, if you’re not sure how much money to tip in a restaurant just look at how much the tax was on your receipt and double it. That will be a fair tip for your server.
Lastly, how can we find out more about you ? Are you working on anything at the moment?
I’m a children and family magician who performs at schools, libraries, restaurants and birthday parties all over Southern California. I also perform for adult audiences and recently performed close up magic at the Mary Poppins Returns movie Premier (Ooooh, get me!). I would describe my show to fellow Brits as basically a sort of pantomine with magic, lots of interaction and fun! You can see more information about me at www.billybonkersmagic.com or on my instagram @billybonkersmagic. If you would like me at your event mention this article for a 15% “Brits in L.A” discount.
