Meet Cat Austin from Montebello, California.
Most of our members are not from LA, and have moved here from overseas. Have you ever considered moving to another country? If so, which one?
I have never travelled outside the U.S. but I have fantasized about living in England since I was in high school. I love all things English and one day I hope to actually visit and experience it for myself.
Seeing as you live here what drew you to becoming part of the Brits in LA community?
I am a big fan of Doctor Who and with that have been able to meet many Brits. It’s great to learn more about all things British when you surround yourself with people from there. They have introduced me to many amazing things including shows, food, and always teaching me things. I hope I can offer the same back!
What do you think you would miss most about Los Angeles if you did choose to live somewhere else?
Probably just family and friends. Having lived here most of my life I have already done almost all of it. One of my favorite things is just going to a beach toward the end of the day and enjoying the sunset. Pacific Ocean is beautiful so I would miss that a lot.
What do you find is the biggest misconception LA?
That all we do is club and go out every night. Many of us do like to go out and party but we also have jobs and need to make ends meet. LA is so diverse that other misconceptions are too many to list. I love talking to people with questions about LA and Southern California because there are so many things to do and see!
What one thing would you change about Los Angeles?
Traffic. That more people should be allowed to work from home so ease a lot of the traffic. We have seen it already with the Covid crisis and hopefully it will stick with many employers. Also it would help cut back the smog. LA is definitely known for smog and traffic.
Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want to share with us?
There are some great places you can just sit and enjoy the view and one place many forget about it the Griffith Observatory. There is also lots of area up there to just walk around. But the other fun thing about LA is all the interestingly different restaurants. They do have some turn over but it’s fun to find the new ones and check them out. I am hearing about a couple places that are on rooftops and I am planning on checking them out as soon as I can. LA is also one of those places you can find foods of almost any culture. Speaking of culture… did you know you can go to a PowWow and spend the day with American Indians and actually experience their culture?
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here?
Location is important depending on your plans or job. LA is a big place. We all do a lot of driving out here in LA and it can restrict you. Network with friends that are here.
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?
Everyone here needs a car. We really don’t have great public transportation yet. And what we do have can be dangerous if you don’t know where you are going or the area. I worry about people that move here not knowing some of the areas that can be dangerous and accidentally getting off the freeway and ending up somewhere not great. I personally love giving people personal tours and showing them the lay of the land.
Lastly, how can we find out more about you? Are you working on anything at the moment?
I love to sew and make and create so my little side hustle is making pillows and other items like tote bags, cloth coasters, and other fun useful things. I really enjoy doing custom work for people where I can create something unique. One of my specialties is turning a t-shirt into a quilted pillow! Check out my webpage: www.pillowsbycat.com
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