This week’s member is Steven Donaldson from Manchester, who moved to LA 35 years ago, initially to pursue a writing career and who just last week finished his first children’s book, The Adventures of Bobby the Big Red Bus.
Tell us why you chose to live in Los Angeles
I lived in San Francisco at first but could not find any palm trees, sandy beaches or Hollywood movie stars, so I quickly moved to LA where such things were plentiful. It proved to be the perfect move as there is always plenty of fun in the sun. Firstly, I was publisher of an ex-pat newspaper called The British Observer for five years and later I launched a Hollywood tour bus company.
What do you miss most about home?
The witty and sarcastic people that we call our friends back home and of course the pubs.
What was your first impression of LA – and has it changed since?
The size and vastness of LA with its 88 cities and vastly different ethnic cultures from East Los Angeles to Beverly Hills makes LA the greatest city in America. I came to LA in 86 and it has changed and not for the better, but as the song goes “I Love LA”.
What do you think is the biggest difference to LA and Manchester? The main difference is the bright blue sky and the energy of a dynamic city, where anything is possible. Manchester has grey skies but is still a dynamic city itself.
Do you have a hidden gem you would care to share with us?
Yes, a hidden gem is the Brits in LA Trivia Night with Sandro Monetti at the Market Tavern in the Original Farmer’s Market. It’s a great place to see friends each week, have a laugh and a good time and see how little I know when it comes to trivia!
What would you suggest to others thinking of making the move here?
Los Angeles is the city where dreams can come true. But success does not come easy here. Be prepared to work hard and compete with hundreds of thousands of other people who also want their dreams to come true! Speaking of which it took me years to formulate a children’s book but now it is a reality.
Lots of our members join Brits in LA seeking words of wisdom. What is the best advice you have ever been given?
You find out who your real friends are when you really need help or money
Lastly, how can we find out more about you? Are you working on anything at the moment?
As the owner of The Big Red Bus Company in Hollywood I am involved in the LA tourist business. Having been running double decker buses since 2006 and seeing the happiness they bring to the people of Los Angeles, especially the children, I decided to write a children’s book for 2-5 year-olds set in a factory in London that makes double deckers. The first book in the series is now available and makes a great gift for birthdays or any time of the year. It is available on Amazon UK and UK and is titled: The Adventures of Bobby The Big Red Bus. Email thebigredbusone@yahoo.com
