This week’s Meet a Member is Laura McCaul who lives in Oxford, U.K.
Seeing as you don’t live in Los Angeles how did you end up joining Brits in LA?
I actually lived in Los Angeles for just over six years and only moved back to the UK in the summer. I joined Brits in LA sometime during my first year there.
What were your first impressions of LA?
When I first visited L.A., my immediate impression could be summed up as follows: sunshine, palm trees and traffic! And while they’re all permanent fixtures, all I can say is living in L.A. and visiting L.A. are two entirely different experiences (unless you are visiting friends who can show you around). It can be a little overwhelming at first due to the sheer size and vastness of the city, but if you take the time to explore it as well as really get to know your neighborhood, there is so much more to the city than you think. For example, one of the things I miss the most is hiking in the canyons; now if you didn’t know L.A., that’s probably not something you would associate with it.
Do you think you could ever move back to LA? If not, what keeps you in Oxford?
To be honest, I don’t think I see myself moving back to L.A. but I do plan to visit on a regular basis. In fact, I’ve been back to visit already! I’m fortunate that my business allows me to work from anywhere so I plan on taking full advantage of that. I have some good friends in L.A. and it’s very much a home from home for me. And there’s definitely an energy and vibrancy to the city that I haven’t experienced anywhere else.
Do you have a hidden gem in Oxford that you want to share with us?
The Turf Tavern. It literally is a “hidden” gem! It’s an historic pub, popular with students, and is hidden down a narrow cobbled street. You have to seek it out, and most people walk right past it the first time around but it’s worth it. They have a great selection of ales.
Why would you recommend other overseas readers joining Brits in LA?
Even though I’ve experienced the benefits of being a local member in L.A., you would be surprised at the contacts you can make and the opportunities that present themselves by being connected to other BLA members. The world is a surprisingly small place!
We hear you have been working on an exciting project. Care to tell us more about it?
I’m creating my own range of gardening tools and accessories. I have a background in landscape design and before that a corporate career in sales and marketing, so when the opportunity presented itself, it seemed like a good fit. I’ve just launched my first product on amazon.com, a water-saving garden hose nozzle. I have more products planned for release in 2016.
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?
Give it time. Almost everyone I’ve met has said it took them a year or two to fully settle in LA. And that was certainly true in my case. But it’s worth it. Joining Brits in LA will help and was one of the best decisions I made during my time there. It’s a great community and resource that will make your move and transition a little easier. And you’ll get to meet new people, form friendships and have fun along the way.
Lastly, how can we find you on the Internet?
Twitter: @HouseAndHort
