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Settling in

Settling in Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, everything is decided at once: the school, the neighbourhood and the drive. Take the steps in order (everyone's status, Social Security number, bank, health insurance, California licence) and choose your home with the children's campus in mind. Here is what we would have liked to know before arriving, checked against official sources.

Verified on 31 October 2026

Arrival and first steps

Each family member has their own status, attached to the working parent's visa. Keep all entry documents at hand: you will be asked for them for the Social Security number, the driving licence and sometimes the school.

Good to know

  • The spouse and unmarried children under 21 of an employee transferred on an L-1 get L-2 status for the same period; since 30 January 2022, the L-2S spouse is authorised to work by virtue of that status, without a separate work permit. Source
  • The spouse of an H-1B employee gets an H-4 visa that does not allow work by default: a work permit (form I-765) is only possible if the H-1B holder has an approved I-140 petition or an extension beyond six years. Source
  • At each entry, customs records an electronic I-94 that sets each family member's authorised stay: download it for everyone as soon as you arrive. Source
  • The Los Angeles consulate general covers Southern California, southern Nevada, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico; it receives by appointment, Monday to Friday 8:30 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 16:30. For general questions, France Consulaire answers in French on +1 (310) 893-0920, from 6:00 to 14:00 Los Angeles time. Source
  • Registration with the French consular register is free, valid 5 years and done online on service-public.fr, with a French ID, a recent photo and proof of residence under a year old (lease, bill, California licence). It is required for school grants and makes every procedure easier. Source
  • Week 1, in order: I-94 records, Social Security appointment for whoever works, bank account, mobile plan, choice of the employer's health plan, car and car insurance, school enrolment, then the consular register.
  • Visiting grandparents travel visa-free for up to 90 days with an ESTA authorisation, applied for online before departure and paid, babies included. Source

Addresses

  • Consulat général de France à Los Angeles

    Consulate

    10390 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 410, Los Angeles, CA 90025

    On the edge of Century City. Metro buses 4 and 704 (Santa Monica / Beverly Glen stop), parking under the building or at Westfield Century City, a five-minute walk. Procedures by appointment.

    Website Source

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Housing and neighbourhoods

Here you do not pick a neighbourhood and then a school: you pick the campus, then look within twenty minutes' drive. French families therefore cluster around the Lycée Français in West LA and LILA's four campuses, from Los Feliz to Burbank, Pasadena and the Valley.

Good to know

  • LILA has three primary campuses (Los Feliz, Pasadena and West Valley in Tarzana) and a secondary campus in Burbank, where all pupils converge from 6th grade; the Lycée Français de Los Angeles is on Overland Avenue in West LA. Source
  • Since 1 July 2024, security deposits in California are capped at one month's rent, furnished or not; only small landlords (two properties and four units at most) may still ask for two months. Leases usually run for a year. Source
  • In the City of Los Angeles, homes built up to 1 October 1978 generally fall under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance: rent can only rise once a year, by a percentage set by the city, and grounds for eviction are limited. Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and Pasadena have their own rules. Source
  • Paperwork to prepare: US job offer or payslips, passports and visas, bank statements. Without a US credit history, expect to be asked for a guarantor or several months up front: negotiate with your employer's help.
  • Local traps: renters insurance does not cover earthquakes (the cover is bought separately, for instance from the California Earthquake Authority), and some hillside areas are in wildfire risk zones. Find your evacuation zone and sign up for county alerts as soon as you move in. Source
  • In public schools (LAUSD and neighbouring districts such as Santa Monica-Malibu, Culver City, Burbank or Pasadena), placement depends on your address: check the zoned school before signing a lease, as each city has its own district. Source

Addresses

  • West LA, Cheviot Hills et Palms

    Neighbourhood

    Around the Lycée Français (Overland Avenue): houses with gardens in Cheviot Hills and Rancho Park, more affordable flats in Palms, Century City and the consulate close by.

    Source

  • Santa Monica

    Neighbourhood

    The beach, bike paths, well-regarded public schools and the Metro E line to downtown; in high demand, and twenty minutes from the Lycée outside rush hour.

    Source

  • Culver City et Mar Vista

    Neighbourhood

    Small-town feel, its own school district and a short drive to the Lycée Français: a compromise West LA families like.

    Source

  • Los Feliz et Silver Lake

    Neighbourhood

    LILA's largest primary campus is in Los Feliz, at the foot of Griffith Park: lively areas, 1920s houses, cafés and markets.

    Source

  • Burbank et Toluca Lake

    Neighbourhood

    LILA's secondary school is in Burbank, near the studios: quiet streets, many parks and gentler prices than the Westside.

    Source

  • Pasadena et South Pasadena

    Neighbourhood

    LILA primary campus opposite Pasadena City College: a city in its own right, green, with museums, libraries and the New Year parade.

    Source

  • Tarzana, Encino et Sherman Oaks

    Neighbourhood

    In the San Fernando Valley, around LILA's West Valley campus in Tarzana: more space and gardens, but summers markedly hotter than on the coast.

    Source

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Phone and insurance

The phone can be activated on arrival, even before the Social Security number. On insurance, leave no gap in health cover: in California it is mandatory, as is car insurance.

Good to know

  • For your phone, an eSIM or prepaid card activates in minutes with a passport; contract plans often require a Social Security number and a credit check.
  • Since 1 January 2020, California requires residents to have health coverage for themselves, their spouse and their children, every month of the year, or pay a penalty on the state tax return; employer coverage meets this requirement. Source
  • Every car driven in California must be insured (liability at the legal minimum set by the DMV), and proof of insurance must be kept in the vehicle. Source
  • Renters insurance is not required by law but often by the lease; earthquake cover is not included and is bought separately. Source

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Banking and money

The checking account opens at a branch in the first days, with your passport. The real project is the credit score: without a US history it takes a few months to build. Day to day, everything is paid by card, and Zelle or Venmo are used between individuals.

Good to know

  • To open a checking account, a bank asks for government-issued photo ID (a passport works), a US address and a Social Security number (SSN) or an ITIN; many banks accept non-citizens with a foreign passport. Book a branch appointment: opening online often requires an SSN. Source
  • A spouse who is not eligible for an SSN applies for an ITIN, the IRS tax number, usually with the first joint tax return: some banks and card issuers also accept it. Source
  • Without a US credit history, start with a debit card and a secured credit card (backed by a deposit) or your bank's newcomer card, paid off in full every month: your credit score builds over a few months and will matter for housing, phone and car. Source
  • Until your local account is open, your French card works in shops and at ATMs (check foreign fees with your bank). Wise offers US residents an account and card for spending and converting several currencies, handy for the transition. Source
  • Day to day, everything is paid by card, credit first, then debit, often contactless or by phone; cash now accounts for only about one payment in seven according to the Federal Reserve. Still keep a few notes for tips and small shops. Source
  • Between individuals (babysitter, lessons, splitting costs), people use Zelle, built into most banks' apps (the standalone Zelle app closed in April 2025), and Venmo. Rent and school are paid by transfer, check or online portal: ask for a checkbook when you open the account. Source
  • To send or receive money with France, compare your bank's international wire with online transfer services such as Wise, which show the exchange rate applied before you send. Source
  • Keep your French account, useful for payments and trips back, but tell your bank you are leaving: a resident account has to become a non-resident account, and not every bank keeps clients settled outside Europe. Check with it before you leave. Source

Addresses

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Getting set up

Three IKEA stores serve the metro area (Burbank, Carson, Costa Mesa), and a car remains essential to get set up: big-box stores, shopping centres and a very active second-hand scene.

Addresses

  • IKEA Burbank

    Furniture and home

    600 South IKEA Way, Burbank, CA 91502

    The IKEA closest to central LA and the San Fernando Valley; delivery and assembly can be booked.

    Website Source

  • IKEA Carson

    Furniture and home

    20700 South Avalon Blvd, Carson, CA 90746

    Convenient from the South Bay, Torrance and Palos Verdes.

    Website Source

  • Target

    Supermarket

    Big-box store for home, children, groceries and first essentials.

    Website Source

  • Costco

    Supermarket

    Membership warehouse club: household linen, appliances, family bulk shopping.

    Website Source

  • Ralphs

    Supermarket

    Los Angeles' long-standing supermarket chain (Kroger group).

    Website Source

  • Trader Joe's

    Supermarket

    Neighbourhood own-brand grocery stores, with cheese and imported European products.

    Website Source

  • Monsieur Marcel Gourmet Market

    Supermarket

    6333 W 3rd St, Stall 150, Los Angeles, CA 90036

    French fine-food shop at the Original Farmers Market: cheese, charcuterie, imported products.

    Website Source

  • The Grove

    Shopping mall

    189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036

    Open-air shopping centre next to the Farmers Market, between Fairfax and Hancock Park.

    Website Source

  • Westfield Century City

    Shopping mall

    10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067

    Large Westside shopping centre near Beverly Hills.

    Website Source

  • Westfield Topanga

    Shopping mall

    6600 Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Canoga Park, CA 91303

    San Fernando Valley shopping centre in Woodland Hills.

    Website Source

  • Best Buy

    Appliances

    Appliances, electronics, adapters; delivery and installation of large appliances.

    Website Source

  • The Home Depot

    Appliances

    DIY and large appliances (washer, fridge), with delivery.

    Website Source

  • craigslist Los Angeles

    Second-hand

    The long-standing classifieds site: furniture, strollers, bikes. Meet sellers in a public place and never pay in advance.

    Website Source

  • Buy Nothing

    Second-hand

    Neighbourhood gifting groups, via the app or Facebook, where children's things are given away too.

    Website Source

Getting around with children

Los Angeles is lived by car: a family almost always has one, often two. The Metro works well for downtown, Santa Monica, Pasadena or Hollywood, and is free for pupils at participating schools.

Good to know

  • A Metro ride costs $1.75, with free transfers for two hours when you tap with a TAP card; fares are capped at $5 a day and $18 a week, and children under 6 ride free with a paying adult. Source
  • With GoPass, pupils at participating K-12 schools, including LAUSD, ride Metro for free: ask the school for the card. Source
  • Pushchairs: every rail station has a ramp, walkway or lift to the platform, and if the lift is out of service, a bus takes you to the next station for free. Source
  • Licence: California does not exchange French licences. Once you are a resident and drive, you need a California licence, obtained with a knowledge test and, for a foreign licence, a driving test. Source
  • Car seats: children under 2 ride rear-facing (unless 40 pounds or 40 inches or more), and until 8 in a car seat or booster, in the back. Source
  • A car registered outside California must be re-registered within 20 days of becoming a resident. Source

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Admin and taxes

Two numbers matter: the Social Security number (SSN) for whoever works, and the ITIN for other family members. Taxes are filed twice, federal and California.

Good to know

  • The Social Security number is requested from the Social Security Administration with passport, visa, I-94 record and proof of work authorisation; it is in principle reserved for people authorised to work. Source
  • A spouse or child not eligible for an SSN but who must appear on the tax return applies for an ITIN from the IRS with form W-7, attached to the return. Source
  • The federal return is due by 15 April for the previous year; a six-month extension exists for filing, not for paying. California has its own income tax, filed with the Franchise Tax Board, where you also tick the box for the whole family's health coverage. Source
  • A tax treaty between France and the US avoids double taxation; the consulate does not deal with tax matters. Source
  • What the Los Angeles consulate does: passports and ID cards, register, elections, civil status (birth declaration within 30 days or transcription of the US certificate), means-tested social aid and AEFE school grants, filed on SCOLAIDE with an interview at the consulate for a first application at LILA or the Lycée Français. Source
  • What it does not do: US visas, legal advice, paying medical or repatriation costs. Its emergency line, +1 (310) 625-9713, is reserved for serious situations (accident, death, arrest, child in danger). Source

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Budget: what changes

Housing, private school, childcare and healthcare weigh heavily; culture, on the other hand, can be surprisingly free.

Good to know

  • Housing: much more expensive than in France, often double Paris for a comparable size on the Westside, a little less in the Valley or Pasadena.
  • Car: a budget line of its own, with purchase or lease, mandatory insurance, petrol pricier than elsewhere in the US and paid parking.
  • Health: the monthly premium is only part of the cost; count the deductible, copays and out-of-pocket maximum, and stay in network. Source
  • Childcare and school: nurseries and nannies are very expensive before 3; public school is free, French and private schools are costly, see our school fees page.
  • Culture: comparable or cheaper, as many major venues are free, such as the Getty Center (by reservation), The Broad or Griffith Observatory, and the Natural History Museum is free for county residents on weekdays from 3 to 5 pm. Source
  • Groceries and restaurants: pricier than in France, sales tax is added at the till and an 18 to 20% tip is standard in restaurants; farmers' markets and big stores in the Valley help.

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A place has closed, something has changed? Tell us: the mums of Los Angeles will thank you.

Sources for this page

The public pages these landmarks come from. The official website always prevails.

  1. 1 Consulat général de France à Los Angeles
  2. 2 USCIS, statuts L-2 et H-4
  3. 3 Los Angeles Housing Department, Rent Stabilization Ordinance
  4. 4 California Franchise Tax Board, obligation d'assurance santé
  5. 5 LA Metro, tarifs
  6. 6 California DMV, permis de conduire
  7. 7 IRS, ITIN et calendrier fiscal
  8. 8 FDIC, ouvrir un compte bancaire aux États-Unis

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