You're not alone here
Los Angeles County is home to people from more than 140 countries, and over a third of its residents were born abroad. Whatever language you speak at home, whatever you're missing from back home — a market, a temple or mosque, a weekend school for your kids, a festival — chances are it's here, often closer than you think. This guide helps with the practical setup and the part everyone really wants: enjoying the place while you're here.
First, settle in
One thing at a time. Start at the top and work down — you don't have to do it all in week one.
Find your community
Feeling at home is half the battle. Find the neighborhoods, markets, places of worship and festivals of communities from around the world.
Now go enjoy it
This is the fun part — and the reason YourSoCal exists. Here's where to start exploring, near wherever you land.
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Frequently asked questions
I'm only in Southern California for a year or two — is this guide still for me?
Absolutely — it's written for you. Most newcomer advice online assumes you're buying a house and staying forever. This is the opposite: it's for renters here on a 1–2 year work assignment, a postdoc or a study program who want to set up the essentials quickly and spend the rest of their time actually enjoying SoCal.
I just arrived and don't have a Social Security Number yet. Can I still open a bank account and get a phone?
Yes. Major US banks open accounts for newcomers using a passport and (often) an ITIN instead of an SSN, and most phone carriers offer prepaid plans that need no credit history. See our Banking & Credit guide for the details.
Do I need a car to live in Southern California?
Eventually most residents get one, but you don't need it on day one. LA Metro, the OC and San Diego transit systems, plus rideshare, cover a lot — and several neighborhoods are genuinely walkable. Our 'Explore Without a Car' guide shows how to get out and about while you settle.
How do I meet people and find my community here?
Southern California is one of the most international places on earth — Los Angeles County alone is over a third foreign-born. Our International Communities guides point you to the neighborhoods, markets, places of worship, cultural centers and heritage-language schools where families from around the world find their people, plus a calendar of cultural festivals like Lunar New Year, Diwali and Nowruz.