Around 60,000 Australians live in California, and 45,000 of them are based in Los Angeles. It's a desirable destination due to the warm climate, sandy beaches and most importantly, a fruitful job market.
From the restaurant industry to technology, it's easy to find an Aussie.
Nick Stone made the move from Melbourne to the United States 10 years ago. He saw a gap in the market for good coffee, so he decided to open a shop, and it started as more of a hobby.
But Bluestone Lane expanded so quickly that Mr Stone quickly went full-time. He now has 55 locations in eight markets. The company was projected to reach a turnover of $US60 million ($A90 million) this year.
That was until coronavirus hit. Nothing prepared Mr Stone for the crash in business. “I’ve heard a few comments that you need to save for a rainy day. Well this wasn’t a rainy day, this was like the most tropical monsoon you’ve ever experienced," he said.
Years of hard work disappeared in days and his revenue nosedived 90 per cent. He decided that he needed to put his business and resources to good use.
Nick Stone's cafe business Bluestone Lane has delivered over 45,000 coffees to over 28 hospitals across the US. Source: Duncan McKenzie-McHarg
“We realised that we had to do our bit for the community and a huge part of that was supporting those who are the most exposed," Mr Stone said.
"And also those who provide us with the most hope and that was without a doubt first responders and what we call our healthcare heroes”.
Bluestone Lane has now delivered over 45,000 coffees to over 28 hospitals across the country - including Elmhurst Hospital in New York City - ground zero for coronavirus in the US.
Mr Stone feels that despite his loss of business, there have been positives the last two months.
“It was easy to focus on everything that was not working," he said. "But once we launched Fuel For Heroes and we saw the feedback and we received messages and videos and photos being tagged on Instagram, it gave us enormous encouragement that the work we’re doing is being well-received”.
Arts at a standstill
Perhaps the biggest draw of Los Angeles is the Hollywood movie industry. Actors from all over the world arrive in the city hoping to make it big.
Former Neighbours star Yasmin Kassim transitioned from Australian soap operas to movies and says LA offered her far more opportunities as a diverse talent.
Growing up, she wished she could have seen more faces like hers on the screen, and in LA there seemed to be a bigger market for non-white actors. Ms Kassim starred in the film Jungle with Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe.
But like so many industries, coronavirus has brought the arts to a standstill.
Former Neighbours star Yasmin Kassim says LA offered her far more opportunities as a diverse talent. Source: Duncan McKenzie-McHarg
"Life has changed for me like everyone in the arts... Where you have to work in close proximity, we can't go to work”.
Ms Kassim says she is uncertain about what the future might hold, but remains optimistic.
She describes the unknown as scary, but says what she does know, is that everyone will always need art. “Artists will always create”.
For now, she is keeping busy and keeping her followers happy by posting fun comedy videos on social media.
It’s not just blockbuster movies that are California’s claim to fame; the state is the largest economy in the US. In fact, it's the fifth largest economy in the world ahead of countries like the UK and India, and that has a lot to do with the tech industry.
While San Francisco is home to Silicon Valley, Los Angeles has become known as Silicon Beach. The industry has seen huge growth over the past couple of years.
Zenetta Burger is a South African-born Australian who came to LA to build a career in technology. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, her job became a secondary consideration.
Ms Burger and her partner tested positive for coronavirus, and things became very concerning. She says her biggest worry was that she had passed the virus on to others.
“It was very strange, we had to tell everyone who we’d been around and let them know and tell them to keep an eye on any symptoms... Just knowing that we might’ve been a part of the chain of people that passed it on,” Ms Burger said.
Many Australian expats say it's important to keep a level head during this time of crisis. Plenty are homesick, but trying to stay calm and look at the bigger picture.
When Zenetta Burger caught COVID-19 she was petrified she'd passed it on to others. Source: Duncan McKenzie-McHarg
“I’m trying to make decisions right now based on fact, not fear," said Ms Kassim, with a reassuring smile.
Like many Aussies who make the move to California, Ms Kassim is in it for the long haul.
Duncan McKenzie-McHarg is an Australian freelance journalist based in Los Angeles.
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