Expat Life & Travel
Welcome to Bright Lights of America, an expat and travel blog for Australians moving to, and living in, the US. You’ll find a wealth of information on everything from planning your move, to visas, financial and tax issues, settling into expat life, and deciding where to live.
We know you’re here to start a new chapter in your
Hi, I’m Katherine
An Australian expat who loves living in San Francisco and helping other Aussies make their dreams of moving to the US come true. I’ve been travelling since I was a teenager, with and without my family and friends.
Bright Lights of America began its life in 2015 when I moved to the US on my own to pursue a career opportunity. Since then it’s grown into a resource for expats who want to find the easiest ways round the bureaucracy and culture shock that sometimes comes with life in the US.
Expat Life
Green Card through marriage processing time and procedure
The thought of moving from an E3 visa to Green Card never crossed my mind when I first made San Francisco my home back in 2015. But then I met and married my Californian husband, a...Read More
E3 visa interview (your step-by-step guide)
As the date of your E3 visa interview looms, there's no need to get nervous or worried about what's in store. Lots of Australian expats looking for work in the US have been there b...Read More
Where to get Aussie Meat Pies in the US
When you're far away from home for a long time, you sometimes need a bit of familiar comfort food. Nothing brings back memories like smell and taste. And Aussie meat pies fit bot...Read More
Travel Tips & Itineraries
New York City in Winter: Things to see and do
Planning a trip to New York City in winter was not exactly at the top of my bucket list. I knew it would mean experiencing cold that I wasn't sure I was ready for.
But when Jen...Read More
San Francisco itinerary for first time visitors
After almost four years living in the city by the bay, it's finally time to write a San Francisco itinerary for those who are visiting for the very first time and want to know ab...Read More
17 Mile Drive Monterey in pictures (with maps)
California's 17 Mile Drive, Monterey has a reputation for a reason. It stretches for miles (17 of them, as the name suggests) of beautiful coastline, glimpses of wildlife, nature a...Read More
Latest Posts
Stunning Half Moon Bay Hikes
California's beautiful coastline means there are no shortage of Half Moon Bay hikes with gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean, beaches, and rugged cliffs.
What might surprise yo...Read More
Australia Day in the USA
If you're going to celebrate Australia day in the USA, you may as well do it with a bunch of Aussies who you can reminisce with, or at least feel like you can be yourself. We've g...Read More
Bay Area weekend getaways
There are so many Bay Area weekend getaways to choose from that it's easy to experience choice overload when you're trying to decide where to go on your next weekend adventure.
...Read More