Natalie Portman is finding it easy to settle into her new home in Los Angeles - because her neighbors are more welcoming than the locals in her native New York.

The Star Wars actress recently bought a new property on the West Coast and admits she's enjoying the warmer climes.

Portman says, "I just got a house. It's fantastic and it's pretty nice to have sun every day. It was beautiful and we moved right in. My neighbors are lovely and my dog loves it."

The star celebrated her big purchase by throwing a housewarming party for all her friends. Portman feared she would have to shut down the gathering and send guests home early when some neighbors came knocking - but she was pleasantly surprised when they asked to join in the fun instead of threatening to call the police.

She explains, "In New York, when I had a party I'd get a note the next day saying, 'Next time we'll call the police.'

"I had my first party (in L.A.) the other day, a housewarming, and had some friends over, had the music going and then someone said, 'Natalie, your neighbors are at the door' and I thought, 'Oh no!'

"And there were these dudes at the front door with booze and they were like, 'We heard the music, can we come hang?' I was like, 'Awesome, I love my neighborhood!'"

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)