Comparing California to Florida? There IS No Comparison

Agree entirely.  I thought I was going to freeze when I was out in LA in May.  The traffic, and my god, the sprawl that goes on foever… I’ll take Florida any day.  At least the southern part of it.

Posted on 07/07/2009 at 9:09 PM

One of the things I’ve always liked about California is how the temperature drops at night.

Some times I prefer a light jacket over heavy sweating.

Posted on 07/07/2009 at 11:53 PM

As a recent transplant from SF I can only say Amen Brother.

I always had people tell me in CA how the like that the nights cool down. I could never get my head around it. We had 2 balconies in SF that we used twice. Because the nights are too cold even in summer.

I love the Miami nights. I love being able to sit outside comfortably and enjoy the breeze. I’d also say that we hardly ever feel the need to use A/C at night. I think we’ve use it maximum once a week, but instead leave the windows open and use a single fan.

Posted on 07/08/2009 at 6:18 AM

While there is some truth to this, I feel that if you’re into walking, hiking, and any strenuous activities outside the water, California’s climate is much more conducive to that.  The state also offers a much more varied terrain, giving you the chance to enjoy beaches, mountains and deserts all within a couple of hours’ drive.  The people—particularly that surfer crowd you find fault with—tend to be much mellower, but that’s maybe because CA doesn’t have such draconian pot laws.

I like the water better in Florida, and it does have better landscaping, but to be honest, much of the state feels like a COPS episode in the making.

Posted on 07/08/2009 at 7:12 AM

Perhaps it’s because I’ve never lived anywhere but the east coast but I find overly mellow people infuriating.  It’s like you’re dealing with somebody that is only half there and has a “permachill” mindset no matter the situation.  I’ll take whatever negative comes from somebody with all neurological pistons firing rather than Johnny Surfalot’s “whaaa? don’t sweat it, bra. we’re all mellow here.” mentality. 

Also, lets throw out the varied terrain arguments of California because A) the dessert is worthless and B) the beaches are worthless in comparison to Florida.  I’ll give you the fact that in some locations you can go skiing and return to your house that same day (something I could do in Pennsylvania) but that could be countered with the fact that we have all year watersports in Florida plus all of the activities of the Everglades. 

Sooooo…. go ahead and move to California if mountain biking and crappy beaches sound good.  Just don’t take a government job unless you like getting paid in IOU’s- which shouldn’t be a problem because everybody is chillaxing.

P.S.—Don’t even get me started on the 1:45am last call.

Posted on 07/09/2009 at 8:54 AM

I really like LA. Yes, the weather may get chilly, but it was cold in Miami this winter. I had to buy sweaters when I came down to aparment hunt. And then it was so damn cold I ended up in my down/fur parka and uggs. People did compliment my coat though. The water is cold in LA, but it has a pleasant climate..you’re never sweating and usually not freezing. I’m sure the pools get warm in the summer. The one thing that I don’t like about LA is the predominant movie industry. If you’re not in it, I imagine you’d feel like an outsider. I also don’t like that it was designed for cars, so no real public transportation. But riding a motorcycle on coast and walking on Melrose are fun. It’s also a transplant city like Miami.

Posted on 07/09/2009 at 4:15 PM

I was really impressed with the LA Metro system last time I was out there.  When they built it in the early 90’s, they said no one would ride it, but were they wrong!

Posted on 07/09/2009 at 5:03 PM

I have a real love/hate relationship with L.A. When I am far I miss it a lot, but when I am there, well it gets to be a bit much. I will say that if I do ever move back, I think South Bay is a great area. A total beach town with Manhatten, Hermosa, Redondo. But all this pales in comparrison to a tropical feel, which is what I need in my life. Comparing SoCal and Miami is apples and oranges. Geographically Miami kills California. I mean, 3 hours from NY, 8 or less to Europe, 6-8 to the best cities in South America, not bad…Now if Miami could only get some legitimate jobs!

Posted on 07/10/2009 at 12:05 AM

...and decent pay! The rents have soared to near-LA levels, while the salaries aren’t much different than South Carolina.

Posted on 07/10/2009 at 8:56 AM

All that you last 2 mentioned? That’s what keeps the population down. Otherwise we’d BE Los Angeles. And nobodoy wants that. The thing here is, people don’ come here for careers, they come to have fun in the sun and get whatever job pays enough to support that lifestyle. And I like that mentality. I haven’t met many workahaulics in South Florida.

And proximity to Europe, New York and Latin America is not a plus to me. Just means more of those types of people coming to visit.

Now, proximity to Tijuana, on the other hand…..

Posted on 07/10/2009 at 6:57 PM

I think we’re all just happier here in SF, don’t you agree?

Posted on 07/12/2009 at 11:38 AM

Is this one of those “happy/gay” synonymous things? Because if that’s the case, then yes.

Posted on 07/12/2009 at 2:45 PM

Well, if you don’t want to live in a redneck state, avoid Florida.  If you’re gay and care about at least having the option of entering into a domestic partnership, avoid Florida.  If you like to be able to do a lot of things outdoors year-round, avoid Florida.

I could go on.

Posted on 08/14/2009 at 12:14 AM

Man i live in Wichita, Kansas. I can’t wait to finish school. I don’t know how ill make it out in CA or FL, buy guys pray for me that i make it to CL o FL!

Posted on 08/17/2009 at 2:08 AM

I have to agree with Mark on that one.  One of the things I’ve missed the most since I’ve lived in Florida is being able to do outdoor exercise all year round.  I’ll go outside and think it’s not so bad, but then 15 minutes into the walk, I’m a sweaty mess!

Also, to avoid the “redneck” experience, you really have to live from Palm Beach south to the Keys.  Otherwise, you’ll get a healthy dose of it, mixed in with northeastern blue collar transplants.  The difference is that at least southerners in other states socialize with each other more, but since everyone moves to Florida from somewhere else, it’s more of an every-man-for-himself kind of world here—which in some ways is liberating—nobody really cares if you’re gay, straight or aborigine—but in other ways alienating—like who’s gonna watch the pets when you go out of town?

Posted on 08/17/2009 at 5:09 AM

I’m here with maybe more questions than answers.  I live in Santa Monica, and I’m thinking of moving to Miami/Ft. Lauderdale.  I love Florida much better, my concern is the people, which do you find more real? I’m female 40 and kinda over the scene and want to settle down.  Florida has so much nature to offer and thanks for pointing out that they aren’t workaholics there. I’m a little tired of the status quo here. It’s good to know I can work to live instead of live to work.

Posted on 08/19/2009 at 7:42 PM

There are workaholics in Miami, too! There are slackers in LA.  There is some beautiful nature around LA, though you will see more wildlife in Florida.  In LA, you have the schmoozy showbiz cliques, but here the cliques are more about money and culture.  I guess what I’m trying to say is you can find real and fake people in both places.  San Diego is a nice middle ground if you’re out west.

Posted on 08/19/2009 at 7:53 PM

Well true Doug, but I think without the Hollywood experience, and the price of housing not as high, and the variety of cultures surrounding Miami as opposed to Mexico being close to San Diego, Miami is much less about the status quo.  Am I close? Still trying to figure out if I should make the move or not.  I’m in a comfort zone here, and a little bored, craving island life for like 10 yrs now.

Posted on 08/19/2009 at 9:00 PM

I probably should be asking about Ft Lauderdale anyways, or any suggestions.  I don’t want to be in the suburbs, but don’t want to be around all the crime, parties, and scams either.  The Keys would be an option if it weren’t so far.

Posted on 08/19/2009 at 9:16 PM

The people in Florida are WAY more real. That was the biggest reason I moved back. I lived in Miami for 5 years, did alomost 2 in OC, and couldn’t stand a single person I met. I started planning the move back after just over a year.

Posted on 08/21/2009 at 10:40 PM

Matt, I’m glad you’re happy with Florida, but Orange County doesn’t represent most Californians.

Posted on 08/21/2009 at 11:46 PM

Oh, I’m well aware. I was born in Sacramento and lived in the Bay Area for a long time. But this lady asking the question was from LA, and people in LA south to the Mexican border are, on the whole, worse than people in South Florida.

Posted on 08/22/2009 at 8:51 PM

I find San Diego much different than Orange County.  Especially Ocean Beach.  I think people can be shallow all over.  They’re just shallow about different things.

Posted on 08/22/2009 at 9:47 PM

really? not all of california gets cold at night. up north near redding, ca it gets over 100degrees in the day and drops in the 70’s at night. where else can you go to the ocean drive a few hours and be at 9k elevation in the snow - not in florida! + we can legally grow cannabis here

Posted on 08/28/2009 at 12:05 PM

Ok, you got me on the cannabis thing. But I’ve been to Redding a few times, you’re not really making me too jealous. But yes, the valley and other inland areas do get and stay hot in the SUMMER. Redding in the winter is a bit chilly.

Posted on 08/29/2009 at 6:00 PM

The cannabis thing is nice, but on the flip side, it’s practically illegal to smoke tobacco out there now—parks, beaches, even apartment complexes are outlawing it everywhere. I don’t smoke,in fact I hate cigarettes, but who wants that much vigilance over people who do use it without blowing smoke in MY face?

Posted on 08/30/2009 at 7:43 AM

True true, Doug. California is all about tolerating everyone, no matter what they do. As long as what they’re doing doesn’t involve smoking. Cigarettes, that is.

Funny thing though, when I lived out there I’d say 80% of the people my age I knew smoked, and I even picked it up for like a year.

Posted on 08/30/2009 at 4:27 PM

I visited California in my teens and while I did liked the cooler weather there, I did not like the congestion. Not to mention that that state has earthquakes too. Granted, Florida is hotter and has more humidity, and hurricanes, but at least we can prepare for hurricanes, unlike earthquakes. I’ll take hurricanes over earthquakes any day of the week. Plus, the people in Florida are more laid back and its far less crowded than in California. Florida wins!

Posted on 09/14/2009 at 8:12 PM

I’m with you on Florida winning (obviously), but laid back people? I mean, yeah, you get your rednecks and whatnot in NoFla, but part of why I like Florida better is that people AREN’T laid back. All the northeastern transplants and whatnot. The uber-laid-back attitude is part of what I disliked about the Golden State.

Posted on 09/15/2009 at 9:15 PM

I also find Southeast Florida to be every bit as dense—if not denser—than most places in California.  If I’m not mistaken, I believe South Beach is the third most densely populated area in the US, after New York and Chicago.

I just moved to San Diego, which is on stable ground and not at risk for earthquakes above 5.0.  There are also no hurricanes, no tsunamis, tornadoes, or mosquitoes.  It’s much easier to exercise outdoors and the air feels so refreshing, especially by the beach.  People are much more laidback here—not as much tailgating and more patience with pedestrian crosswalks.  My friend Dave has an appointment on Thursday to renew his medical marijuana.  While rent is more expensive, electricity, groceries (at Trader Joe’s) and other things are cheaper.  Gasoline is more expensive, though, but in my new neighborhood, I can walk to many of the destinations I used to need a car for in Florida.

Posted on 09/15/2009 at 11:27 PM

Well, I’m from the Northeast and consider myself laidback. But I’ve also met people who are not like that, they were reserved but still very nice. And then I met other kinds of people that were quite nasty. Unfortunately, there are rude people everywhere, no matter where you go.

Posted on 09/15/2009 at 11:28 PM

The culture is different in the Northeast, though.  I mean in Pennsylvania, they actually have signs on the roadways urging people to beware of aggressive drivers.  The meaning of the word “laidback” may vary from locale to locale, but there is definitely a more “assertive” culture in the northeast, engendered by centuries of living in congested urban areas made up of immigrants from many different countries. 

Los Angeles has a bit of that, also, probably due in part to the abundance of New Yorkers who go back and forth, but other cities like Santa Barbara and San Diego are much more mellow and easygoing.

Elsewhere in Florida, there is a bit of a redneck lack of classiness that manifests itself in unpleasant ways.  Walking down the street in Daytona, you’d be surprised at the number of people who yell things at you out of pick-up trucks.

Posted on 09/15/2009 at 11:42 PM

From an native Angelino who dummied down moving to FL, I see no valid comparisons. I do see the question pondered by many here, and I suspect they are searching for validation.
I don’t regret the move, as it was a wise thing to do in my case.

The weather a few months ago in FL was the coldest I ever felt at sea level. LA has it’s cooler mornings, but that is only until the Sun burns through the marine layer.

I can understand maybe your displeasure with LA and that’s an easy thing to do. I’d also would be curious what your impressions of Miami would if it had the same number of square miles. You really can’t compare things that are not the same.

Posted on 04/28/2010 at 3:05 PM

As a man that’s always lived in florida I can tell you that compared to L.A, Florida is a town… Los angeles has soooo many more things you can do… It is so much bigger, rent isn’t very different than florida, for a one bedroom apartment in L.a you pay about $50 more… In Florida people explote one another by paying minimum wage and not giving you health insurance… As someone said above, classy people and good service is something Florida’s been lacking more and more each year… In conclusion, living in South Florida is like living in South America, ever been to South America? Come to Florida!!!!!!!!!

Posted on 06/16/2010 at 11:32 AM

I was hoping to find a group of ex-californians, but found this instead.  Interesting comments, but CA is great, Fl is so flat geographically speaking, there are days I look for low lying clouds to imagine mountains being there.  The humidity here is horrid, it took a year to acclimate to it.  Ca air is dry, on a really hot day perspiration evaporates.  I lived in th San Fernando Valley for years, just over the Hollywood hills, and then lived in Huntington Beach for the last 10 yrs there. There is no surf here, what you have are tiny swells.  The Pacific waters are cold, but what better way to cool off, spend any amount of time in the water and it warms up.  I find that Californians are much friendlier.  West Palm Beach reminds me of the Valley,—but back in the 60-70’s

Posted on 09/07/2010 at 5:30 PM

I am originally from Southern Cali, lived in the Northeast for 3 years, and then moved to Miami by force. Miami has great beaches, the ocean is usually comfortable, but other than that, I would much rather be in Cali. seems like people in Miami try too hard to impress others, what’s up with girls wearing heels to the beach?!! a woman cannot go comfortably to the beach there without having to deal with perverted men staring or taking pictures. Life in California beaches seems a lot more natural. I enjoy going to the beach for a run, a walk, or exercising, which is nearly impossible and uncomfortable in Miami because it’s always too hot and humid.

I find Meltzer’s replies a bit too defensive. Whether you think Miami or California is better is an opinion. Every one is different and is interested in different things. Just because you don’t practice any sport that does not involve the beach, it doesn’t mean the other ones suck. California offers terrain for all sorts of sports, and that is a great characteristic that Florida lacks. If in L.A., one can drive an hour east and end up in big bear for snow sports. The hills are great for exercising and staying in shape instead of always having to go to the gym because is too damn hot outside. 

Unless you are in the tourist, hospitality, or real estate business, the job market sucks!!! there isn’t much opportunity in other areas, and the salaries are stuck between 10-13 dollars an hour. I have read that the housing is a lot cheaper here, but apartments are super expensive and unsafe (even in areas like coral gables). There aren’t many school (university) choices like Cali. Drivers are rude and no matter where I go and what time, I always get stuck in traffic (just like L.A.).

Last but not least, diversity is great but sometimes Miami doesn’t feel like it’s part of the USA. Every where you go you find hispanic people and tourists. California has a lot of Mexicans but there are places where you won’t find them.  nothing like visiting a place and meeting locals.

anyway, this is my opinion… and I love California. Can’t wait to get out of this year round heat!

Posted on 12/12/2010 at 9:10 AM

I’m with you on the saturation of Hispanics here, Myra. But that’s about where it ends.

You drive an hour east from LA, you know where you are? Pasadena. If you’re lucky. It takes at least 2 hours to get out of the basin unless you’re driving late at night. And that doesn’t even account for the time it’s gonna take you and the other 2 million people going to the mountains to get up the 2-lane road to whatever resort you’re going to. I hate people telling me how you’re an hour from everything in SoCal. You’re an hour if miraculously nobody else has the same idea you do for a weekend activity. But the oher 18 million people there always do.

I had forgotten how Miami’s traffic isn’t even in LA’s league. Yeah, you may get stuck in it here occasionally, but it’s wholly avoidable. And, at its worst, you might sit in it for like 10 miles. In LA, you can sit in traffic for 80 miles if you try to go to San Diego on a Saturday morning.

Anyway, true, my OPINION is that LA sucks. But the fact is the traffic there is much worse than it is here, and it takes more than an hour to get anywhere “recreational.”

Posted on 12/12/2010 at 2:24 PM

The problem is that you are judging all of California by LA.  You can live in Palm Springs or San Diego and not experience many of the problems people complain about as being part and parcel of California life.  Perhaps if I were commuting into LA regularly, I would think differently, but here in Palm Springs, I’ve gone to LA maybe 2 times in the year I’ve lived here.  So for me, I really am just an hour away from beautiful mountain forests, and two hours away from the beaches.  The traffic is light and I’m able to enjoy a variety of climate here all year round that I didn’t have in Florida.

Posted on 12/15/2010 at 12:26 PM

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Posted on 12/28/2010 at 7:50 AM

Cali will beat florida out of the water anyday the westcoast vibe is more laid back compared to the more stuck up east coast vibe ive lived in orlando and miami and i live in LA now id rather be in cali then florida any day

Posted on 01/24/2011 at 7:44 PM

Big fan of Colombia, are you?

Posted on 01/25/2011 at 5:32 PM

Let’s remember Mark Twain who said it best…  “The coldest winter I ever saw was a summer I spent in San Francisco.”

Posted on 02/21/2011 at 12:54 AM

Here’s some honesty…  When the temp in Miami is 75, you might have a slight breeze off the relatively warm atlantic bringing you to a Wind Chill of 71.  So YOU FEEL like it’s 71.  In California, the Pacific is freezing cold, so if the temp is 70 in Los Angeles, you might have a windchill near the beach of only 58.  At night the windchill may be 48.  That’s cold!!

Posted on 02/21/2011 at 1:23 AM

LA, miami, you can keep both. the best part of florida is the west coast from cedar key to ft meyers. california as a whole sucks, anything you can do there, you can do in any number of other states minus the a**holes driving around in their escalades nearly running you off the road while talking on their 500 dollar iphones about what their next screenplay will be…...

Posted on 03/29/2011 at 6:13 PM

What’s amazing is what vastly different lives people can live in the same setting.  For example, people who live in big cities in CA and commute have a very different take on it than people who live in small cities in CA and work from home.  Also, in Florida, if you’re on the highways at all, you could just as easily have the a**hole in the Escalade tailgating you…only he’d be less likely to have ever written a screenplay.

Posted on 03/29/2011 at 6:26 PM

I have lived in Miami for 22 years and planning on moving to CA very soon. What would you guys say is the best location to move were growing is legal and also safe to live with a family?

Posted on 07/28/2011 at 9:03 PM

Growing is legal in almost all of California if you can get a State permit for it. So that location isn’t specific to a certain area. California’s a big state, though. I’d avoid the Inland Empire, just because it sucks. But I think the location decision will really boil down to where you find work and what you can afford.

Posted on 08/02/2011 at 11:47 PM

All you need is a doctor’s recommendation letter in order to buy, possess and cultivate! The cards are optional.  The most liberal counties in California are the ones furthest west and north.

Posted on 08/02/2011 at 11:57 PM

freezing? REALLY? none of you can say anything!!! 70’s is NOT freezing. Living in Wy for the majority of my life, I know what freezing is. I have lived in California for the past 2 years now & I woudldn’t picture myself anywhere else. I have never been to Florida, but I would like to visit. I have a friend from there, and she said San Diego is a lot like Tampa. I have compared the two and I feel there’s more out in California. You have los angeles, san diego, san francisco, las vegas & mexico. Win

Posted on 08/05/2011 at 12:44 PM

San Diego is a lot nicer than Tampa. I don’t quite get the comparison.

Freezing i all relative. If you’re used to 80s, 50s s freezing. If you’re form Wyoming, Seattle must seem downright balmy.

Posted on 08/09/2011 at 4:56 PM

I live in Florida 6 months out of the year and live the other 6 months in Los Angeles.  I’m in L.A. now and my 22 year old son is in my condo in Florida.  I KNOW th real comparisons.  There’s good and bad in both.  A couple of the biggest comparisons are that L.A. is a very cultured place with lots of hotels, theatre houses, art museums, Rodeo Drive, Laguna Beach art festivals and other things.  Florida (sorry) is not that cultured.  It’s mostly rednecks in the middle and beach bums on the sides.  The typical attire in Florida is flip flops and a t-shirt that says somethin’ stupid on it.  In L.A., the typical attire is more like Armani.  However, high priced culture also comes at a price.  The beaches in California SUCK!!!!  The water is FREEZING cold, and the rip-tides kill kids every year.  Oh, and there’s Great Whites.  Then there’s the wino’s in their sleeping bags sleeping in the parks by the beach, and most have knives.  There’s beach patrol that kicks you off the beach at night.  When I was in Florida however, I build a small bonfire on the beach, caught a fish & grilled out… No beach patrol.  Simply put…  L.A. is life in the city with all the city glamour (but brown smog filled polluted skies of course, and lots of cops, rules, parking meters, traffic tickets and it cost to park ANYWHERE).  Florida is like living in a beach bum town.  Very laid back, flip flops, Not a lot of glamour.  It just depends on what type of life you want to live.  Some people get bored with the beach bum thing and want to get to the city & start living.  Others think fishing IS living.  One thing is a DEFINITE though.  There is no comparison between the states beaches.  Florida has beautiful warm sunny beaches.  California has freezing cold beaches, DEEP cold water & very bad riptides.  California’s beaches are no place for kids.  So there it is…  Do you want the beach, flip flops and baggy shorts, or do you want to live in the city (L.A., San Diego, or San Francisco).  If you take nice beaches, the peaceful waterways, fishing and beach pubs with cold beers out of the equation, California has A LOT MORE to offer.  That being said, it should be noted that Florida is growing in population by 6% a year, and most of that growth is wealthier people coming from the north.  That being said, Florida will have more L.A. type stuff in the near future such as better art and fashion.

Posted on 11/04/2011 at 9:51 PM

I live in Sacramento. I love the laid back atmosphere and the laid back attitude of my friends who are from Sac-town, San Fran and L.A. But I’ve only been here for 3 years. Personally, I have a laid back attitude and can experience that anywhere I am, because its my personality. However, I am considering a move to Florida, because almost all of my family and most of my friends are on that side of the country. California is broke. Government workers are sometimes paid with IOUs or given pink slips. Schools will be closed beginning this year, teachers have been laid off and we continue to build prisons. Meanwhile, we are gearing up to save our King’s basketball stadium. Forget about the kids, we wanna play ball! Smh. I will graduate this year with a PhD and considering Florida. Im in my 40s, divorced and have grown college-age kids. Now, Mama wants to live it up, enjoy the beach and have lots of culture and healthy eating. I’m a vegan. Any suggestions on places in Florida which might suit me? How’s Tampa? I want sunshine, palm trees, culture, healthy eating, and happy attitudes. Help a sistah out? Gracias!

Posted on 02/19/2012 at 11:34 PM

I’ve been to Florida probably 10 times (Im 14) and I just got back from California, where my dad grew up. I live in Michigan. I honestly liked California better. California seemed to have much more character than Florida. It seemed more laid back, and I love the plants in California. The temperature is WAY more comfortable, the hot weather of Florida doesn’t take away from the fun. Florida seems more like a state built for tourists, while California doesn’t. I also love the variety of food their and the many cultures of people living there.

Posted on 03/08/2012 at 4:47 PM

Hands down, CA—for me, but it depends on what you are seeking.
I’ve lived and visited both places. If we are talking So. Cal vs. So. Fl:
California has more to offer culturally and financially. I find So. Fl is visually not so appealing, boring and bland.  Both places, the people are shallow. Sun attracts every kind of individual from the scrupulous to not so.  So. Fl, especially Miami is just as over-crowded and overpriced, wages are super-low. Traffic in both areas is a nightmare. Fl is conservative, CA is liberal.  Family values are lax in both areas. Both places are built on hype and tourism then wrapped in greed and shallowness.  Good people are everywhere, but these places have higher doses of the opposite. Unless you are affluent, your quality of life can be low. These aren’t family towns. If you are single, retired, affluent, or a student—these may be the towns for you.  After you decide to become civilized, these places get to be too much.  Also, learn Spanish for both places, esp. So. Flo., it can save your life.

Posted on 05/30/2012 at 12:01 PM

Look I am a Miamian born and raised, and I visit Northern and Southern Cali very frequent, I would take California ANY DAY OF THE WEEK over Miami hands down. Miami is a very Biased city, not cultured and please do not confuse SOUTH BEACH for Miami, 2 completely different things. The people are rude and horrible customer service, the city economy is horrible I mean why I haven’t left amazes me. Once I started traveling I noticed that this city is out of sync with the rest of the United States and if you speak english to the hispanics they get angry as if there not suppose to adapt. Atleast in Cali people make the effort of adapting and abit.

Posted on 06/13/2012 at 6:04 AM

Moved to south Florida from San Diego for a great job. The job great, Florida not so much. I cant wait to leave the heat, bugs, humidity and flatness, and this terrible nightmare behind. southern Cali is way more chill and has great surf, bonfires on the beach and comfortable climate all year. Ill take the sweater at night with no mosquitos or one of the other 7500 bugs in Florida any day.

Posted on 07/02/2012 at 10:16 AM

I’d have to agree with Javi. I’m a native Miamian as well, and I cannot wait to get out of here. We may be a melting pot of different cultures, but we are definitely not cultured. I’m one of the only English-speaking people here, and I cannot begin to tell you how difficult it is to get a job. You either need to know Spanish (which I am learning) or Creole (which I am definitely not going to learn). I have two degrees, and I still have a difficult time finding a decent job. I will admit, our beaches are wonderful with our white sands and warm bath-tub water, but for me, the rude, obnoxious, and loud beach-goers ruin that for me. The people here don’t know what manners are. There have been numerous times when I’ve helped a random stranger and they think I’m from Virginia because I’m too nice to be a local. We have amazing weather from November to maybe February, but the rest of the year is hot and humid. Yes, we have bars, clubs, and restaurants open until a ridiculous hour in the morning, but let’s be real here, nothing good ever happens after 2 am anyways. Traffic… we have traffic. It may not be the gridlocks of LA, but we’re packed with people who either don’t know how to drive or are overly aggressive. I’ve been going to California every year for the past ten years, and I’ve never had a bad experience. The people are so much nicer, the weather is incredible, and there is so much more to do there. I’m moving there next year for grad school and I absolutely cannot wait!!

Posted on 07/29/2012 at 7:49 AM

As Doug mentioned, you can’t judge a state by it’s popular city’s.
That’s too narrow minded.
It’s been awhile since my last post here, and I’ve seen many other regions since.
I’m beginning to like/enjoy the state inspite of Miami. As a matter of fact, the more I travel the state, the insignificance of Miami grows on me.

Posted on 08/01/2012 at 6:50 PM

There really is no debate. California wins. We have literally any climate, terrain, or activities one would want to do while Florida is flat, muggy, hot, and (from what I hear) has rude people.

Posted on 08/13/2012 at 12:44 PM

I have lived in Florida for 30 years. I can’t take this weather any longer; bugs, extreme humidity,and hot almost all year, and all day. Children have very limited outdoor activity. Florida is great for people who like to be indoor with the air on. Last Year my daughter and I visited southern California…..we had the greatest time doing simple things; the beach,long walks,we ate outdoors, all the things the weather in florida does not allow us to do.

Posted on 08/14/2012 at 7:50 PM

haha… anyone that surfs that much is a waste of life? more like anyone that say that is a waste of life..

Cali- mountains, snow, ocean, weed laws, culture..
Florida- no mountains, no snow, no seasons, surfing but its shit except for central east coast.. mosquitoes, harsh good ol boy marijuana laws, if your not rich and cant afford to have the AC BLASTING you sleep with sweaty sticky balls that stick to your legs.. ill take cali, thanks.

Posted on 09/24/2012 at 11:24 AM

O yeah and not to mention, people in florida are TERRIBLE… that was the main reason i moved.. the people are fucking assholes..

Posted on 09/24/2012 at 11:27 AM

I moved from LA into Miami… It was a BIG mistake I did! and I want to go back to CA, but is not that “easy” now…But I will anyway. I remenber how happy I was when I used to live there in the Hollywood area! - NOW, I’m warning all of you: Miami is a “Crazy Fucking Place” where “cuban people” feel they’re the OWNERS on the entire Miami-Dade… I’m telling you, Miami is like living in a latin country - Plus, if you don’t speak “Spanish” you are “fried” here and won’t be able to find any decent job! Believe or Not, you can get FIRE from work if the Owner is a “Republican” and he or she “disvover” or being told by someone that you will vote “Demo” (I now many, but many cases) It’s horrible!  Take my word for…PLEASE - California can have many problems, Oh Yes; but is a FREE PLACE. Also, it has been, ans is still The GOLDEN STATE. I like to finish by saying: “God bless California” (specially Los Angeles County) - Thanks for reading all this 100% TRUTH I just wrote here today! - And God Bless you!

Posted on 10/01/2012 at 3:15 PM

I have lived in the bay area of northern California, near San Francisco, my whole life (minus a few months when I studied abroad in Italy), I’m 22, gay, and a recent college grad with my Bachelors in Communication.  I don’t know exactly what I want to do as a career yet, but have recently visited my girlfriend in Miami and was there for 11 days.  Although I hate the humidity, I have been thinking about moving to Miami, Florida because I absolutely loved my experience there.  I’m worried that the laid back vibes I’ve grown accustomed to in California won’t exist in Florida and that I will crave the outdoor exercise and activity I’m used to here in CA.  What is your opinion? I was thinking about getting a job here in CA and then getting transferred in FL, but from what I read, getting a job in Florida is close to impossible with terrible benefits and bad wages.  I know this is stereotypical, but I also do not wish to experience the awfulness of hurricanes either.  And I don’t want to feel like a tourist in my own place of living.  From what I’ve read, experiencing rude customer service from people in Miami/So.Florida, it’s expected and I don’t wish to experience that.  Near Miami, how bad is the traffic and will moving to the Miami area be a terrible decision? I’m thinking of moving there next June 2013 but also don’t know what are good locations and will need to find an apartment hopefully close to where I get a job or something.  Any information helps really if any of you have any input

Posted on 10/02/2012 at 4:43 PM

Hi JessicaA, it’s pretty laid back here like it is in Cali, but the work situation is dire, do not expect to find work easily. Wages are low and not everyone gets benefits. And oh yes, people can be really rude. If all that puts you off before you come, then maybe come and visit but not live here.

Posted on 10/04/2012 at 9:53 AM

Jessica, I’m from north San Diego and moved to south Florida for work last year. It is not lad back like Cali. If anything its rude, rushed, and kinda gross. I love being outside and having outside activities too!! The heat and humidity are constant then mix in the million+ bugs and being outside is very unpleasant. The traffic I find to be similar to SoCal in terms of congestion, but with much ruder and sloppy driving. You may find it to be a different experience, However I’m doubtful. My wife and kids are so tired of “A/C living” as my son says because the climate is an indoor climate 8/9 months a year. We now are aggressively trying to move back, its been quite the expensive lesson, that Cali just rocks!!

Have you and your girlfriend considered her moving to California? Hope this helps and best of luck to you.

Posted on 10/04/2012 at 10:44 AM

Florida absolutely abuses its workers here compared to CA. So yes, wages will be low and benefits minimal. That said there’s no state income tax and the sales tax is lower than CA. So weigh that. Traffic is not as bad as the Bay Area, mostly because the distances are shorter. Like the tie ups are about the same, they just only go on for 8-10 miles, as opposed to out there where they can go on for 25.

And you’re right, where you live will depend a lot on where you work. So if you are still planning to move here, and get a transfer or whatever, hit us up over on the forums and we can give you some guidelines…

http://forums.miamibeach411.com/living-relocating-here/

Posted on 10/04/2012 at 6:47 PM

Jess, JT, and Matt, thank you so much for responding, you guys are awesome! I enjoy reading your feedback on your personal experiences in the above forum as well! All of your advice will be taken into account when I decide if I can, want to, and will need to move to Miami/Southern Florida or not.  Matt, your advice and forum link will become incredibly useful and your traffic observations definitely reign true for me.  I don’t think I can move to Florida without having a job lined up because of the terrifying thought of failure and not being financially stable just does not work for me.  JT, what you termed as “A/C living,” while it is complete genius, it’s completely true and everyone in Miami is so used to it.  Being back in Northern California, I have not taken a single day of this Cali weather for granted because I might end up in that “A/C living” life in the future, who knows.

JT, yes, we have considered it, but in a few years when she is choosing colleges will those decisions become more realistic.  Right now, I’m at a point in my life where I can choose where to live depending on where I can get a job, ya know?

Posted on 10/08/2012 at 4:22 PM

I live in Oceanside. The weather here in summer-fall cannot be beat! The days are nice and warm, but not too hot, humidity is low, and nights cool off nicely. Winter and spring, however, are another story. Too foggy, rainy and cool for way too long! I am thinking of going to South Florida for college because even though they get some cold days, I’d prefer the winter weather there (resembles Cal’s summer/fall climate) over anywhere else, except maybe Hawaii. The beaches and scenery are nice in FL; gotta love that periwinkle, calm and clear water, the gorgeous white, soft sand and the subtropical feel/climate, plus those palms Cal wishes it could grow. But the beaches in FL are SO busy! Buildings right there on the water, and it is just flat! Bugs everywhere, humidity and crushing heat, storms, etc. Cal’s coast is much more beautiful, with coastal marshes and vistas, mountains, desert-Mediterranean-type scenery, gold sand sparkling with mica, and waves. However, CA has cool, dark water. It really depends on what you’re looking for. I have lived in SoCal for long enough, and am willing to go to SoFla. I also love the thunderstorms and a bit of humidity, so I think that will be exciting!

Posted on 10/11/2012 at 11:15 PM

i believe that Florida is a warmer place because i live there

Posted on 10/29/2012 at 7:58 PM

Having lived in both places, who are we kidding? CA wins.  But remember, LA is not California and South Florida is not all of Florida. 

I’m talking on a whole. Choose FL if you are a student, retired, like low wages,  or crave living on the warm beaches year round,  or simply enjoy being wet 80% of the year, either from sweat or torrential rains.  Florida rocks for those things! But that’s about it. Tourism rules FL. 

If you want to actually have a career and earn a living, experience culture, temperate weather, true diversity (California is the most diverse state in the US according a Brown University study done in 2012). I don’t believe different people from various Latin/South American countries, as is the case in FL,  constitutes enough diversity.  And if you don’t speak Spanish, you won’t find work in FL.  Pay, btw, ranges between $10-12 per hour and it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.  You will find being educated or degree(d) a worthless pursuit in Florida.

You can judge a place by the value it places on education and FL places very little on education. There are few institutions of higher education here, for such a large state. California is littered with higher educational institutions.  Natives are rude, unfriendly, vendors display horrid customer service skills, and to top it off, even though the traffic isn’t gridlocked in FL, the drivers are aggressive and unskillelled.  Additionally, FL is the number location for mowing down pedestrians.  Drivers actually, run over pedestrians that aren’t even crossing the road (don’t be at a bus stop and think you’re safe); and pedophiles. Lock up your children.  The pride and joy of Fl, South Florida holds the record for number one cases of HIV/AIDS.  Feels more like third world country than part of the U.S.  Then to top it all off, it’s ugly—bogs and quagmires cover most of Florida’s flat, boring terrain.

Posted on 10/29/2012 at 9:12 PM

I am looking to move to florida in the future from Newport Beach California.  I have lived here my whole life, and love it.  I just want warmer water, and tropical weather.  I love California, and the people here are far cooler than people in Florida.  Also I am in the music business, so I do a lot more work in L.A. than anywhere.  One thing I would not look forward to are the conservative assholes who don’t even go in the water.  I love Cali for the police, and weed laws.  The waves in Florida are way too small, but I can get use to them.  What I do want to know is how bad are the storms?  are they sooo bad, that it could change my mind in moving?

Posted on 10/29/2012 at 9:29 PM

No, the storms aren’t too bad. I mean, yeah, we get them from time to time. And they CAN be awful, ask anyone who went through Andrew. But I’ve been here sine 98 and really there were only 2 storms of note, and both were in 2005. But you never know. I wouldn’t make that your determining factor.

Posted on 10/30/2012 at 2:47 PM

Phoenixxx, I don’t think anyrthing you said is untrue. Although CA gets kinda cold for me. And career is kind of an overrated thing if you measure it against quality of life.

Posted on 10/31/2012 at 10:27 PM

Matt,
...absolutely relative, which is why I prefaced with, “If.”  Personally, I need to make a living without working three jobs.  I am also not a fan of humid, sticky, weather-though FL’s temperature is usually great in the winter time.  Quality of life is absolutely important, but I found a better quality of life in CA and VA, than I did in FL.

Posted on 11/04/2012 at 9:59 AM

I read all the thread and I can see ppl are focusing on LA vs Miami.

What about comparing West Palm Beach FL to San Francisco (East Bay more precisely)... I have been offered a job in Fort Lauderdale FL, and another job in Hercules CA…

I have been living in Palm Beach County since the beginning of 2012, coming from Canada…My Californian experience is limited to 3 weeks in Walnut Creek a long time ago and a recent trip last month to chilly San Francisco…

Posted on 11/08/2012 at 4:13 PM

Hercules SUCKS. It’s a long drive in traffic to even Berkley or Oakland, a nightmare to get over to SF. And traffic in the Bay Area makes Miami look wide open. Also, it gets real cold there. Lauderdale is a lot more fun than PBC, and not as insane as Miami. Hercules, on the other hand, one of those cities I can’t understand why anyone lives there. It’s expensive and its only benefit is relative proximity to SF. Well, that and Its-Its.

Posted on 11/08/2012 at 4:58 PM

hi i m frm pakistan.m 22 i want to come to america and want to marry to american boy is there any way to come there???

Posted on 11/23/2012 at 6:27 PM

The trouble is that can’t compare Los Angeles to Miami. There is no comparison. The cultures the way of life and the people make it so you have to take both cities at face value.Miami does definitely have culture. Basel art show and a variety of several museums and movie theaters playing obscure and independent films.I live in Miami and I don’t head to the beach everyday and I’m perfectly happy doing all the things that there is to do in Miami and I don’t have to worry about tourists. I embrace the Latin culture and for all those are trying to compare Miami to something else it’s not going to happen. Miami is unique and is different than Los Angeles Minneapolis Denver and any other city that you want to compare it to. If you take this into account and visit Miami enjoy what it has to offer you will see that Miami is a pretty cool place to live.

Posted on 01/27/2013 at 9:30 AM

Ha, ha, ha.. Florida at the level of California? I grew up between Florida and Cali. I lived between Miami and Newport Beach. Even in the nice part of Miami it is extremely shady, people are rude and it’s extremely drug ridden. I found a syringe on south beach when I was playing on the sand as a kid. There is hardly any middle class folks , it’s just the filthy rich and poor. Everyone want’s to find a way to extract money from you. If you think california is superficial, I can tell you Miami is ten times that of california.. Traffic is a problem, but there is so much to do in a 5 mile radius of you in L.A that there is no need to leave it.  Yeah it’s not a sauna in california all year, but the culture and the activities make up for that..

Posted on 02/05/2013 at 11:22 PM

What about the humidity?! I grew up in Tidewater, Virginia, where summer days are mostly in the 90s and near 100% relative humidity, and they say that South Florida is WORSE! No thanks.

Posted on 02/22/2013 at 6:07 PM

But I LOVE to visit South Florida to unthaw my frozen bones, after a few months in Canada.

Posted on 02/22/2013 at 6:11 PM

We are in the process of deciding which stated to move to Cali or Fl. We live in NY. My husband is retired at 50 yo and he lived in Cali for 3 years. We have a 10 year old son and am worried about the schools. We have been to Cali several times throughout the years and we love it there. We also love Florida. We have family that lives there. So now we are confused about both states and don’t know which to choose to settle down. We have done the pros and cons, have read reviews and have done research on schools and their cities and towns but still cannot decide. I don’t want to regret our decision.

Can’t decide in NY:(

Posted on 02/23/2013 at 9:06 PM

I am born and raised in Pittsburgh PA… You want to know rude and aggressive people, then come here! PA has beautiful terrain, outside of dirty cities and redneck towns, but it has some very cute and cultured towns too. it is way too cold in winter and honestly, it is just as hot and humid, if not more, as southern Florida. My best friend lived in southwest Florida for 5 years, and it wasn’t uncommon for the summer to be more ghastly up north in PA than in FL. I guess it all depends where you are from and what you like. I have never been to CA but I would love to go there especially to see the Redwoods, but I have to been to FL a lot, and I have never experienced rude people! I have found FL to be a very happy and friendly state…. But I have never been to Miami or northern fl. I have been to ft Myers/sanibel island area, cocoa beach/cape canaveral/Melbourne area, Orlando, and Tampa areas. If you want rude people and aggressive deadly drivers, come to Pittsburgh! I am too a laid back chilled person who loves warm weather and beautiful beaches; so maybe I’m not meant for the northeast lol i would love to be a beach bum but alas i have to work to survive lol but I guess everyone’s background and experiences shape their tastes and opinions. I love southwest gulf coast Florida! I’ve never been to CA, I just hear how it is super cool and so many different places, but that the economy is horrible and people are stuck up…. But honestly people in PA are stuck up and then there are rednecks too, and our economy isn’t great either, our state stifles education and could care less about kids and elderly and families. But, we have 4 seasons, and autumn is so gorgeous here, and we have some beautiful terrain (not as great as CA im sure but still beautiful) You will find ugliness and corruption and mean people everywhere… But also beautiful terrain, cool sites, and neat people everywhere too. I would love to move from PA to gulf side fl. Hopefully, one day I can afford to visit CA for a good period of time

Posted on 02/24/2013 at 5:27 PM

I grew up in Bergen County New Jersey and have llived ini Santa Monica, San Francisco, Marin and Orinda California (East Bay) and Miami. I would have to say that while LA has some really good points I would never want to live in the smoggy valley only in West LA Santa Monica area but it’s expensive or that reason or maybe Hungtington not Orange County it is cookie cutter. Miami also has its charms but the weather, the bugs and humidity are a definite downside along with heels at the beach crowd types and it is so flat. Florida as a whole is great if you like the Tea Party, guns, easy prescription drugs, a state that doesn’t care if people have benefits, good schools and a pretty high crime rate and bad zoning and a corrupt government. The northeast downside is bad weather. California is expensive for a reason; it has the best quality of life, it has open space. Northern California does not have the gridlock that the south has. I would recommend the bay area as the no 1 place to live We have great hiking trails and you can be in one of the many micro climates within an hour if you don’t happen to like the weather in your area. Florida is tempting because it is so much cheaper than California and that is a big plus, i you like to travel, like I do.  I guess there is no perfect place . The Bay area does not have a warm oceen but if it did it would be way too crowded and we wouldn’t have all the high tech companies here because everyone would be so laid back they would be at the beach like in Florida. You ever notice that nothing really gets done in super warm climates? That’s beccuase people don’t have to keep busy they are having too much fun chilling.

Posted on 02/26/2013 at 5:35 PM

so….surfers who surf often enough where it factors into where they choose to live, are complete wastes of life…....you sir have taken away any merit given to your opinions, thank you for reassuring me that reading your words truly has been a waste of my time. I hope, being a surfer, that I don’t sound too much like a waste of life to you.

Posted on 03/24/2013 at 11:48 AM

OK, here’s my experience on this debate. I grew up in L.A., (yes, it is amazing, no?) I am not hispanic/latin but did grow up with Asians, Blacks, and Latins in my neighborhood. (just 2 miles east of Culver City) Anyway, having visited Miami many times, it is very beautiful and desirable. The beaches are better, warmer water, and the outdoor activities are abundant if you like golf, tennis, volleyball. I especially like the green and fresher clear air in Florida compared to L.A.‘s smog.  You also get the rain which cleans the climate often versus these trickles in L.A. It is comical to see weather forecasters in L.A. start to use the term “bands of moisture” like Floridians do suggesting we get dramatic changes in weather. Although, I did hear about that 114 degree day anomaly in September 2012? (Vegas & Phoenix weather ,oh yeah!)

And c’mon guys this marine layer propaganda has to stop in L.A..  You can smell the smog. Sometimes it is, in fact, a marine layer with smog since the mountains (you think you can get to in 1 hour all the time) keep the pollution from all the cars in the city. It is even worse inland which I consider as anything east of 605 freeway or the 5 fwy, especially in the summer.

South Florida (Ft Lauderdale & Miami) does have horrible traffic congestion during rush hours, hardly any alternate routes to use. You just wait it out, like the hurricanes.  The humidity can be unbearable in the summer in Florida as a whole. At least Cali gets cool downs at night or a break in the heat for a week with a cool front in the middle of the summer.  I know all about san Francisco cold summers after going to a street festival with temps in the 80s at noon, only to be in fog and 50s later in the day. We froze our asses off.  Florida’s break is rain late in the day but the heat persists.

Landscape:  Stop with this Florida is flat stuff. If you have ever been to Orlando go about 30 miles or so on the outskirts, it is hilly and green, very nice to see in places like Clermont.  Not everybody in Cali lives in the mountains or hills. Although, it is nice, it present s more dangers with mudslides, hillslides, and the ever present fires.  I remember the San Diego fires in east county, the mudslides on families on the central CA coast. 
Transportation: This is a problem for Florida. Maybe they need to raise the local taxes to pay for it.  IDK, although driving on their roads has to be one of the smoothest experiences you’ll ever have.  I’ve driven through many neighborhoods, southeast to southwest and I am marveled at the experience.  It feels like Sonny Crockett back in the day.

Vibe: laid back Cali attitude versus east coast. I felt no difference , rudeness, or bossiness from Northeasterners there and I am a pretty laid back guy, not a cannibus user though.  Nobody gave me grief, you just got to be yourself & flex or people run all over you.

Culture Scene: Yes, L.A may win but don’t label all Floridians as flip flop wearing bums. There are some who wear designer suits.  Miami is a trendsetting city. It has some the most beautiful models in the world.  It has a decent art scene.  Don’t forget many of these people travel back & forth from New York, Europe and So. America so fashion and style always exists there.  Most of the realtors I’ve met in Miami are better dressed than your typical San Diego realtor. So, if I had to choose, I would not pick Southeast Florida or L.A…too congested for me.  I do like Sarasota and San Diego. Ultimately, I’d choose San Diego due to it being cooler, has lots of hills, and being a really good tennis player (no humidity or bugs) . What is up with all the homeless sleeping near a highly trafficked part of SD. I went to the convention center and just blocks away it was like 100s of people tenting up & sleeping outside. You guys can’t let it grow to be that bad. I know homeless like good weather but this has to be rectified with housing.

Posted on 03/26/2013 at 8:36 AM

Loving this discussion! I’ve been in CA for 18 yrs and now I’ve been considering FL as well as I like the weather, humidity and all!

The question is… Is there any rock n roll in FL? I cannot move to a place where I can’t join a band and play some fun clubs! Every time I visited FL I was stuck in some salsa place…

Silly question but I’m curious

Posted on 03/29/2013 at 2:48 AM

Matt,  I’m from Delray Beach but have been living in Paso Robles/Templeton, Ca. for 6 yrs.  I would love to move back and am thinking of the upper Keys.  I like that my area in Cali is really laid back and the mountains are beautiful.  No traffic problems here and the air is pretty dry.  It’s easy living here but I miss the tropical breezes, warm water and interesting conversations.  I’m widowed and have a 16 yr. old son.  I want the best for him as well.  The whole time I’ve been here I really haven’t got one person I would call my good friend.  Would love your opinion.

Posted on 04/09/2013 at 7:19 AM

It’s all about what you like. That’s kind of a small town area you’re in, so for a teenager I could see him getting a little antsy. That said, moving during High School generally isn’t fun either, so who knows. Since he’s older, ask for his input and see what he prefers. Not to say let the kid make the decision, but the input might be useful.

Obviously, I prefer South Florida for a lot of reasons. So you really have to figure that out for yourself. Delray is much more laid back and livable than Miami, so that might work for you.

Posted on 04/09/2013 at 4:31 PM

I stumbled upon this discussion and figured I would give my two cents.  I grew up in the Florida Panhandle and later moved to the Boca Raton area, and then moved to California desert, an hour and a half from L.A. for a few years.  So let me reiterate you cannot compare the city of Miami to the entire state of California.  I will give you my unbiased experience and you can decide. 

California:  Northern California is stunning.  It truly is.  Beaches there are not for swimming, there is lots of culture, people are still laid back but not quite as laid back as L.A. types (more on them later), it does get cold….in the summer….but i have to say if I had to pick between the Bay Area and South Florida I’m not sure what I would do. 

SoCal.  The weather doesn’t change much, if ever.  It can get a little chilly in the evenings and mornings but usually the middle of the day is pretty pleasant.  The beaches are hideous.  Not as dramatic and breathtaking as northen Cali they are flat and sand covered sort of like South Florida, only with terrible sand and freezing cold water year round.  Yes it is dry, some people like that.  It rarely rains.  I found that I missed the rain as a whole while in California.  I like a good rainy day now and again which apparently never happens in Southern California.  Perhaps there is more culture in L.A. than South Florida but I find things hard to get to, the traffic absolutely atrocious at all hours of the day, terrible parking so I didn’t really enjoy all this “culture.”  L.A. is NOT a good place to bar hop because things seem very spread out.  People are ridiculously laid back here.  That is a plus to some people.  I found them to be too laid back.  I may be high strung but if we have been waiting in line in Starbucks for 20 minutes I don’t want to hear you discuss which beverage is more organic or natural with the barista.  I also don’t want to wait 10 minutes while you ring up my order, I like things a little more snappy.  I am fond of nightlife and I was surprised to find out how early things shut down in L.A.  I was also surprised to see that the entire state is more brown than I thought it would be.  Must be the lack of rain.  Even Paso Robles was sort of straw colored most of the year except for a couple months in the spring when everything came to life.  Yes jobs are better in California.  The flip side to that is you will be taxed on EVERYTHING.  Gas, pet ownership, vehicles, state income tax, sales tax.  I couldn’t believe how much money we were spending on taxes and do not speed.  I ended up with a $400 speeding ticket for going 15mph over. 

Florida:  The Panhandle and North of Florida are nothing like south Florida.  The rednecks and beach bums are in the panhandle, as is the gun culture and the tea party.  As a kid, I comprised the entire Hispanic population of my high school.  I do not recommend Northwest Florida unless you really don’t like the city, and want to spend your life fishing on the beach and maybe hunting.  However, I have not seen nicer beaches than Pensacola Beach.  Sugar white sand, beautiful sea green water - nothing in California can touch it. 

South Florida is its own beast, and Miami is in its own category.  People party in Miami.  Bars and clubs stay open well past 2 AM and in some cases will past 4AM.  People walk around with very little clothing but all of it is designer and colorful.  Miami is more worried about how much money and status you have and how hot you look.  L.A. people are more worried about which movie execs you know.  Miami people go out to party hard in L.A. they just want to be seen in the trendiest places or try to be as hipster as possible.  I didn’t find people to be rude but that is the reputation.  The beaches are lovely and I loved the 24 hour tropical vibe.  Yes it gets hot and humid in the summer.  Wear less and hit the beach or go inside to cool off.  If you dont like beaches and pools you may have a tough time if you do then embrace the heat and get a fruity drink and get in the water.  Areas on the coast will seem congested.  If you don’t like that head a little farther north to Delray.  If you like to be in the thick of it all go to South Beach.  There are a lot less rules about everything except pot and a lot less taxes as well.  Yes Florida is fairly flat.  I thought that was a plus actually.  Traffic isn’t nearly as bad as L.A. and it’s easier to get to the airports (FLL and MIA).  MIA is a zoo but honestly it’s no worse than LAX. 

I would move back to South Florida , Ft. Lauderdale area in a heart beat but I will be happy if I never set foot in L.A. again.

Posted on 04/11/2013 at 1:09 PM

P.S., All of this is a generality, and are just my personal beliefs. It is what I look for as an active, outdoors-oriented single person, from living in and repeatedly visiting various places. There are numerous wonderful (and numerous slightly miserable) places out there, many times contained in the same state. For my list of needs, I would live in Vegas or Phoenix for cheap real estate in a metro area if I didn’t mind that brutal July/August heat (loving golf and having a speed boat requisite for entertainment I think—not minding gambling and drinking for Vegas). I would raise kids in UT or CO (social life difficult I’ve experienced, and suck it up for winter, as I have….brrr). South Florida if I was 20 again and wanted to have some fun partying, or retired/die-hard sports fisherman (and disappear during July/August at a minimum). Wish I would have done that when younger (so could fit into the scene—I’m in 40’s now even though still have the desire, they would see me as just an “old man” trying to enjoy Tiesto—as I do!). San Francisco if I was more politically liberal and didn’t mind it cooler/more overcast (they really do have it all though, quick access to ocean, mountains, hiking, skiing, boating, culture, etc.—best overall in my opinion). San Diego for closest to my personal idea of perfection, if I could afford it. No money left over though for lifestyle/hobbies/life if buy place in LA/OC/San Diego/San Fran. Median detached home now $600,000. Tired of lifetime of roommates and condos so detached home is desireable. Manhattan would be a blast for a couple years to have all types of experiences, then go elsewhere after that I would think. (Why not sample a lot if you are young, or single, and have opportunity?) Life is short. Good luck everyone!

Posted on 04/25/2013 at 12:21 AM

Hahahaha What a puff piece. Don’t you think that you writing for Miami 411 maybe has some bearing on what you are writing? I am not saying that SoCal is better but come on other than affluent areas in SoBe etc. who really wants to live in Miami—the city? A wrong turn and you could head into a shootout or think you are in Cuba since there are no signs in English leaving aside Miami is still USA not little Havana! Besides San Diego is nice too.

Posted on 05/01/2013 at 8:06 AM

Well, you know, I DID spend most of my life in CA before moving to Miami. And if you’ve read other stuff I have on here I"m hardly a Miami cheerleader. I just happen to think it’s better than California.

Posted on 05/01/2013 at 5:56 PM

Well that is fair but I know a lot of professionals who have not moved to Miami just because of:
1. Crime in the upper middle class suburban areas let alone the city proper.
2. No great educational institutions especially secondary and post secondary.
3. The perniciously tribal nature of the Cubans with their least offensive behavior is thinking that talking in English (esp. to nonhispanics who they spot a mile away)  is sacrilegious leaving aside no “American” civility that is the hallmark of America globally and generally recalcitrant clinging to the 3rd world mindset/ethos here in USA.

No I am not some redneck and I have traveled and lived globally.

If even 1 and 2 were addressed I would move there tomorrow.

Posted on 05/01/2013 at 6:24 PM

Um, are you saying the University of Miami is NOT a great educational institution? As a proud member of their faculty, I"m insulted. Especially since I spent my final exam period today talking about strip clubs with my students.

That said #3 is ridiculous and something I’ve made a career of complaining about. It’s the worst part of living here, hands down. The crime is no worse than any other big city.

Posted on 05/03/2013 at 4:26 PM

As a 21 year old born and raised in California, and a visitor of Florida, I must say that I was happy to return to my home state. The fact that the big cities of both CA and FL are what everyone seems to be basing their opinions on is revolting.
I grew up in a great little city in California called Ventura. Absolutely perfect weather all year round and everything you need is biking distance. It’s about an hour and a half north of LA, and one of the least exspensive beach towns. Even in my city, you can get ANY kind of food you crave. Indian? Have it around the corner. Greek? Go down the street to your left. We are so diverse and cultured in California.
To the people saying Californians are “stuck up”, you couldn’t be more wrong. Sure, there are the assholes who assume they are above the average person, but tell me one place you CAN’T find those people and maybe that argument can be valid. Every neighborhood I’ve moved to, I’ve been welcomed with open arms and felt as though we were a community. Californians, from my experience, are way more open socially than in FL.
I have also lived in LA county in a city called Valencia. From spring-fall, the nights can be so warm and perfect. I frequently wear shorts outside after the sun falls with no problems. Even though the beaches are not as beautiful as FL, the weather is what makes CA amazing.
About the fashion…there’s not much I could say. Based only off of my own experience, I felt as though there was no “Florida Fashion”. Walking around all I saw was cleavage, butt cheek, and stomach…Again, that is all based off of my own experience.
Although my opinion may be completely biased, I stand by it. I left to FL with great excitement and expectation, only to leave with disappointment. Most of my trip was spent inside based solely on the unbearable heat. It may be beautiful, but beauty is only SO important my friends.

Posted on 05/17/2013 at 4:49 PM

California Make Florida Look Retarded! No Affense! Beautiful Mountains, Rolling Hills, Stunning BeacheS, Vibrant Wildflowers, And Everything Is Ultra Modern! Did I Mention The Weather, Daytime Highs In The Summer Will Get Into The 80’s And 90’S, But By The Evening Expect Temperatures Varying From The 70’s To The 50’! I Won’t Discount Florida They Do Have Beautiful Beaches, But That’s It! I Live In Louisiana And Florida Reminds Me Of Louisiana Minus The Beautiful Beaches. Its Just ” Pure Humidity” A Devastating HEat Wave! Also Florida HAs Cool Amusement Parks. California Offers All Of The Above Beautiful Beaches, Awesome Amusement Parks, Beautiful Weather, And The Wild Scenic Wildlife And Scenery Right At Your Fingertips! I Like Florida But I Love Cali!!! I ReSpect All Opinions But I’m WIth Cali!!!

Posted on 05/19/2013 at 4:33 PM

I moved to Florida back in 1999 to be closer to the other family members that migrated here from NY and CA. I grew up in Santa Barbara and I can tell you that on a scale of share beauty….........Florida does not hold a candle to California. In Santa Barbara I could sit on the beach with the mountains at my back. And as a diver I can tell you that there is much more to see underwater in California then in Florida. Clear water is nice but gets boring fast. The one thing that hit me when I arrived in Florida was the lack of any mountains, hills, etc. FLAT! And the only thing there is to do here is either sit in your air conditioned McMansion all day, or go to the beach. And if you are on the East coast or Clearwater area on the gulf say goodbye to your hands, feet and maybe life as Florida is the Shark attack capital of the world (Bull sharks gone wild). And depending on where you live you could end up in South Long Island. I also was hit with very rude, loud and hairy New Yorkers, as well as, the other extreme Rednecks. Oh, and in California when I swim in a lake I don’t have to worry about getting eaten by a 10 foot Alligator or being bitten by a Cotton mouth. Throw in 20 foot pythons, 7 foot monitor lizards and you can say goodbye to your pets as well. When I arrived here in 91 the cost of living was much cheaper then California but since then my pay has flat lined while everything else skyrocketed. Florida is a right to work state so you have nothing to say about the pay because if you don’t like being grossly underpaid you have the right not to work. Yes California is crowded and full of Mexicans, but I find most of them to be hard working friendly people VS the trailer trash, Oxy freaks and others I have met here in Florida. Oh, I forgot to mention sink holes, as the whole state is built on top of sand and water, only a matter of time before your $300,000 home disappears into a giant whole (Just had a man killed a couple of months ago when he went in with the house). And don’t bother trying to get sink hole insurance because all the nice people of Florida abused the coverage so it is next to impossible to get it now. Throw in flooding, Hurricanes, Tornados, and Fires as well. And as far as smoking goes…………..put all smokers in a little room and let them kill each other with their poison! I don’t care about rights infringement because I have the right not to be murdered by some moron that chooses to slowly commit suicide himself. I am moving back to California in two weeks and although Florida was a 15 year part of my family’s journey, that journey has now ended and now we set out on a new one.

Posted on 05/20/2013 at 7:51 AM

Loving this debate, full of interesting perspectives, thanks!  Despite all of the attributes I enjoy about SoFlo, I have been, and am thoroughly over it!  It’s validating to hear I’m not alone in my opinion that it’s become far too crowded with rude, ill mannered, entitled people, plenty of whom won’t even attempt English.  The outdoors are fun for a few things, if you can bear the heat and humidity, or you have a boat.  The beaches?  Don’t get me started.  I wish our county would support more anti littering laws.  So sad to see plastic, empty beer cans, old shoes, cigarette butts, where both garbage and recycling receptacles stand on the way off the beach!  What gives?!  It doesn’t seem enough So Floridians take interest in the environment around them, much less the endangered species who share our coast. 

Enough rant, I really wondered if anyone can offer advice or opinion on Northern Ca.  I’ve only been once.  Loved the Redwoods, the people seem far less superficial to SoFlo, the drives amazingly scenic, and I pretty much get the picture about the weather : /  Most of this conversation has focused on SoFlo vs SoCal.  Any thoughts on life in say ... Eureka, Arcata, Redding, Crescent City?

Posted on 05/21/2013 at 8:48 PM

Florida sucks, I thought when i moved to Florida that people would be doing stuff outdoors, boy was i wrong, nobody goes outside in Florida and if they do, they’re just laying at the beach, in Cali people are active and way more friendly for the most part, unless your rich and own a yacht there is nothing to do in florida, there are several different activities to do in cali, where u dont need to be rich, and as far as the beaches, again not even close, cali all the way, florida beaches dont even have boardwalks, and dont even get me started about the women, again not even close, cali wins again, good looking women everywhere u look in cali, and in florida, man there hard to find, unless your rich again and can afford to party down in palm peach or south beach, the hottest women are nowhere to be found, gorgeous women all over the beaches of cali, there better lookiing women in Ohio, where I’m from than in florida, unless there always just hidiing out in the clubs. So to you floridians who can’t handle some nice cool nights, stay the hell in florida then, I’m so glad i get to leave florida in 122 days and counting.

Posted on 05/23/2013 at 10:07 AM

If you like Florida for the smaller population why right about wanting to people to go there.  Shhhh… keep it a secret .

Posted on 06/19/2013 at 11:12 AM

If Florida is so great, why have property values tumbled. Yet, in areas like La Jolla and the real Bay area, they have remained strong.

Posted on 06/27/2013 at 8:54 PM

California doesn’t have double to residence for nothing. Only the very southern portion of Floridas has warm winters. Floridas rain in the summer, California gets sunshine everyday in the summer. I’ve lived in humid areas and I hate having to sleep in sweaty sticky humid weather. I love that California cools down. California is a biodiversity hotspot. Look up the California floristic province. From Lake Tahoe to San Diego there’s so much variance in geography. Floridas flatter then your girlfriend ass. It’s beaches and a giant swamp in the middle. One more thing I can judge tropical weather as I am cambodian and been there many times. Parents are from there and people there would kill to have weather in California. California coast is not known for being hot but rather mild. Inland is a different story it gets in the 100s. I do like Floridas warm water but then again if California had warm water we wouldn’t have our fabulous mediterannean climate. Yeah and half of the money to comes from us agriculture is from California on only 1% of US farmland. We have so much less bugs and Mosquitos than in humid areas.

Posted on 06/28/2013 at 4:28 AM

Florida sucks

Posted on 06/29/2013 at 12:49 AM

Floridiots!!!!!! and the mosquitos and humidity make this place suck!!! I miss California!!!! Southern California has the best of everything. There is no comparison. Cali is Heaven and Florida is Hell! Ive never seen so many accidents then on the death trap US 19 here in Florida. Tampa was listed as the #1 most stressful city in the US on sperling’s website. Only thin blooded Florida hicks like the weather here. Normal people find sweat dripping in un mentionable places offensive, but these weirdos seem to love it. I think the heat in Florida boiled their brains. Someone here actually told me that Thai food and Indian food was the same thing. Really??? California is has so much more culture its not even funny. Plus nearly perfect weather all year. And a short drive to many, many diverse activities. Mexico, Las Vegas, Snow ski…........ Drive in Florida for 4 hours and guess what…. its still hot humid nasty buggy and flat. yippy, you’re still in Florida. Its a hell on earth and my life purpose has now begun as a quest to get out of here! (ive spent over 12 years in each state, a few cities each, so I feel more than qualified to compare them)

Posted on 07/03/2013 at 12:00 AM

MATT On this section you seem pro Miami. On another section (25 things) you seee the glass half empty. What is going on with this schizophrenic outlook?

Posted on 07/07/2013 at 12:53 PM

Miami’s shitty, make no doubt about it. But I still prefer it to California in many respects.

Posted on 07/07/2013 at 1:07 PM

In what sense do you like it more than So Cal ie SF to SD? Thanks.

Posted on 07/07/2013 at 1:28 PM

It boils down to what one likes personally. There is no better or worse, all depends what you prefer as an individual. I am currently living in San Diego, however i do spend about 6 months of the year in South Florida, Miami Beach. People are people no matter where you are. Some are nice, others are rude. Some like the dry air, some like the humidity. Some like having the mountains nearby, other love the beautiful Florida beaches. Try to overlook all the negativity in either places since no place is perfect. Take it for what it represents and go with it. California is beautiful, however Florida is wonderful in its own way. Wherever one choses to live, try to make the best of it.
Btw, Matt Melzer, i do enjoy your comments and very objective evaluation in regards to this topic.

Posted on 07/09/2013 at 11:53 AM

There are a lot less rules in Miami. Much easier to fly under the radar. Nobody cares what you do for work. Nobody really judges you about anything. People aren’t sensitive and there’s no sense of political correctness. It’s also warmer, the beaches are nicer, the water is warmer and the cost of living is less. There’s less taxes, and the ratio of single guys to girls is much more favorable.

But, I mean, doesn’t the article pretty much sum that up?

Posted on 07/10/2013 at 1:06 AM

fla all day thats all im gonna say mmkayyy

Posted on 07/15/2013 at 2:48 PM

Matt does everyone in Fl live in and occupy their own enclaves without significant interaction outside of work? Is the educational environment K to 12 college, graduate as diversified and rich as the northeast?

Posted on 07/15/2013 at 4:49 PM

Not even close, Aaron. Floridians are pretty much the dumbes people in America not in a Flyover state.

Posted on 07/18/2013 at 6:43 AM

Matt ohio is considered a flyover state. But there is ohio state,  case western reserve university,  cleveland clinic and tons more.

Posted on 07/18/2013 at 9:32 AM

The author is a buffoon.  Yeah…there is nothing like 99% humidity (florida), being sweaty and sticky ALL the time, insects, mosquitoes, hurricanes, swamps.  Healthiest food:  Waffle House.    I’m pretty sure NOBODY likes humidity, especially when it’s over 80 degrees outside, which Florida consistently is.    Florida is the poor man’s California basically.  It just takes some prior thinking to deal with the traffic.  The people in California who are in the traffic are there because they don’t plan ahead.  Sure there is more traffic in CA, in part because its so much more comfortable to live there, more people life in CA.  Most people because the weather, yes, is much BETTER in CA.  Why do you think there is traffic? But, again, if you are a thinking person, you can plan around it.  I do, and it’s NO PROBLEM. 

I went to train in Florida for tennis many years ago.  One conclusion : sucks!  The coolest part were alligators or crocodiles on the golf courses.  Didn’t enjoy being wet even when I wasn’t training.  Wet after I attempted to dry off after a shower.  Seeing all the fat people destined to die of heart disease or diabetes roaming around looking for the next Waffle House.  And for all the authors so called “nice” weather…everyone is Butt white!  No having the sun on your skin is not healthy, despite what the media, medicine, and the sunblock companies are telling you.

Overall, I find the weather in Florida to be deplorable.  Every year you have to be wary of hurricanes that can destroy your town.  Health lifestyle options for eating are nearly non-existent in Florida.  True, ca has earthquakes, but they are over in less than a minute then it’s back to business.  Floods, bacteria, humidity, insects, and fat butt white people are not pleasing to look at, traffic or not.  And sitting Waffle house hearing war stories of need to order more batch insulin just isn’t appetizing. 

sorry, florida loses.

Posted on 07/25/2013 at 2:11 PM

Knowing every1 is entitled to their “opinion” & that people have personal or health related likes/dislikes. Simply a matter of personal preferences. No offense but I do not like Florida at all. Its not for me. For one thing I don’t like days without sunshine.(will always make me lol that they call it the sunshine state…with all the rain, overcasts & hurricanes. I get 355 days a year of sunshine & the ones that aren’t? Lasts a piece of the day.
I don’t like it to rain any longer than what I sleep and even that…not often. I don’t like bugs & I sincerely can’t breathe in humidity.  You want to talk about sludge? Really? Really? LOL .I’m never going into those waters… near the oil spills? Let’s talk sludge?
( & let’s just say “cuban runoff”).
I spent 2 months in Florida & I couldnt believe that I didn’t have sunshine for a month in the summer?! Overcast every damn day I was there. Then I traveled up the east coast and never escaped humidity that summer…until I got home ♥ right up to NY, upstate & on to Vermont…where you’ve entered the “freeze zone”. I won’t do the cold.
I love California although I live in Arizona. ..but love Arizona too. I have a spiritual connection here (Tucson AZ)..its where my heart is.. ♥
Remember, where we live, our lives are all by choices. So obviously i love AZ or I wouldn’t live here. I’d be on the west coast somewhere between San Fran and San Carlos, Mexico “if” not for my grandchildren. I’m originally from Detroit…I RAN!  lol.
For me (& my entire family agrees) NO HUMIDITY. I can handle the amount on west coast, NOT EAST.

Posted on 07/28/2013 at 3:06 PM

As a lifelong Floridian and frequent California visitor, I feel like Florida is a good compromise on beach and city life compared to California. In Cali, the job market is better but no job is going to allow you to own there. In Cali, the weather is better and varies even across cities, but there are hotter, stickier places than Florida (DC in Summer?). Cali has more outdoor activities, but Florida isn’t without world class fishing, golf, and beaches. Cali has more consistent surfing, but all eyes turn to South Florida during hurricane season to see green barrels and you can actually surf by yourself here.
Florida has better travel opportunities, way less taxes and regulation, and people are actually moving here as opposed to Cali which has a negative migration rate.

Posted on 08/03/2013 at 8:18 PM

Top Californian. What you described is not Miami. Have you even been here. Have you spent any significant time here in South Florida? Just because you trained one summer in some “camp” doesn’t make you a definitive expert on all things Florida. You did not once discuss Miami…Which by the way is the topic of the post. Your one sided gloss over exaggerations of what may possibly be somewhere in Central Florida doesn’t add in any way shape or form to the true nature of this duscussion. Sorry… You lose !

Posted on 08/03/2013 at 8:32 PM

Also…. One cannot argue that the idea of Florida being a “poor man’s” California is preposterous. California is beautiful and unique for what it has. Just because Miami has beaches doesn’t make Miami like California. The culture, food, availability of certain foods and goods, South American and Cuban as well as Caribbean influences make Miami unique and very different than ANY part of Cali. While Miami may be wild and sometimes dangerous, there is a LOT of money here as well. Are you kidding!!!! People need to educate themselves lol!

Posted on 08/03/2013 at 8:49 PM

Julio I think the issues that most seriously concerns tourists, newcomers, or wannabe newcomers is that SoFl esp Miami resembles third world ethos in the main, from bad service, to bad govt, to unwelcoming aura from the latin community who seem to forget that this is USA not South America/Cuba etc. This becomes worse when one goes to PR en route to any carib destination where…well that is another story. Add to this the lack of world class institutions in education well…I dont even want to go there. Everything that America is known for in the world is obliterated in SoFl save the ultrarich enclaves.

Posted on 08/05/2013 at 7:29 PM

While there are definitely elements of truth to what you say, this is very much an American city. In fact it is much more representative of what makes the spirit of America known throughout the world. This is truly a city where the immigrant paves the way. While Spanish is spoken predominantly here, it is also the conglomeration of Latin American and other foreign enterprises and banks that lend to the “south american” feel. Once you wander away from Little Havana and the tourist traps around South Beach, you see hard working albeit spanish speaking citizens and immigrants celebrating this country and living day by day. Is it not the same in California with its heavy Mexican population? How about China Town, Japan Center, and every other ethnic enclave found throughout the state? As for bad government, be more precise. Are you referring to corruption or city management, which if I am not mistaken does not top the list as does New Jersey and or Detroit. And as a final thought, U of M is a good school and while may not be Cornell, is very decent in its own right.

Posted on 08/05/2013 at 7:56 PM

Julio I have been all over the world and visited SoFl area since 1999 for conferences. When I veer from the touristy and affluent areas in Miami, I feel like I have traveled to another third world country. I took a wrong turn and went into a street where NOBODY could talk in English/or didn’t want to in order to give me directions. I had never come across that before. This was in 1999 and things have not improved since. The tribal nature is so pernicious that people don’t even want to talk to you unless they think you are latin. This sort of tribalism has far more deleterious consequences downstream.

Immigrant communities are all over US, who in my opinion have a far more progressive ethos that allows them to celebrate their culture yet participate in modern America on a more meaning level than I feel is the case in SoFl. That is not to say people don’t work hard for even meager wages. Chinese, Indians, Japanese, eastern Europeans etc. acculturate very rapidly to the norms/ethos in American society in general. I work with many of people across all these cultures. Of course in the same vein but to a lesser degree Mexicans suffer from these issues. But we are not talking about them currently. In Chinatown, if they can speak in English or even if they can’t they TRY. This is the difference.  In SoFl from my experience and the general consensus is that the latin culture there are perennially and in perpetuity FOBs and what is worse, they like it that way ie SoFl as a extension of whatever latinAm country they came from.

With respect to the govt, I am referring to both but primarily inefficient, corrupt to the level where it affects the daily bread and butter issues, even hiring/firing are more based on who you know in a fashion and to a degree where I have not seen in this country. Jeez even be buses run late, something which I have experienced only in third world countries.  Stating that there is corruption elsewhere is not an answer. I thought we learned that as children. Detroit and the rustbelt have lost ALL of their core industry since the late 70s. The MUNY bond market restructuring is a global phenomenon post 2007/08 depression. What would SoFl be like if the tourist industry disappeared tomorrow? Even I don’t want to hazard a guess at that scenario. Sure there is corruption all over the world but the peculiar recalcitrant nature of “third world corruption” is something unique which I along with the consensus feel is being sadly replicated in the Miami area.

Now if this all the above was in let’s say Pueblo, Colorado, would anyone care? Probably not! But given that people care about the SoFl area given its unique geography and a great cultural vibe, and unlimited potential it’s disheartening that there is not more progress in an area that is awash in capital.

Posted on 08/06/2013 at 10:42 AM

Well originally from Cali and missing it I can honestly tell u after 8 years I will be moving back thank god. They call fl paradise I call it gods forsaken state. Moved in 06 after a few months found my self saying give it a chance after a year regretting it. Honestly would have left sooner but I purchased my home and the marked has crashed so severely out hear that I would not get back 1/4 of what I spent. It has gotten better but not by much so I will lose some and win some. I have considered the pro and cons and trust me I am out of hear. Lets mention a few facts on why I rather lose money and leave than wait and become like so many others I have meet that are just stuck and can not leave any more for different reasons. Humidity is horrible houses have mold even the new ones, body aches, swelling, pool items get moldy, not to mention the expenses on maintaining it with all the rain. Grass maintenance for get it. Spiders everywhere and not little one either. Never saw one walk on water till I moved hear, scorpions in your house, snakes in your pool, mosquitos, Nats I could go on for ever. It rains all the time along with thunder and lightning try having to pays over 500.00 ever time lighting hits a tree or palm, loss of power, satellite, computer dinner ruined etc. Schools are bad, Dr are a joke, hospitals forget it. Police well, drugs forget it. You have alot and I mean alot of the good old boys out hear even though it is a mixing pot do not let that fool u. Not much for kids, teens, or adults to do. And if your looking for a place to retire and die look no further its Florida. As for jobs there are none and the ones that are hear do not pay well at all. Oh lets not forget the best part hurricanes boarding your house praying it passes us up. Oh and our famous sinkholes that can literally swallow you and your family alive. I strongly suggest you research before you move to Florida good luck. I will tell you if I new then what I know now hands down I would still be in Cali hands down.

Posted on 09/22/2013 at 8:46 PM

Jojo. So what part of Cali are you from? Does the water ever get warm enough to swim in there?

Posted on 09/22/2013 at 9:13 PM

Rude, stupid people. Yep, that sounds about dead on.

Posted on 10/14/2013 at 4:53 PM

There are rude and stupid people everywhere. California is no different. The key is not to let it bother you, otherwise all these negative vibes will continue to slowly eat you up.

Posted on 10/15/2013 at 6:32 AM

Just one man’s opinion. Doesn’t really make Florida better. My opinion; there’s WAY more stuff to do in California, more opportunities, better weather. Florida is cool, but I’ll pick California any day. West Coast is the Best Coast! lol

Posted on 10/17/2013 at 11:21 PM

I have lived in Clearwater Beach,Port Richey and Tampa the last 23years and moved from Brooklyn,NY 21 years ago. I love the nature walks,parks,beaches,outdoor festivals for 4months(art,music,dance)a year.I love the theater,bikeriding,paradailing,snorkeling,jumping out of boats into clear warm water,and food festivals.There is ALOT to do outdoors in Florida..Saeasota,DaytonaBeach,TreasureIslland Fort Desoto,FortMeyers,Boca and are beautiful.There are alot of alcoholics and drug dealers everywhere and it has gotten worse the last 10years especially with the oxyscene. US19 is scary,people drive at 90years old and recklessly.We love disney,epcot,universal,wetnwildwater parks are awesome.I have traveled to San Francisco,Yosemite,Laguana,DanaPoint,Bev.Hills,LA,SimiValley,Hollywood and CatalinaIsland and oh yeah VeniceBeach…love mountains,organicfood,fitness,outdoors,nicerestaurants,fashion,music,love Cali and can.t wait to move there in ,9months..just hope I can afford it and just work part time photographer and part time insurance agent.I am currently doing both now and very motivated so I am hoping to survive Calis cost of living.Does anyone know if Irvine is a safe place to live?or boring?How far from LosAngeles?Thanks for any advice..

Posted on 10/27/2013 at 10:17 PM

Kris is Cali drug and wino free?

Posted on 10/27/2013 at 10:31 PM

Kris,

I lived in San Juan Capistrano, just south of Irvine along the coast.
I am not a fan of Orange County with the exception of the coastal towns ( Laguna Beach, Newport Beacht etc..)
I find Irvine kind of dull, however you are not far from the beach and in between San Diego and LA, one hour distance to both. Not sure crime rate statistics, but if you can and if i were you, i would south closer to San Diego

Posted on 12/23/2013 at 7:09 AM

It seems to me that most of the comments here are coming from people who do not have young children.  Currenly, we live in 2400 sq foot house near Irvine, CA, OC, about 20 min from the beach.  We pay $2400 a month which is low in our area.  We have lived her 3 years, and recently we looked at moving further south toward Mission Viejo.  Well low and behold, the rents for homes our size jumped from $300-$500 more for a much smaller house.  Our house will cost $3000 a month down there and here now.  Insane!  I work part time, my husband is in the mortgage business.  It is so expensive with the rents now we can’t move.  Our kids are in private school because the school systems here are touch and go.  Rents for a house our size in Southern FL like Boca Raton, are more like $2200 or even less.  Apartments for 1400 sq ft in S. OC are around $2500 or more!  Gas is .50 more expensive per gallon than south florida.  We paid $8000 in state taxes here last year and in FL we would save that!  So we are questioning if we could put up with the extreme heat for the lower cost of living.  We do plan to get our Real Estate License there so it would be a business that could support us there.  Everything, except the beach, costs a lot here in southern Cali.

Posted on 02/23/2014 at 1:42 AM

As far as the people here in OC and LA.  People in LA are very shallow unless like one person said, you are in the Entertainment business.  And even then, people are only nice to you if you can better their networking in the business.  We know, we worked in that arena at one time.  OC, the people are a lot nicer but on the other hand I don’t have many friends that I feel close to.  It is hard to get close to people here, not like in Minneapolis or in Austin of which I have spent a lot of time as well.  So FL people, may be ok in my book if they are more real.  What about people in Boca Raton or Deerfield Beach??

Posted on 02/23/2014 at 1:49 AM

@bz
I have young children and moved from north San Diego to Boca Raton 3 years ago. I did this for many of the same reasons you speak of. We hate it here and are finally able to go back.
The schools in FL are terrible the people even worse. I live and work in Boca, this place is a cesspool of grumpy mean people old and young alike. Just a heads up rent in Boca for a 3 bedroom decent home $2300, plus your a/c bill $350. (you better like living indoors 6 months a year). I also hope you like bugs, more bugs, rain, more rain, muggy 80% of the year, mold grows on all outdoor thing several times a year. So you will need that upkeep $$$. Really the negative list goes on and on.

It really has made my wife and I realize what we had in SoCal. Open fresh air parks, mountains to bike/hike with the kids, windows open and the ability to be outside. Just much more of an out door life. It is not any more affordable in south Florida than SoCal.

Posted on 02/23/2014 at 7:45 AM

Thank you JT.  Someone I can relate too.  I had that fear.  Actually rents could be as low as 1600 for us there but like you said, if you hate it, it isn’t worth it.  For others looking to move to Cali, I lived in LA for 5 years.  If you are conservative, or a Christian, you may not like it.  It is highly liberal and people use you to further their career, in Hollywood, its all about Networking.  If you can further peoples careers then great, if not then forget it.  Also my husband and I got tired of being the “token married couple”.  I would not raise my family there.  If you move to LA are, move to Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, or Hermosa.  If you have a young family, skip Hermosa, its fun but it is a party town.  Or move to Woodland Hills or Granada Hills.  Traffic in LA DOES suck like everyone says.  We used to joke in Sherman Oaks, that the mall we lived two blocks away from, we could get to faster walking than driving!  I found OC to be way for friendly, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo (for families is great), Irvine, Sunset Beach, Seal Beach.  All great cities to live in and WAY more friendly.  If you are a conservative, or christian, or just very family oriented, you are likely to like OC better.  I don’t judge people.  I just found that OC is more family friendly and still a lot of big regional offices are here in Irvine, and Newport Beach for you to work.  But I still recommend that even in OC, you try to work near where you live or visa versa which ever comes first.

Posted on 02/23/2014 at 10:34 AM

All y’all comments are good inspiration for me I’m trying to move to either state I’ve heard good things from both places Miami sounds so awesome and LA is like paradise like any thing is possible and acknowledgeable. I want to be a Big Entertainer and problem is the city I live at is real small let alone for a state like Kansas it’s not all that great and cracked up like they have in the movies, yeah Superman and Dorothy are form there don’t mean that is just ludicrous even hypocritical the weather is either too hot or too cold not just right I love summertime but I like it everytime and not just a crappy season like we have.Not only that everybody acts like some Right-wingers that hate Obama so much they start to act like treasons or a bunch of hateful religious nuts (thank God Fred Phelps is dead) or just some old random standard person that don’t want to do anything but just bitch how boring is that let alone pathetic

Posted on 04/03/2014 at 5:21 AM

Marcel, Miami and LA are both pretty liberal.  I think you may like LA better but be careful in either state where you move.  You will find that LA seems really nice and cool at first, but don’t ever forget that people are kind of fake there.  But if you can handle that then you can endure it.  I lived there 5 years and got really sick of the fake people.  But they are politically liberal there so that would fit your style.  Miami probably is too.  If you move to OC California or Boca Raton, then you will be in a more conservative area politically.  Of course you can find both anywhere.  You will love the weather in California but it is incredibly expensive to live here which doesn’t bother you until you find that you want to get married and buy a house.  A condo here will run you about $400,000 plus.  You can get a decent little house in FL for $250,000.  I would visit both places before you make a decision.  If you visit FL then you should do it in mid summer and see if you can handle the humidity and heat.  California is nice all year round.  Just food for thought.

Posted on 04/03/2014 at 9:21 PM

BZ. How nice is the weather in cali? SF and above goes down to 50s in the winter too many times. Can you go to the beach and swim all year long in cali. Maybe in San Diego? Not sure.

Posted on 04/03/2014 at 11:47 PM

Good question.  I would say that if you like warm water, Florida is it.  Here in Cali it is freezing cold, at least to me and my kids.  My husband is very warm blooded so he likes it and he will go in all year round.  The winters are not very cold here.  We had a pretty warm winter.  Today it was in the 70s.  We have had 80 degree days recently and it is April now.  The winters are 60s-70s mostly, some 50s but much more rare.  You can search “average temperatures year round in southern California” and it should bring up for you a website with a temperature calendar.  A lot of people still swim in the water here in southern california, we go to Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Seal Beach, and such.  But San Diego, I would imagine would be warmer since you are closer to the equator.  San Diego is great.  Just make sure you search where to live.  Carlsbad is nice, Del Mar, La Jolla (very expensive), Mission Valley, Mission Beach, and others are very nice places to live.  So to answer your question about swimming on the beaches during all months,  I would say yes, if you are not adverse to cold water.  I am so I don’t swim til June or so.  But my husband isn’t, so he swims all year.  San Francisco is MUCH colder, yes.  Much colder than from LA to San Diego!    Does that answer your question?

Posted on 04/04/2014 at 12:21 AM

Good question.  I would say that if you like warm water, Florida is it.  Here in Cali it is freezing cold, at least to me and my kids.  My husband is very warm blooded so he likes it and he will go in all year round.  The winters are not very cold here.  We had a pretty warm winter.  Today it was in the 70s.  We have had 80 degree days recently and it is April now.  The winters are 60s-70s mostly, some 50s but much more rare.  You can search “average temperatures year round in southern California” and it should bring up for you a website with a temperature calendar.  A lot of people still swim in the water here in southern California, we go to Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Seal Beach, and such.  San Diego, I would imagine would be warmer since you are closer to the equator.  San Diego is great.  Just make sure you search where to live.  Carlsbad is nice, Del Mar, La Jolla (very expensive), Mission Valley, Mission Beach, and others are very nice places to live.  So to answer your question about swimming on the beaches during all months,  I would say yes, if you are not adverse to cold water.  I am so I don’t swim til June or so.  But my husband isn’t, so he swims all year.  San Francisco is MUCH colder, yes.  Much colder than from LA to San Diego!    Does that answer your question?

Posted on 04/04/2014 at 12:22 AM

Yes BZ it does to a great extent. Thank you. I went to UC @ Santa Cruz for a conference it was great all along the coastal highway…. like paradise to Monterrey but the water was freezing.

What are some of the bad points of living in the South Beach area or surrounding for a family with preschool kids.

Thanks.

Posted on 04/04/2014 at 10:23 AM

So San Diego is much colder than LA?
Thanks

Posted on 04/04/2014 at 10:24 AM

Oh I’m sorry.  San Diego is WARMER than LA.  The water is supposed to be warmer than LA but definitely warmer than Northern California!

Posted on 04/04/2014 at 5:48 PM

I recently was forced to move from Ventura County to Central Florida. I can’t begin to tell you how much I despise it here. I never realized how beautiful California really was until I moved to this dump. Maybe the beaches here are better for laying out, but nothing beats the feeling you get cruising down PCH with the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. I’m not a fan of LA, don’t get me wrong here. I love the coastal areas near Ventura County and Santa Barbara, and the mountains. Florida not having mountains is enough for me to hate it. Go up to Mammoth Mountain or Yosemite. It’s breathtaking. Or Napa Valley up North. BEAUTIFUL. All I’ve seen on here are comments about LA, which is nothing compared to the other places California has to offer. I’ve been all over Florida, and I can honestly say it’s extremely trashy. The buildings, roads, people, just the feel of this place is gross. I live in a upper middle class area yet I still feel like I’m living in poverty compared to the lower class neighborhood I lived in in California. The rednecks, racists, and ghettos I have to interact with on a daily basis here is sickening. On the other hand, the general vibe is so much more enjoyable and classy in Cali. Most of the towns are visually pleasing and nice looking. The towns here look like complete trash. The lakes here are swampy and musty, while the lakes in California are fresh and surrounded by gorgeous mountainous views. I guess what I’m trying to say is I want to live in a place where I can walk outside, look around me, and say “Wow, what a beautiful day.” I can’t do that here. I’m moving back to Santa Barbara in June and I couldn’t be more excited. Oh, I forgot to mention all the crazy crimes that happen here. It seems like whenever something disgusting, despicable, or crazy is talked about on the news, it happened in Florida. No surprise there. And the weather is TERRIBLE. The humidity is sickening. I can’t wait to get out of this shit hole. Look up “why is Florida so trashy” on Google, and you can see just how many people truly hate this God forsaken place. Hell on earth, for sure.

Posted on 04/08/2014 at 4:41 AM

Sam, I appreciate you sharing that. I really do.  My husband and I decided to stay in California.  I understand you can save money and live more on your money in FL but honestly, I agree, I love the landscape here and the lower humidity.

Posted on 04/08/2014 at 10:05 AM

If one has enough money to have a place by the water, not having to deal with traffic, ignoring the ‘bad’ and just enjoy the ‘good’, it is not such a bad place. Coming from San Diego, which is truly a beautiful place to live, its was a bit challenging to adapt to south florida, especially south beach in Miami. Yes, the humidity can get to you sometimes, but the weather in the winter is amazing. But overall, i agree, nothing compares to California’s beauty. Wish the pacific was a bit warmer though

Posted on 04/08/2014 at 12:14 PM

Calicojack, I agree about the pacific.  That is one thing that I LOVE about Florida.  Being a native Minnesota, I HATE being cold.  I don’t mind being cool but cold is too hard on me.  So I don’t swim here in OC unless it is July and 80 degrees or more!

Posted on 04/08/2014 at 12:33 PM

This conversation is very skewed in favor of California. I agree that California is beautiful and worthy of praise, but let’s keep in mind that anyone who is looking for an unbiased review of South Florida are not going to find it here. First of all, this conversation has been hijacked by people talking about central and both Florida which is not the original intent of the OP. (I tend to agree with the assessment people make of anywhere north of WPB.) South Florida is unique and beautiful and there are a lot of nice places to live . Miami is a great place to love in my opinion if you do not mind a high paced lifestyle and crazy driving! There is a lot of culture and great food and you will not be bored to say the least. For those who have kids and growing families however, Miami may or may not be right for them, especially South Beach. There are alternatives, mainly Broward county which is only 30-45 north of Miami Dade. There are very safe and quiet towns just a short distance away with good schools and plenty of nice neighborhoods eg. Weston, Davie, Cooper City, West Sunrise, Coral Springs. These communities offer a great deal and are close to Miami so that you can enjoy the city without having to put up with big city living. Also, Fort Lauderdale is okay and there are great beaches in Lauderdale by the Sea. All in all, south Florida warrants looking into and should not be dismissed simply because this forum turned into a Florida hate fest!!!

Posted on 04/14/2014 at 6:08 AM

Personally I liked Florida when I went in March.  I thought it was beautiful.  What my husband is afraid of is that he is very adverse to humidity and also my daughter and I have asthma and I know humidity is a trigger for asthma.  The other concern I have is since it is so humid will there be more mold spores.  If so, we would have a hard time.  I don’t mind not having mountains, I lived without them in MN.  But what we experienced living in Austin, TX was that because the summers were so extremely hot, we were inside a lot during the summer.  My kids never wanted to go outside in the extreme over 100 degree heat.  So we worry that if we move to FL and step outside in June and are drenched with sweat, will it force us to be inside all the time.  We are a very outdoors active family and my husband is worried that we won’t want to be outside.  He won’t move inland, but wanted to think about South Florida around Boca, Delray, or Deerfield Beaches.  I do love florida in the spring and winter but I am concerned about summers when my kids will want to be outside.  And my husband is worried about the bugs.

Posted on 04/14/2014 at 11:46 AM

well, its going to be very humid in the summer months with lots of thunderstorms in the afternoons. I personally dont mind the humidity, however the majority complains about the oppressive heat and sauna like atmosphere. As said before, florida has its own beauty, however the overall balance is better in california.

Posted on 04/14/2014 at 1:57 PM

I see a lot of people talking specifically about South Florida. Okay, maybe South Florida is nice but if you are looking at the state of California as a WHOLE, and the state of Florida as a WHOLE, California wins, hands down.

Posted on 04/19/2014 at 3:42 PM

Nick, cannot agree more . Am back in SD after 4 years of south beach and am realizing how much i have been missing it.

Posted on 04/19/2014 at 5:29 PM

I have heard that SD is boring.

Posted on 04/19/2014 at 6:18 PM

Boring is the last thing one can call SD. There is a little bit of everything for everyone. If you need 24hr entertainment, well, Las Vegas is a few hours away.

Posted on 04/19/2014 at 8:02 PM

To the person who wrote this post: I am laughing at a statement you made. “But if you are a SUNSHINE kinda person, I can’t fathom why you’d prefer to live in California over Florida.” Um, maybe because its cloudy and storming 90% of the time in Florida. Florida is the absolute worst place to be for sunny weather, especially in the summer. I have spent a whole summer in Florida and a whole summer in California. It was cloudy and rained EVERY SINGLE DAY in Florida. You couldn’t even go to the beach or spend time outside all summer. The summer I spent in California, on the other hand, it was bright and sunny and breezy every day, and there wasn’t a single drop of rain all summer. Not to mention the weather was perfect, while in Florida I felt like I was in a 95 degree sauna all summer. If you really are a “sunshine” person, Florida is definitely not for you. If you’re a HEAT person, well that’s a different story.

Posted on 04/20/2014 at 4:21 PM

Summer is the rainy season, but not 90% of the time. It is stormy in the afternoons and is very steamy. The summers here are somewhat uncomfortable I will agree but its a tropical climate. What do you expect? It rains all winter long in North California and it’s very cold, and can get rather cold in LA.

Posted on 04/20/2014 at 5:06 PM

California is more about mild year round comfortable weather and nature like mountains/redwood forests, etc. Their beaches are pretty, but not good for swimming except for maybe 2 months on good days in San Diego. Sorry, I don’t swim in winter in Miami and the temps are still higher there in the high 60s, low 70s, their average high at their peak is around 71. I generally don’t enjoy the water unless it’s at LEAST 75, but prefer over 80. Most east coast beaches up to new jersey get 75+ in the summer months, making east coast beaches FAR more swimmable.  That’s what I like to do at the beach, swim, hang out in the water, or be out on the smooth waters on a paddle board or kayak.

As for workaholics, I am a very professional workers and came down here via New York, my other companies office is in New York, and I would love to be back in New York, but enjoying the weather and beaches for my time here. I’m a city person, and neither SoCal OR anywhere in Florida provide that experience. The only saving grace of California to me is San Francisco, cool city, but really isolated.

California is def better for perfect cloudy days, far far more, I’ve lived in both. Florida is way better for not liking cold weather, California gets cold, almost as cold as most of south in winter, especially norcal, it just doesn’t snow, but many days in the 30s, 40s, and in mountains definitely 10s, 20s.

Posted on 04/28/2014 at 7:38 AM

You remembered us freezing newfoundlander’s!!!!
Two years ago we decided to go to California instead of our usuial Florida. Needless to say it’ll be Florida for now on.

Posted on 05/21/2014 at 9:09 AM

San Diego is a fun place but so is LA.  San Diego is more relaxed that LA. So if you are a New Yorker or from Miami, maybe you need LA action verses SD relaxation.  There is plenty of fun stuff to do in SD.

Posted on 05/22/2014 at 10:27 PM

If we could only combine the best of both…, yes it would be paradise

Posted on 05/23/2014 at 12:57 AM

” And don’t even start the argument about better surfing in the Pacific. People who surf enough that that’s even a factor are usually complete wastes of life anyway.”

You’re an ignorant piece of shit for writing this.  Surfers are probably some of the most passionate, athletic, fun loving folks you will ever encounter.  But you wouldn’t know anything about that.  Maybe you should get your head out of your butt and try it before you judge.  I feel bad for you DUDE.

Posted on 06/09/2014 at 7:19 PM

Sounds like your a pretty easy going guy yourself Chris. Not high strung at all!! Water is too calm here in Miami IMO.

Posted on 06/09/2014 at 7:24 PM

Florida is 10 times WORSE , California is the entertainment capital of the Us with every dot com company based in the Silicon Valley to Hollywood in the south. We have Big Sur a highway that goes along the rugged coast for 5 hours untouched by development….you wouldn’t find that in Florida with all the condos and retirement homes stacked across your coast. And in terms of the beach….yes you have warm water that’s great but for people who actually go in the water to surf rather than splash around (the ones you called no life’s) the surf is HORRIBLE in Florida. Plus it’s much more beautiful in California we have the mountains and ski resorts two hours away from sandy beaches and palm trees we have deserts and fields it is geographically the most diverse State…ok and sure it’s a bit warmer in fl during the year but it’s that uncomfortable sweat heat plus it rains 110 days a year in Miami compared to 26 in La ..I’d take a little evening breeze over rain any day..and Miami as a tourist I found to be tacky ..San Francisco is one of the most beautiful and desired places golden gate , ashbury etc. in Miami it was just clubs ....stuff you could find in Hollywood , where they are much better too. Florida is the kinda place you go to visit for a bit but never want to live in. According to a Forbes 2012 issue ..89% of Americans if had the chance to live anywhere would choose California

Posted on 06/16/2014 at 2:21 PM

Which is better or worse, is pretty much in the eyes of the beholder! Both have positive and negative aspects, but inevitably, the only thing that matters, is what one as an individuals prefers.

Posted on 06/16/2014 at 2:36 PM

I-5? That is hilarious. It’s the 5. Anyway,  I just moved from California to Florida and yes, I do agree that the weather is better and the ocean is warmer. My problem is the horrible attitudes most of the people l here have. People are super intense, incredibly rude and do most things half assed. Going to the grocery store during the holiday season is literally war. I have never been hit by so many grocery carts without any acknowledgment or even a, “sorry”. People In California are helpful, friendly,  and laid back. If Floridans would adopt that attitude this place would be great! But unfortunately people who live or snow bird in for winter can’t get over the fact that they are not in NY anymore. Take a look around,  take a deep breath and show some common courtesy to your fellow humans.

Posted on 07/10/2014 at 7:56 AM

I live in Miami, FL and I would love to move to California soon. I’ve lived in Miami my whole entire life and I’ve visited California twice. I’ve been to SD and Oceanside, and I have to say I really like the vibes I get from California way more. The funniest thing to me is when I was in SD I would walk into stores and all the Mexican and Asians would look at me as if I’m some alien. I’m black. Anyway, I must say that I don’t like Miami. The people here have such a nasty attitude about EVERYTHING. The scene here isn’t to raise a family,that’s the worst you can do to them by bringing them here. Almost everything here is about partying and getting wasted down on South Beach and I’m not like that at all. I like to explore my surroundings and go out for a nice walk once in a while but I can’t do that at all here when Miami doesn’t know if she wants to be sunny or rain.. From my visit in California, yes it is cold, but not all the time, and quite frankly, I love the cold way better than the heat. I’m the type of person that would love to walk around in a cool looking sweater or jacket or hoodie. In Miami, I can try to do that but I’ll be sweating like hell by the time I walk to the end of the block. To close, it really depends on what your preferences are. If you like rain 24/7 move to Miami. If you like sunshine with a bit of cold air at times, but you can still do your daily activities,move to California. Thank you for reading.

Posted on 07/16/2014 at 4:54 PM

Love the diversity in California. Beaches, Mountains, Parks..etc..! I know people complain that California is too expensive, high cost of living, taxes, too liberal etc etc.
But if you manage to live within your means, be smart about how you spend you money, it truly is a wonderful place to live. I live in San Diego and i would not trade it for anywhere in the US. Have spent 4 years in South Beach and still enjoy to visit once in a while. Sadly, its overrun by the masses and people there are very disrespectful of the environment. However, I always enjoyed the warm winds and beautiful ocean there.
Other than that, all that glitz and superficiality gets old quickly.

Posted on 07/16/2014 at 5:37 PM

We want to go to FLA and CA for a week or so each side of a Panama Canal cruise between the two. Wineries, SF and maybe Hollywood and Disneyland in CA and the many attractions in FLA. Which is the best time of year and cruise direction to optimise warm but not too hot weather?
All suggestions very welcome.

Posted on 07/18/2014 at 3:48 PM

Lived in Fl for over 20 years. Miami, Orlando, Daytona. Not bad outside the humidity, the hillbillies, PR and the flat boring landscape.
I have also lived in Europe, NYC, AZ, Boston, mexico and can tell you from my personal likes…that in the US there is nothing like Socal…coastal areas…period.
So there is a reason why the same house in FL is $250k and in Del mar 1.5 million…not because people are stupid to pay that kind of money for something basic…but because DEMAND…so if you like FL…great stay there. With over 15 million more people living in CA…and all the $$$$ that’s here…we don’t need rednecks.
To live in Cali and in desirable areas you have to have $$$...this is not FL…and levels above..period.

Posted on 08/11/2014 at 3:20 PM

I lived in FL for 7 yrs, initially moved there from Massachusetts in 2004. Left in 2011 to go to California due to a family situation with my mom getting re married to her HS sweetheart who happened to live in Oregon. She refused living there so they compromised on Sacramento area and its one of the worst places I’ve ever lived hands down. FL is much better than North Central California toward Reno. People can say FL has rednecks but believe me, this place has just as many, maybe more! And they are worse because at least a FL cracker tells you what he thinks, out here you have to guess. That doesn’t make them real enough for me. Driving on the roads in CA are horrible also and this is in the parts further up from SF too! Its not just a SF or L.A thing. Its here too. So if you’re thinking of moving to NorCal, DON’T DO IT. Your life will not be better. Stay where you’re at. Less jobs, clanny provincial rednecks GALORE. I thought FL was bad UNTIL I saw this hellhole of an area. It might as well just be Oregon to the south. Progressive?? Last I checked FL was more progressive, had more gay bars. That isn’t my thing but people can’t be more wrong when they say FL has no culture or anything progressive. I doubt this area a LOT more trust me.

People in here I feel are being paid to say things in favor of CA because some are so untrue I had to laugh. One was, when they went to FL, found rude people everywhere, nobody has manners, you’ll get run off the road and so on. Lack of culture, more rednecks. Well all I have to say is take a look in your own backyard back in CA! Sure it may seem like theres diversity in CA with Asians, Mexicans, white, black but guess what its not. In fact I find it far more harder to interact in California everywhere I been than anywhere in FL.. This is fact. And I also find it more segregated also. Can anyone believe it?? FL could very well be more liberal than California!!??

The only place that rivals California to me in rudeness is my homestate of MA. Cost of living is the same also or even more in CA and people are just as fast paced on the left coast. FL is more laid back than both of them put together. If picking between MA and CA, I pick MA but I pick FL over both of these. In fact I tried moving to MA again also FROM CA. I just couldn’t get along with my dad so for the 3rd time I had to move to CA. I didn’t know how Auburn would be until I started living here for 3 months, but it really sucks here and its even worse in Grass Valley or Nevada City OMG and all the freaks too.. I want to be in the Sarasota area way more. Northern California is a suckhole that doesn’t do a damn thing for me. Also in Auburn where I live, trailor parks everywhere! I could swear its like a FL cracker area only worse in some regards. At least many areas with trailor parks in FL have tons to do if you go down the street and can give a whole new outlook (Like St Pete/Tampa) . In this town, theres just a few bars, a few stores, country stores and not much else and everything closes early too.

Also I hate those stupid bicyclists in their funny looking spandex suits. I see way more of those out here than I did in FL. More “green” folks and what not and they are obnoxious about it.

So to everyone here posting, you have seen an alternate post you have not seen yet in here from someone whos had an even different experience.

Posted on 08/13/2014 at 8:36 PM

Giovanni thanks. But how do you compare south Florida to southern California.  That is the issue. Northern half of both states is not the same as south.
Thanks

Posted on 08/14/2014 at 2:13 AM

A variety of social branches is present in both places. However, in my opinion only, every time i travel to Florida coming from San Diego, I do feel a degree of culture shock for a while. Kept hearing, “Dont be surprised, it is the dirty south”, highly noticeable on any giving weekend in south beach or on the infamous Memorial Day weekend debacle. I just feel that California as a whole has more diversity, variety and an overall better balance. In the end, this all is ultimately a matter of opinion suffice.

Posted on 08/14/2014 at 8:53 AM

Yes we all know that. SoFlo has its stifling Cuban/hispanic env. and the approaching 3rd world ethos. It would be better with more Asians and other cultures to balance. Yes well most communities have to deal with the out of control hood rats. It is unfortunate.
I still think that warm waters and beaches in Miami are second only to Hawaii in USA. I don’t know about SoCal in that respect.

Posted on 08/14/2014 at 9:59 AM

Yes, the warm ocean and the tropical winds are absolutely awesome.

Posted on 08/14/2014 at 10:21 AM

Administrator. I posted a comment last week. Was wondering why it isn’t up?

Posted on 08/22/2014 at 9:10 AM

want to know the difference, its BUGS BUGS BUGS!  I will take southern CA in a second flat over southern FL.  Florida is nice to visit for a vacation, I will certainly give you that.  Here in S. CA we have no screens, leave our windows open all day and night, and really, if ever use heat or a/c if your close to the coast.  Also no bugs or flies is a major if you are like me and hate bugs.

Posted on 08/27/2014 at 5:50 AM

I lived in SoCal for 12 years and loved every minute. My job took me to Boca Raton, Florida and have lived here for 19 years. And I still love every minute. I thank God everyday that I am not living in Bismarck.

Posted on 09/03/2014 at 8:56 PM

I currently live in L.A. My parents, both retired dr’s moved to Gainesville seven years ago. I have visited friend in ft lauderdale and have been to Miami a few times. Miami .. Especially the boardwalk area seems very ghetto ! I live on Wilshire in the miracle mile area. They are building a new subway line down Wilshire from dwntwn to the beach in Santa Monica. Another one in long beach and another from Venice. Ca is like an advanced society .. Yeah traffic blows but the economy is the sixth largest in the world .. Yes If you separate CA from the us.. We are the sixth largest economy.. Florida ? Well… Not so much.. Florida is bug central .. Snake central . Alligator central etc etc.. FYI more people die in hurricanes than ca earthquakes.. Googke the numbers. I was surprised at how few people died in the last big CA quake in 94… Florida schools suck. No USC or ucla no Berkeley or Pepperdine no cedars medical hospitals .. No hills at call . Florida is one flat crapper.. Floridas fashion is tacky.. And the humidity?! Gross .. Take one shower then take another and another.. Can u say toll roads Florida .. I bet u can.. Everywhere!! Ca has way more agriculture too.. Sorry Florida! Ca wins !! That’s why we have more people .. And not everyone is laid back smoking pot in ca. But at least most Californians have completed the sixth grade. Omg my dad and I had a blast making fun of all the ignunt fl peeps in Gainesville .. U of Fs campus is a crapper too omg it needs to be demo’d I went to ucla !! Yeah!!!

Posted on 09/05/2014 at 2:30 AM

Bubbles… Hmmmmm. So you have a “friend in Fort Lauderdale and have visited Miami a few times”. What always gets me with some of these posts is that people have no real knowledge of Miami, yet begin to spout off facts and statistics as if to make up for no real understanding of the city. The"boardwalk” as you call it refers to Miami Beach, and not Miami, and they are not one and the same. Miami has a great deal of international banking and business that flocks from Europe and South America. Miami is very cosmopolitan and there is a lot of high culture, including the fine arts and a decent symphony orchestra. Florida is also one of THE fastest growing states in the country and by 2025 will have the 3rd largest population in the States. So, California might be “like an advanced society” but you can’t speak to Miami, add you don’t even know it!!!

Posted on 09/05/2014 at 3:46 AM

I’m speaking of Florida overall honey bunny . Fl is known as “the armpit of America” where have u been? Why do you think real estate is so cheap in Florida? Poor flat snake infested Florida makes me want to cry!!! CA wins!!! Enjoy your toll roads honey bunny. Your BUGS .. Giant tasty fl bugs ...mmmmm oh and alligators too! How quaint! Even your gov at one point called out a state wide emergency due to the python problem.. Sounds glamorous! And poor Miami!! With all those 20 up drug dealers driving mazeratis and all that lively human trafficking !! U go FL with your bad schools and your disgusting humidity !! Yuck!! Can anyone say Tallahassee omg what a crapper!! And Jacksonville!! It and Santa Barbara. You guys have no la Jolla .. No Encinitas. No big sur. no Santa Monica. No Laguna. No mountains. There’s no Palm Springs. No Beverly Hills.. No Hollywood hills. No one cares about fl.. It’s just cheap and easy. That’s why my folks moved there.. Omg a new slogan “if you’re cheap and easy ... Come to FL.. )

Posted on 09/05/2014 at 1:25 PM

Wow you know nothing about Miami lol. Also, the past is specifically about Miami not Gainsville! So…. Fail!!!!

Posted on 09/05/2014 at 1:36 PM

A state-by-state breakdown of the 2014 Best High Schools rankings shows that Maine is this year’s leading performer, with 22.2 percent of its eligible schools earning gold and silver medals.

California came in second with 22.2 percent, since the rankings are based on unrounded percentages of schools with gold or silver medals. Connecticut was third with 19.7 percent.

poor florida.. yeah! ca beat florida again !! yeah !! yeah! yeah!!

Posted on 09/05/2014 at 2:00 PM

While overall crime is down in Miami-Dade County for 2013—in line with the rest of the state—the number of murders, forcible rapes and robberies increased from the previous year, according to data released Wednesday by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

looks like crimes rising in Miami .. everyone quick!! lock your doors!!

Posted on 09/05/2014 at 2:02 PM

ooops .. i mean .. wear more clothes so you don’t get raped, and hide that change honey so you don’t get robbed!!

Posted on 09/05/2014 at 2:03 PM

60   Philadelphia, PA
59   Newark, NJ
58   Miami, FL

Miami is no 58 on the most dangerous cities list.. according to neighborhood scout dot com!!

L.A isn’t even one the list.. !! way to go Miami!! yahoo!! number 58… you’ll get to number one! i just know it!!

Posted on 09/05/2014 at 2:11 PM

Miami… right next to Newark.. on the same list.. what a crapper that must be .. poor miami..

i guess i know nothing about miami though… ha ha ha.. ROFLING LMFAO..

next!!

Posted on 09/05/2014 at 2:14 PM

Hey Julio. Have to apologize for the obnoxiousness of some of my fellow Californians, especially the Angelenos. We are not all like that although there is more of that than many of us would like. I will grant the case made by Bubbles that there are many terrific things about CA – wine country, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, numerous fantastic beaches and yes Santa Monica. I am a bit partial to Santa Monica as I grew up there and lived in some of the south bay cities. Learned to surf 45th St El Porto and Grand avenue (when we knew it as “stumps”- that will tell you how old I am for those who are familiar).  Many good times in So Cal. However, I grew up in the area in the late 60’s and 70’s things have changed drastically. Everyone that was the typical Southern Californian moved to OC, the valley, Diego (met my wife there) or Ventura county. Many others escaped to AZ, Colorado, Oregon or Washington or like me to the Bay Area. What remained is well, what it has become which to me is a bit sad. Yes, the west side remains vibrant (both economically and socially) with a lot of the hipster, too cool types or wannabes anyway. And yes we have our share of that here in SF. Interesting that Florida would be zinged as the “armpit of the US”. Get outside of LA county and the rest of California says that about LA. 
Now to Florida. Been to many parts of that state and like anywhere has its good and less than good. Panhandle (Destin) has beautiful beaches, folks are a bit “country”. Never been to the St Augustine area but hear lots of good things. Have had good times in both Lauderdale and Miami Beach. The drive from Miami to Key West is breathtaking. I personally love the middle Keys (Matecumbe key, etc). But for me I truly love the beach cities from Pinellas county down to Sarasota county. I don’t know the beaches south of that but have heard good things (Marco Island, etc). So heres the thing about all of the negatives everyone always seems to bring up about Florida. Bugs. Yes there are bugs but I learned that if you are in coastal cities, with the breeziness this tends to keep mosquitoes and such at bay. The breeze also offsets the humidity (which I personally like but that’s just me). As for schools, well ya FL needs some work in that department. But don’t be fooled. LA Unified School District is pretty bad. Even in my day, we all had to attend private school to avoid LAUSD. As with much of Florida, Californians are mainly transplants from the Midwest. Im always amazed by folks here (SF included) that rag on the rest of the country thinking they are superior Californians, then finding out they aren’t even from here. I think that CA somewhat has a reputation (even worldwide) that its cool, cutting edge, open minded, etc and folks here want that label on themselves. As for open mindedness here, ya its probably more so than other parts of the country until you have a different opinion (especially political). Then its my way or the highway. As far as the natural disaster argument, cracks me up. “Our disasters are more desirable than yours”, blah blah.
Well to sum it up in my humble opinion, comparing Florida to California is like a giant Chinese buffet. Lots of good stuff to consume and some to avoid. Its all a matter of personal preference. With that I will say I thoroughly enjoy living in CA but I like what I’ve experienced in Florida too. So Julio, maybe one day I’ll run into you in South Beach and show you some California hospitality. G’day mate!

Posted on 09/05/2014 at 2:31 PM

Thank you Rich Turd for the kind response. I know California is a beautiful state and can’t argue that. All I’m saying to everyone out there is that Miami is not just what you hear on TV, and visiting a couple of times to the"area” does not qualify one to speak with authority on the subject! You have a balanced opinion which I appreciate, and the same goes for you, you are always welcome here in Miami!!

Posted on 09/06/2014 at 1:02 PM

Miami Beach is a bit rough around the edges like any other city, but overall a fun city to visit or to live in. Not so much a fan of Miami though. I am from San Diego and travel to Miami Beach often. No need for a car in Sobe, just get on a bike and one is everywhere in Minutes. California is a beautiful state and am not really sure why people bash florida so much. It does have its own beauty, all contingent on what one is into.
Both states are very different and i dont like to compare them. Just my opinion!

Posted on 09/06/2014 at 1:53 PM

Hey Calico. You may appreciate this being from SD. As I mentioned I met my wife in SD when I lived in LA. My surf buddies always talked up Blacks Beach (La Jolla). So my second date with who would become my wife was a picnic at Blacks (I hadn’t been there before). So I pack up a killer pic a nic basket and we walk the trail down the cliffs to Blacks. Well, what I didn’t realize was that it not only is a great surf spot, but a nude beach to boot. I should mention not just a nude beach but a gay nude beach. We still get a chuckle out of that 28 years later.

Posted on 09/06/2014 at 2:38 PM

The SF Bay has one thing going for it that is unique, the micro climates. For example my daughter lives in SF and if she wants sun during the foggy days she out towards the east bay. If it hits 100 out here near Mt Diablo in an hour I can be in Marin and go hiking or just go hang out and by the evening it cools down. The micro climates temp differences are 20 to 40 degrees so it can be a 100 in Danville and 60 to 80 in SF or Marin depending where. The vegetation is different we have the rolling hills and mountains and the wine country. I would not call it mellow - not everyone does yoga probably more do it Florida the plastic surgery capital I heard was Miami followed by South NJ, then Houston so vanity is a part of staying fit to many.  it can be mellow and friendly but I just heard today that San Francisco even though smaller than Manhattan has three times as many patents so while some maybe mellow there are plenty working hard and telecommuting too There is a lot of traffic in certain corridors but we have good mass transit GENERALLY since San Francisco is an older city built before cars and the big high tech companies have their own buses it helps. There is no one way to be here and I am sure Florida is the same way.

The one problem is similar to Florida’s. It is a boom and bust state. During the recession it was reasonably inexpensive here. Condos were selling a rock bottom prices like Florida but not as cheap. Many people lost jobs and left but once you leave it is very hard to come back. Since we have prop 13 our prop taxes can only go up 1 to 2% a year if we stay in the same house and we can keep it once after age 55 in most counties ( we can transfer it to different counties not Marin or San Diego last I read) one time. If we leave the state it is very hard to come back.

Weather is a preference thing. It depends where you grow up. I am not a big fan of cold or humidity.  I have lived in many places, never the midwest but in NJ, NY, Denver, LA (Santa Monica) and Washington as well as Miami in Kendall for one year. At that time guys who asked me out wanted to know what I would be wearing so that our clothes would match. I thought that was really weird!

I prefer California for living but I do like to visit Florida. and wish I could have a condo there for the winters and one here! I prefer to Arizona where your skin basically peels off since there is zero humidity.  However I love the SF Bay Area it’s home to me now. Variety is what makes the world go around. If you like the outdoors and lots to do besides (but including) night clubs and good music it’s a great place! However if you move anywhere alone after a certain age it’s hard because you are not home where you friends or family are is the best place to be usually. Know at least one person somewhere before moving it’s a big decision unless you are under 30. If you move for a job it is a little easier but it still might take awhile. It all depends. Try it out! At least if you are doing something you love that pays well it might be worth a try. EArtrhquakes generallydo not cover huge areas like hurricanes do .All disasters suck if you are where the eye is or the epicenter of a large earthquake. All beautiful places were formed by some traumatic weather event, be it volcanoes, earthquakes, typhoons…

Posted on 09/08/2014 at 8:18 PM

Lani- great comments. Maybe catch ya at Elliotts, Bridges or Sideboard.

Posted on 09/08/2014 at 8:45 PM

Thanks RichTurd. Oh you know Danville! LOL

Bubbles. Sorry to burst your balloon but Florida real estate is up 18% this year in Miami anyway. I read an article that Californians and Northeasterners are moving there because it is cheaper but it won’t be for long.  While Florida has a mixed bag of dems and republicans it has no income tax so people wanting to retire cheaply are moving there and many are BLUE staters. Some never recovered from the recession sold off their 401k plans or rollovers only to see now the S&P 500 go up so high.

North Carolina and South Carolina are other states that people are targeting for better lifestyle as they get older red and blue ones. However Texas is the one state that only red state types will go to per the article not me unless for an offer they can’t refuse for work.. I have a friend who works at a company that is moving to Texas from SF and no one is going, at least not yet. 

Julio I don’t know if they are going to Miami. I am Cuban-American but my parents came earlier than Castro so when I moved here there were no Cubans. I speak Spanish, read and write it so that’s not an issue with me about Miami. We have plenty of press about Oakland here. When my cousin visited here and his car broke down in Montclair a very nice area in Oakland and he called NJ CSAA they sent a car in 5 mins because they said OAKLAND OMG and they are based in Newark so I get what you say about the news and bad press. it was the fastest service I had ever seen to fix a flat tire!

Posted on 09/08/2014 at 9:30 PM

Well now, I likes coasts lined with the king of palm trees, coconut trees. So I am never leaving Miami

Posted on 10/21/2014 at 6:13 AM

I’ve lived in Miami and fort lauderdale 10 years during that time I traveled to La often.
The la people are much more classy. South Florida have turned into a third world country.
The people are low energy. I must say some of the young people are very cool.
I find la has more to offer. The wealth in florida is want to be wealth. La’s wealth is established.

Posted on 01/12/2015 at 8:23 PM

Coastal South East Florida has one of the best warm weathers in the world. SoCalifornia coastal is always cold except couple of weeks of the year. Lived in both many many years. So it depends on your preference.

Posted on 02/20/2015 at 10:03 PM

One week in the Golden State? We can tell! First of all comparing temps in FL and CA is like apples and Oranges… CA climate is the perfect mix of Hawaii and S. Florida. 65’ with 50% humidity is 73’ degrees… PERFECT. Northern Ca is almost identical to Southern when away from the Coast. Sacramento is hotter then LA by far in the summer. Over 100’ for months. It’s NEVER that hot in Florida you terd sack! Humidity??? Anyone in the world will tell you it SUCKS. Plus CA has Mexican Food! Nobody wants Cuban food Homie!!! Fall is the bet time for beach weather in Northern or Southern California with temps in 80’s…. June/July is by far the worst time to go to the beach in CA you kook. Pacific ocean is Chilly out here, but water temps in San Diego are ideal and last time I checked SD was still California. Stay your country ass down there in the swamp and wrestle you some gators because your opinion is amateur.

Posted on 02/24/2015 at 1:10 AM

Sorry, but this post makes me giggle! I live in Northern Saskatchewan and grew up on the British Columbia Coast…it is so funny to me that you think ANY of the temps you have mentioned in Florida or California are cold lol Put on a jacket if you need to and stop your whining

Posted on 03/07/2015 at 9:47 PM

Wow talk about a no brainer. A gay, overrated, liberal, and polluted state with sucky beaches and high cost of living (California), vs a nice warm and beautiful state with great beaches and a good cost of living (Florida).

Posted on 03/09/2015 at 9:56 PM

California any day. I moved to Florida was there 7 months was hell on earth. No one was outside walking or jogging riding bikes not even their dogs. I gained 30lbs it was to hot to do anything. I was bitten by mosquitos and ants. I couldn’t breathe always sweating. I was born in Hawaii lived in Northern California for most of my life. So many people in Florida out of shape males and females. Fastfood places everywhere. California have mountains, rolling hills beautiful oceans with breath taking views, country, deserts, snow, forrests, lakes, city life, shops you can walk around and enjoy the day the list can go on. Florida the same beach any beach you go to white sands warm water nothing to look at No scenery, flat everywhere you go. I did like the huge thunder storms that we don’t really have here in California. I tried my hardest taking road trips in Florida to see something that would make me stay. I never had been so depressed in my life California you can walk around different shops and resturants see beauty everywhere.  My boyfriend moved here from Florida and he never thoughe he would see such beauty.  Seriously he prejudged california everyone thinks Hollywood and LA when they think of California. Not even close Hollywood is actually ghetto. People in California are much warmer then What I experienced in Florida. Weather is wonderful I can be in 90 degree weather drive 25 mins to San Francisco and it be a cool 70 degrees.  San Francisco is such an awesome City never be bored.  Born in Hawaii and would chose California over beautiful Hawaii. So much to do here people enjoying life to the fullest. Everyday I’m off work I’m out doing something other than sitting in a AC room letting my life pass by. People need to Google images california oceans, mountains. California by far wins.

Posted on 04/08/2015 at 11:10 AM

I am thinking of moving to a worm place. I am in Baltimore for 35 years. My kids all grownup 2 kids are in CL I don’t know were is the best for me and my husband. We still like to work. We are 57 years old I don’t know if my kids will stay in CL. So is Florida better or CL ??  I want to be close to my kids. But we need to be in a place that will be more suitable for us. We love the beach and we love tropical weather.

Posted on 04/10/2015 at 7:13 PM

“I have once again been reminded why Florida is not only better, but in a league above California.”
As long as Miami has that humidity, it will never - NEVER - be in a league above California.  Period.

Posted on 06/24/2015 at 1:38 PM

Southern California Weather is not even close to that. It’s June right now and it is consistently in high 80s and occasional 90s. When I went to Miami in May, I felt like I was in a sauna. There is a reason Los Angeles is the second biggest city, and it is partly because of the weather. Comparing Miami to LA, there is no comparison. Orlando,on the other hand, has the best weather I have ever seen.

Posted on 06/25/2015 at 9:22 AM

I lived near Orlando and the weather was horrible maybe not Miami but still horrible. Only during fall and winter the weather is bearable.

Posted on 06/25/2015 at 9:48 AM

It is no longer possible to purchase a home in Los Angeles unless you are paying over $1m cash. Chinese speculators have annihilated the inventory and the cities aren’t building any new construction. We pay over $3k per month in rent for our family of 4 to be stuffed inside a 2 bedroom apt with no yard for our dog (concrete is ubiquitous in LA) and a 45 minute commute to a place only 4 miles away. The water is cold, the temps drop to 40s and 50s for 6 months, homeless people are everywhere, especially the beaches. Mean, aggressive, meth-addled homeless. Why make friends when everyone flakes and moves away after one year? State income tax at 13.4% ? incomes lower than any other major city?
If you make $100k/year and move to FL you get over $1000/month in your pocket AND your rent (you can actually buy in FL) will be significantly lower, food/gas/sales-tax etc..
So basically I can trade in my micro-apt and homeless, concrete life for a free Tesla and a house south of Coconut Grove?
How rude are those rednecks again?

Posted on 07/08/2015 at 3:18 PM

I moved to southern ca. from az. and one of the greatest cities in the world, Chicago,il.
my family and i used to vacation in Miami beach .  I find both locations have merit.  I am a humidity hog, but based on year round climate southern ca. is superior to southern fl.  both locations have problems with racial bigotry which is very sad in 2015.  it is surprising to me how little humidity their is in so.  ca. and the varied topog- raphy.  mountains , deserts, hills but I miss Chicago.

Posted on 07/27/2015 at 12:20 AM

EVERYONE PLEASE MOVE TO FLORIDA THAT IS A FANTASTIC IDEA.

Posted on 10/07/2015 at 7:36 AM

Lived both places for extended periods of time BUT southern California still remains the only place on earth where you can surf in the morning, snow ski in the afternoon, and dirt bike in the evening. Then cocktails with a sunset.

One thing I don’t miss about the east coast is waiting three hours while Californians sleep and I’m waiting to do business when their availability starts at noon Florida time.

Posted on 10/29/2015 at 3:03 PM

I am a native of Southern California (San Fernando Valley/ Los Angeles) I lived there for the first 18 years of my life then relocated to multiple other stats for work (MA,CO,AZ,MN,OK etc) and I returned to SoCal back in 2010 to San Diego. Now as a child growing up you would hear people hype San Diego up like it was the 2nd coming of Christ. They made the city out like it had white washed bldg and steam cleaned streets.
Well I have now lived here for going on 6 years and San Diego is NO different than any other city. They have there crime the police are corrupt the pay scale has been rated one of the WORST in the U.S. Even though San Diego is the 4th most expensive city to live in and the 2nd highest in California. San Diego is a city.. Plain and simple I have never been to Miami but I have been to Orlando (2x) and the Tampa/Clearwater area. The beaches are by far cleaner in Florida. And Florida is MUCH greener. The gas is horrendously creeper in FL. But it is true you can go to the beach in the morning and the snow in the afternoon in CA.
The reality is who does that though. Most people get up go to work come home eat dinner go to bed and repeat tomorrow.
There is definitely good and bad in both states. But the HUGE downfall to California and what is making me do another move when my daughter graduates high school. The cost of living! It’s outrageous. I’m an SOOO tired of people saying your paying for the weather. I don’t give a crap anymore I think it’s ridiculous that I’m paying more for a 2 bedroom apt in San Diego than I can get a 3 bed house in Tampa. I work 10 hrs a day m-f and 6 hrs on Friday and barely make ends meat here in CA. I’m tired of working my life away for the “weather” most likely were moving in 2017 and it’s probably going to be Tampa.

Posted on 11/01/2015 at 4:26 PM

Also people keep talking about the “wonderful weather” in San Diego! In the past 3 years San Diegos summer have become longer…Hotter and MORE humid. It is November and it’s still 85 degrees. People here are complaining that they wish the heat would just go away. And this past July-Sept they said was more humid than ever and they said that last year too. So it is getting more hot and humid in San Diego as the years continue. So pretty soon that claim that San Diego doesn’t get humid will be gone.

Posted on 11/01/2015 at 4:43 PM

First of all, the anecdotal comments here are all based on individuals’ personal subjective biases. So if you are contemplating a geographic decision, you need to do a lot more research (and make site visits) so you make the best decision for you. It’s meaningless to discuss generalities like “culture” or “nightlife” or such because we all have different backgrounds, priorities, schedules, and live in varying subcultures. You are a different person and ultimately may end up having a very different experience and interpretation. I live in San Jose, CA (Silicon Valley). I love it here. I don’t find traffic that bad, and I’ve lived in the Chicago area and other cities, and traveled all over the place. So this is MY interpretation. I find the variety and stimulation here is off the charts. On any given weekend, I can hop in the car and in a short time find myself driving the coast, or in the mountains, or in any number of great big or little towns with charm and character. There really is something for everyone here! Big city California is expensive for a REASON. And that reason is, it is a great place to live. If it wasn’t, there wouldn’t be such demand. Think about that for a while. You can also earn more here (though it is tougher when you are just starting out because the cost/income spread is closer together, but that changes when you obtain education and more experience). California truly is a place where you can fulfill your dreams if you are willing to focus and work hard (not forever, just for some time). I have friends who “cash in” and sell their California homes, thinking they will buy a bigger home in some place like Florida, where their money will go further. Time and again, I’ve seen those people regret that decision, only to find that it is a one way ticket - that their old neighborhood in California has since risen in price beyond their reach. Sure, not everyone will succeed in California - luck is always a factor, and you have to have a good work ethic, never stop improving yourself, and watch your finances. But I honestly can’t think of any other place in the U.S. I’d rather live.

Posted on 12/01/2015 at 11:01 PM

I moved from Laurel, Maryland to Redding, California. Many of my relatives and co-workers moved to Florida.

Both places have enough variety to satisfy anyone, IF they chose to move to the right spot where things fit with their interests.  If they found something to complain about, lets hope it was only someplace they were visiting briefly. Then again, some people will find things to complain about no matter where they live.  I’m grateful we live in an era with air conditioning (both house and car), broadband Internet, and nearby grocery stores.
I just hope that everyone has moved the state that makes them the most comfortable with their choice.

Posted on 12/02/2015 at 1:52 AM

First and foremost, I am so glad to have come across this site!  I have attempted to read a lot of the postings but I need to add one and am hoping for some experienced and informative feedback.  I’ll try to keep it sweet and simple.  Here’s the skinny; I’m a 45 y/o single male (son is now 22 and independent), I’ve lived in San Diego, CA since 1991 and boy have I seen it change!  I live just outside of the Gaslamp District in a small house in what some consider a “rougher” part of town.  Whatever.  I’m 5 minutes to Downtown and North Park, 10 minutes to Coronado, 10 minutes to Hillcrest, Point Loma and Mission Bay.  In short, I live in a very convenient part of town.  I’m over the “party” scene but I do find myself out and about on weekends.  I also enjoy riding my motorcycle and going on hikes.  I used to take trips to L.A. and Vegas but that hasn’t happened in a while.  I am now at a “crossroads” in my life professionally, and I have an opportunity to relocate to the East Coast for work.  Not that this matters, but I do (and will) work from home but will travel more with this new job opportunity.  San Diego is fantastic but as I have gotten older (and wiser I hope), I am seriously looking at aspects of life like balancing my lifestyle and income where I am not “stressed” as much in the future.  That’s probably like most people who are in their mid-40’s.  To my point; I am looking for a city/town that closely resembles San Diego (yes, yes I know there is only one San Diego) lifestyle.  I recently came across Wilmington, NC (yes, I know that is not Florida) but I also know I don’t want to move to Miami.  Does anyone care to give me any suggestions about towns on the East Coast that are close to the water in either NC, SC or Florida that have that San Diego vibe?

Posted on 01/04/2016 at 8:02 PM

South Florida, lived here for 13 years, very high rents and rising home prices that were insane but dropped and are rising again, very high car insurance rates due to all the fraud and uninsured drivers, high medical insurance rates due to high population of seniors.

Most professional level jobs that require a 4 year degree do not pay great, not much competition for a lot of professions so raises are often non-existent.  Pay in general noted for being sub-par in relation to the high cost of living that exists. 

No real big employers, made up of small businesses that tend to be half-ass operations with poor working conditions, just depends where you end up.

Want to buy a house you say?  Well keep in mind what home owners insurance cost, nevermind that property taxes are high as well. 

People cannot drive, never use their turn signals and there is a high % of rude people from New York and New Jersey, most are from Long Island and are retired Baby Boomers who are crabby and annoying in public.  Think Fran Drescher Voice.

Largest Jewish population in the USA outside of New York. 

Lastly don’t get too excited over the No State Income Tax, your salaries will be adjusted accordingly, in the opposite direction.

Posted on 01/08/2016 at 11:27 PM

Feel your anxiety Michael…been there. Same age, solid education, work qoals, etc but thought FL would be laid back (so very wrong).  Lived in Silicon Valley for 18 yrs to survive the highs & dot-com bust & after recovery made it to south FL.  A few highlights: Surprisingly low value on education, jobs do not pay, very little healthcare pkg and insurance rates - medical + home + auto - are exhorbitant. Mass transit is non-existent but biking is too dangerous and often the bus or trolley routes are not following any schedule. Fresh foods, nonGMO or alternates have little representation & cost for food is way more than it was in CA.  Just do the homework & prepare.  In CA I regularly visited with strangers, went out alone at night (professionally & with personal friends) but never had any trouble.  FL is downright dangerous as I no longer go anywhere after dark & my daily/nightly runs or walks are mired by hit-and-run accidents all the time here.  I would never ask any stranger for help in FL; most people won’t stop to assist & everyone is here to make a buck off someone else.
That said more similar to SD vibe can be found in Tampa area (temperate climate), Charleston (cooler) or Wilmington.  Keep in mind these would all be ‘small town’ compared to SD/LA mass area but reasonable people, cost of living & comfort.  The difference in attitudes (West coast vs East coast) is noticeable and rude remarks always seem similarly pervasive.  Over time you are likely to make your new home what you want and it’s best to take the high road. 
PS - It’s not working well for me, after 2 1/2 years I am doing everything possible & looking everywhere to move back to CA.  Too expensive now in NorCal but keeping hope with SoCal!  Best of luck!

Posted on 01/22/2016 at 1:31 PM

He forgot to mention how flat Florida is. And how beautiful California is. Everywhere. Or how humid Florida gets. To the point you can not take a breath. I still like FL a lot. But compared to LA, well, it’s not even close

Posted on 01/24/2016 at 10:32 AM

Lived in CA on the central coast(Northern California near Monterey for 20 years. It is so beautiful here you have big sur, Carmel by the sea, up north Santa Cruz and the bay area is so great. Over here the winter averages about 66 and doesn’t get lower then 40 at night then during the summer and spring averages around 75. There is so much to do. However, it is true that rent around the California is expensive especially on the central coast and the bay area which rising the fastest in all of California. Traffic is not to bad at all except going up to the bay area where certain times during the evening and early morning can get really bad. I love the moderate climate and diversity that California offers that I am not sure any other state could offer in my opinion.

Posted on 02/25/2016 at 8:38 PM

I lived in San Diego, New Orleans, Midwest, and I visited Central and South Florida often, to the point, I know how to navigate the transit system.  San Diego is a wonderful place to live! The micro-climate and moderate temperatures are good for folks with allergies. You drive within 10-15 minutes north-south-east-west, and temps varies from 10-20’. The closer you are to the ocean, the cooler the breeze but the temps are steady. It may get chiller in the winter in California, but you can always drive 10 - 15 minutes east/south to warm-up, if you must. Florida does have a more pretentious vibe. It appears people are truly concerned about image and prestige.  Florida beaches and water are warmer, yet Cali beaches are more scenic. I agree, Tampa and San Diego are more comparable in cities and lifestyle. I believe this may be due to the military bases. I enjoyed visiting Tampa! It has the Bay, small town feel of San Diego, and not too far from other beautiful beaches, such as St Pete and Sarasota. Places in Florida are within shorter distances of driving than California. However, Florida is a place where a car is a must! San Diego communities are setup to include work, play, shop, and faith options in your designated area, that driving outside your neighborhood is by choice and not so much a necessity. This is the number one thing I miss! Tampa appeared to have a similar setup, yet, I don’t think they have a thriving job economy. San Diego job market isn’t all that great either. The one thing that stood out in Tampa is the strong law enforcement prescence. I didn’t like dining with Swat teams everywhere. In comparison, I believe Tampa or Orlando would be more comparable to San Diego. Orlando downtown area is very close to San Diego’s Gas Lamp, and they always hosting a street party for all ages. I really enjoy visiting South Beach, yet, I don’t want to live in Miami. I walked the streets of South Beach and Miami in the late hours, I didn’t feel unsafe, yet, I was always watchful. My first visit to San Diego, I got lost by Seaport Village at 3AM, and didn’t feel like I needed to watch for my safety. I’m a woman. There is a large homeless population, yet most are veterans,  and they are pretty harmless. Like most places, the homeless want to be left alone, or they solicit for money and food. I stumbled across this blog to find ideas on narrowing down my decision. This blog was very helpful. I want to move in a warm climate place on the coast, with more outdoor activities, costly travel options, and that won’t break my pocket. I’m looking for a place like San Diego, yet, cheaper in cost of living and a laid back vibe without feeling like I’m being judge for not fitting the mold. I welcome feedback from residents in Tampa and Orlando to help me determine if I am relocating back to Cali, or moving to Florida.

Posted on 03/26/2016 at 12:44 PM

I live in Tallahassee; work at Florida State University however, I was raised in Alaska. Florida is what I call the suck you dry state. I was going to Santa Barbara every summer when my son was in school there…no comparison what so ever. North Florida is a cesspool of racial bigotry that sets a person back in time 60 years. Florida is place where the governor demands drug testing for welfare recipients, while owning a huge part of the very company that does the drug testing. Florida is a state where walking to your car after work car is exhausting, due to the heat. When you do make it, you get in a vehicle that is 110 degrees, so by the time I make it home it is still 95 degrees in my car. Florida has ridiculous cost for health care, I recently had surgery, not counting anything, just the one night stay in the hospital; the bill came to over $197,000.00 I find that more than outrageous. Considering the less than stellar treatment, I received. Why do I call Florida the suck you dry state? So many reasons, however to list a few, I am disabled I wanted to try to go back to work, I have the part time job, which I have to pay $250.00 a year just to park. I did not care about giving up my SSI, nor food stamps, I wanted that dignity of being on my own two feet, but I needed the insurance as my maintenance medicine alone was over 1500 a month. Well they said I made too much money, after asking and asking how much I could make. They said you are still disabled but you are no longer qualified to receive health care, all this right before my surgery. On top of that, they backdated my cutoff date so I had many bills to pay. I was able to get insurance but I had to put off the surgery for several months causing more damage. Florida has 10 months of summer, two weeks of spring, two weeks of fall, and 1 month (maybe) of winter. I am so sick of seeing south Florida students come in when in is 80 degrees wearing coats, gloves, headscarves and the best…earmuffs. God help you people when it does hit 50 for a few days.
Now for California, best time of my life. I never thought I would see a state as beautiful as Alaska but California is beautiful. Everyone treated me so great, southern hospitality is bullshit. I saw and felt California hospitality on every trip out there. Everyone I met treated me as if I was a dignitary. People were friendly, kind and more considerate than I have seen since I left Alaska. As far as expensive, yes it is expensive. I was in Santa Barbara, one of the more expensive places in California; therefore, just going to a grocery store was like being in the middle of a botanical garden. Not once did I have to worry about being cut by broken glass or stepping in garbage that people feel so comfortable doing here in Florida, not once did I seen a soiled diaper in a parking lot. That is a given on any 100 degree day in Florida. Yes the water is very cold, you are stepping into the Pacific Ocean people, and besides who would want to go into tepid water when it 99 degrees. California may not be perfect but it is a lot closer than Florida will ever be. The best way I can describe the two is as having filet mignon or possum for dinner.

Posted on 08/07/2016 at 9:00 AM

California Sucks Ass. Arizona is nicer. LA and Phoenix are the Same place. Northern Arizona ... much nicer than Cali. At least you’ve got a big hole in the ground.

Posted on 08/10/2016 at 4:04 PM