I moved to Saint Petersburg, Florida a year ago from Los Angeles. There are a great many things that I miss about California, and many that I do not miss. How do these two places compare? I'll tell you my experiences.
Florida is hot! Like almost all year hot. It isn't even summer yet and it is 85 degrees at 11pm and the humidity hits you like a brick wall. In Los Angeles, 100 degrees is 100 degrees. It is a dry heat which makes a world of difference. I did not realize just how great their weather was until I left. I hated the June Gloom and May Gray when I lived there, but would happily have it back because it often burns off in the afternoon leading to a nice day. Early mornings in the winter can be very cold, damp and foggy which was quite surprising. Most days, by 3pm, it was sunny and in the 70s if not 80s. You would often need a jacket in the morning and evening (especially if out and about or using the Metro), but not during the day unless it was raining which it rarely did. I have not needed more than a hoodie for the entire winter I was here because while it may have been cold to the locals, to me it was quite pleasant. Summer could be and was hot, but it was also nice because of a lack of humidity. The disadvantage to a lack of humidity is dry hair and skin, but the nearly perfect weather otherwise was a trade off.
The beaches in Florida may have white sand that is powder fine, but there is a serious lack of life guards, at least in Saint Petersburg and other Pinellas County beaches that I have visited. There are also zero amenities like bathrooms while Southern California has many (at least in Santa Monica and Venice Beach). They may close at dusk, but they are open and plentiful. I loved watching the waves crashing on the sand and the surfers, but prefer my quieter beaches that I was used to in Brooklyn and Maine. I did not find a beach that I truly loved until I took a trip to San Diego and spent time in La Jolla. Now THAT is a beach! Here in Florida, the water is warm all year, and in the summer the water is almost the same temperature as the air and it is not at all refreshing. I will say that the Florida beaches are better for shelling than California. Also almost the entire California coast is protected.
Downtown LA is full of a mix of old and new, good and bad. There are some really old buildings from the early 20th century mixed in with some new skyscrapers on the same block. Old Pasadena was really pretty and super walkable with lots of shops and restaurants. City Hall is gorgeous and has been used in many television shows and movies from Charmed and Beverly Hills 90210 to Beverly Hills Cop II and other notable films. Every time I was there (which was pretty often as it was on my way home from work), there were people strolling around the grounds and many times there were photo shoots. In the back, across the street is a really nice park that has fountains and colorful tiles. It almost feels like you are in the South of France. Downtown Saint Petersburg is really not nearly as nice as LA is. Yes, it is right on the water and yes, there is a fair bit of history there, but both LA and Pasadena are far more walkable and have more to offer all year.
One thing I have to deal with in Florida that I didn't in California is rain and hurricanes (not that we had one last summer). California does get rain, but not as much as Florida does. California also has to deal with wildfires throughout most if not all of the state. In fact, in January of 2025 there were several massive wildfires in LA County that destroyed almost all of Pacific Palisades and much of Altadena in the Eaton fire. It is very disconcerting when you see power lines sparking and turn around to take a video of the wind and see fire on the mountain a few miles away. The Eaton Fire was my first and hopefully last experience with wildfire. While my home was not at all impacted, my entire city was filled with noxious smoke for days and you could not see the San Gabriel Mountains that would normally be visible from my front porch.
All in all, both states have something for everyone, but neither is right for me. I haven't yet found the place that IS right for me long term, but it could very well be NYC.
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