- Stevie Howell is an artist born and raised in San Francisco, who now lives in LA.
- Howell says she misses the support system that San Francisco offered her and her business.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Stevie Howell, an artist and business owner who lives in Los Angeles. It's been edited for length and clarity.
I was born and raised in San Francisco and lived there for six years of my adult life before moving to Los Angeles about five years ago. I thought it would be a very easy move, but I've been surprised by some things that a huge city like LA doesn't have compared to tiny SF.
People love to hate San Francisco — I heard the word "war-torn" used to describe it just the other day — but the truth is it's gorgeous. The city has parks and incredible views, and the hills are picturesque and fun to drive up and down. There's great architecture — from colorful Victorians to the monstrous Salesforce tower — and easy access to the ocean and the Bay.
It's a well-planned urban space, and the city continues to make thoughtful decisions in terms of keeping it visually stunning and stimulating.
Even though LA is much larger than San Francisco, LA doesn't feel urban, while San Francisco does. Here's what I felt were the five worst things about leaving the San Francisco Bay Area and moving to LA.
1. LA feels socially distant
LA feels like a vast network of suburban enclaves. I get an urban buzz in San Francisco — that hum of activity and people moving around rather than staying in their houses like they do in LA.
San Francisco is relatively condensed, so you know your neighbors, can walk to get coffee or go grocery shopping, meet up with a friend last minute, or go to dinner crosstown and not spend your entire evening trying to get there as we do in LA.
2. I miss the diverse food, art, and neighborhoods
Walking around, you can hear a mixture of languages and eat a range of cuisines. There's amazing food and so many creative chefs doing great things. A few restaurants that I miss most are Flour + Water (Italian), Mandalay SF (Burmese food), Marnee Thai (Thai), La Taqueria (Mexican), and Swan Oyster Depot (seafood).
I've heard the art world in San Francisco referred to as "provincial," but it's home to both amazing galleries and important collections. Some of my favorites are Jessica Silverman Gallery, SFMOMA, Rebecca Camacho Presents, and Minnesota Street Project.
Also, each neighborhood has its own identity, personality, and unique characters.
3. I miss San Francisco's support system
I loved the community I had at my studio; it's a sense of community that I haven't found in any other city.
My art studio was at the end of an old wooden building among a bunch of beautiful old brick warehouses and ship-building facilities. Other artists lived in the building, and we helped each other out. We referred new clients to each other, pitched each other's work to the press, and shared resources for opportunities.
As an artist and business owner, I founded my eco-friendly textile and wallpaper collection business in San Francisco in 2013. I don't think I ever would've started a business in another city. San Francisco breeds entrepreneurship that goes beyond the tech world.
4. I miss San Francisco's culture and philanthropic spirit
Living in San Francisco, I found that many of its businesses have a good environmental or social mission. I miss the philanthropy that's woven into the city. People care about the world and each other.
While San Francisco has gotten many things right, the way it deals with — or doesn't deal with — the homeless crisis is one thing it's gotten wrong. It stems from how the city deals with drug addiction, mental illness, and its high cost of living. Many other cities in the US are facing similar issues, and like other cities, it's upsetting to see.
But I believe, for the most part, San Francisco still has the same caring heart and soul it's had for years. People care about their neighbors, their parks, and the greater world.
5. I miss the Bay Area's accessibility to the outdoors
There's so much amazing green space and beach around the Bay Area that's easy to get to. You can take a hike on your lunch break. Crissy Field, Golden Gate Park, Bernal Heights Hill, Dolores Park, Ocean Beach, Stinson Beach, Angel Island, and Rodeo Beach are great spots.
When I lived in San Francisco, I was on a Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy committee and got to learn in-depth about how much thought goes into each individual plant that's planted in the city, and the education and research that's happening in the city's parks.
The access to the outdoors and natural beauty is also what made the Bay Area such an incredible place to grow up. There's truly a mix of indoor and outdoor learning that's incomparable to LA or anywhere else I've lived.
If you moved to a new city or state and want to share your experience, email Manseen Logan at mlogan@businessinsider.com.