I left San Francisco and moved to LA. Listed below are the 5 worst issues about leaving the Bay Space.

• Stevie Howell is an artist born and raised in San Francisco and now living in LA.

• Howell says she misses the support system San Francisco provided her and her business.

• She finds LA socially distant and misses the diverse food, art and neighborhoods of San Francisco.

This essay is based on a conversation with Stevie Howell, an artist and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I was born and raised in San Francisco and spent six years of my adult life there before moving to Los Angeles about five years ago. I thought the move would be easy, but I was surprised by some things that a huge city like LA doesn't have compared to tiny SF.

People love to hate San Francisco – I recently heard the city described as “war-torn” – but the truth is it's beautiful. The city has parks and incredible views, and the hills are scenic and fun to drive up and down. There's great architecture – from colorful Victorian buildings to the monstrous Salesforce Tower – and easy access to the ocean and the bay.

It is a well-planned urban space and the city continues to make thoughtful decisions to keep it visually appealing and stimulating.

Although LA is much bigger than San Francisco, LA doesn't have the urban feel that San Francisco does. Here are the five worst things I found about leaving the San Francisco Bay Area and moving to LA.

1. LA feels socially distanced

LA feels like a huge network of suburbs. In San Francisco, I feel the urban buzz – that hum of activity and people walking around instead of staying in their homes like in LA.

San Francisco is relatively densely populated, so you can know your neighbors, walk to get coffee or grocery shopping, meet up with a friend on a whim, or walk to the other side of town for dinner without having to spend the entire evening getting there like we did in LA.

2. I miss the diverse food, the art and the neighborhoods

Walking around you hear a mix of languages ​​and get to try a variety of cuisines. There is amazing food and so many creative chefs doing great things. Some restaurants I miss the 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 described as “provincial,” but it's home to both amazing galleries and significant collections. Some of my favorites include Jessica Silverman Gallery, SFMOMA, Rebecca Camacho Presents, and Minnesota Street Project.

Additionally, each neighborhood has its own identity, personality and unique characters.

3. I miss San Francisco’s support system

I loved the community I had in 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 in the middle of a row of beautiful old brick warehouses and shipbuilding facilities. Other artists lived in the building and we helped each other out. We referred each other new clients, got our work known to the press, and shared resources for opportunities.

As an artist and entrepreneur, I started my eco-friendly textile and wallpaper collection business in San Francisco in 2013. I don't think I would have ever started a business in any other city. San Francisco encourages entrepreneurship that goes beyond the tech world.

4. I miss San Francisco’s culture and philanthropic spirit

When I lived in San Francisco, I found that many of the companies there had a good environmental or social mission. I miss the philanthropy that is embedded in the city. People care about the world and each other.

While San Francisco has done many things right, the way it is dealing with the homelessness crisis – or not – is a mistake. That's because of how the city deals with drug addiction, mental illness, and the high cost of living. Many other cities in the U.S. are struggling with similar problems, and like other cities, it's devastating to see it in San Francisco.

But I think that for the most part, San Francisco still has the same heart and soul that it has had for years. People care about their neighbors, their parks, and the world at large.

5. I miss being close to nature in the Bay Area

There are so many great green spaces and beaches around the Bay Area that are 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 all great places.

When I lived in San Francisco, I served on the board of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, where I learned in depth about the amount of thought that goes into every single plant planted in the city, as well as the educational and research work that goes on in the city's parks.

The access to nature and the beauty of the outdoors is also what made the Bay Area such an incredible place to grow up. There really is a mix of indoor and outdoor learning that is unmatched by LA or any other place I've lived.

If you've moved to a new city or state and want to share your experience, email Manseen Logan at mlogan@businessinsider.com.

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