[2_Baskets_at_Target]

I live in Brandon and my mother is visiting here and we’re considering renting a place in the TPA metro area.

But I’ve never been to the southeast coast despite always wanting to go there. West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Ft. Lauderdale. Not all the way down to Miami though.

However I can’t shake the feeling that it wouldn’t be much different than Sarasota, Bradenton, Clearwater, Largo, or St. Pete.

Both are coastal Floridian cities that are part of a larger metro area. Palm trees, concrete houses, suburban sprawl, car dependency, hot & moist, HCOL, Publixes on every corner. About 50-100 miles vertically separating them.

Is it really much different cause it would take just 1 hour to get to the gulf coast but about 4 to get to the other side?

[Arcenal813]

Different vibe. Gulf Coast is more chill, laid back, easy-going.

West Palm down is more of a rat-race.

[beach43ofus]

You are asking for a very wide generalization, but here's my opinion after living on both sides:

SE Florida:

-more people
-more traffic, more congestion, wider interstates, more toll roads
-higher population density, more high rise condo's
-slightly higher cost of living, but the gap is closing
-more people from the NE USA
-a lot more Spanish speakers, & intensifies the further South you go
-less friendly people & more NE USA vibe vs. SW FLA is still a more Midwestern vibe; but becoming less so
-more highly aggressive drivers
-better & more diverse night life, restaurants, & retail
-more wealthy people
-younger population
-more left leaning politically
-a lot more public transportation options
-slightly cooler weather near the coast due to having the cool Gulf Stream waters just offshore
-better deep sea fishing due to deeper waters not as far offshore
-less White sand beaches, & beach access is slightly more costly & difficult
-more job opportunities
-more commercial flight destination options both domestic & international (more big airports)
-more colleges/universities
-noisier...planes, trains, trucks, & loud recently the loud muffler automobiles
-better cruise ships & destinations
-NBA team
-larger boating community w/ larger boats/yachts

Not only have I lived on both sides, I still spend a lot of time on both sides due to having friends & family in Boca, Jupiter, Port St. Lucie

[Lillie767]

Here's one major difference between SE Florida and the Gulf Coast:





https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_U...sults_2020.svg

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by 2_Baskets_at_Target

I live in Brandon and my mother is visiting here and we’re considering renting a place in the TPA metro area.

But I’ve never been to the southeast coast despite always wanting to go there. West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Ft. Lauderdale. Not all the way down to Miami though.

However I can’t shake the feeling that it wouldn’t be much different than Sarasota, Bradenton, Clearwater, Largo, or St. Pete.

Both are coastal Floridian cities that are part of a larger metro area. Palm trees, concrete houses, suburban sprawl, car dependency, hot & moist, HCOL, Publixes on every corner. About 50-100 miles vertically separating them.

Is it really much different cause it would take just 1 hour to get to the gulf coast but about 4 to get to the other side?

It is different and reasons why the SE side is the #1 metro area in FL in terms of population, and the Tampa Bay area is #2 with neither side slowing down in terms of growth. The reasons behind aren't so simple either. Many see it as a byproduct of the interstate highways, where traditionally traffic in/out of FL on I-75 favors the Midwest while I-95 more so the Northeast US. The Midwest culturally is more laidback, less sophisticated and overall more conservative whereas the Northeast tends more liberal, more sophisticated and much less "chill". There's also a world vibe in SE Florida that Midwestern types tend to find disagreeable given what is often a xenophobic mindset in that camp. If you have an appreciation for more sophisticated dining, cultural events, diversity of culture and a more vibrant atmosphere to visit, you would do well to check it out. Not to mention true ocean surf versus what is much calmer water on the Gulf side. Otherwise if your tastes tend simpler and diversity seems uncomfortable for whatever reason, the Gulf side is more your speed probably.

[OptimusPrime69]

Originally Posted by beach43ofus

You are asking for a very wide generalization, but here's my opinion after living on both sides:

SE Florida:

-more people
-more traffic, more congestion, wider interstates, more toll roads
-higher population density, more high rise condo's
-slightly higher cost of living, but the gap is closing
-more people from the NE USA
-a lot more Spanish speakers, & intensifies the further South you go
-less friendly people & more NE USA vibe vs. SW FLA is still a more Midwestern vibe; but becoming less so
-more highly aggressive drivers
-better & more diverse night life, restaurants, & retail
-more wealthy people
-younger population
-more left leaning politically
-a lot more public transportation options
-slightly cooler weather near the coast due to having the cool Gulf Stream waters just offshore
-better deep sea fishing due to deeper waters not as far offshore
-less White sand beaches, & beach access is slightly more costly & difficult
-more job opportunities
-more commercial flight destination options both domestic & international (more big airports)
-more colleges/universities
-noisier...planes, trains, trucks, & loud recently the loud muffler automobiles
-better cruise ships & destinations
-NBA team
-larger boating community w/ larger boats/yachts

Not only have I lived on both sides, I still spend a lot of time on both sides due to having friends & family in Boca, Jupiter, Port St. Lucie

This is pretty much it.
Lived on both sides as well.

[manny118]

Originally Posted by beach43ofus

You are asking for a very wide generalization, but here's my opinion after living on both sides:

SE Florida:

-more people
-more traffic, more congestion, wider interstates, more toll roads
-higher population density, more high rise condo's
-slightly higher cost of living, but the gap is closing
-more people from the NE USA
-a lot more Spanish speakers, & intensifies the further South you go
-less friendly people & more NE USA vibe vs. SW FLA is still a more Midwestern vibe; but becoming less so
-more highly aggressive drivers
-better & more diverse night life, restaurants, & retail
-more wealthy people
-younger population
-more left leaning politically
-a lot more public transportation options
-slightly cooler weather near the coast due to having the cool Gulf Stream waters just offshore
-better deep sea fishing due to deeper waters not as far offshore
-less White sand beaches, & beach access is slightly more costly & difficult
-more job opportunities
-more commercial flight destination options both domestic & international (more big airports)
-more colleges/universities
-noisier...planes, trains, trucks, & loud recently the loud muffler automobiles
-better cruise ships & destinations
-NBA team
-larger boating community w/ larger boats/yachts

Not only have I lived on both sides, I still spend a lot of time on both sides due to having friends & family in Boca, Jupiter, Port St. Lucie

I'd add that Southeast Florida is more tropical and stays warmer in the winter months due to its proximity to the Gulf Stream. For example, if you compare Stuart to Siesta Key/Venice area (two areas at a similar latitude), Stuart stays a few degrees warmer on average in the winter months.

The west coast also has more issues with red tide.

[FL_Expert]

Originally Posted by manny118

I'd add that Southeast Florida is more tropical and stays warmer in the winter months due to its proximity to the Gulf Stream. For example, if you compare Stuart to Siesta Key/Venice area (two areas at a similar latitude), Stuart stays a few degrees warmer on average in the winter months.

The west coast also has more issues with red tide.

Yep, they say the climate on the west coast is about the same as 50 miles further north on the east coast. New Port Richey is about the same as Daytona, Clearwater Beach is roughly the same as Cocoa Beach, Sarasota is about the same as Melbourne… There are a few exceptions though, Anna Maria Island is about the same as Miami (mainland) due to an oddly strong maritime influence from Tampa Bay.