I was born and raised and lived my whole life in NYC as have my kids and I have often visited California as almost all of my wife's family is there, West Hollywood, Riverside, City of Industry, San Diego, Temacula and to be totally honest, not meant to offend anyone, just my opinion, California sucks.
All the negatives that are in NYC are also in Cali.
Though the positives in NYC far outwiegh those in California. Culture, Museums, Sports, Transportation, Food, People, etc. all better here.
As for weather, I hate the hot weather so maybe I'm biased there.
Not sure where you California guys were out there but in Riverside and some parts of San Diego I felt like I was right back in Bed-Stuy or East New York.