East Coast Americans Vs West Coast Americans
Moving your whole life from one coast to another can be a huge culture shock in a country as vast as America. Although you're still in the United States, life is very different on the West Coast from the East Coast and vice versa, so you may experience a bit of culture shock if you move coasts. Let's break down some of the biggest differences you may experience after your big cross-country move, regardless of which direction you're going in!
Differences In Lifestyles
While lifestyle differences can be difficult to quantify, as it all depends on how you live your life, we can make a few generalizations about the differences in lifestyles between the East and West Coasts.
Life On The Left Coast Is More Relaxed
This all depends on which area you're moving to, but in general, many transcontinental transplants have found that life on the West Coast (or the Left Coast, if you prefer) is more relaxed. People aren't in as big a hurry to get everywhere—even in major cities like Portland, Oregon or Seattle, Washington. Life seems to move at a slower pace, whereas East Coast cities like NYC are bustling hubs of activity, 24 hours a day.
The West Coast Is Often Seen As More Open-Minded
While this is an obvious generalization, the West Coast of the United States, especially states like California and Washington, are generally seen as being less rooted in "tradition" and more open-minded to changes in both societal attitudes to things, and to legislative changes that allow for more personal freedom.
On The West Coast: A Car Is A Necessity
On the West Coast, it seems as though things are spread much farther apart than in any major east coast hub.
While Los Angeles may be the center of the Californian universe, you'll likely still need a car to get anywhere outside of LA. Whereas in NYC or other major cities, public transportation will get you from one place to the next, or you could walk.
JPxG, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Hustle And Bustle Of The East Is Real
If you love the hustle and bustle lifestyle and want your life to be a bit busier than it currently is on the West Coast, a major East Coast city might be exactly what the doctor ordered.
People lead busy lives on the East Coast. Brisk walking is a necessity in the city and everyone is just trying to get wherever they're going.
Culinary Differences
While deep-dish pizza and seafood may be all the rage on the East Coast—particularly the closer you get to the sea—the West Coast (depending on where you are) will have different types of seafood (less quahog, more salmon) and more authentic, higher-quality Mexican food, especially in southern areas of California.
The Northeastern Cuisine Borrows Heavily From Europe
If you're looking at swapping the Southwest for the Northeast, say Arizona or New Mexico for Boston, Philly, or Washington DC, you'll find that Northeastern cuisine borrows heavily from Ireland, Britain, Italy, and Germany—think hearty stews, authentic bratwurst sausages, and OG-from-Italy recipe lasagnas, spaghettis, and of course, deep-dish NYC pizza.
The West Coast Cuisine Borrows Heavily From The Mediterranean, Asia, And Mexico
Largely due to the huge immigrant populations in states along the West Coast, you'll find that the East Coast borrows heavily from Mediterranean, Asian, and Mexican cuisine.
This also means that if you're used to East Coast tacos or Asian fusion, you may find that the taste of the same food on the West Coast is more "authentic".
Fresh Produce Is More Common On The West Coast
Because California's climate lends itself well to the production of fruits and vegetables, you're more likely to find local, farm-grown produce in California or other parts of the West Coast than you will on the East Coast. So, if you're expecting to find fresh veggies on the East Coast, you may have to go to a farmer's market, but won't find them as plentiful in the grocery stores.
Lobster Is A West Coast Delicacy
Spiny lobsters are the only lobsters on the Pacific Coast of the United States, which have a huge tail, but no claws, whereas the American or Maine lobster is a cold-water lobster that's plentiful in the East Coast waters, with huge claws. If you love lobster and clam chowder, you'll find it in spades on the East Coast, whereas if you're a salmon fan, the West Coast may be more to your liking.
Coastal Etiquettes Are Different
This may seem like a strange one, but certain coastal etiquette is different—on the West Coast, you're (apparently) expected to take off your shoes when you enter someone else's home. Whereas, on the East Coast, this expectation does not exist. Although, it's still good manners anywhere you are—keep removing those shoes.
The Size Of The States
If you're driving across America, this is something you'll learn naturally, but if you're flying to your new home on either coast:
be prepared for things to get a lot bigger as you go West. On the East Coast, states are often smaller—and therefore easier to drive/fly/train between, whereas on the West Coast, you can watch your dog run away for a week.
West Coasters Can Be More Friendly
This is a bit subjective, but because of the laid-back nature of the West Coast, people are generally more open to conversations with strangers.
If you're used to not speaking to another soul on the train or bus in the mornings in New York, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how many, "Good mornings" you'll get from Californians/Seattleites.
Mental Health America (MHA), Pexels
Crossing The Cities On The West Coast Can Be A Challenge
For the East Coasters who are used to zipping from one end of the city to the other, it's worth noting that because cars dominate transportation on the West Coast, particularly in states like California, you can spend hours in the car to get from one side of a major city to the other. Riding your bike to work might not be an option, depending on where you live, even if you're in a major city.
Winters Aren't Really A Thing On The West Coast
While climate change is exacerbating certain extreme weather events on the West Coast, you're still unlikely to see snow or temperatures that even come close to 32 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're used to (or exhausted by) a cold East Coast winter that lasts from November through April, you'll experience a change of climate on the West Coast. Alternatively, if you love the winters and the definitive seasons, then the East Coast may be much more your jam.
White Christmases Are Few And Far Between In The West
If giving yourself or your family a white Christmas is important to you, then you'll likely not find it on the West Coast. Arizonans tend to hang their Christmas lights from cacti instead of their picturesque homes. On the plus side, it's warm at Christmas. But it's not really Christmas without snow, right?
The Different Histories Of Each Coast
If you love history and are looking at moving to one coast or the other to explore the historical roots of America, then each coast has a very different story.
From the European settlements of the East Coast and the early influences of Irish, British, and Italian immigrants, to the West Coast's frontier period, the cowboy lifestyle, and the huge migration due to the Gold Rush, whatever history you're into, each coast has plenty of it.
Everett Collection, Shutterstock
The Performing Arts On Each Coast
If you love the performing arts, you'll love each coast for different reasons. New York is the epicenter of theater productions in the world, and home of The Juilliard School for performing arts. Whereas California, and LA in particular, are home to the world's film and television hubs.
The Coffee On Each Coast
Coffee might be the lifeblood of Americans—but each coast has a different take on the Elixir of Life. Dunkin' Donuts is one of the most famous coffee chains in the east, outside of the Canadian hotshot Tim Hortons, but the West (more specifically, San Fransico) is bestowed with being the birthplace of Starbucks.
Anthony92931, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Different Natural Environments
If you love getting outdoors in the US, you'll love each coast for their different natural environments.
If sandy beaches and crashing waves are your thing, then California and the rest of the Pacific Northwest is a great place to find plenty of that. But, if you like getting lost in the greens of dense forestry, then the East Coast has acres of greenspace.
Aleksandr Dyskin, Shutterstock
Clothing Choices Matter In The East
Because East Coasters don't have year-round sunshine with very little by way of "cold" weather, they need to be much more conscious of buying clothing that's going to stand up to a harsh east coast winter. If you're moving to New York or anywhere else on the East Coast from November through April, pick yourself up a decent winter jacket, hat, gloves and scarf. And a good pair of winter boots—chances are you'll need it, even if you've never seen snow before.
Nothing Is Open On Sundays In The West
This depends on where you live, but in states like Utah, you may notice that nothing is open on Sundays.
This is mostly due to the religious observations in states like Utah, but is fairly common throughout the rest of the Southwest. Don't plan on running an errand or getting to the hardware store on Sundays.
Life Isn't A Beach On The West Coast
You might think that living on the West Coast means eternal access to the beach—and if you live in California, you might be right about that. But outside of California, Oregon, and Washington, there are no other states where you can access a beach. But, on the East Coast, you can happily find 14 states with beach access to the Atlantic Ocean.
The Sandy Beaches Of The East Aren't So Sandy Out West
If you're from the East Coast, you might be used to serene, smooth sandy beaches that are easy to go for a stroll on.
You might find that shoe-less beach walk a little more difficult on the West Coast, as many of their beaches offer a far rockier trek than their East Coast cousins.
Watering Your Lawn Is A Thing In The West
While in the East, you might not be used to absolutely no rain for months on end and the heat and humidity being enough that your lawn turns brown and the grass starts to die, in the West coast, people water their lawns throughout the summer to keep the grass green. Bewildering when you come from the East where rain is a surety.
Speaking Of The Heat...
If you could vacation year-round in 90 degrees Fahrenheit, then the heat of California is where you need to be. Just beware that it sometimes becomes so hot that tires melt onto the roadway. So, if you love the heat and can't stand the bitter East Coast winter for one more year, then California is calling.
If You Love Surfing, Go West
If you're a fan of the surf, then you'll find much more amenable surfing conditions on the West Coast.
The waters tend to be a little warmer as well, so it won't be such a shock when you fall off the board.
The Fast Food Is Different
If you were hoping to be able to grab some Zaxby's, Bojangles, or Friendly's, you will be sorely disappointed. Staples such as In-N-Out Burger, Wienerschnitzel, and Burgerville welcome you to the West Coast with open doors, though. But yes, if moving transnationally, be prepared to lose some of your fast food favorites.
Kingofthedead, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Sports Games Are Best Viewed In The West
Because of the time difference, sports games are best viewed from a West Coast timeline, depending on where they're being shown. East Coasters have to put up with an 11pm start time for games that their East Coast teams play against West Coast opposition.
Tammy Anthony Baker, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Tourism Is Different
If you're moving West to get away from the masses of people in NYC or Washington or Boston, all coming to the city to look at the Statue of Liberty or Washington Monument or the Smithsonian Museum, then you'll be pleasantly surprised that the West Coast tourism destinations are more spread out, with national parks making up the bulk of visitor attractions the further west you go.
