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Life on the East Coast vs. West Coast

Living in California, I’m sure you’ve seen everyone with their Bluetooth headphones and heard the subtle brag “west coast is the best coast!”. People who stand behind this common phrase often haven’t even been to the east coast. Well, I live on both coasts, so I’ll get to the bottom of this debate. I’ve lived in Orange County all 19 years of my life, but I attend Fordham University in New York City. I still have a lot to learn about the Big Apple, but going to college in this fast-pace environment made me learn a lot in a short amount of time. If there’s one thing I’d like to emphasize, it’s that OC and NYC are COMPLETELY different. Take a look at these nine categories I’ve decided to rate from each coast, and we’ll find out if East or West comes out on top.

  1. Weather – East Coast: 4 / West Coast: 10

The two coasts obviously have VERY different weather patterns. When I first told people I was going to New York for school, their initial reaction was “Wow! Good luck with that winter.” They weren’t wrong either. Cold rain, inches of snow, and average temperatures of 30°F don’t compare to a SoCal winter! Not to mention, New York summers are filled with hot heat and high humidity.

Winter in Central Park. It may be cold, but it sure is pretty!

  1. Food – East Coast: 9 / West Coast: 8

The most important category: FOOD! California wins for best Mexican food hands down. But you already knew that. New York has some of the best Italian food I’ve ever tasted, thanks to Little Italy. Other than that, the coasts are pretty equal when it comes to creative, tasty food spots. However, NYC’s East Village is home to uniquely individual food spots that satisfy every and any craving. West Coast is more reliable if you’re searching for a typical chain restaurant.

  1. Views – East Coast: 8 / West Coast: 8

This category is a tough one. If you head to the top of the Empire State Building, you’ll catch the most spectacular view of the NYC Skyline. It’s truly a view that you can’t get anywhere else. What the East Coast doesn’t have, however, is a West Coast sunset. Watching the sunset on the beach is a casual activity here in Southern California that you definitely can’t do in New York. But which is better…NYC Skyline or California Sunset?

View from the top of the Empire State Building.

Laguna Beach, California – December 2016.

  1. People – East Coast: 6 / West Coast: 8

One time I went with my roommate to get her nose pierced at a famous tattoo shop. After talking with the tattoo artist for a few minutes, he asked, “Where you from? You’re way too nice to be from New York.” So yes, the typical stereotype of a New Yorker is (mostly) true. New Yorkers are always in a rush (thanks to Subway System delays), so don’t take anything personal. City streets are filled with people that are trying to sell you tickets or grab your attention, so we unintentionally begin to brush people off. After living in New York for only a year, I’ve noticed personal changes. I walk way faster, I’ve become more opinionated, and yes, I sometimes forget to say thanks when a stranger holds the door open for me…forgive me! California’s laidback lifestyle offers more time for people to say thanks, have a casual conversation with a neighbor, and smile at every stranger who walks by.

  1. Fashion – East Coast: 9 / West Coast: 7

Fashion plays a HUGE role in a NYC lifestyle. After all, it is home to New York Fashion Week. City life promotes stylish outfits, no matter where you’re headed. Even if you’re simply taking a stroll through Central Park, you’ll notice mostly everyone has their outfits together. In SoCal, people tend to run errands in workout clothes, go to work in workout clothes, and sit around at home in workout clothes. I’m not complaining though, comfort is key!

  1. Entertainment – East Coast: 10 / West Coast: 6

Not going to lie, Southern California can get boring. Yeah, we have the beach and all, but the beach gets repetitive. SoCal doesn’t compare to the “City that Never Sleeps.” When I’m in New York, I see something new every day. Even the subway rides are filled with entertainment (shout out to the street performers). NYC has free comedy shows, free concerts, museums, pop-up shops, and much MUCH more on any day of the week.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met). One of many famous museums in NYC.

  1. Transportation – East Coast: 8 / West Coast: 5

Southern California and New York City are both known for having the WORST traffic. Unless you’re an Uber, Lyft, or Taxi driver in NYC, you’re better off walking or using the subway system. The MTA New York Subway is seriously the best transportation system. Yes, it gets crowded and the subway carts aren’t the cleanest, but you get places fast. For $2.75, you can go anywhere in the five boroughs, which is cheap considering you’d be paying for gas money anyways if you were driving a car.

D-Train Subway Line. Uptown & The Bronx

  1. Expenses – East Coast: 4 / West Coast: 6

There’s nothing cheap about living in New York or California. Good luck getting the penthouse suit with floor to ceiling windows that overlooks NYC. The expense of winter coats and sweaters adds up too…I spent over $1,000 on coats for last winter alone. Restaurants, grocery shopping, gas, movies, concerts, and pretty much any other activity are pricy on both coasts. When a free show or event comes around, don’t pass it up!

  1. Lifestyle – East Coast: 7 / West Coast: 8

The lifestyles on the two coasts are completely different. NYC is a fast-pace environment that motivates you to keep moving. If I sit around and watch Netflix for a day in New York, I honestly feel bad about it because I feel like it’s a day wasted. At home in California, I feel no shame lying in bed to binge watch my favorite TV show. This category is totally based on opinion, and I like the easy-going vibes that surround the West Coast.

Alright so which coast comes out on top? East Coast (NYC) or West Coast (SoCal)?

Totals – East Coast: 65 / West Coast: 66

Looks like the West Coast wins by one point!! I expected this to turn out pretty even, since I honestly don’t know which coast I like better. The lifestyles are too different to compare, and it really just depends on your personality. I love living in NYC, and I think it’s a great place to explore during my 20s. When it’s time to settle down, California will be a better fit. Even though the city life is great, Orange County will always be my home!

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