The Big East Coast Vs. West Coast Debate — 5 Key Differences.

To me, there was no debate about it. Until there was.

Last summer I had the opportunity to spend 3 glorious weeks working remotely from the West Coast. I had no idea what to expect. Just biases.

I hadn’t been there much except as a college student visiting for Spring Break or Thanksgiving, so this return was a very refreshing experience.

I can’t even imagine that after almost six fabulous years of living in the Big Apple, I would even write this article debating between the two coasts.

Until now, it was a no-brainer! A clear winner to me had to be New York. However, what worked for me in my 20s might be different than what will work for me in my 30s. Which is why I am evaluating an alternate lifestyle.

New York City is a beast of its own and it grows on you faster than matcha lattes. Much faster actually! You either love it or hate it they say. Then there’s also something poetic about how pop culture portrays this city — you hate that you love the picturization.

It wasn’t love at first sight for me as it’s been for many New Yorkers. Yet, it’s ironic that today I find myself defending the city or calling out people who have anything remotely negative to say about it. “It isn’t everyone’s cup of tea”, I respond, maybe passive-aggressively sometimes.

Maybe it’s the Delhi vs. Mumbai decades-long debate that I’ve always been a part of that naturally triggered this obvious comparison and made me reflect on the two vastly different lifestyles these two coasts have to offer.

More than anything, I had zero expectations of what to expect during my time on the West Coast. And, secondly, I wanted to challenge my biases.

So, spending 3 weeks living on the West Coast was a conscious choice to revisit the status quo and see for myself as a working adult, what the fuss is about the East Coast vs. West Coast debate and if it is for me or not.

This post isn’t about giving you an accurate answer about which one is meant for you. You can’t change cities like you change pajamas — or can you? So, here are 5 subjective differences I experienced during my stay:

1) Outdoors

No debate about the West Coast is complete without giving it the much-needed appreciation it deserves for the great outdoors. Nothing quite compares to the variety of landscapes that are available just a short drive away from most cities.

While the East Coast has its vast selection of the country’s largest parks amid the city, with additional hiking trails, skiing mountains, and beaches less than 2 hours away by car, on the West Coast you can access some trekking trails just around the block.

But, would you find a bodega that serves you chopped cheese sandwiches late-night around the block? Maybe, maybe not. Most likely not.

On the flip side, when you live in New York, you walk everywhere. Fifty blocks to downtown, that’s nothing. Heck, with the amount that New Yorkers walk, a gym isn’t needed. Walking is not so common in the West.

2) Indoors

When you live in New York it can’t get more obvious to you that you are in the center of the universe. There is no dearth of media outlets, classic movies, talk shows, celebrity events, and landmark historical moments that have shaped the rich culture and old soul of this city.

Most U.S. cities are designed in a way to become central hubs and it doesn’t get more concentrated than the number of people pouring into New York. No, it isn’t dead and yes, that’s why it is called the melting pot. At a cost.

This obvious cost comes at the price you pay per square footage to live in the heart of the city. There are hidden costs that you don’t end up paying which include, not needing a car, therefore not spending time in traffic, shoveling snow, paying for parking or car ownership, and so on.

Yet, the big price tag you do pay though is for the real estate, and that can add up over the years. It might even pinch you when you realize how much more space you can get for the same amount of money on the West Coast.

3) Weather

I recall when I was in college and I had my first experience of all four seasons. Growing up in Mumbai, I’ve been prone to the typical tropical seasons of balmy summers, humid monsoons, and pleasant winters.

So, when I first made snow angels or got out my health for sweater weather, it felt like a lot of work to get my clothes organized every quarter. Yet, it became a ritual of sorts for someone who was mostly used to one main season year-round — I began to love and appreciate all four.

As much as the tropical soul in me craves hot patio seating and the highest possible winter temperatures, there is a part of me that is grateful that I can experience all four seasons right in front of my window.

Of course, the weather changes depending on how high up north you go. And, it goes without saying that over the years we’re going to witness way more changes in the global climate. After all, it did snow in California!

Yet, I will add that, undoubtedly, weather changes are about more than just wardrobe changes and can hugely impact moods, the ability to get outdoors, vitamin D levels, etc. The West is a no-brainer if you hate winters!

4) Connectivity

Again, this is a big deal if you step out and walk to a corner store to buy only eggs right now as opposed to those who may need a car to do so on the West Coast. Yet, how often do you have an unplanned grocery run?!

Of course, there is no right or wrong answer here. A car is equal to freedom. You don’t need to think twice before planning a road trip, or you don’t need to break your back carrying grocery bags up 10 blocks.

Does that mean that a well-connected transit system isn’t for you? Not at all. If you don’t want to rely on a car because you hate driving and the thought of taking driving lessons and taking a driving test terrifies you, then owning a car is probably more stressful than comfortable. And costly!

One of the oldest underground and planned subway systems is the best connected. It runs 24/7. There are also mice. Yet, you can get to anywhere in the city for $2.75. Brunches, bar-hops, speakeasies here I come!

You get the point. Both options are liberating and freeing, depending on how you see it or what you prefer. I detest driving so trains it is, for now!

5) Culture

There may be an obvious winner here. Especially, when it comes to the number of cuisines and cocktail bars you can check off within a mile-wide radius in New York. But, if the food and bar scene isn’t your thing I get it.

From museums to theatres, there is an endless plethora of activities that this city has to offer. Mind you, these are not weather-dependent. Perhaps nothing can beat a gloomy day better than a day at the MET.

I might be a bit biased here because of the sheer amount of time I have spent in different nooks and corners of New York. Especially, during the pandemic. Plus, most of the activities don’t need to be planned.

You could museum hop like you bar hop. Yet, it’s an expensive lifestyle. An addictive one at that too. You become spoilt for choice of places to go and things to see and you need to actively pause to take a breather from it all.

It is so difficult to deny the unique cultural fabric that New York has to offer. Even today’s digital world can’t substitute this in-person experience.

It’s so hard to choose between two vastly different lifestyle choices. There’s no real debate about better or worse. I can confidently say that the biases I had against the West Coast were just preconceived notions.

The West isn’t better. Nor is the East. They’re just so very different. One is abundant in natural landscapes while the other is full of manmade beauty.

At the end of the day, there are so many more factors that are more subjective than objective, that define the lifestyle of both coasts. If it was only about taxes, the cost of living, or safety indices, maybe the debate would be a bit different. You can find that comparison on Google easily.

This post was meant to shed light on the subjective choices that directly impact our daily lives and yet can be so easily overlooked or ignored. Because living there and reading about living there is different. So my recommendation to anyone exploring the option would be to experiment.

After all, doubt is only removed by action. When in doubt, try it out.