Growing up in Connecticut and having access to many areas of New England and other parts of the East Coast, I have always loved my time here. However, the West Coast still stands out to me. Could someone thrive more in one place even if they admire and love both? I’ll write to write about this again years from now when I’ve had a chance to explore, but for now, we can only compare the two coasts.

Ways To Love the East Coast

Living on the East Coast, you can tell it is a very fast-paced environment. Everyone seems to be on the go, rushing somewhere, anywhere! Because the East Coast is much longer than the West, the cities are denser, as are the fields of crops and farms. There are many more bigger cities that have access to public transportation and railroad systems, even though they are heavily lacking good support. There are major hubs, like New York and Boston, along with D.C., and many big cities down south. Back up in the New England areas, the academia and health systems are very important. Schools like Yale, NYU, Quinnipiac, Columbia, Harvard, and many many more surround the New England area!

While those aspects might not matter to many people, including myself… the cities still have a lot to offer. And while it is very expensive to live around my area… there are still some positives! Maybe!

Personally, the weather and overall vibe are my favorites. Having all four distinct seasons and the next one to look forward to is exciting. There are always activities to do, even in the dead of winter when being forced to shovel snow is the way to start your day–because everyone gets adjusted to it. Spring, summer, autumn, and winter have been a constant part of my life, and I can’t imagine living in an environment that doesn’t include every version of life.

The Difference on the West Coast

There is more variety on the West Coast. There are beaches, mountains, rivers, deserts, mesas, and so much more, all in one area in the entire world! Yes, the hikes and forests on the East Coast are beautiful and magical, but being able to be surrounded by even more biodiversity is incredible. It shows how we are just so small on this Earth. The metro areas are sprawling and much bigger than most on the East Coast. However, the infrastructure was created to be more car-dependent, though major cities still have public transport. This may be a deal breaker for me, and maybe many others, but the natural environment is very very convincing.

There are drives and highways, specifically the Pacific Coast Highway, that follows massive cliffs and sea stacks throughout the coast. The oceans are dramatic, and many famous national parks surround the area. The Redwood Forest and Yosemite are usual top picks and feature lush, mossy rainforests that people dream about!

With the short comparisons between the East Coast and West Coast, which do you think you would thrive more in? Do you appreciate both or the one you are already most familiar with?

East Coast or West Coast? Let us know your thoughts!