If you grew up on one coast, moving to the other will likely cause you to experience culture shock. And, if you've yet to visit the other coast, this handy guide will give you an idea of what you can expect. Here are some of the major differences that West Coasters notice when moving to the East Coast, and vice versa.
1. Weather
This is a more obvious difference, but it still takes some getting used to. If you're used to California sunshine and winters that never dip below 60 degrees, the freezing and snowy winters as well as the humid summers may be uncomfortable for you. On the flip side, East Coasters moving to the West Coast are probably confused by the lack of seasons and the abundance of sunshine year round.
2. Pace of life
Everything about the East Coast is fast paced. People walk and drive super fast, and they're also more ambitious and competitive, with a dog-eat-dog mentality. Meanwhile, West Coasters tend to be laid back with more of a "go with the flow" mentality.
3. Fashion
Fashion on the East Coast is sleeker, preppier, and more sophisticated. Fashion on the West Coast is usually more casual and includes bohemian, tropical, and grungy styles. If you're working on the East Coast, suits and business attire are typically expected. But if you're working on the West Coast, usually business casual and comfortable attire are prevalent. Brands like Vineyard Vines, Sperry shoes, and J. Crew are more popular on the East Coast while on the West Coast, streetwear brands like Obey, Supreme, and Stussy are very popular.
4. Food
You'll find a lot of Mexican restaurants and Asian fusion places on the West Coast, and cuisine here utilizes a lot of avocado, shrimp, salmon, and wine. West Coasters also care more about whether or not their food is organic or local, and they tend to eat healthier. On the East Coast, you'll find a lot of pizza and Italian restaurants, as well as seafood restaurants serving lobster, oysters, and clams. There are also more upscale restaurants in the major cities on the East Coast.
5. Diversity
The West Coast is more of a melting pot and there is more diversity within the population. While on the East Coast, diversity is much less pronounced. If you went to public school in the California Bay Area, for example, you probably had a very diverse student population composed of Latinos, Asians, blacks, whites, and other minority populations. So it may be a bit of culture shock for you to move to the East Coast where it is far less diverse.
