It's easy to forget that although the United States is one country; things can be very different from one edge to another. Some even say California is its own country with its own culture and lifestyle. Coming to Los Angles from New Jersey, I've noticed there are many differences in the day-to-day life of a Californian compared to that of an East-coaster. These include:
1. Weather
Any time someone in Los Angeles asks an East-coaster where they’re from, their first response is usually something like, “Oh, you escaped the bad weather ay?” And yes, this is true; Los Angeles weather is pretty much sunny and 75 day to day, despite the three to five days out of the year when it downpours and just about everyone hibernates inside. But one thing Los Angeles does not have is the essence of the four seasons: fall foliage and the crisp autumn air, snowy winters and white Christmases, and the newness of spring after the April rains end and the birds begin to chirp and the flowers bloom. However, L.A. weather is nothing to complain about, and the lack of cold, gloomy, winters ensures happiness and keeps us active.
2. Speed
Many Californians move at a much slower pace than East-Coasters. Walking down the streets of L.A. or on campus, I am always impatiently waiting for people to just MOVE! There is nothing like the fast-paced city of New York, and most East-coasters have acquired the speed-walk of such. Not only is slow paced walking evident, but also, waiting for coffee seems to take FOREVER! The Starbucks in NYC used to have a policy where if the drink didn’t come out within two minutes of the order, the customer would get it for free. Coffee Beans and Starbucks in Los Angeles take forever; baristas are very relaxed and take their time making drinks. In L.A., it can take up to 10 minutes, but in New York, no more than five, max. People out here seem to be very calm, a positive trait in contrast to the non-stop hustle and bustle of the East coast.
3. Driving
Not only are the people on the West Coast a bit calmer, but their driving is exponentially less aggressive too. Cut someone off on the East coast, and prepare yourself for a ten second-long honk, a little bit of cussing, and a middle finger out the window. Now, don’t get me wrong, the driving in Los Angeles gets a bit rough at times, but the honking and bad-mouthing is pretty limited in comparison. People don’t drive right on top of each other, as if that is going to make them go any quicker.
4. Public Transportation (or the lack thereof)
Although the driving is more relaxed, people may get a little feisty due to the notorious L.A traffic. We all know the traffic here is horrendous. Be prepared for it at any time and at any place. Now, most of the reason for this is the lack of the use/completion of public transportation projects such as subways, metros, etc. Sure, people may use buses, but that does not eliminate the congestion of cars on the roads. The subway system created almost fifty years ago has yet to be completed, and until then, L.A. traffic will continue to delay people’s schedules. Now, on the East Coast, you have trains and subways connecting you just about anywhere throughout. You can get to just about any destination by train, which disperses the automobile traffic into big cities immensely.
5. Style
On the East coast, you may find an abundance of J.Crew and Ralph Lauren trends. In L.A. not many people wear sweater vests, polos, button downs, and polka dot-printed, well, anything. Of course trends and styles vary from person to person, but generally, we find that Los Angeles fashion is a bit less reserved and perhaps more expressive than the conservative, preppy, East-coast trend.
6. Health
Avocados, acai, juices. Need I say more? On almost every other block in L.A. there is no doubt of there being a juice bar. And on just about anything, adding avocado is always an option. This trend is beginning to grow on the East coast, and is almost full-fledged in some neighborhoods, but in Los Angeles, these things are a part of the culture. The good weather allows everyone to always be active and outside, running or walking. And afterwards, fresh-squeezed juice is easily and almost always attainable.
7. Beaches
East-coast beaches are beautiful, but nothing compares to the amazing, aqua Pacific Ocean. Let’s be honest, in L.A., we don’t need to put in thousands of dollars into projects expanding beaches: the natural size of the shore is enormous, allowing beach-goers to take up as much space as they want. Nothing on the East coast compares to walking the piers and board-walks of Santa Monica, Venice, and Malibu. Although the Pacific may be a bit chilly, the amazing tropical color beats the dark blue-brown water in New Jersey easily. The surfing in Montauk, NY, is as good as it gets on the East coast, but is incomparable to the waves and beaches of the Pacific. East-coast beaches just don’t elicit the aura of a relaxing, tropical, exciting vacation the way they do on the West Coast.
8. Vegetation
Look outside your car window in L.A. and you see palm trees and some cacti. But on the East coast, you have an assortment of different trees and bushes. You see green everywhere and experience the moisture in the air compared to the dry, desert land. On the east coast, you’ll find deer running in the valley and may see foxes walking down the street. In L.A., the squirrels seem to be more aggressive, and they are essentially the only wild animal you encounter throughout your day.
9. Openness to Sexuality
Though times are changing, the East coast is known for it’s conservative stance on homosexuality in comparison to California. Yes, gay marriage was recently legalized nationwide, but it is more common to experience and see same-sex couples specifically in L.A. There is slightly more of a stigma on the East coast, due to conservative beliefs and less exposure, in comparison to the more laid-back lifestyle. Seeing two girls kissing in L.A. may be less surprising to someone living here than to a visitor from the East coast. Ultimately, with time, this will even out, but as of now, L.A. is a safe haven to those who experience stigma due to their sexual identities.
The rivalry between the two coasts continues, as there are drawbacks and benefits to each. The beauties and imperfections of each coast make it almost impossible to rank one above the other.
