What are the pro's and con's for living on the West Coast in comparison to the East Coast?

Question

I'm thinking of moving- soon, and I'd like to know what some of you who live on each of the coasts feel are the good and bad points of where you live. Thanks!

Sorry- I forgot to say exactly from where to where. I now live in CT. I hate it. I've always been here. I am looking to move to the Santa Barbara area but around that area not actually in Santa Barbara.

Answer 1

West coast weather is generally much better in general. East-coast summers are humid; west coast summers are not so much. East coast winters have unpredictable weather; west coast winters are milder, and the only precipitation you'll need to deal with (except for the mountains) is occasional heavy rains. West coast waters are colder, and result in fog during certain times of the year ("June Gloom"), while eastern waters are much warmer-- leading to hurricanes and such.
The people on the west coast are very open minded--even the conservatives. Live and let live. Easterners are generally of the attitude that their way is the right way, and one constantly is afraid of becoming the outsider. West coast life moves at a very rapid pace-- people work hard and play harder. East coast people relish a week-end breather. West coast folks get a day off, and drive to vegas to party, or pack up their gear and go camping, or pack up a toolbox and spend a weekend renovating their bathrooms. We can't sit still.
Having grown up in Virginia, and having lived in the LA-Orange county area for the last 5 yrs, this is my assessment...

Answer 2

Good points and bad points about both. Every place on the West Coast is great but for Los Angeles area. The traffic is absolutely horrendous--you spend much time in your car.
East coast cities are mostly old and crumbling with an underclass that is appalling for crime, disease and increased taxes. Think of the Sopranos intro.

Best place is one with natural beauty, low crime and good jobs. Look for a place with good schools and great diversity and affordable housing.

Places north of San Diego, all around San Francisco and Oregon/Washington/Alaska/Hawaii are stunning and good places to live and bring up a family.

Coastal Maine (Portland!), North Carolina, Virginia, Coastal Georgia and South Carolina (Charleston!) are superb places.

Go for the quality of life, kick back and explore!

Answer 3

Well on the west coast you have wildfires, earthquakes and mudslides. East Coast you have hurricanes and nor'easters. West coast (San Francisco and parts north has some of the MOST beautiful rugged ocean views I have ever seen. East Coast is more traditional and steeped in history. I have lived in both and love both for all the diverse reasons I have mentioned.

Answer 4

well living on the west coast myself I would have to say the pro is the weather.... it's beautiful on the west coast and for the most part warm year round in the southern areas. But the con is housing prices. I'm in the middle of California and it's not too pricey but in LA or SF area it is outragious.

Answer 5

West Coast :California/No 4 seasons,snow in mountain resorts only/beaches fairly clean/travel --your own auto a must/Supermarkets & Fast Food places best/lots of goings on in "Entertainment world" but expensive/easy to make friends but be careful /job opps good/best if you have friends to showyou around/Study opps Good/Universities fun/Aint much real culture like NYC & Boston !---Forget about San Fran-too expensive ----Northof California ? too dull and rainy--no one moves from East to Oregon or Wash State/Summers are hot in Southern Cal but everything is Air-conned FRIENDS MOST IMP!! Consider living in Orange County
where it is cooler near the ocean / lots of Big Companies have jobs there as well---Inland Los Angeles unbearable and
air quality no good.

East Coast Maine,Vermont,Upper New York Beautiful and cold and for old retired folks like me/Forget Florida unless you hair is white/ Georgia,and them other Cotton Pickin'states are boring. If I had my Druthers and lots of money I'd stay in NYC and go to the new shows, read the New Yorks Times all day Sunday, and sit in Central Park and watch the skaters---but I ain't young like you--by the way I lived and worked in all these places. If you go to the beach watch out for the undertows ! And don't try to get a suntan---it's almost as dangerous as smoking ! I am in my 80s and an ovo-vegetarian and smart as a whip. Because I read books (remember them ? ) and I'm writing one ! Good luck & Vayo
Con Dios !

Answer 6

EASTC0AST :D i'm a sparkling Yorker ! Its the terrific place. you could consistently locate regardless of you choose and there is often some sort of entertainment. besides the actuality that i might might desire to declare, i might survive west coast, reason i like the warmth climate all 365 days around.

Answer 7

I live on the West Coast Culver City California.Rent is not
Cheap in areas here.Your Lucky to find a decent place for 900.00 Mo.Foreget buying a house inless your income is 100,000.00 yr. Upside its cooler here less frequent storms and less powerful.Rarely even drops snow here.Many sites to see.Better job prospect.Where else can you go snow skiing and to the beach the same day?

Answer 8

That really depends on which part of the coast. For example San Diego is great go 2 hours north to LA and you are in hell.

Answer 9

nothing is better than the east coast, baby! we got the greatest city in the world, new yawk city. that should be enough on it's own, but if you need more, where else in the U.S. can you live where the city is 30 minutes (or less) in one direction and the ocean is 30 minutes (or less) in the opposite direction? I mean come on...the atlantic ocean, new york city, and all four seasons...the west coast can't beat that.

Answer 10

costs....
the extreme west coast/east coast seem to be the most expensive with cost being in the central/south area being less.