With arguments about differences in culture, weather, and environment, the debate over the best U.S. coast may never be settled. Some students have strong opinions about their favorite coast–some plan on staying in the sunny west after graduating, while others want to fly to the colder, more fast-paced east as soon as they can.
Linh Nguyen: West Coast
Remarking on the West Coast’s climate, sophomore Linh Nguyen believes the West Coast trumps the East Coast.
“The West Coast because California has warmer weather,” Nguyen said, when asked which Coast is better.
“They do have good Asian fusion places,” Nguyen said, when considering what the East Coast has that might make it more appealing than the west.
Known for its lively modeling scene and for New York’s infamous fashion week, it might seem to some that the East Coast has a more stylish culture than the West Coast does.
“It’s also more casual here in California,” Nguyen added. “It’s definitely more beachy and you’ll find more people in sweats. New York definitely has better fashion.”
Arielle Steinmetz: East Coast
“I think that the East Coast is the best coast because they have the best food,” junior Arielle Steinmetz argued. Particularly, “They have really good lobster.”
The East Coast’s seafood is renowned—the Maine lobster industry alone is worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Steinmetz travels to New Hampshire during breaks, since she has family who lives there. “In the fall, the trees get really red, and there’s a lot of foliage. It’s really pretty,” Steinmetz said.
Steinmetz also appreciates how the East Coast has more distinctive seasons. “The East Coast has cold winters and hot summers, unlike the West. I love the weather here, but I want winter too,” she said.
Steinmetz also believes the East Coast is superior because New York is located on it. “New York is busy and fun, and there’s always something going on. I really like shopping in New York. It’s also so pretty during the winter with the giant Christmas tree.”
Kelize Aleman, Lupe Taufalele, and Jamaya Millian Lopez: West Coast
Seniors Kelize Alemen and Lupe Taufalele and junior Jamaya Millian Lopez believe the West Coast is superior.
“We have more culture out here,” Aleman said.“Our music is better, the dances are better, and the people are better.”
Boasting Los Angeles, the nation’s hub for recorded music, the West Coast’s rich music history and culture makes it attractive to musicians and listeners alike.
“If you go to any city here you’ll find a taco truck around the corner,” Lopez said, when asked what he thinks distinguishes the West from the East.
In addition, they all agreed that there is a difference in character between West-coasters and East-coasters. “People are nicer here than on the East Coast,” Taufalele said. Lopez echoed Taufalele’s sentiment, “It’s easier to get along with people out here and know their vibe.”
Verity Walsh: East Coast
Latin teacher Verity Walsh is partial to the East Coast, despite being fond of her time on the West Coast. “I can say for sure that the West Coast is nicer, friendlier, and happier,” she said. “Personally, I feel at home among grumpy people because I’m a grumpy person, and grumpy people are my culture. I moved from New York, which is just a really intense place where everyone is really busy and it’s very fast paced. Everyone is cranky and a little bit in their own world, doing their own thing.”
While Walsh thinks of the East as her home, she enjoys California’s more relaxed pace of life. “Everyone has an outdoorsy hobby, like rock climbing or surfing, and it seems like a much more balanced and open mode of life,” Walsh said. “The state is so big and there’s so much in it. There’s large cities and beautiful outdoors and an entire beach.”
“To me, California is a little bit like the Land of the Lotus-Eaters,” Walsh said. In The Odyssey, the Land of the Lotus Eaters is an island where individuals who eat the fruit from the ubiquitous Lotus Tree find themselves in a state of apathy, not caring enough to travel home.
“When I came here, I was like, ‘I’m not gonna stay. The East Coast is my place.’ I think the more you stay here and the weather is nice, the people are friendly, and you don’t see a big rat in the subway, you think ‘I could get used to this kind of thing.’”
