Do you like the East or West Coast better and why? About This Page:

[Starbright]

I am from Canada. I have now been to both coasts in both countries. I was wondering which coast you like better and why? I didn't put the gulf coast in, because i thought that would win hands down and I have yet to get there

I like the East coast because I love palm trees and I can't grow them here I like the heat and the humidity as long as it doesn't get above 37 C and there is a wind. I also find the west coast abit cooler. I am the wierd one that wears a jacket in April in California because I find it too cool and i am from Canada..go figure
My dh likes the west coast better.

What is your opinion and why????

[chezp]

This is so tough and I'm not sure I can answer, as both have so much.

For the East coast, amazing cities like NYC, DC, Philadelphia, then there's Florida and the Carolinas. Wow.

On the West, there's LA and Disneyland, Seattle, the most stunning national parks.

Honestly, I just can't pick between them - they both have so much and so many different things to offer.

[Ashli]

I love the East Coast so much more! I think it's probably just because it's what I'm used to though. I've lived in the east my whole life (with the exception of being born in Missouri - but moved away from there before I was a year old), and it's just what I know and like. I tried to West Coast it for a little while - I spent my freshman year of college in San Diego - but it's just not me. I'm definitely an East Coast girl! (And if you want to get even more specific, a SOUTHERN East Coast girl. I agree w/ the OP - I need heat and humidity!!! I was in L.A. last year end of June/beginning of July and I was freezing! I didn't wear shorts one time.)

[cdnmickeyfan]

That really is a hard one. I too am from Canada but haven't really been to either coast in Canada. In the United States I have been to both and I have to say there are things about each coast that I like. I love Florida, Disney World and the palm trees but I also love, love, love California. I think if I had to choose one I would choose the West Coast, California in particular. Both my husband and I have really only been to California once but we both had the feeling that when we were there , we were home. It's really hard to explain that feeling but we both experienced it without discussing it until we got home. We were floored that the other one felt exactly the same as the other. It was really weird. We cannot wait to go back and would love the kids to experience it as well.

[Huntermom]

I grew up on the east coast, close to the ocean. I prefer it because the west coast always feels backwards to me. I am a northerner at heart and prefer New England north. Both have amazing sites and views,

Cdnmickeyfan, if you have a chance, visit your east coast-New Brunswick is one of out favorite places. The people are welcoming, the costs reasonable and views stunning. We love Grand Manan Island and the Hopewell Rocks are incredible.

[Dave Marx]

I'm from the Middle Atlantic coast, and in general I like the northerly coasts best - New England, Canada's Maritime Provinces, the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and Alaska. I'd be hard-pressed to choose any of those over any of the others.

Overall, the Pacific coast is more dramatic - that's sorta what you get from being on the Ring of Fire. The West Coast also has a more pleasant quality of life to my taste - the East Coast has so many extra centuries of European civilization's grunge heaped upon it (though the West is trying awfully hard to catch up).

I'm not sure the Gulf Coast would get as many votes as you think. It has more to do with population distribution and tourism patterns, rather than whether it's "best" on merit alone. And you did forget another coastline, which, considering where I live these days (Michigan), deserves some mention - Canada's South Coast/the USA's North Coast. That's nearly 11,000 miles when you add up all the shorelines of the lakes and islands.

[Carousel96]

I think it's interesting that you referenced the palm trees as "east coast" because I think of the east coast as being New England to the Carolina -- and of Florida as a separate entity.

I love New England, but for beaches I'm partial to the Gulf Coast. My brother lives on the Florida panhandle, and I'll take those sugar-sand beaches over the Atlantic any day of the week.

[duck addict]

I am a prejudiced left (west) coaster. Going from the lowest point in the US to the highest point, desert to above the timberline.

[Ashli]

Originally Posted by Carousel96

I think it's interesting that you referenced the palm trees as "east coast" because I think of the east coast as being New England to the Carolina -- and of Florida as a separate entity.

Hey, hey, hey! What about my beautiful GA coast??? We've got palm trees here too (in fact, so does SC).

[Tink and co.]

Originally Posted by duck addict

I am a prejudiced left (west) coaster. Going from the lowest point in the US to the highest point, desert to above the timberline.

I'm with you Don!

[Carousel96]

Originally Posted by Ashli

Hey, hey, hey! What about my beautiful GA coast??? We've got palm trees here too (in fact, so does SC).

No offense intended
I just think of "East Coast" as New England, and Florida as Florida. Never really thought about where the two zones might meet.

And although I loved Savannah and Tybee Island, I don't instinctively think of Georgia as a coastal state. But then again, people think lots of crazy things about MN too.

[Dave Marx]

These are the common regional breakdowns (includes coastal states only):

New England: Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut
Middle Atlantic: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia (some lists put Virginia in South Atlantic)
South Atlantic: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida

[Huntermom]

Dave, New Hampshire has a small but beautiful coastline. We can keep it a secret though and send all the tourists up to Maine or down to Massachusetts.

[Dave Marx]

Sorry, forgot about that! Been there (all 17 miles of it).

[Tonichelle]

Originally Posted by Dave Marx

Overall, the Pacific coast is more dramatic - that's sorta what you get from being on the Ring of Fire. The West Coast also has a more pleasant quality of life to my taste - the East Coast has so many extra centuries of European civilization's grunge heaped upon it (though the West is trying awfully hard to catch up).

But, I gotta say, Dave, Alaska's coast is the bestest of them all!

Originally Posted by duck addict

I am a prejudiced left (west) coaster. Going from the lowest point in the US to the highest point, desert to above the timberline.

YES! West Coasters unite!