Landing in sunny California was a shock in more ways than one. As an east coaster from the south I’m used to certain courtesies and climates. But as a military spouse I’m always looking forward to learning about how people move in different parts of the world.
When we found out that our next duty station would be San Diego, we polled our friends who’d lived there. The reviews were mixed, but my ‘try it and see for yourself’ attitude helped me to keep an open mind. Everyone has different experiences and expectations. Now that we’ve moved on from there, I can look back on the time spent with mixed emotions. Depending on where you are on each coast determines your experience and I can only speak for mine.
Here are some of the commonalities and major differences…
THE WAVE – Southern hospitality is in my bones and waving at a stranger passing by my home or speaking to people on the street is just as natural as breathing. So, naturally it took my breath a bit that people looked at me like I was the weirdo when I brought that same vibe to Cali. BUT, once I settled in and got to know my neighbors, they were as warm as ever.
THE HUMIDITY – If you have textured hair and are a fan of blowouts the west is the perfect place for it. Honey, you can go a good two weeks with that hairdo. Getting off the plane in Miami I could feel the moisture in the air, even inside the airport. Not my favorite thing about the east, but it’s like an old blanket that I’m just used to.
BUGS – If you want to sit outside in the southeast, you need bug repellant, netting and some type of oil burning because all the flies and mosquitos are coming to the picnic. However, in sunny SoCal my family’s FAVORITE thing was enjoying the sunset in our backyard after dinner. There was maybe the occasional spider but that’s it.
DIFFERENCES IN CLIMATE DISASTERS – DO YOU PREFER HURRICANES, BLIZZARDS or EARTHQUAKES? Take your pick. I’ve been through them all. My husband and I prayed all the way home once when we were stuck in a blizzard on the highway in Georgia. My dad has taken a canoe to work from our front porch after a hurricane in Florida, and I’ve had to grab the door frame during earthquakes in California. The initial shock of these different disasters can have you clutching a pillow.
TWO DIFFERENT SUNS? – Mission beach was my favorite getaway spot on the west. My husband and I would rent bikes and ride the pier, lay on a spot of grass, or walk in the beach water. All of this without melting. I honestly think the sun doesn’t like us on the east. I love doing the same activities, but if you don’t go out early morning in the summer, prepare to be scorched!
CBD – I’ll just say it. Weed is legal in areas on the west where it isn’t on the east. I’ve known people to get arrested for it where I’m from, but in Cali my neighbor openly grew it in her backyard. That was an awkward first conversation.
THE MONEY HONEY – Oh, My, Goodness! We had no idea the cost of living was so high in places on the west coast. While I loved the house we built there, it didn’t take much to convince me to move back east so we could get double for our dollar.
And that’s just what we did. Residing in the east now is a conscious decision to take the annoying things along with the things we love! My final answer is that although I love the west coast, east coast is home!
