Battles of the US Coasts: East Versus West

I have had the great fortune of living fairly close to both the United States famed East Coast, and the United States renowned West Coast. While the miles or shorelines on both sides of the US of A capture everything from rocky cliffs, to white sand beaches, the people in between are as different as East and West when it comes to personality.

In 2006, I moved from Pennsylvania to Montana. While you may not think of either state as Coastal, both areas where I lived were just hours from the shorelines. However, the personalities of the East Coast people, compared to the West Coast, were vastly different.

I'm not just talking Soda versus Pop or Carl's Jr. versus Wendy's. It's much bigger than that. Easties and Westies almost seem to have built in genetic makeup pre-determining them for which region they best fit.

One of the first things I was told upon meeting a friend for lunch in Montana, was that I looked very Eastie. At the time I just blew him off, but then I thought about. I was dressed in healed faux-leather ankle boots, tight jeans, and a fitted top, along with my tailored leather jacket. He was in casual carharts, button downed shirt and sneaks. It's not to say that all Westies are casual, but I believe that the Pacific Northwest in general versus the Northeastern states wear altogether different styles. Easties in the North tend to go with more trendy, classic staples, while the Pacific Northwest favors more of the casual cool style.

Head down to the Southeast, compared to South Pacific US, you'll find colorful Floridians versus label wearing Hollywood. The worlds of fashion are always colliding on coasts. Just open any tabloid magazine and you'll see an actress sporting one look in LA, and a completely different style in NY.

Despite fashion difference, the attitudes of Easties versus Westies are completely different. Easties are known for being strung, 60 hour workaholics with an attitude. Westies get the rap for being tree huggers, low key, and carefree. I'm not one for labeling people, but it's a known fact that both coastal occupants are renowned for vastly different work ethics and lifestyles.

So what is it that has changed the coastal residents to be so different from one another? Is it the founding mentality of the East Coast? Or is it the wild, explorative genes of the West Coast?

While I haven't read up on any scientific research to explain the Eastie versus Westie mentality, there is certainly a difference. But I can attest to this: An Eastie can definitely become a Westie and vice versa. You just have to stretch your wings and relax.