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PNW for better weather and scenery. New England is beautiful too, though, and has warmer waters in summer more condusive for swimming, but I chose PNW anyways.
I can't believe I'm going to say this but I have to give seafood to the PNW. Our seafood claim to fame is fried clams and chowder, in the PNW, the seafood is artistic.
Scenery is a tie but in terms of recreation, New England is substantially ahead of PNW. All of the New England coastline south of Penobscot Bay is swimmable in the summer. There are thousands of miles of kayable placid warm estuaries and kelp free water. Cozy quaint harbors every 3 to 5 miles.
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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- Most scenic coast: New England has some very beautiful spots like the dunes, beaches, shrub pines, and marshland at Cape Cod National Seashore and the rocky shores around Acadia National Park. However I think the Pacific Northwest has more outstanding natural superlatives along its coastline. Places like the sea stack monolith rocks at Olympic National Park, a ferry ride to the San Juan Islands with views of islands covered in evergreens and volcanic peaks like Mt Baker, or even a ferry ride from Seattle looking at mountain ranges in both directions and Mt. Rainier is just some of the most incredible scenery imaginable. The views of the coast mountain range from high up on the sea cliffs with crashing Pacific surf below near Cannon Beach, OR is just breathtaking.
- Recreation: Both have different types of recreation, Deezus had noted whats offered in the Northwest, kayaking around the San Juan Islands is amazing, but I really like to get in the water and play in waves. The beaches of Cape Cod, Marthas Vineyard, and Rhode Island have me sold so I lean towards New England on this one.
- Best coastal towns and cities: The Northwest has some cute coastal towns like Friday Harbor and Port Townsend in WA and Cannon Beach, OR but New England has quaint nautical and historic towns full of character in spades up and down the whole coast and is in a league of its own. Some of the best include Newport, RI, Provincetown, Marblehead, Gloucester, and Rockport, MA, Portsmouth, NH, Portland, Boothbay Harbor, and Bar Harbor in Maine.
- Best seafood: I'm a native New England boy and the bias in me craves a lobster roll, or a New England clam bake with steamed clams. To me that's as good as it gets. Though I will say Pacific Northwest can go toe to toe with New England when it comes to seafood. I've had just as good clam chowder in Seattle as I've had in Cape Cod. I think the Northwest has more of in edge in culinary creations, especially when it comes to preparing fish. I do miss having halibut up there and the Northwest does sushi better as well. Dungeness Crab is also mighty good, almost as good as Maine lobster. It's the lobster that seals my decision for me leaning towards New England, only by a smidge though as I loved the seafood selection when I lived in Seattle.
Last edited by Champ le monstre du lac; 06-21-2013 at 12:26 PM..
I can't believe I'm going to say this but I have to give seafood to the PNW. Our seafood claim to fame is fried clams and chowder, in the PNW, the seafood is artistic.
Quote:
Originally Posted by caphillsea77
- Best seafood: I'm a native New England boy and the bias in me craves a lobster roll, or a New England clam bake with steamed clams. To me that's as good as it gets. Though I will say Pacific Northwest can go toe to toe with New England when it comes to seafood. I've had just as good clam chowder in Seattle as I've had in Cape Cod. I think the Northwest has more of in edge in culinary creations, especially when it comes to preparing fish. I do miss having halibut up there and the Northwest does sushi better as well. Dungeness Crab is also mighty good, almost as good as Maine lobster. It's the lobster that seals my decision for me leaning towards New England, only by a smidge though as I loved the seafood selection in Seattle.
I initially said New England for seafood maybe just based on my love of lobster(and lobster rolls)--but it's pretty close. In general I find Washington and BC to be better in terms of seafood then the Oregon coast--Washington has maybe the best variety of oysters anywhere(Seattle is crawling with good oyster bars). One nice thing about the Northwest is how cheap and available dungeness crab and salmon are in season--just stroll down to any grocery store and they'll have them for a good price(you can even find deals on halibut occasionally).
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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I love all kinds of seafood, even Hawaii is high on my list for ahi poke and mahi mahi, however this is my idea of the best seafood. Nothing tops a New England clam bake in my opinion
I initially said New England for seafood maybe just based on my love of lobster(and lobster rolls)--but it's pretty close. In general I find Washington and BC to be better in terms of seafood then the Oregon coast--Washington has maybe the best variety of oysters anywhere(Seattle is crawling with good oyster bars). One nice thing about the Northwest is how cheap and available dungeness crab and salmon are in season--just stroll down to any grocery store and they'll have them for a good price(you can even find deals on halibut occasionally).
I love New England seafood just as much as anything I've had in the PNW, it's just that the seafood is done with more variety in the PNW and I think that's good.
I would have to add that I forgot Massachusetts' Portuguese seafood culture, it's awesome.
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Joshua
I love New England seafood just as much as anything I've had in the PNW, it's just that the seafood is done with more variety in the PNW and I think that's good.
I would have to add that I forgot Massachusetts' Portuguese seafood culture, it's awesome.
I agree, I love Portuguese style seafood. This place is my favorite.
Azorean Restaurant - Glocuester, Mass: menu
Personally, I think Dungeness crab is much tastier than lobster. Love lobster, too though. Just not as much as Dungeness. And then there's salmon (just bought some freshly-caught, whole salmons for 5.99 a lb)... and the razor clams (the northwest variety) ... and the oysters.
I'd call the food between the two regions a draw, they're both pretty fine. Though my preference is for the NW. When it's what you grew up with, you can't help the ingrown prejudice.
We lived on Puget Sound for 6 years. It was nice. We loved the cheap salmon and recreational sailing. [even though my career was mostly at-sea]
However for retirement we settled in Maine. The lower prices on forest land and lower taxes were big factors.
We do not live on the coast though. We are on river frontage, which is nice in it's own way. Maine has a lot of coast line and river / lake frontage. Being over 90% forested makes it very easy to find homes that do not look urban.
You've got BC on there also makes it a bit easier to go PNW.
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