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The way I see it, there are distinct differences between cities in the eastern half of the country and those of the western half of the country. None of this is to suggest that one is better than the other, but that they are just different. I much prefer the culture of western cities to eastern cities, and while they are all different, from my experiences and observations there are some generalizations one can make about western cities and eastern cities. Here we go:
Eastern: More passionate, rapid, loyal sports fans, and support may be more universal. People do engage in outdoor/nature recreation across their region/state but it is a lower priority or a niche activity.
Western: Outdoor recreation of various sorts of all levels is one of the higher priorities that people are into/value, while they have major league sports teams, many are somewhat indifferent or may only get into when team is doing well.
Eastern: Cities are dominated by older buildings. 100 year old rowhouses, factories/warehouses converted into lofts, etc. Obviously many new buildings too, but mixed in. More often seen as more "real cities" to urban enthusiasts.
Western: While there are certainly historic districts, mostly dominated by new buildings. Many neighborhoods or even downtown may have been smaller/more suburban at one time but then became more dense/urban over time (building modern apartments as infill, houses converted to apartments, modern office buildings/modern light rail). Because of this, often mistaken for suburban.
Eastern: Suburbs are relatively sleepy, family oriented that may even have a rural aesthetic, with many residents having deeper roots in area (at least relative to cities in general). (or convsersely may have bombed out rustbelt ghetto suburbs in some areas.
Western: Suburbs may be much more than bedroom communities with some significant attractions in their own right. Shopping, theme parks, etc. California is the epitome of this.
Eastern: Has distinct, even insular inner city ethnic/immigrant neighborhoods
Western: Immigrants/diversity more likely to be scattered/evenly distributed across metro area.
Eastern: Known for having beautiful parks, but more likely to be created/landscaped/manmade.
Western: City parks more likely "real nature" a wild hill/mountain/canyon/etc. in middle of city.
Eastern: While cities may have PLENTY of healthy eating options, people are more likely to rave about food unique and special to said city, that is widely known to be tasty, yet not healthy.
Western: Healthy eating higher priority, although cities may still have lots of unhealthy food too. More people are vegetarians, or eat animal products hunted or raised in organic/natural condition.
Eastern: Even if people are white collared professionals, those with blue collared roots, may not have lost their tough guy, straight talking blue collared way of speaking.
Western: More politically correct. Possibly even a little passive aggressive.
Anything else??
Its interesting where this divide begins and ends. On the Mississippi, St. Louis clearly feels like a eastern city, whereas Minneapolis feels a western city.
Obviously there are way more variations. One can not forget southern cities, etc. I think Texas cities are certainly more western than eastern. Big difference between Pac-NW and Southwestern, etc.
I know I'm going to get comments about how these are pointless generalizations, but I still think the patterns are significant enough, to make one prefer western or eastern more than the other.
Most people I knew that moved out West were not really interested in having kids. Meanwhile, people I know that moved here from the West (California for the most part) wanted to start families here. If I wanted to raise a family, I'd do it here in the East. If I had the opportunity to move West (since I'm single) I'd do it. The East seems more community-oriented (I'm not saying the West isn't) while the West is more individualistic.
Good analysis. I'd draw the east/west line from Fargo to Dallas, but Minneapolis isn't a bad choice either. I've lived all my life in the west (TX, CA, UT, OK), but I'm now in the process of moving east (NC).
I think another difference would be dress. The west dresses more casually in general.
I'm not sure about the west being more politically correct. Maybe as a whole, but I can tell you Texas and Oklahoma certainly are not. And don't forget the sarcasm of the northeast (which I kinda like).
The way I see it, there are distinct differences between cities in the eastern half of the country and those of the western half of the country. None of this is to suggest that one is better than the other, but that they are just different. I much prefer the culture of western cities to eastern cities, and while they are all different, from my experiences and observations there are some generalizations one can make about western cities and eastern cities. Here we go:
Eastern: More passionate, rapid, loyal sports fans, and support may be more universal. People do engage in outdoor/nature recreation across their region/state but it is a lower priority or a niche activity.
Western: Outdoor recreation of various sorts of all levels is one of the higher priorities that people are into/value, while they have major league sports teams, many are somewhat indifferent or may only get into when team is doing well.
Eastern: Cities are dominated by older buildings. 100 year old rowhouses, factories/warehouses converted into lofts, etc. Obviously many new buildings too, but mixed in. More often seen as more "real cities" to urban enthusiasts.
Western: While there are certainly historic districts, mostly dominated by new buildings. Many neighborhoods or even downtown may have been smaller/more suburban at one time but then became more dense/urban over time (building modern apartments as infill, houses converted to apartments, modern office buildings/modern light rail). Because of this, often mistaken for suburban.
Eastern: Suburbs are relatively sleepy, family oriented that may even have a rural aesthetic, with many residents having deeper roots in area (at least relative to cities in general). (or convsersely may have bombed out rustbelt ghetto suburbs in some areas.
Western: Suburbs may be much more than bedroom communities with some significant attractions in their own right. Shopping, theme parks, etc. California is the epitome of this.
Eastern: Has distinct, even insular inner city ethnic/immigrant neighborhoods
Western: Immigrants/diversity more likely to be scattered/evenly distributed across metro area.
Eastern: Known for having beautiful parks, but more likely to be created/landscaped/manmade.
Western: City parks more likely "real nature" a wild hill/mountain/canyon/etc. in middle of city.
Eastern: While cities may have PLENTY of healthy eating options, people are more likely to rave about food unique and special to said city, that is widely known to be tasty, yet not healthy.
Western: Healthy eating higher priority, although cities may still have lots of unhealthy food too. More people are vegetarians, or eat animal products hunted or raised in organic/natural condition.
Eastern: Even if people are white collared professionals, those with blue collared roots, may not have lost their tough guy, straight talking blue collared way of speaking.
Western: More politically correct. Possibly even a little passive aggressive.
Anything else??
Its interesting where this divide begins and ends. On the Mississippi, St. Louis clearly feels like a eastern city, whereas Minneapolis feels a western city.
Obviously there are way more variations. One can not forget southern cities, etc. I think Texas cities are certainly more western than eastern. Big difference between Pac-NW and Southwestern, etc.
I know I'm going to get comments about how these are pointless generalizations, but I still think the patterns are significant enough, to make one prefer western or eastern more than the other.
genralizations here but there is likely some aspects that lean these ways. Now broadly categorizing either is false but I think these notions have some resonance in reality.
The way I see it, there are distinct differences between cities in the eastern half of the country and those of the western half of the country. None of this is to suggest that one is better than the other, but that they are just different. I much prefer the culture of western cities to eastern cities, and while they are all different, from my experiences and observations there are some generalizations one can make about western cities and eastern cities. Here we go:
Eastern: More passionate, rapid, loyal sports fans, and support may be more universal. People do engage in outdoor/nature recreation across their region/state but it is a lower priority or a niche activity.
Western: Outdoor recreation of various sorts of all levels is one of the higher priorities that people are into/value, while they have major league sports teams, many are somewhat indifferent or may only get into when team is doing well.
Eastern: Cities are dominated by older buildings. 100 year old rowhouses, factories/warehouses converted into lofts, etc. Obviously many new buildings too, but mixed in. More often seen as more "real cities" to urban enthusiasts.
Western: While there are certainly historic districts, mostly dominated by new buildings. Many neighborhoods or even downtown may have been smaller/more suburban at one time but then became more dense/urban over time (building modern apartments as infill, houses converted to apartments, modern office buildings/modern light rail). Because of this, often mistaken for suburban.
Eastern: Suburbs are relatively sleepy, family oriented that may even have a rural aesthetic, with many residents having deeper roots in area (at least relative to cities in general). (or convsersely may have bombed out rustbelt ghetto suburbs in some areas.
Western: Suburbs may be much more than bedroom communities with some significant attractions in their own right. Shopping, theme parks, etc. California is the epitome of this.
Eastern: Has distinct, even insular inner city ethnic/immigrant neighborhoods
Western: Immigrants/diversity more likely to be scattered/evenly distributed across metro area.
Eastern: Known for having beautiful parks, but more likely to be created/landscaped/manmade.
Western: City parks more likely "real nature" a wild hill/mountain/canyon/etc. in middle of city.
Eastern: While cities may have PLENTY of healthy eating options, people are more likely to rave about food unique and special to said city, that is widely known to be tasty, yet not healthy.
Western: Healthy eating higher priority, although cities may still have lots of unhealthy food too. More people are vegetarians, or eat animal products hunted or raised in organic/natural condition.
Eastern: Even if people are white collared professionals, those with blue collared roots, may not have lost their tough guy, straight talking blue collared way of speaking.
Western: More politically correct. Possibly even a little passive aggressive.
Anything else??
Its interesting where this divide begins and ends. On the Mississippi, St. Louis clearly feels like a eastern city, whereas Minneapolis feels a western city.
Obviously there are way more variations. One can not forget southern cities, etc. I think Texas cities are certainly more western than eastern. Big difference between Pac-NW and Southwestern, etc.
I know I'm going to get comments about how these are pointless generalizations, but I still think the patterns are significant enough, to make one prefer western or eastern more than the other.
Eastern: Has distinct, even insular inner city ethnic/immigrant neighborhoods
Western: Immigrants/diversity more likely to be scattered/evenly distributed across metro area.
Is this one true? That's not been my experience, but we may not be looking at it the same way. I'm not accusing you, but I have noticed a general tendency for people to look at European immigrants as separate (ie Polish, Irish, Russian, Serbian, etc) yet lump the predominant western immigrants together (ie Hispanics are everywhere, Asians are everywhere).
The way I see it, there are distinct differences between cities in the eastern half of the country and those of the western half of the country. None of this is to suggest that one is better than the other, but that they are just different. I much prefer the culture of western cities to eastern cities, and while they are all different, from my experiences and observations there are some generalizations one can make about western cities and eastern cities. Here we go:
Eastern: More passionate, rapid, loyal sports fans, and support may be more universal. People do engage in outdoor/nature recreation across their region/state but it is a lower priority or a niche activity.
Western: Outdoor recreation of various sorts of all levels is one of the higher priorities that people are into/value, while they have major league sports teams, many are somewhat indifferent or may only get into when team is doing well.
Eastern: Cities are dominated by older buildings. 100 year old rowhouses, factories/warehouses converted into lofts, etc. Obviously many new buildings too, but mixed in. More often seen as more "real cities" to urban enthusiasts.
Western: While there are certainly historic districts, mostly dominated by new buildings. Many neighborhoods or even downtown may have been smaller/more suburban at one time but then became more dense/urban over time (building modern apartments as infill, houses converted to apartments, modern office buildings/modern light rail). Because of this, often mistaken for suburban.
Eastern: Suburbs are relatively sleepy, family oriented that may even have a rural aesthetic, with many residents having deeper roots in area (at least relative to cities in general). (or convsersely may have bombed out rustbelt ghetto suburbs in some areas.
Western: Suburbs may be much more than bedroom communities with some significant attractions in their own right. Shopping, theme parks, etc. California is the epitome of this.
Eastern: Has distinct, even insular inner city ethnic/immigrant neighborhoods
Western: Immigrants/diversity more likely to be scattered/evenly distributed across metro area.
Eastern: Known for having beautiful parks, but more likely to be created/landscaped/manmade.
Western: City parks more likely "real nature" a wild hill/mountain/canyon/etc. in middle of city.
Eastern: While cities may have PLENTY of healthy eating options, people are more likely to rave about food unique and special to said city, that is widely known to be tasty, yet not healthy.
Western: Healthy eating higher priority, although cities may still have lots of unhealthy food too. More people are vegetarians, or eat animal products hunted or raised in organic/natural condition.
Eastern: Even if people are white collared professionals, those with blue collared roots, may not have lost their tough guy, straight talking blue collared way of speaking.
Western: More politically correct. Possibly even a little passive aggressive.
Anything else??
Its interesting where this divide begins and ends. On the Mississippi, St. Louis clearly feels like a eastern city, whereas Minneapolis feels a western city.
Obviously there are way more variations. One can not forget southern cities, etc. I think Texas cities are certainly more western than eastern. Big difference between Pac-NW and Southwestern, etc.
I know I'm going to get comments about how these are pointless generalizations, but I still think the patterns are significant enough, to make one prefer western or eastern more than the other.
I'll tell you about the outdoor recreation I am noticing in a really really big Western Metro. Phoenix. I don't blame them completely because the area seems lacking in outdoor venues. Its a world of strip malls and long long streets that mean more strip malls. Not pleasing to look at beyond all the nice palm trees. Housing that is so close together no wonder there are all these walls for privavy. Yes some of them go out and hike and ride a bike on one of the few trails you can find. Or they go and drive miles and miles to the Flagstaff area and ski in the winter. Things of that sort. When you add up the population the active ones are far and few between. I notice alot of really overweight people here. Not nearly as health concious as I thought it would be this close to Calif.
Outdoor activity here is getting in your car (that is if its parked outside)Many live in walled in societies here and the car is in a garage.( So your not even outdoors for that moment) Driving somewhere parking in a parking lot and then walking to your place of employment or a store. That is the outside activity for many in this area. Walking to and from a car and the distance required to walk in a parking lot, and thats it for many of them. Though I doubt many will admit it. They will say there is all this outdoor activity here, but many really do not make use of what there is here. Its a distance away, its to hot, a multitude of reasons. That and the fact the Phoenix area is really a rather dull area when you add it all up. Its rather limited other than stores and businesses. A real lack of really nice parks other than a few of them. The more desert hiking type of park, but other than that. The area is rather limited here for average outside activity for some reason. Perhaps its the weird politics here I'm not sure, but something intentionally keeps this place back so it can't reach its potential. Outdoor venues and places to enjoy the outdoors really has been looked over. So that virtually everything evolves around driving a car. I know its brutally hot here but not 12 months a year. There is some beautiful comfortable weather here for months, yet to find a place to spend some time outside is very hard. Just to take a nice walk thru a park or in a downtown that has some life. I just don't see many outside here like most other places. Other than driving and in parking lots. It really didn't have to be built this way and its bull to think it had to because it sprawls. Fix the damn place and build it more appealing to live in.
I prefer the Eastern areas other than the cold climates, and the really high cost of living in many of the areas back there. However the Phoenix area to me is a big bland artificial area with people coming and going like a hotel. Yet it has little personality and really lacks a homey type of feeling. Outdoor activity. Yeah walk to and from your car drive to where your going, and then do the reverese back to your house Total time outside wakling to and from your car. I rarely see anyone walk or jog or spend time outside here. Even in this beautiful weather we have right now. BORING.
Its a shame really how the place is designed. All this nice weather that is just started and will continue to late April or so. Yet there really is a lack of appealing places to spend this time outside nearby. Yet again many will not admit it here. Which is sad in itself and the reason it is like this.
I'll tell you about the outdoor recreation I am noticing in a really really big Western Metro. Phoenix. I don't blame them completely because the area seems lacking in outdoor venues. Its a world of strip malls and long long streets that mean more strip malls. Not pleasing to look at beyond all the nice palm trees. Housing that is so close together no wonder there are all these walls for privavy. Yes some of them go out and hike and ride a bike on one of the few trails you can find. Or they go and drive miles and miles to the Flagstaff area and ski in the winter. Things of that sort. When you add up the population the active ones are far and few between. I notice alot of really overweight people here. Not nearly as health concious as I thought it would be this close to Calif.
Outdoor activity here is getting in your car (that is if its parked outside)Many live in walled in societies here and the car is in a garage.( So your not even outdoors for that moment) Driving somewhere parking in a parking lot and then walking to your place of employment or a store. That is the outside activity for many in this area. Walking to and from a car and the distance required to walk in a parking lot, and thats it for many of them. Though I doubt many will admit it. They will say there is all this outdoor activity here, but many really do not make use of what there is here. Its a distance away, its to hot, a multitude of reasons. That and the fact the Phoenix area is really a rather dull area when you add it all up. Its rather limited other than stores and businesses. A real lack of really nice parks other than a few of them. The more desert hiking type of park, but other than that. The area is rather limited here for average outside activity for some reason. Perhaps its the weird politics here I'm not sure, but something intentionally keeps this place back so it can't reach its potential. Outdoor venues and places to enjoy the outdoors really has been looked over. So that virtually everything evolves around driving a car. I know its brutally hot here but not 12 months a year. There is some beautiful comfortable weather here for months, yet to find a place to spend some time outside is very hard. Just to take a nice walk thru a park or in a downtown that has some life. I just don't see many outside here like most other places. Other than driving and in parking lots. It really didn't have to be built this way and its bull to think it had to because it sprawls. Fix the damn place and build it more appealing to live in.
I prefer the Eastern areas other than the cold climates, and the really high cost of living in many of the areas back there. However the Phoenix area to me is a big bland artificial area with people coming and going like a hotel. Yet it has little personality and really lacks a homey type of feeling. Outdoor activity. Yeah walk to and from your car drive to where your going, and then do the reverese back to your house Total time outside wakling to and from your car. I rarely see anyone walk or jog or spend time outside here. Even in this beautiful weather we have right now. BORING.
Its a shame really how the place is designed. All this nice weather that is just started and will continue to late April or so. Yet there really is a lack of appealing places to spend this time outside nearby. Yet again many will not admit it here. Which is sad in itself and the reason it is like this.
Sure, Phoenix is not my favorite large Western metro area, Sure, there are a lot of bland cookie cutter suburban development no doubt, and I do agree that there are a lot of people, who just sit in their air conditioned car/house, but I disagree about the lack of outdoor areas to recreate and enjoy nature..
Seriously, don't you just look on the horizon see a mountain and figure on driving in that direction?
Squaw Peak/Camelback Mtn?? Thats like Phoenixes version of LAs Griffith Park.
McDowell Mountains park NE near Scottsdale/Fountain Hills
Estrella mountains and White Tank mountains to the west.
Superstition mountains much further to the east beyond Apache Junction.
All great Sonora desert ecosystem areas. I get to see lots of different lizards, fascinating plant life, birds, gambels quail, hawks, vultures, etc. Can you see that in Central Park in Manhattan or Chicagos lakefront. Sure those places are beautiful, but they are not nature.
Sure, in eastern cities, people may walk more, but its just in their urban neighborhood or in the artificially planted and landscaped park.
genralizations here but there is likely some aspects that lean these ways. Now broadly categorizing either is false but I think these notions have some resonance in reality.
Yeah, these are broad generalizations with some aspect of truth to all of them. I'm sure some Eastern cities have aspects closer to the generalizations of Western cities.
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