What are some great things the Northeast has that the Western U.S. doesn't? (not trying to insult anyone) (real estate, 2013)
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There are a lot of things I've heard about that how the eastern half of the United States is the best and especially the northeast, but honestly, I fail to see what's so special about it. Someone enlighten me, I don't see it. Sorry.
Many people say that the Northeast is the best because it is very developed, has a lot of restaurants, it very liberal/progressive, it has four seasons, and the scenery is very beautiful. Here's what I have to say about this.
The Northeast is very developed.
While I won't deny that, I also think you can find really developed cities in California, Texas, Washington, Oregon. California has Silicon Valley, Texas must have also a bunch of companies and corporations (like the Texas Instruments Calculators)...West coast people have computers, cars, cellphones, internet access. The western United States has huge malls and shopping centers with big parking lots. I haven't seen that in the east coast. I like how cities here (except for San Francisco) have big wide open spaces and big parking lots, the stores and the buildings are more new. I just see pictures of large cities there and everything is so crowded, and I feel like I want to get out. Also, many of the places in the East coast look like they have old and run down buildings.
has a lot of restaurants
I'm sure it does, and no doubt, especially NYC, Pennsylvannia, Boston, etc, but any big city in the west coast should have a lot of restaurants too and many different ethnic foods.
it very liberal/progressive
True, and I think it probably has to be the most liberal and progressive region in the United States. I think Maybe California would come in second place. However, last time I checked, people here live just fine. I haven't seen women forced to wear (or not wear) anything they don't want. I haven't seen people punished just like in the medevil era or since like hundreds or thousands of years ago. I haven't seen public executions, or the whole town gathering around throwing rocks at someone for adultery or treason.
it has four seasons, and the scenery is very beautiful.
I'm sure it does, but Washington, Oregon and California (some parts) are also really nice and green. Also, the deserts in Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico are beautiful to look at. Especially in when the sun is going down and the sky turns a pinkish, orangish hue.
I ask this question because I really want to know some cool things about the Northeast. I've never been to the northeast. The farthest east I've ever been to was Atlanta, Georgia, and that's like in the northwestern part of Georgia.
I don't see how people can like the crowded cities where buildings and houses, are like almost attatched to each other. I like seeing cities that are more spread apart and especially seeing the new buildings. Not ones that are old and look like they're falling apart. Though with old buildings that have been preserved, that's a different story.
Times Square looks stunning and dazzling, I'll give you that, but if the northeast looks like the links I provided, then I would take cities like Los Angeles, Pheonix, Tucson, Las Vegas, Seattle, Dallas, Houston anyday.
As I said before, don't try and insult me and call me rude. I wasn't trying to. I don't want to hear that, I want to hear some cool things about the northeast and to prove me wrong.
Last edited by joseanto071; 12-31-2013 at 01:01 PM..
This isn't an attempt at superiority, just answering your question of What the East and specifically the North East has that the west doesn't.
History
It's not one developed city or even a few, it's an entire region
Quaintness of NE
For me, a big facor is the deciduous trees. The west is dominiated with evergreen trees. Pretty, but not the same as hardwoods.
It's green. I mean really green. Not just a sliver along the coast like in the West.
Proximity. To all sorts of things in a reasonable amount of time. There are a few areas (Southern California) that are similar but after that, it's still vast open areas before you reach the next big city.
These are a few of the reasons I prefer the East over the West. It's a personal preference. You are free to prefer the West if you want.
Yep. I have to go with History. In our area most Historical Sites have been bulldozed for development. Except for a few indian sites, and very sites used by european explorers/misiionaries, most of Southern California History is connected to pop culture and the film Industry.
There are also a few relics left over from the Space Program.
Yep. I have to go with History. In our area most Historical Sites have been bulldozed for development. Except for a few indian sites, and very sites used by european explorers/misiionaries, most of Southern California History is connected to pop culture and the film Industry.
There are also a few relics left over from the Space Program.
That is true. It has a lot more history. The Present day Southwestern United States was very sparsely populated by Native American Indians, Spanish and Mestizos. Those areas were largely neglected by the Spanish and Mexicans.
The cities of the East Coast have a density and energy I find lacking on the West Coast. Don't get me wrong, these are just my impressions. Of course, San Francisco, LA, Portland and Seattle are wonderful cities and I don't want to be construed as putting them down.
Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, Washington ... are more historic and somehow more "European" in architectural elegance and a sense of grandeur and opulence. I know of no 18th Century cobblestone streets like we have in Philly or Boston that exists on the West Coast. Okay, you say, "big deal." To me however, architecture is important. Both NYC and LA have skyscrapers, but does LA have anything that even comes close to the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, the Flatiron Building or the Woolworth Building?
THe vibe is very different. There is a kinetic energy in the northeastern cities. People have places to go, things to do, and say what they mean. Folks here in the east - fairly or unfairly, right or wrong - make fun of the meaningless and insincere pleasantries of Californians saying "Have a Nice Day" to anyone and everyone.
Now what the west coast has is climate, beaches, and an overall tidyness and orderliness that is lacking here. People are calmer, from my observations. Cars are more important on the west coast than there are here. Beauty? That is subjective. The fact is, snow-capped mountains are rather close to the Pacific shore whereas here in the east an hour or so drive away from the big cities will only take you to green rolling "hills" not really mountains. The west coast is much better for outdoor sports and leisure activities.
What we have (generally speaking) are better art museums, symphony orchestras, venerable old universities (such as "the Ivy League" and "the Seven Sisters.") ... that sort of thing.
I prefer it here because there is more of an overall ambience of historical charm. No city on the west coast charmed me.
I ask this question because I really want to know some cool things about the Northeast. I've never been to the northeast. The farthest east I've ever been to was Atlanta, Georgia, and that's like in the northwestern part of Georgia.
I don't see how people can like the crowded cities where buildings and houses, are like almost attatched to each other. I like seeing cities that are more spread apart and especially seeing the new buildings. Not ones that are old and look like they're falling apart. Though with old buildings that have been preserved, that's a different story.
Times Square looks stunning and dazzling, I'll give you that, but if the northeast looks like the links I provided, then I would take cities like Los Angeles, Pheonix, Tucson, Las Vegas, Seattle, Dallas, Houston anyday.
As I said before, don't try and insult me and call me rude. I wasn't trying to. I don't want to hear that, I want to hear some cool things about the northeast and to prove me wrong.
No offense, but it doesn't seem like you're giving East Coast living a lot of credit based on those links. Honestly, it looked like you picked one of the most unattractive parts of the Bronx in the first link and I had a bit of an annoyed expression on my face when you linked the Queensbridge public housing projects as if to say all us East Coasters live in buildings like those. Yes, most of the housing stock in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic cities are very old by American standards, but some like it gritty and plus, some of these inner city houses are being "flipped" to look much more beautiful inside and out. Look, I understand that some people (Especially you Westerners) don't like to live in densely attached housing but understand that others actually do love living in these dense environments. Be it here in the Northeast, parts of the Midwest, San Francisco, and nearly all of Europe, Latin America, and Asia. After all, living in a dense city environment with consistently great walkability, bike-friendliness, attractive architecture full of character, and top-quality amenities next to each other just a few feet from your front door are some of the many reasons why many people are moving to the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region as well as parts of the Midwest and Western U.S. (At least the West Coast in this case). And yes, we also have large malls including super-regional malls that are some of the largest in the country with parking lots and garages. Honestly, I love that both regions are very different. I appreciated LA when I first visited and loved that its urban environment was spread out and polycentric in built form and activity despite some inconsistences but I personally prefer the East Coast's more Euro-centric colonial look and vibe even though I loved LA's laid back and chill personality. The Northeast also has some of the most beautiful and proudly oldest suburbs in the country as well. And yes, there are outer suburbs out here that have the large generic McMansions with the big backyard and front yard and driveway and a wide garage, plus there are even some mansions here and there too.
Here are some links showcasing the kind of Northeast style of living:
I'd post links of some of the close-in suburbs of these cities but I'm gonna let my fingers rest for a while. But as you can hopefully see, these cities are all beautiful and phenomenal in their own right even if they have their own warts to deal with. And as well all know, the Western cities are like that too. Nowhere is perfect, just gotta make the best of it Btw, since I loved SoCal very much, I hope that I'll love Spain even more once I visit since it seems like it's basically a European version of California to an extent (I'm a real Europhile).
Last edited by tcave360; 12-31-2013 at 02:54 PM..
Reason: Forgot to add something
This isn't an attempt at superiority, just answering your question of What the East and specifically the North East has that the west doesn't.
History
It's not one developed city or even a few, it's an entire region
Quaintness of NE
For me, a big facor is the deciduous trees. The west is dominiated with evergreen trees. Pretty, but not the same as hardwoods.
It's green. I mean really green. Not just a sliver along the coast like in the West.
Proximity. To all sorts of things in a reasonable amount of time. There are a few areas (Southern California) that are similar but after that, it's still vast open areas before you reach the next big city.
These are a few of the reasons I prefer the East over the West. It's a personal preference. You are free to prefer the West if you want.
I prefer the West, but certain things about the East are better. I like the thunderstorms and exciting summer weather out East-the West, minus Seattle and Portland, lack the rainfall and greenery that out East has. Of course, we have more mountains, deserts, better beaches, more subtropical flora. But it is just too dry and bad for the environment. While the summer weather here is nice, it is quite boring and the nights are still cold. Out East, fireflies, cicadas, warm nights, monsoons...it is just so exciting. The east is also more walklable in general than the West and has better public transportation. As for everything else, I prefer the West. I hate cold and snowy weather, the live-to-work mentality, rude people (although the West has some fakes as well), the overcrowding. It just is not for me, at least besides a vacation. I also am not too big on Western European culture and such. I learned about it for years on end in school and it is just really bland for me as a result. I prefer the history of the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, and civilizations of people of color, since it seems more exotic and we aren't exposed to it as much. I feel like the West represents that more and is more open to trying new things.
What I find unique about the area I live in is that it is a rare area, along with probably the Buffalo area, to have legit White/European American, Black/African American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American communities in the immediate area. Location to cities, outdoor offerings and landmarks in the US and Canada within 5 hours or so is great. So, the Northeast is more than just the swath of urbanity along the coast.
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Btw, since I loved SoCal very much, I hope that I'll love Spain even more once I visit since it seems like it's basically a European version of California to an extent (I'm a real Europhile).
