Should you work (intern or full time) on the West Coast or East Coast?

There are millions of blogs out there on this topic in general— but it’s inherently fascinating. New York or SF? Boston or Seattle? Toronto or Vancouver?

We all feel excited or provoked when we see our favorite cities praised or criticized, especially if you’ve visited all of them.

It’s easy to understand that a living decision doesn’t always have to be complicated. It could literally just be based on one’s family location, weather preferences, or a homegrown area. This article is for you if you’re still undecided.

I’m literally from Vancouver, currently live in Seattle, and I’ve interned (and lived) in Toronto and have visited New York and Boston. So let me take a stab at this myself. I’ll start off with some stereotypical views people have for the cultures of both the West and the East:

• People in the East are more rushed, impatient, intentional with their time, and work-oriented.

• People in the West are more relaxed, laid-back, and “outdoorsy.”

Here’s the breakdown:

• Part I) What reality in the West is like

• Part II) What reality in the East is like

• Part III) Which region is best for you?

Most know that those from either group don’t just “adhere” to their stereotype, and that it’s obviously more complex as we read about it more.

To make this analysis a bit different from some others, I’m going to combine both my own experience living on both coasts with the research I’ve gathered from fellow peers who have done the same. I’ll tackle these questions from the perspective of a working professional.

What Reality in the West is Like

Working — While the “relaxed” stereotype is somewhat true if comparing Vancouver to Toronto, the US challenges this outlook. Seattle is known for its heavy working culture thanks to the city being a major tech hub and serving as headquarters to many large conglomerates. CC: Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, T-Mobile, Starbucks, Alaska Airlines, and Costco. Don’t get me started on SF and Silicon Valley — as one may suspect, the Venture Capital and largest tech region of the world is also one of the busiest. Many start-up hustlers and tech managers drive the culture within the region.

Weather — It’s generally warmer and more rainy. Because of this, weather is talked about more often, and snow is hardly an issue overall.

Food & Culture — Food is less based on a specific region/city, while culture diverges based on south and north. The north (especially Seattle) embraces a strong coffee culture. You’ll find some of NA’s best Asian cuisine across Vancouver (undoubtably the best), Seattle, and SF.

Attitudes — Even after I mentioned how the more “relaxed” nature of west coasters is overblown since many Western cities can work just as hard as the East, the attitudes are somewhat noticeable — especially between Vancouver and Toronto. A product of the working lifestyle found across the West; people are still less stressed compared to the East. Perhaps this has relations with the weather, which favors outdoor activities. Those from the East are more intentional/stringent with their time due to their busy schedules, and the West tends to be slightly more tolerant of changes.

Activities — Yes, people do tend to engage in more outdoor activities, but that’s obviously because such activities (hiking, jogging, biking) are just simply enabled by weather. You’ll especially find people in WA or BC who are obsessed with snowboarding or skiing.

What Reality in the East is Like

Working — Life differs from person-to-person, but in general, it 100% depends on the industry. If you’re in finance and working in NYC, chances are you’re busier than average. If you’re in tech, I really don’t think there are any anomalies between the two coasts unless you’re working in a trading firm. I personally don’t know about academia or other spaces, so feel free to comment any insight I missed.

Weather — It’s slightly colder, and this could mean people in the east are more familiar with winter-related topics that cascade down to lifestyle, sports, or even basic conversation starters.

Food & Culture — Both culture and cuisine is more based on region. This may be due to a higher count of hometown folks who are born and raised in their area contributing to a narrower focus on cuisines and culture.

Attitudes — People are more rushed, more direct with you, and overall less relaxed. I’ve personally heard and encountered the idea that people are incredibly “intentional” with their time. The East — comprising of sprawling metro areas and massive downtowns full of working people — have to deal with traffic and areas of friction due to higher populations. Eastern folks love maneuvering around these issues through proper management of their time and money.

Activities — Fair distribution of both indoor and outdoor activities, but outdoor activities are less accessible. If you’re in NYC, Toronto, or Boston, good luck finding a mountain to hike or ski down if comparing to what you’ll find in the West. For Torontonians especially: don’t even get me started on “Blue Mountain” — you mean that hill?

Which Region is Best for You?

Ultimately, it boils down to the various preferences you have across all factors. Here’s a list to help you get started:

• Do you like outdoor activities, like hiking, camping, and biking? Instant +1 to the West.

• How tolerant of snow (and the cold) are you? Do you mind changing tires, buying a new parka, and dealing with slower traffic? If you’re ready, the East gets a +1.

• How tolerant of rain are you? Ready to embrace the constant grey skies during the winter? If you’re ready, the West get’s a +1.

• Do you prefer working or living in a large urban downtown as a young professional? Not like Seattle or SF can’t provide this, but few can beat that of NYC or Toronto. +1 to the East here.

• Do you plan to drive or like driving? You might not get anywhere in the Bay Area or Seattle without a car, while NYC public transport might be more efficient. Again, it all depends on city. +1 to NYC directly if you’re not planning to drive or never will.

• Are expecting bundles of entertainment, bars, and clubs accessible to you in the area? Toronto, NYC, Atlanta, and other Eastern cities might beat out that of Vancouver, Seattle, and SF (maybe not LA) in terms of quantity. For quality, well, get ready to be stuck in the tech bubble if you’re in SF or Seattle. +1 to the East if you’re not into that.

• If you’re specifically in Tech and want access to connections, venture capital, and the best start-ups or tech companies but don’t want to live in NYC, the West (SF, Seattle, and to a lesser extent Van) gets a +1.

That’s it for now. Connect with me on LinkedIn and follow me on Substack for more content!