East Coast vs. West Coast – What You Need to Know Before Going to America on a J1 This Summer

Pros and Cons of the East and West Coast for your J1:

Which is better, East Coast or West Coast? So many J1ers ponder this question before deciding where they want to spend their summer.

The East Coast

When talking about the East Coast, New York City is often the first city that comes to mind. The city brims with American history and architecture. Although surrounded by areas rich in natural beauty, life in this part of the East Coast is highly modern and urbanized. Entertainment is commonly defined by massive establishments, man-made attractions, and glamorous experiences. This may sound expensive for J1ers, but it is important to remember that although it can be more expensive to live in the likes of New York or Boston, there are more jobs available for J1ers and these jobs usually pay higher than the West Coast cities.

Pros

• Plenty of opportunities. As a world centre for finance and communication, New York City never runs out of companies looking for new talent. Its favourable job market, paired with a thriving economy, will ensure that you’ll find a position no matter what niche you specialize in. Regarding J1ers, it can be an excellent place to network for future career opportunities.
• Home to millionaires and celebrities. Not to say that West Coast cities don’t have their share of celebrities, but NYC attracts them in droves. The presence of these individuals helps boost the city’s economy. Expect to get used to familiar faces from TV, like Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Jessica Biel, walking casually along the streets.
• You can travel the world. Although not literal travel, the area’s diverse culture (it’s estimated that NYC residents speak some 600+ different languages representing hundreds of different cultures) lets you experience activities and taste cuisines unique to other countries. Simply speaking, you can have Mexican tacos for breakfast, Chinese ramen for lunch, and Filipino chicken adobo for dinner!
• You won’t run out of things to do. No kidding. NYC is a 24/7 city. Whether it’s about work, having fun, or spending time with your family, you will always be on the move. There are countless events to attend, concerts to hear, parks to play in, and festivals to enjoy. Some of the top picks include:
  • Parks: Washington Square Park, The Battery, and Central Park
  • Museums: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Guggenheim, and Museum of the City of New York
  • Festivals: Lincoln Centre Out of Doors, Feast of San Gennaro, and Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, Lollapalooza Festival, Chicago
  • Sport: NY Giants, Knicks, and Yankees

Cons

• Cost of living. You might already know this, but the cost of living still sits at the top of the cons list for emphasis. New York, Boston, and Chicago will be more expensive to live in for J1ers on average due to high rentals in cities.
• Unpredictable weather. The mood of NYC skies can still be hard to predict. One moment it’s sunny, then it drizzles, but by the time you take out your umbrella, the sun starts to peek through the clouds again. Similarly, Chicago is known as the Windy City. However, during the summer, the East Coast is prone to nice weather.
• Concrete everywhere. Nature enthusiasts and fresh air lovers will find it challenging to adapt to the jungle of concrete and thick air pollution in New York City. But don’t worry too much. Central Park and the Botanical Gardens always offer an escape from the bustle of the metro area.

The West Coast

Welcome to the shoreline that faces the great Pacific! People usually like to link the West Coast to California right away, but it’s more than that. For J1ers, the main locations are San Francisco and San Diego.

Pros

• Lush greenery, scenic views, and picturesque landscapes. There’s no denying that nature blooms at its finest on the West Coast. To make things even better, many nature-loving citizens actively encourage waste segregation and protest against activities that harm the environment.
• Amazing food scene. One of the things that makes the West Coast great is that it doesn’t seem to run out of wonderful restaurants that serve unforgettable dishes at reasonable prices. Whether you’re a local or a first-time tourist, there’s always a new flavour for you to discover.
• Sports. California is home to some of the biggest sporting franchises in the world including the LA Dodgers, LA Lakers and the LA Rams who are the current Super Bowl champions.

Cons

• Gloomy weather. West Coast features two weather types. First, you have the crowd-favourite Californian climate — a Mediterranean climate with mild temps and sunny skies year-round. Then there’s the occasional grey skies of San Francisco.
• The high cost of living. Even though expenses are nowhere near as costly as in NYC, they’re still higher than the national average.
• Active seismic activity. If you plan to move anywhere on the West Coast, prepare to experience earthquakes on a more regular basis than on the East Coast.
• Lack of J1 Jobs. These can be very difficult for J1ers to get. This is highlighted through warnings from the J1 agencies that they cannot guarantee a job for any applicants in the California area.