If you had to move to a different state/province, what state/province would give you the biggest culture shock/adjustment?

[Buzz Rules]

Thank you Mr Buzz for creating this post. As a European it
Is interesting to see Americans would be surprise from culture. I think I would have to say though that USA would be a culture shock for me. Many peoples on this thread say California. Why? Is California that different?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_California

 

[holden]

Anywhere down South.

 

[ronandannette]

Culture? I think the basic "culture" is pretty similar anywhere in Canada, similar enough at least that I wouldn't feel uncomfortable anywhere. Lifestyle, on the other hand, is probably a much bigger deal. I can't see myself thriving in any of the remote Territories where the population is sparse, there's little industry or employment opportunities, travel in and out is difficult, medical care and social supports are limited and housing and basic necessities (much less luxuries) are somewhat scarce and extremely expensive. All that, to me, would be a much more drastic change.

 

[MICKIMINI]

I haven't been to many states but so far Vermont a few weeks back totally freaked me out quite a lot in unexpected ways. Mostly, because it is all wilderness of trees and no sidewalks of lawns mostly weedscapes without clearing trees for homes and farms, like I literally got claustrophobic anxiety. It wasn't an eww thing, my body literally freaked out so that is not my scene, I def need clearings and some farms here and there to feel ok. Pretty sure the really hot states would make me a prisoner in my home with rheumy stuff so best guess is I might be where I am supposed to be, in the NE

Welcome to northern New England! We have trees here and mountains, rivers and lakes. No sidewalks in front of our house as it is a five mile walk to town and the town beach LOL! I suspect what you felt is what I feel in a city...to each their own I guess.

 

[kanerf]

Alaska

 

[LuvOrlando]

Welcome to northern New England! We have trees here and mountains, rivers and lakes. No sidewalks in front of our house as it is a five mile walk to town and the town beach LOL! I suspect what you felt is what I feel in a city...to each their own I guess.

Unnecessary to act like it is a criticism, I didn't know it would be a thing to trigger panic attacks to not have clearings but so it is. I totally believe people adore it, I actually thought I would too and went looking for possible new towns to move to but the no farms and no clearings just hit me unexpectedly we drove around about 2 hrs before I realized what was happening, still kept going hoping it would pass but it did not. FWIW Pennsylvania has a ton, and I mean a ton of all the above but there are also lots of farms and clearing breaking the wilderness up.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Unnecessary to act like it is a criticism, I didn't know it would be a thing to trigger panic attacks to not have clearings but so it is. I totally believe people adore it, I actually thought I would too and went looking for possible new towns to move to but the no farms and no clearings just hit me unexpectedly we drove around about 2 hrs before I realized what was happening, still kept going hoping it would pass but it did not. FWIW Pennsylvania has a ton, and I mean a ton of all the above but there are also lots of farms and clearing breaking the wilderness up.

Not criticizing you at all! The wilderness is not for everyone. Woodstock is a gorgeous, quaint (and very wealthy) Vermont town and I am guessing you did not find it which is too bad. It is not far from Dartmouth College in NH.

Many family farms have been lost to high taxes and the fields and hills that were dotted with cows are now growing over and the barns are unkept.

DH's family has roots back to the 1700's in VT so it is special to us. I go back to the 1700's in NH. We love it because it is what we know.

Peace and love!

 

[wabbott]

For me, it would be having to move from a suburban/semi-rural location to a downtown urban living area. I'm used to 3/2 houses, yards, commuting by car, small towns, neighborhoods, etc. Having to adapt to apartments, public transportation, city streets, and crowds would be a big change.

In our travel around the US, we've found rural, small town areas to be relatively similar, no matter the region.

 

[Giraffe_Zen]

Texas.

 

[ak517]

Someplace where it doesn’t snow! Or near an ocean

The lack of seasons was one of the strangest parts about living in Miami for me. It was just hot and hotter! I come from the Midwest suburbs but have lived in the urban northeast most of the last eight years, so I guess it makes sense.

 

[RangerPooh]

Many peoples on this thread say California. Why? Is California that different?

i have to wonder if it’s politics related Or it could also be that the state is the equivalent of multiple states, as each region is unique.

As a former Californian my answer is “the South”. Moving to TN was a culture shock. Mega churches everywhere. You’re greeted with ‘what church do you attend?’ Answer, none (someone’s clutching their pearls). K12 public school PTO sponsors blessing of the backpacks and bring you bible to school day (My child brought Darwin’s Origin of Species). Fried food everywhere.

 

[RangerPooh]

Many peoples on this thread say California. Why? Is California that different?

Double post

 

[ClaraOswald]

For me, I think I would really struggle in the South.

I also think states in the North East would be a culture shock but I would feel more comfortable there and would likely adapt fairly quickly. Whereas I'm not sure I would ever adapt if I had to live in southern states.

I'm finding the answer of "California" to be interesting and wondering where giving that answer are from.

I'm midwestern to the core but did live in California for a year and a half. While it wasn't really for me (mainly the weather), it wasn't any kind of culture shock at all. I did love that it was more diverse than any other place I've lived though!