Door Tara Khan
Edited by Natalie Grace Sipula
[3.5 minutes reading]
When I tell people I'm from North Dakota, I usually get a lot of questions. "Wow! What the hell are people doing there?" or “Where is it anyway?” I was born and raised in Fargo, a city less than 4 hours from the Canadian border. After living here on the West Coast for a while, I've noticed a lot of differences between the two regions, so I've come to understand why people who aren't from the Midwest have so many questions about it. I've broken these differences down into five categories here to highlight what life is like living in the Midwest!
Weather:The most obvious difference between the Midwest and the West Coast is the weather. Most places in the Midwest have four seasons, with winters that are harsh and cold and summers that are milder and warmer. But no matter where you live in the Midwest, you're almost guaranteed to get snow. In Fargo there is always snow on the ground during the winter months. I remember a year ago it snowed in May and October. Temperatures also regularly reach below zero, and sometimes even as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit in January. In the summers, temperatures generally stayed in the 80s and low 90s, never really reaching above 100F.
Boos:In terms of food, places in the Midwest don't have as much variety as the West Coast because the population size tends not to be as large. When I lived in Fargo, there were only 2-3 options for things like sushi or Chinese food. People who usually eat home-cooked meals; casseroles and hot dishes are a staple of the Midwest. Traditional dishes are sometimes served at potlucks or holiday parties. Due to North Dakota's large Norwegian population, lefse, a type of flatbread, is a food I saw at most parties. I even helped my friend's family prepare it for their Thanksgiving dinner one year.
Activities:Many Midwestern families have “lake houses” that they visit on weekends. People like to go fishing, cooking or making campfires. During the winter months, winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding are quite popular. Ice hockey is also a sport that some children play growing up. For some families, Sunday and Wednesday are considered "church day" and "church night." Many businesses, especially local ones, are closed on Sundays. When I was in school, we usually didn't have after-school activities on Wednesdays.
People:“Midwest nice” is a common term used to describe people from the Midwest. The people are generally very friendly and helpful. In winter, it is not unusual for neighbors to clear each other's driveways or help each other with various things, and in public places such as the supermarket, people often stop to talk to each other. Since living on the West Coast, I have noticed that people still have a friendly attitude, but they are not as talkative as people in the Midwest.
Transportation/lifestyle:Cars are the primary mode of transportation in the Midwest, as there are not many established major public transportation systems. Walking and cycling are not popular options due to the harsh winters. The age for obtaining a license varies from state to state, but is generally lower than in other regions of the country. In North Dakota, you can get a learner's permit at age 14 and a license at age 15. The age to get a job is also 14, although child labor laws exist to protect people under the age of 16.
Whether you ever live in the Midwest or not, I think it's definitely worth visiting at least once, especially in the winter. The weather is pretty much like in the movies: frigid but magical. Make sure you dress warmly and you'll enjoy home-cooked Midwestern food and friendly people!
Selected image fromNathan finishedopUnsplash
Tara is a freshman majoring in biomedical engineering in the pre-medical track. She grew up in Fargo, North Dakota and Las Vegas, Nevada. She speaks basic English, Thai and Spanish. Tara is involved with the Taekwondo Club at USC. In her spare time, she enjoys solving Rubik's cubes, playing guitar and ukulele, and playing with her dog Tofu. Tara also loves traveling and learning about different cultures, especially through food! One of her favorite things about living in LA is the sheer amount of food options available; she is always willing to give good restaurant recommendations.
