Hey, well I'm from the East Coast and from NYC so this is home to me. However a bunch of folks here lived off of the Pacific Ocean. I think the major thing I've noticed about them is the hunt for winter clothes. Lol, I think there were shopping trips to get things from boots to coats.
I LOVE it here. Medical school is tough and tiring for sure but that is anywhere you go, no one can make the crazy amount of info you have to learn easier to memorize. But you should go some place you want to be. I like the Bronx, again I'm from the city and a Yankees fan, so its no big deal. My class is the best. We have Pass/Fail so we share everything, we have a facebook groups for mnemonics, study tips, and notes. Med school is fun to me, I'm meeting cool kids and exploring. First year gets more doable, I leave the Bx about every weekend. The negative is that the train stations aren't nearby and you have to bus it to the train.
As to preparing you... the classes are good, I can't compare them to other schools. Patient exposure well you are given a site in October. We have started doing patient write-ups -_- not my strong point. I interview about 4 patients at my site a week. Also depending on site/ teacher some of us are learning to present information to your peer -_- not my strong point. Haha, I mean its all new and stuff that I never did before.
Can't think of much else but ask away. I apologize in advance, I'm like eating breakfast, typing this, and getting ready for class. Hope I helped.