Unfortunately outside of a long vacation visit, its really hard to get a first hand feel for this. Before I moved to the SF several years back, I came to visit and living here vs visiting (for a week) was a day and night contrast. You might feel some of it but you won't really be immerse in it unless you spend some time here.

Everything is vastly different. Mindset, behaviors, the people, the way things work, etc.. Its incredibly hard to explain to others outside of the cliche everyone states. Its one of those things that is best felt personally to see if the way things here best fits YOU.

Go to Burning Man