Thanks for your feedback.
Food for thought:
I grew up in the Northeast (PA, NJ, CT, upper and lower state NY), lived in the midwest (Chicago - 'burbs and downtown - and Milwaukee) and have visited just about every state - especially along the coasts, wherever there are boats.
The first time I visited the Charleston area - @ 10 years ago - I knew this was the place for me (and decided to move five minutes off the plane).
Why?
Weather. We are right in the middle - in a good way.
Hate long dreary, cold, slushy winters? No worries - I've seen snow 3 times in 10 years. We have @ 2 months of slightly chilly weather - January and February. March starts cold, ends warm. It is not uncommon to be in shorts on Christmas on News Years day. Our local polar bear swim on Sullivan's Island finds 100's in the water - air and water temp usually in the 40's. Unless you're a local, we have 12 month boating and golfing season.
Summers (mid July - mid September) are hot and humid, but there is consistent sea breeze. The poor folks in Florida have the same weather for 6+ months - doh! Boating or vacationing in the TN mountains in August is a good remedy. Looong Spring and really long Fall.
Water everywhere! Ocean, intercoastal, Charleston Harbor, rivers, lakes, ponds, saltwater marshes. We have flounder and blue crabs - shrimp, dolphins and alligators. Palm trees and pelicans too!
People! This is one of the few places where the people are as nice as they are in the Midwest.. All the kids say 'yes maam', 'no sir' - everyone has great manners. When just about everyone someone you do not know gives you the raised hand 'hey!' wave - it's ok. Be careful not to respond with a vigorous back and forth wave - this means you want to stop and talk.
Pace. Slow down and enjoy the show. Compared to just about anywhere else - the traffic is minimal. Life can be a bit quirky here - in a fun and entertaining way. I think the moniker 'Baja Carolina' fits perfectly.
Charleston can be described as the capital of the south - in a good way. I enjoy the mix of local traditions with the blend of people from 'away'. I didn't realize I was a 'yankee' until I moved here. When a local asks you 'where you from?' - just answer with '(ma'am or sir), I may not be from around here, but I got here as fast as I could'. Once you get too far away from Charleston - you're kinda in Alabama.. Myrtle Beach, Beaufort, Hilton Head and Savannah are nice places to visit, but I'd recommend Charleston first. One note - it is probably best not to say 'where I'm from we do things this way' - this phrase is heard a lot and rarely changes anything.
Many gents take their dogs to work - and many folks go to lunch on Friday, and don't make it back to the office until Monday morning...especially during boating season - which is almost all year.
There is always something fun going on in Charleston - and this is the prefect home port - a day's ride to the Florida Keys, a few hours from the TN mountain, commuter flight to the Northeast.
Lastly - tons of great restaurants! Don't get me started - that's a whole post onto itself..
One word of caution - once you live in paradise, friends and family will want to visit - often and a lot!