My wife and I live in phoenix az and we are considering a move to charleston. I would like to be back east, and would enjoy the beach. We are both from Ohio. She loves AZ and the weather. I enjoy the fall and winter.............hate the summer. They say it is a dry heat. 110 is a 110! My 1st summer here it was over 100 from May into the 1st week of November. Anyway enough complaining about Phoenix. I know there will be 2 sticking points humidity and allergies. I know she will love the city and the amount of beautiful home we can buy. We are recently married (march) and have had a miserable time meeting friends in phoenix. We have been here about 3 years. Any input would be appreciated.

Not sure if Charleston would be the place for you. Because we are a sub tropic climate, we don't really have much if any of a fall or spring.


As far as fall is concerned, the weather stays in the mid 80s till around November and our leaves don't change (Live Oaks lose their leaves in the Spring when new growth pushes out the old leaves and palm trees and pines don't change). Our winters are short and mild. Our Spring consists of a couple of weeks of blooming Azaleas and that is it.

Have you spent any time in Charleston? Our heat index yesterday was way over the 100 mark because of 100% humidity. It will stay that way until September.

Wilmington, about 150 miles up the coast, will have a little more of the four seasons than we have.

I agree w/ GoTravel about the heat in Charleston. First time I went there in July the heat and humidity knocked me for a loop, and I live in Charlotte.

I must add that I just finished my morning run and all I could manage was about 2 miles because it is so sticky and humid already and I ran at 8:30AM.

For quality of life, Charleston can't be beat. Yes, it's hot and humid -- but most of the mid-Atlantic including Ohio is darn hot and humid too, albeit not for as long. Your body adjusts surprisingly easily -- and now when the mercury hovers around 72 in March, I wear a sweatshirt. Note that I spend a lot of time outside, including summers, but I won't mow at high noon.

I do get a sense of seasons -- perhaps not as pronounced as up north (and those are the magnolias that drop their leaves in the spring by the way) but certainly enough to know that Halloween has arrived and Christmas is here.

Allergies are an issue. My physician says "everyone" has 'em here. My daughter, however, sniffled and complained more in PA than she does here. Both my kids, who are probably your age, (late 20s) have had an easier time making friends faster and developing a more active social life here than in most other places they lived.

The beach is definitely a super plus and worth every bit of the minuses on the heat and humidity equation.

A trip here may be worth your while before committing to a move. But don't forget that it's very different trudging around downtown on a walking tour in mid-summer, mid-day than it is to live here going from air to air and planning your outside activities according to the mercury reading.

B/

Thankyou for the posts, it sounds like phoenix, but with a beach and culture. Trade the dry heat for the humidity. I visited as kid with my folks, and we used to go to myrtle beach and nags head. I think my wife and I will be visiting in the spring. I don't mind the lack of seasons as long as there is green and lushness to the landscape. Brown and rock gets old.

pahonix, Charleston really isn't anything like Phoenix. Your skin however, will look dewy and fantastic.

I do like soft skin!!!!!

Can someone compare Charleston to another city in terms of dining, nightlife and people?