Thinking of moving to South Carolina
Mar 21st, 2004, 01:13 PM
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Thinking of moving to South Carolina
My husband and I live in New England (Massachusetts), and are starting to consider looking at other states for retirement.
We are a ways away yet, but have a visit planned to Savannah, Beaufort, and Charleston in May to check things out. We really like the looks of a community called Habersham in Beaufort.
The one great hesitation I have - without even visiting - is the heat and humidity. We want to escape the cold and snow, but I don't know if I can stand that kind of heat. My husband also has asthma, and I don't think humidity is good for that.
What do people do during the "hot" season, and how long does that run? My husband says when it's hot, you just stay inside in the air conditioning. I say I'd like to be able to do things outside ALL year, but since we want to stay on the coast, that means California, which will mean a step down in housing - most likely to a condo. We are considering Northern California, though.
Can anyone fill us in on the heat?
We are a ways away yet, but have a visit planned to Savannah, Beaufort, and Charleston in May to check things out. We really like the looks of a community called Habersham in Beaufort.
The one great hesitation I have - without even visiting - is the heat and humidity. We want to escape the cold and snow, but I don't know if I can stand that kind of heat. My husband also has asthma, and I don't think humidity is good for that.
What do people do during the "hot" season, and how long does that run? My husband says when it's hot, you just stay inside in the air conditioning. I say I'd like to be able to do things outside ALL year, but since we want to stay on the coast, that means California, which will mean a step down in housing - most likely to a condo. We are considering Northern California, though.
Can anyone fill us in on the heat?
Mar 21st, 2004, 01:19 PM
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You've already answered your own question. Yes it is hot and humid in the summer. It's up to you as to whether you can stand it, but a wise investment would certainly be a week's stay there maybe in August to check out your tolerance level.
Mar 21st, 2004, 02:55 PM
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I spent some time on St. Helena island and in Beaufort. I live in Florida and I thought it was hotter there than here. It's all marsh and lowlands.
Patrick's right. Give it a try in August. We do a lot of moving from one interior to the next (house to car, etc.) but only you can decide if you're OK with that.
Also, check out Columbia. What a great city it's becoming.
Patrick's right. Give it a try in August. We do a lot of moving from one interior to the next (house to car, etc.) but only you can decide if you're OK with that.
Also, check out Columbia. What a great city it's becoming.
Mar 21st, 2004, 03:38 PM
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Wanderer...Beaufort is beautiful and Habersham is a fantastic community...the developers also did Seaside and Rosemary, which probably translates to $$$. We've gotten some newsletters from them and looked at property in the area prior to moving away from Savannah. I LOVE marsh lots--there is nothing prettier, and at that time we could get a 1/2 acre marsh lot for 100,000 (and came SO close to buying it...drat...but we were too far from retirement). No more, I'm sure, as the area has been found.
Our daughter's in-laws both grew up in Beaufort and retired there 6 years ago after having lived in Los Angeles, Seattle, Houston, and Guatemala in the interim. Although they are basically happy (but used to warm climates) I think the small-town-ness of it all has surprised them, not positively. We were very much aware of the same while living in Savannah. Politics can drive you nuts anywhere, but it REALLY can in small towns!
Another consideration: proximity of airports and really good medical care. Beaufort medical care still relies on the larger cities for anything very much beyond routine, although as the area grows, that will change. The airport you would use getting in or out, and friends and family getting in or out, would be Savannah, an hour's drive.
I'll have to respectfully disagree with Tandoori Girl on the heat issue. I say over and over that when we lived in Savannah we thought we knew what heat was, but we knew nothing until we moved here, (Tampa). Savannah with all it's shade is not nearly as bad as this area, IMO, and it does get a bit of a winter, which, believe it or not, is actually nice. Nothing cold like MA cold, but we even had a dusting of snow a couple of times. When it happens there it's a fun event, unlike MA, and the good part is, it's over by the beginning of March and doesn't begin until November. How well I remember the misery of March and April snows in MA, just when you thought winter was finally done with!
I found Charleston to be hotter than Savannah...at least the downtown historic areas, primarily because Savannah has so many huge old oaks downtown, whereas Charleston has more heat reflecting concrete. Of the two cities though, I prefer Charleston...more a city, better restaurants and shopping. It was Savannah's more sophisticated big sister.
While you are looking over the area, (and I agree by the way, you absolutely should spend time there in July or August, not May which is very tolerable), be sure to look at the Landings area of Savannah. It has the same river/marsh setting as Habersham, and it's an area populated by fairly well-to-do northeasterners. They (the Landings) are the big supporters of the arts scene in Savannah and sometimes resented as "outsiders", but it's a beautiful area, a la Habersham--golf course lots, marsh lots, jogging/biking trails, lagoons, and a population you may relate to well. This is a ticklish topic...I grew up in MA too (Berkshires), but married a southerner and have lived in the south ever since graduating college. There are odd differences I can't even put a finger on.
There is no way on earth I could go back to living in New England, as much as I love it the other 3 seasons. We were transferred back to Boston after 11 years in New Orleans and Norfolk and although it was nice being close to my family, I could hardly wait to get back to the south. It will be an adjustment, but you will adjust to the heat. It is a different lifestyle and there's both good and bad to that. Tough decision...how well I know! I'd give anything not to have sold my parents house and still have that to come back to summers and fall!!
Our daughter's in-laws both grew up in Beaufort and retired there 6 years ago after having lived in Los Angeles, Seattle, Houston, and Guatemala in the interim. Although they are basically happy (but used to warm climates) I think the small-town-ness of it all has surprised them, not positively. We were very much aware of the same while living in Savannah. Politics can drive you nuts anywhere, but it REALLY can in small towns!
Another consideration: proximity of airports and really good medical care. Beaufort medical care still relies on the larger cities for anything very much beyond routine, although as the area grows, that will change. The airport you would use getting in or out, and friends and family getting in or out, would be Savannah, an hour's drive.
I'll have to respectfully disagree with Tandoori Girl on the heat issue. I say over and over that when we lived in Savannah we thought we knew what heat was, but we knew nothing until we moved here, (Tampa). Savannah with all it's shade is not nearly as bad as this area, IMO, and it does get a bit of a winter, which, believe it or not, is actually nice. Nothing cold like MA cold, but we even had a dusting of snow a couple of times. When it happens there it's a fun event, unlike MA, and the good part is, it's over by the beginning of March and doesn't begin until November. How well I remember the misery of March and April snows in MA, just when you thought winter was finally done with!
I found Charleston to be hotter than Savannah...at least the downtown historic areas, primarily because Savannah has so many huge old oaks downtown, whereas Charleston has more heat reflecting concrete. Of the two cities though, I prefer Charleston...more a city, better restaurants and shopping. It was Savannah's more sophisticated big sister.
While you are looking over the area, (and I agree by the way, you absolutely should spend time there in July or August, not May which is very tolerable), be sure to look at the Landings area of Savannah. It has the same river/marsh setting as Habersham, and it's an area populated by fairly well-to-do northeasterners. They (the Landings) are the big supporters of the arts scene in Savannah and sometimes resented as "outsiders", but it's a beautiful area, a la Habersham--golf course lots, marsh lots, jogging/biking trails, lagoons, and a population you may relate to well. This is a ticklish topic...I grew up in MA too (Berkshires), but married a southerner and have lived in the south ever since graduating college. There are odd differences I can't even put a finger on.
There is no way on earth I could go back to living in New England, as much as I love it the other 3 seasons. We were transferred back to Boston after 11 years in New Orleans and Norfolk and although it was nice being close to my family, I could hardly wait to get back to the south. It will be an adjustment, but you will adjust to the heat. It is a different lifestyle and there's both good and bad to that. Tough decision...how well I know! I'd give anything not to have sold my parents house and still have that to come back to summers and fall!!
Mar 21st, 2004, 04:49 PM
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Thanks so much everyone for your thoughts. I laughed, OliveOyl when I read about the snow March/April, as just as I was getting my gardening tools ready 2 weeks ago, we got 10" of snow!
We have plans to "visit" both SC, GA and CA this year, and superficially check out the areas we think we are interested in.
We then plan to spend more time in the "worst" months of areas we like, and then will RENT before choosing an area to settle.
I've heard of the "subtle unexplainable" differences between Northerners and Southerners, and only been told we have to decide for ourselves - good advice, I think, but thank you for the practical things we need to consider - i.e., medical care and airport distance, and "small-townness". I'm a city girl at heart, so I don't know....
We have plans to "visit" both SC, GA and CA this year, and superficially check out the areas we think we are interested in.
We then plan to spend more time in the "worst" months of areas we like, and then will RENT before choosing an area to settle.
I've heard of the "subtle unexplainable" differences between Northerners and Southerners, and only been told we have to decide for ourselves - good advice, I think, but thank you for the practical things we need to consider - i.e., medical care and airport distance, and "small-townness". I'm a city girl at heart, so I don't know....
Mar 22nd, 2004, 05:40 AM
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I spent a few days in Northampton last summer and was stunned by the humidity. I guess it was an unusual week, but I think that unless you are miserable in the humidity you get occasionally in Mass, you will be OK in SC.
Just be sensible. Sitting on the front porch, moving slowly, and drinking iced tea aren't southern stereotypes for nothing! In the heat of the day in summer, you need to not kill yourself doing gardening, etc. and stay hydrated. Sports like hiking (in the woods) are more suited to summer in SC than say tennis.
I know you said you like Beaufort, but Charleston would have a bigger city feel, with a closer airport and a Medical College in town.
If you really are concerned w/ the heat, look at Asheville, N.C. The mountains make it cooler and it's still just about 4 hours from Charleston and the beach.
Just be sensible. Sitting on the front porch, moving slowly, and drinking iced tea aren't southern stereotypes for nothing! In the heat of the day in summer, you need to not kill yourself doing gardening, etc. and stay hydrated. Sports like hiking (in the woods) are more suited to summer in SC than say tennis.
I know you said you like Beaufort, but Charleston would have a bigger city feel, with a closer airport and a Medical College in town.
If you really are concerned w/ the heat, look at Asheville, N.C. The mountains make it cooler and it's still just about 4 hours from Charleston and the beach.
Mar 22nd, 2004, 05:45 AM
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Hot and sticky is hot and sticky is hot and sticky. No other way around that June through August.
The payoff? We are having a cold front come through today and the high is only about 65. It was in the 70s all weekend and is supposed to hit 80 this week.
Fall is the most beautiful time of year. September, October, and into November cannot be beat. Hot to warm with little to no humidity.
There are some upsides to the humidity. It's great for your skin!
We South Carolinians do all kinds of things in the summer. That's a fallacy that we stay indoors during the heat.
Water activities are popular as are outdoor events and parties. Fish, waterski, surf, sit on the beach, etc.
The payoff? We are having a cold front come through today and the high is only about 65. It was in the 70s all weekend and is supposed to hit 80 this week.
Fall is the most beautiful time of year. September, October, and into November cannot be beat. Hot to warm with little to no humidity.
There are some upsides to the humidity. It's great for your skin!
We South Carolinians do all kinds of things in the summer. That's a fallacy that we stay indoors during the heat.
Water activities are popular as are outdoor events and parties. Fish, waterski, surf, sit on the beach, etc.
Mar 25th, 2004, 04:56 PM
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Is this the start of a new migration or what? I'm living in the Bay Area of SF and plan on moving there, too. Have lived for a time in Miami, so I'm used to the humidity. I also think it's VERY humid up north, where I grew up, when I visit the New York area in the summer. At least the coast and FL have beautiful environs. I'm hoping I can find a place that has some of the funky charm of the Florida Keys, but "Southern Style," and not planned like most of the gated attractive places I'm discovering. I visited Beaufort/Charleston/Wilmington NC this January. It will take some getting used to, but I hope my dream doesn't fade into some developers nightmare. Bring on the funk! Long live down home! A new kind of soon to be southern belle --
Mar 25th, 2004, 07:58 PM
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I doubt that we will be able to afford historic downtown Charlestown.
Which of this islands would be most appropriate for retirement - we'd like a place that doesn't have the feel or a summer resort area, nor of a gated exclusive "country club".
We love the look of Daniels Island homes - are there similar islands we should check out - I've heard Johns Island mentioned also.
Which of this islands would be most appropriate for retirement - we'd like a place that doesn't have the feel or a summer resort area, nor of a gated exclusive "country club".
We love the look of Daniels Island homes - are there similar islands we should check out - I've heard Johns Island mentioned also.
Mar 31st, 2004, 04:49 AM
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We're always active in the summer! There's so much water here that the heat never keeps us indoors unless it's raining. Swimming, boating, having a drink in the shade on the beach - there are a number of things you can do when it's hot. And the summers are ALWAYS hot. That's the South, baby!
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