Well, we just returned from a road trip through the southern states that SO & I had not spent any time in. The two cities I wanted to hang out in were Savannah, Georgia & Charleston, South Carolina. The first few minutes we were in Savannah, we just loved it. Yes, it is hot, but both SO and myself have lived in hot environments before, and part of the allure is that heat and the balmy evenings. Northern Ca. is generally in the mid 80's in the summer during the day with 0 humidity and it can be chilly in the evening, you always need a blanket at night.
We loved the city itself, the old colonial buildings, the beautiful 'southern' look to everything, the moss hanging from the trees, the friendly, "how yo'all doing?" from many folks on the streets, the food, the proximity to the water, the squares or parks all through the city, the evening walks..........all of it. What really pushed us over the top was visiting Tybee Island, which is about 20 minutes from Savannah and is like a tropical island, the beach was great, the water warm, the beach town just like some Caribbean areas or the Keys. We loved it.
We also liked Charleston a lot, it's different then Savannah but just lovely. We went to Sullivan Island, to the beach and loved that whole area too. We've got some time before I retire and GD is settled in college, so we're thinking of going back next year for 3-4 weeks and really checking it all out. We both love the idea of just exploring possibilities as we go along. We were both surprised at our reactions, we didn't expect to fall in love with the area.
I know some of you live in the southern states, or perhaps have.........if you would like to share your perceptions or knowledge or whatever, I would love to hear about it. We're not attached to any one idea, originally we were headed to Kauai, which we LOVE, and seems like a wonderful place to retire. We also love it right where we are...........we could possibly live 1/2 a year here and 1/2 a year in another city, there are all kinds of creative options, we're completely open. We're looking at it like a new adventure, one we can explore together when our last little 'bird' flies on her own..........
I know Savannah and Charleston experience hurricanes and I talked to some folks about what the winters are like and how hot the summers get, so there is much to research and learn. We have earthquakes out here too, so I guess wherever you live, there is something to deal with. We won't need to figure out employment so that makes it somewhat easier, we'll both be retired.
I moved from the New York/Connecticut area to the San Francisco Bay area 30 years ago and it was a terrific transition.......perhaps it's time for another move? Any thoughts? Advice? Similar kinds of moves?
We loved the city itself, the old colonial buildings, the beautiful 'southern' look to everything, the moss hanging from the trees, the friendly, "how yo'all doing?" from many folks on the streets, the food, the proximity to the water, the squares or parks all through the city, the evening walks..........all of it. What really pushed us over the top was visiting Tybee Island, which is about 20 minutes from Savannah and is like a tropical island, the beach was great, the water warm, the beach town just like some Caribbean areas or the Keys. We loved it.
We also liked Charleston a lot, it's different then Savannah but just lovely. We went to Sullivan Island, to the beach and loved that whole area too. We've got some time before I retire and GD is settled in college, so we're thinking of going back next year for 3-4 weeks and really checking it all out. We both love the idea of just exploring possibilities as we go along. We were both surprised at our reactions, we didn't expect to fall in love with the area.
I know some of you live in the southern states, or perhaps have.........if you would like to share your perceptions or knowledge or whatever, I would love to hear about it. We're not attached to any one idea, originally we were headed to Kauai, which we LOVE, and seems like a wonderful place to retire. We also love it right where we are...........we could possibly live 1/2 a year here and 1/2 a year in another city, there are all kinds of creative options, we're completely open. We're looking at it like a new adventure, one we can explore together when our last little 'bird' flies on her own..........
I know Savannah and Charleston experience hurricanes and I talked to some folks about what the winters are like and how hot the summers get, so there is much to research and learn. We have earthquakes out here too, so I guess wherever you live, there is something to deal with. We won't need to figure out employment so that makes it somewhat easier, we'll both be retired.
I moved from the New York/Connecticut area to the San Francisco Bay area 30 years ago and it was a terrific transition.......perhaps it's time for another move? Any thoughts? Advice? Similar kinds of moves?