South Carolina – Pleasant climate, but high crime rate and poor life expectancy.

Having moved to SC from CA, the climate didn't impress me. I found the Bay Area climate pretty close to perfect. I've lived in SC for 9 years and know nobody who's been victimized by crime (save my Mom getting her car keyed when she affixed a Kerry/Edwards bumper sticker ;-) The poor life expectancy is experienced by the poor, who get inferior medical care and diet (most things seem to be fried, sweetened, and salted to death). I've met plenty of elderly in SC in good health.

My favorite things about SC are nice people, beautiful beaches & tidal creeks, good food (if you avoid indulging in too many fried or heavily sweetened or salted dishes), peace & quiet. CHeap, fabulous local shrimp & flounder. Decent arts scene in CHarleston.

Still, we want to move to NYC to be closer to kids & grandkid. I'm subletting in the city now to babysit for our grandson--and absolutely love it! But what we can afford here for what we'll get for our house in SC is most likely a 1-BR, 1-BA apartment! But having spent 3 months every summer for the past 5 years in our RV--much smaller than apartment I'm considering, I know the hubster and I thrive with a single small bathroom, small kitchen, and generally simplified existence. Kinda zen, actually. Living in NYC reminds me of RVing--you spend most of your time out & about learning & doing new things, and do a lot of walking in the course of everyday life (as opposed to having to drive somewhere to get exercise). I can get really lazy in a suburban house, so cities suit me better. I was happy in San Francisco as well.

But another piece of my psyche wants to live on a commune!

=alstro, aging hippie