A few weeks ago, our kids were playing in the waves and having the time of their lives. I remember thinking and telling Judd, “This is where we’re supposed to be! This our place!” He said back, “I know! We actually did it.” #allthetears We have officially lived in Charleston for over a year so, I think it’s time to finally write about how we feel about living in the South…the good and the bad!!
Just a little back story in case you haven’t been reading my blog for very long. I was born and raised in Ohio where my husband was also raised. We are high school sweethearts but our goal has always been to move south because we wanted to escape the long Ohio winters and be closer to the beach! In 2018, we finally had the opportunity and we jumped at it! Were we nervous? YES! Did we question this decision? YES, a million times! Are there things that were hard for us to adjust to in the South or things we’d change? Absolutely! But overall, it was worth it…here is everything we’ve learned.
The Good
There are SOOO many reasons why we love the South and it trumps all the reasons we don’t “LOVE”.
The Beaches
Need I say more? We are surrounded by beautiful beaches! Need I say more? Our plan is actually to move closer to the beach before the kiddos start school.
Weather
Besides July-August, the temperature here is perfect!!
Southern Hospitality
The people in Ohio are great but southern hospitality is huge here and everyone is helpful and very friendly!!
The Food
Oh, the food! Some of the best seafood in the world + southern cooking = perfection
The City
Charleston, I just love you! You have everything we need to be entertained.
Family Friendly
It’s a great place to raise a family! There is so much to do here and the people are wonderful!!
Job Situation
Another reason why this town is great for us, is they have an Air Force Base. I spent 10 years working as a civilian for the Air Force in Ohio and when my kids go back to school, I plan to go back! Not every city has a base so I’m very thankful we have one here!
The Bad
The Cost
Overall the cost of living in Ohio (I’m using this because this is where we’re from and what we’re used to) compared to South Carolina is very different. The house prices are a little more, our car insurance is almost 3x what it was, our grocery bill is more than double, and basically everything is a LOT more expensive.
We Miss Our Family and Friends
We’re pretty blessed to have parents that are retired so we get to see them a lot but we really wish they’d move down here or buy a second place. It’s hard not having much help with the kids. My aunt and uncle (JoeJoe and Sassy) also visit once or twice a year which really helps feel connected with family.
No Help
This goes along with our family not living here. Raising twin toddlers without any help isn’t easy, we definitely miss out on things because of this.
Traffic
Traffic in Charleston is horrendous! We knew this before moving here but it’s part of living in a popular city that people want to live in and vacation to.
The Grass
Ok, I know this sounds crazy but we grew up with green and soft grass in Ohio. South Carolina grass is just crunchy!
Basically, we love it here and are blessed to call Charleston home!
Living near the beach will over rule everything else. I live on the West Coast in Canada and it is amazing. When I go visit places that don’t have beaches and I come back it always feels like home. Glad you are enjoying your journey!
I completely agree!! We LOVE the beach! I’ve never been to that part of Canada!
beautiful family! and i love your blue polka dot dress. that’s so funny you mention the grass because i was at an apt visiting someone this week and they had fake grass and my dog did not like it because it was so crunchy so he walked on the curb hehe.
Joy at The Joyous Living
Haha, it took my dog a while to get used to it too!! Thanks, my dress is from Old Navy! 🙂
It looks like you and your family are having an amazing time! I’ve never been to the south myself, but I’d love to visit one day.
We sure are! You’d love the South!
I wish that the US and Canada had split this land differently and that we had access to that southern weather so we could move toward it without all the red tape of changing countries lol
Your family looks amazing! I’m so glad you’re having the time of your life. I hope to see more photos soon!
Thanks!!
Missing those you love is the hardest part of moving away. However, sometimes it’s worth it when it comes to you and your children and what you need.
I completely agree!
Oh man, moving is so hard. There are so many new things to get used to. However, it’s often worth it, and it sounds like it’s been worth it for you!
I love your photos! I always wanted to visit Charleston. It can be tough being away from family. It was like that for us for the longest time since my husband got stationed at random places.
It’s really cool that you ended up liking it down south. That weather is a nice perk! The seasons are so different.
It sounds like on the whole you are loving your move. I can imagine it is hard to not have your families around but yay that they come and visit quite often!
I haven’t lived in the North so I have no clue how bad the winters can be. The cold doesn’t bother me as much as the heat but in Texas, our winters are typically mild with a few days of bone-chilling weather or snow.
I was born and raised in TX but I did live in Jacksonville, North Carolina for about 8 years. The cost of living was about the same as it was here 10 years ago but I recently looked at the prices recently. Rent there is significantly cheaper but jobs there don’t pay as well where I lived. The only thing that I miss about living there is being able to access the beach easier. I was about 30 minutes to an hour away from the beach, depending on which one I wanted to go too. I also miss being able to go fishing in the ocean too.
I moved back to TX to be near my family as I was a single mom and it just didn’t make sense to struggle with no one nearby to help. It was the best decision ever.
You’re lucky to not have to experience the cold! I can handle it for a few weeks but in Ohio its months and months! I’m so glad you made a decision to live closer to your family, seems like it was the best for you!
These are beautiful pictures. Moving from one state to another can definitely be a transition for everyone. Sounds like you all are on the right track to getting settled.
I would love to live in a house close to the beach! It has been a lifelong dream. I was born, raised, and still living in the city and the dream of living in a quiet, open space close to the beach is my ultimate dream. I know you are still adjusting to your new location but your kids are fortunate that they will grow up in a nice community.
It must be really nice to love near the coast. Looks like your family is having a lot of fun. South sounds good.
Sounds like there are pros and cons! Those beaches look great, but being away from family and friends would be so hard!! Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do tho… at least you’re making the best of it!
You are wearing so many cute outfits (had to say it!). The matching her and me swimsuits are super adorbs. 🙂
Aww, thank you so much!
Moved down south to Florida 3 years ago from NY and haven’t looked back since- for many of the same reasons you mentioned. The sunny days are #1. I wrote a post about it https://www.notwithoutmycoffee.net/home/2017/11/28/the-pros-and-cons-of-living-in-florida
How awesome!! Thank you for sharing!!
Yes living south is always fun. I moved from West Virginia while husband from Utah. Now we are living in Texas. I agree with you great place to raise family.
I love the matching bathing suits. So fashionable.
I think each one of us have a pros and cons when they moved on their new place and I am sure that you are having a great and amazing time with your family enjoying the new place and your new life and I think cons are no longer matter anymore.
Aw, this is so sweet. Glad everyone had a great time. Those matching bathing suits are adorable.
Thanks so much! I’m all about the matching lately!
I haven’t really ever been down south for long, it really sounds lovely. I am born and raised still living in NH so I will have to think about all the reasons the South seems like a great place to relocate. I love being warm all of the time.
You would probably love the South then! 🙂
You’ve got a very beautiful family. I love all of these photos. I would love to be able to live out by the beach, but at the same time I love living where I am now, which is out in the country.
Thanks so much!! I’m glad you love where you live too!!
I’m so glad you love living in Charleston! I’m surprised you find the cost of living more though. I was born and raised here, but I lived in Illinois for ten years and the cost of living there was astronomical. Property taxes alone where the devil! I think car insurance here is more expensive because of how poorly the state is rated overall. We’re one of the worst in the country as far as drivers go. And the traffic can be bad during rush hour for sure! But I wouldn’t trade it for the world!
The property taxes are higher in Ohio but everything else is more expensive for us here! So worth it though 🙂
That’s awesome that you love where you live! It can be hard to find just that right place. There are just so many factors going into it, it sounds like you really hit the jackpot! By the way, I love the pic of you in the boat in the swamp!
I think we did too! :). Thanks! That pond is actually where they filmed the swan/canoe scene in The Notebook!
I’ve always wondered what there was to do and see in Charleston! Thanks for breaking both the good and the bad down. The beaches and environment to raise a family is definitely a nice perk for me. But the cost and horrible traffic is a major turnoff.
You should definitely visit Charleston sometime!! I think the pros outweigh the cons by a lot! 🙂
My hubby and I got married in Charleston and that fountain is where we stood for our pictures. We adore Charleston and can’t wait to go back to visit. It’s just so southern. Just like us. I’m a big fan of Southern Charm so I get to see that charming city a lot through that show.
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