I've never spent a lot of time living in the South, so I just incorrectly think of the South as always super hot/sticky everywhere. But you offer some great info, Cathy on just how varied it is from region to region...

We vacationed in Arkansas when I was a kid but much of that was in the northern moutainous areas of the Ozarks where the weather was entirely comfortable.

I want to spend more time in eastern North Carolina and check out the Ashville area. I've been told by many folks who know me and my "likes" and also what type of weather I most enjoy, that I would love living there. I was there as a child, but don't really remember that well. I think of it as mountainous with great forests and nature. And Ashville itself as a great college town w/ a vein of youth but also great history and tradition. Not to mention great culture, fantastic artistic influence, and an affordable cost of living. I feel really drawn to MY IDEA of what I think Ashville to be... I must check it out in person one day soon... Who among us has been there? Is my "idea" of Ashville, correct?

Ya'know... I was 30 before I knew that 90 could be nice. Growing-up I was accustomed to 90 degrees with 90% humidity here in the midwest, which meant one's body was coated in a light sticky sheen all day/night long! But when I first went west to Washington/Oregon where there's very little humidity and first felt 90 with like 7% humidity, I thought- 'Wow- now THIS is pure heaven!'

Also, it goes w/out saying but Alaskan summers are perfect to my mind... temps are a very mild 70-80, with little, if any humidity. 24 hour sunshine with light rains EVERY morning, result in gardens that you sometimes literally have to pick produce from TWICE a day! At 9:00AM you might grab all the green beans, zucchini and tomatoes that "are ready" and then again at 10:00PM as you stroll thru the garden rows again- you better have a bag or bucket with you, cause more stuff is gonna be ready yet again! It's wonderful!

Chubby, you're partially right about Ashville, but mostly, unfortunately, wrong.

First off, Ashville is in western North Carolina, up in the mountains. Eastern NC is in the lowlands. Extreme eastern NC is called the Atlantic Ocean.

The Ashville area is gorgeous. Mountains, cool air, scenery to die for. With a good tail wind you can spit and hit Smoky Mountain National Park. The Blue Ridge is right outside your door.

It terms of natural beauty, just think of Last of the Mohicans, which was filmed just a hoot and a holla down the road.

And all the things you claim for the city are true. Except one: Where did you get the idea that the cost of living is low? The Ashville area is one of the more expensive places to live in the south. Housing costs are ludicrous (friends of mine moved there recently---sold a home in New Jersey, in the greater Philly area, and couldn't affort to buy in Ashville). Food is about 20% higher than me or Cathy. Etc.

If I were looking to move, and given the criteria you list, I would go somewhere near Cathy, up in the Georgia Smokies. Everything that North Carolina offers except the cost and the crowds. And when you want culture and big city life, it's a short drive away---Atlanta to the south, Chattanooga to the north.

And Kev ya' gotta come quickly or I'll be gone...headed for Arkansas! Well maybe.......I'll have to see about where we decide to settle down to, this is like the FINAL move in our lives. Eddie and I are talking retirement, resting place, the likes of that so we must decide carefully on our favorite "stopping place"! I could actually go just a wee bit North East of here to Helen or even just a smidgen North of there into Tennessee and be quite happy as well! I know you can't move this soon but it never hurts to have fun dreaming does it!?!

Right, Brook... I had just woken up from a nap (this danged 3rd shift!) and my fingers typed "eastern" but my mind was thinking "north-western".

Thanks to you both regarding all the helpful info... and please keep it coming! I want to know MORE, from you both- and ALL... please keep sharing!

Cathy- as far as Arkansas... the same friends who refer me to Ashville, NC also refer me to Fayetteville, AR. Hmmm... now you have another city to think about.

I'll just be totally open with ya'll... Among all the things I'm looking for in a place to settle down, are: smaller-town southern locale with a MILD climate (to me that means NOT SUPER HOT/STICKY SUMMERS!) beautiful/bountiful nature- mountains if possible, LOW cost of living/housing, art/culture, great for retirees but also w/ a youth presence, tradition/history, trendy availabililities like a decent food scene, theater, music, shopping, etc. and lastly- and maybe this is the kicker- I need some sort of subtle gay scene... and what I mean by "subtle" is... I don't expect full-blown gay "ghettos" or sections of town where it's suitable to walk around in a leather thong and a pink boa... that ain't my style at all! But I want to be able to be my flannel-shirt-wearing, down-home, toned-down, quiet self without being picketed or having Bible tracks placed on my door-step, and I'd like to be able to go out and share a supper with a date or a partner somewhere without driving 3 hours to do so, or without having to carry pepper-spray! Ha! Any ideas?