Summers are HOT - HOT - HOT
-
9/17/2008
It is true that, after enduring New England winters for 45 years, the winters here are relatively mild. I used to be able to wear a very light jacket during the winter, when I moved to Charlotte 15 years ago, but your blood eventually thins and you do find the winters a "little" chilly, with time. I should add that there are still many days during the winter when I can wear shorts and a T shirt during the day. Spring and fall are fantastic and, because spring comes earlier and fall lasts longer, winter seems to pass very quickly. Now, about the summer weather here, - it is HOT, no if's, and's, or but's. Summer temperatures average in the mid to high 90's with a good many days reaching the 100-105 range. If you are not used to it, and you come down here from up north and run around like you "think" you can, you "will" end up suffering from heat stroke, as happened with me. The only way to survive the summer heat is to take it slowwwww and eeeeeasy. The biggest problem with the heat is the unbearable humidity. The moment you start to do anything energetic, like yard work, you will find yourself soaking wet with sweat. I used to wonder why so many people had their yard work done by landscaping companies (they are all over the place here) and now I know. If you want to avoid the heat, you can drive to the mountains or the beach but, depending on your driving habits, it's a 3.5 to 4.5 hour drive to both. And, if you choose the beach (Myrtle Beach), you just may find it to be slightly hotter there. I will add that Charlotte traffic is terrible, because there are not enough properly designed highways to handle the number of vehicles. Property taxes are high meaning you will want to look for a home in Fort Mill or Rock Hill (both in SC) about 20 minutes south of Charlotte - I did and am very happy with my choice. Crime is something you will have to adjust to and there is plenty of it. If you are from up north, be prepared to be introduced to "sweet tea" - it's the preferred drink of the south (all year) and you should not gulp your first one down. Image a glass of iced tea, - now add about 10 tablespoons of sugar and stir until it is all disolved, - then drink it. I have never gotten used to it and I always order "unsweetened tea" which brings me a raised eyebrow look from the order taker. But, in spite of the negatives, I like the area and I definitely like the friendliness of the southern people. My only regret is that I did not come here sooner, when it was less developed and still a small southern city. It is changing very fast, with the constant influx of outsiders, and it will soon be just like any other city on the east coast. Anyway, - that's my perspective on the area, based on my experiences.
Bp | Rock Hill, SC