ADVICE NEEDED! Relocating to the SouthEast Coast (Virginia Beach, Richmond: live in, gardens)

[Muki & Susan]

My wife and I currently live in Canada and we are planning on moving to the Southeast area. We loved Savannah and Charleston but understand that both cities are hot and humid most of the year. We have only travelled to a few cities in the Southeast. My wife is a psychologist (American) and we need help finding a city that would suit us. We enjoy experiencing the 4 seasons but do not want a lot of snow or extreme cold. We ideally would like to be near the ocean or near water of some kind. A city or town near a historical district would be ideal. Within driving distance of a fairly large city would be good too. The most central criteria is a limited summer with only moderate heat and humidity.

Any suggestions would be most welcome.

[sls76]

Originally Posted by Muki & Susan

My wife and I currently live in Canada and we are planning on moving to the Southeast area. We loved Savannah and Charleston but understand that both cities are hot and humid most of the year. We have only travelled to a few cities in the Southeast. My wife is a psychologist (American) and we need help finding a city that would suit us. We enjoy experiencing the 4 seasons but do not want a lot of snow or extreme cold. We ideally would like to be near the ocean or near water of some kind. A city or town near a historical district would be ideal. Within driving distance of a fairly large city would be good too. The most central criteria is a limited summer with only moderate heat and humidity.

Any suggestions would be most welcome.

You aren't going to find limited summer with only moderate heat and humidity in the Southeast. Summers in Richmond can feel very long, hot, and sticky. Honestly they are as hot and humid as summers in Tampa, FL--just not as long.

[ronyusa]

OP - your description seems to fit Richmond perfectly -- lots of history, 2 hours drive from the mountains (Shenandoah National Park), the beach (VA Beach), major metropolitan area (DC), four climates, mild winter with some snow etc. Only thing is the summer is probably little longer than you are expecting, as sls76 pointed out, but you can't have everything always, some concession is necessary , plus it's not like you will be outdoors everyday during the hottest time of the day so not sure that should be THAT much of a deal-breaker anyway.

[ellieb128]

Richmond is close to what you want but some summers can be really long, hot and humid - and all have at least a few weeks where the temps hover over 100 and the humidity is crushing but not like Charleston and Savannah.... We get some snow - this year was minimal at best - a few years ago it was many feet of snow. We are a short drive to the beach, mountains, DC -

s -

[SparrowGirl]

If you're here in the middle of August when it's 95 and the humidity is 95%, you'll hate it. I love the humidity personally, but most people find it unbearable and stay inside all summer.

[loveautumn]

maybe Delaware...it has 4 seasons but not extreme, it's small and coastal within driving distance if both Philly and DC.

[Muki & Susan]

Thank you all for your advice and opinions. We will be taking everything into consideration, of course.
I personally, do not mind the humidity. Even though it is something we do not have a huge problem with, I look at it as a tradeoff. We live in Edmonton Alberta. Beautiful area....but. Too cold for too long. Our summers here are quite short. 2 Months maybe. Our cold season is about 6 months long with temps down to -30f in January.
My wife has a different opinion, she is from Hawaii and used to the humidity from there. But does not like it. Especially every single day of the year.

Muki

[ronyusa]

Richmond is only humid during the summer months - June through August at most. Not too bad otherwise. Good luck with the move, wherever you choose to go.

P.S. - Funny your wife can't stand humidity, I grew up in a tropical country with ridiculous humidity 6 months a year, so Richmond summers feel like vacation in Cancun to me !! While I don't "love" humidity, frankly it doesn't bother me much. But I understand different people have different preferences and tolerance limits !!

[Muki & Susan]

That seems very acceptable. Thank you for the good wishes.
Our summers here are very short. We have an air conditioner that sits in the basement 11 months of the year.
It is funny about my wife not liking humidity though!

[soapbxr66]

Consider checking into Williamsburg, VA, as well. Beautiful area, located near the James River but only an hour from Virginia Beach. Small town feel, but international tourist destination, too. You can drive over to the historical distric (near William and Mary) and stroll through cobblestone streets and stop at an "inn" for lunch. Bush Gardens and a big water park are nearby...lots to do.