I live here, and have since 1965 (and I wasn’t very far away for the first 6 years of my life, either). I am very particular about climate and surroundings, and don’t think I could be happy anywhere but here or a strip from Central Maryland down to northern South Carolina. Fresh water, rolling hills and a winter that isn’t bad for very long are essential. I’m not much of a beachgoer, but I can’t imagine living far inland.