Lucky in the Lowcountry

I met a girlfriend last week who I haven't seen since my wedding 5 years ago. She played on the College of Charleston tennis team with me and moved out to L.A. for Medical School after college. She grew up in Mt. Pleasant so I was curious to get her take on what I thought would be the glamorous life of a young, single, female (and doctor I might add) living in L.A.
So we planned our reunion at Samos Taverna (www.samostaverna.com) on Coleman Boulevard in Mt. Pleasant chosen for great happy hour specials which include half price appetizers and $3 house wines and well drinks. We ordered the cheese plate which had 3 different types of cheese that were all delicious, served with warm pita toasts, walnuts, grapes, and a fig paste (yum!). We also ordered the stuffed grape leaves which I am going to say were the best I've ever had but I think I've only had them twice before so that may not be saying much. We shared the fava bean dip which is basically the fava bean version of hummus with a more buttery flavor. These also came with warm pita toasts. Of course we rounded the meal out with a vegetable - the roasted beets. I would order every one of those dishes again.
So after diving in the food and cocktails I asked for the skinny on life in the Sunshine State. Shoulda' known - she wants to come back! Of course she does! She lives in Santa Monica which she says is much more low key than the glitzier areas, but she listed the things about living in Charleston that she misses. Life is just simple here, people are friendly and laid back, going out isn't a big production, a beer isn't $10. She said simple things like going to the gym or grocery store, even just meeting a friend for a drink - you have to take a chunk of time - sometimes hours out of your day for the simplest of errands because of traffic.
I know that's one thing I take for granted living here on Daniel Island. I have my bank, doctor's office, gym, grocery store, dry cleaners, over a dozen restaurants all within a 60 second drive from my front door. In fact these places are so close, I choose to walk when I have time.
Even all of the other little subsections of Charleston are convenient. I can knock out all of my Saturday errands in Mt. Pleasant in less than an hour - same in West Ashley. Life is here is so easy and practical no matter where you live in the lowcountry which means we have more time to enjoy our friends and family as well as all of the activities going on here. This really is such a "social" town. There is so much to do, all the time! Hayden and I have to negotiate our social schedule every week it seems!
Our quality of life here is distinctive. Where else do you get the beach, historic and sophisticated downtown, several colleges and universities, world class events such as Spoleto and the Wine and Food Festival in such a small city? But I'm not going to feel guilty about all the fun I'm having...I'm just going to say I'm lucky!
So for my friend's sake, I hope the opportunity comes her way that brings her full circle back to the town she loves. And in the meantime, I'll be just happy to be here waiting for her.