I like the fact the we haven't been hit as hard by the real estate crash. I have 4 houses on teh south side that have continued to appreciate despite the economy.
Halfway between mountains and ocean...and it's sunny a good portion of the year, even when it's colder in winter. Lived up north for many years and some winters were so gray and dreary.
My favorite thing is the blowing up beer scene here. It seems like every couple months a new brewery is opening up. And even better, they all make great beer and are even better people to hang out with and talk to!
After living in the mid west for 40 years I like the ability to drive to new places in a short time. Washington DC is about 4 or 5 hours from here. The mountains are 3 hours, Charleston and Savannah are within an easy drive. Living around Chicago we could drive to Milwaukee in 2 hours, Indianapolis in 3 1/2 hours, Cleveland was 6 hours as was Detroit or St Louis. Doesn't seem like a fair comparison.