It is a great location Lake, but a bit pricey for me. Personaly I prefer Winston-
Saleml

I was born and raised in Columbia and I also hated the hot dry air ,then I moved to Charleston for about a year and hated it with the smell of the pappermill all the time, but when I moved to Myrtle Beach 13 years ago its been very nice here, the winter isnt so cold and hardly ever get any snow and the summer is humid and breezy but it keeps my skin soft .. goodluck

Columbia's slogan is "Famously Hot" and it's so true.  I only live an hour north and it's amazing the difference...

Asheville is gorgeous and has a fantastic arts scene, good restaurants, etc- but as a previous poster said- it is pricey.  I do know that it's definitely possible to deal with some heavy snow there though (in the beginning of the year I got snowed in during a tour- it was beautiful though and having company that was willing to brave the elements to see me made it more fun!) I think it's definitely worth the risk...

Re: Comparing climates in the south??

Lake,

Asheville is wonderful!  I really don't think the winter weather is as severe as you may think! I love staying in a cabin there on the weekends in the winter!  

Bri xoxo