I have lived in Charleston, Savannah and Hilton Head and, at nearly 65 years old, have had a wonderful life.

Occasionally I meet people like a couple the other day at Midnight Bakers, a French bakery, in Bluffton. I have often asked people who have lived or visited places around the world why they chose Hilton Head or the Lowcountry to retire. It seems to always boil down to the lifestyle and the people here.

This couple had lived in The Netherlands (where he was born), Paris, London and had most recently lived on Maui. I asked why they retired in the Lowcountry. His response: when they were deciding where to retire, they remembered a tennis trip to Hilton Head years ago and what a great area this was. And now they are here, living in Oldfield, and say they love it!

There will always be complainers, but if they would quietly sit down and think of alternatives, there aren't many places that welcome you back home like when you see the marshes as you approach the bridge.

LaMar Acuff

Hilton Head Island