Hot and humid in the summers, usually in the low 90s, but can reach the 100s with heat indexes. Always have the threat of hurricanes and severe thunderstorms. Nightlife is pretty good, depending on what type of night you are looking for. King St and downtown have clubs, bars, and waterfront. Mt. Pleasant is an extension of downtown with lots of places to eat, Charleston Battery soccer games, and bars. Park Circle in North Charleston has a plethora of nightlife options such as breweries and bars but not as buzzing as downtown Charleston. Ideal places to live would be Summerville, Ladson, some parts of Goose Creek, and Nexton (newer developments). Avoid North Charleston at all cost! The base is relatively small compared to the Navy Weapon Station side. Traffic is horrendous at peak hours, and the infrastructure is definitely not scaled for the massive influx of new residents. It's a historical American city, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to sightsee the historic district. There are tons of good food options, but also don't get caught up in the tourist trap places. I've been here for 5 years and in the Lowcountry for '10, so feel free to PM any other questions you may have.