Chicago Native and Now Exercise Enthusiast
by Melissa LaScaleia
Introduce me to your family.
It’s my husband Michael and I.
Where are all the places you came from? Where do you live now?
We both are originally from Chicago, Illinois. We moved here to retire, even though my husband is still working. We live in a three-story town home in the Market Common, just across from Sweetgrass.
Do you have a favorite place in Myrtle Beach?
I like the Market Common and all the restaurants there because it’s so close. We can walk there and have something to eat and drink and walk back home. The beach is also a favorite.
What’s your favorite thing about living in Myrtle Beach?
It’s inexpensive and warmer than Illinois. Everything seems to be close.
How has your lifestyle changed since moving here?
Now that I’m retired, I work only part time, and I have a lot more time to do other things. I workout more, I go to the beach which we didn’t have where I lived. I enjoy happy hour with my friends. Those are the things I wasn’t doing when I was working full time, because I worked twelve-hour days and it didn’t leave me much time to do anything else.
What new activities have you taken up since moving here?
Exercising.
Do you find people friendlier or more at ease?
The culture for me was different when I came down here; things are more laid back, a little slower paced. I find a lot of people in the Market Common are from the North. But everybody is a little more relaxed because so many are retired.
Can you share one quirky fact with us about your family?
I’ve known my husband since the seventh grade.
What are your favorite things to do here?
Happy hour with friends; shopping in boutiques; going to the beach and the gym. Sometimes they have athletic competitions I like to get involved in.
Is there anything that you miss or would like to see in Myrtle Beach?
A Cheesecake Factory would be nice; and more restaurants in the Market Common.
