I totally understand your dilemma. Do you want to be close to I-95, the coast or the mountains?
Small town or suburb of a large city? I've been told that Savannah is very nice. Try visiting several of your choices to see how they "feel". Visit 4 areas Monday through Thursday and go back to the best one for the weekend.
Why are you limiting yourself to these 2 states?
Last month I was looking at Arizona and New Mexico.

We would like to be near The coastal area. We are limiting it those two because, we will stop to visit my daughter in DC on the way. We will do January in 2014. Thanks

For coastal I would also include the panhandle of Florida.
Are you driving your own car/van south?

Yes we will be driving our own SUV. We really do not want to go to Florida, but thanks for the suggestion.

We go to Hilton Head for two weeks every January and love it there. This year we even had a few days in the 70s, but most days in the 50s or 60s. There are lots of restaurants and the beach is great for walking and riding bikes. There are also miles of bike paths all around the island.

My brother lives in St Simons Island in Georgia. it is an attractive place, and though cool in January, it is a lot better than Upstate! People golf like crazy. I like it because unlike some places like H-lton Head and Ki-wah Island, it was a real place before it was a resort.

They go to Savannah with some frequency and find it easy to fly in and out of Jacksonville when they have a long way to go.

Litchfield by the Sea/Pawley's Island. But you may have days that are colder than that anywhere along the coast.

Jekyll Island would be great. Lots of snowbirders there.
It's next to St. Simons

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I think we will try Hilton Head or St Simons, both places sound like they have other snowbirds too.

Kiawah Island Resort has really great condos and homes to rent. We stayed there for several summers when we lived on the East Coast. The resort is a golf community but you don't have to be a golfer to love it. You can rent bikes and ride on the bike trails all over the island. It is a gated community so the beaches are not busy and noisy like NJ, RI or MA beaches. The water is warm. You can rent directly from Kiawah Island Resort or take a look at Beachwalker rentals. Plus you are close enough to Charleston take day trips into the city. Our entire family enjoyed our times there.

Beaufort SC is a real town, not just a resort. 20 miles north of Hilton Head. Weather is good. Check out Vacsation Rental By Owner. Beaufort is consistently rated by Conde Nast as in the top 5 of small southern towns.

weber6560, that's what I love about Beaufort. I always enjoyed visiting Hunting Island, especially on weekends when the Marines were all out playing frisbee. I ain't no fool.

Suewoo, hmmmm, I might have to check out Hunting Island on my next visit!

flygirl, do yourself a favor and enjoy the beautiful Hunting Island scenery ; D

Char

Do check out Charleston County James Island Park on James Island. It is no more than 15 minutes to Charleston and 10 minutes to Folly Beach. It has RV, Trailer, tent camp sites and cabins. Also walking and bicycle trails, a dog park, and much more. There is even a senior center outside the park on the property next to it.

The park provides a shuttle to Charleston and Folly beach with a scheduled pick up time for the return trip.

I go over there to fish and crab from the pier and campers are always strolling out for a view of the water and marshlands. I have spoken to many of them and they love it. This has been since September when I moved here.
It is very popular and those wanting sites during thanksgiving have to make reservations a year in advance.

Sorry I don't have a link, just search James Island County Park, SC and it will come up.

I would also recommend you at least consider the area around Beaufort, Hunting Island is a wonderful spot with or without Marines playing frisbee or anything else IMO.

The town is very pleasant and has changed a great deal in the years since I lived in it in the 1960's (when they were selling vacant lots on Hilton Head...who knew???)

What is the best airport to fly into for Hilton Head?

Savannah Muni Airport SAV 39 miles, 36 minutes.

Thanks ronkala