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Thursday, March 19, 2020

What to Know About Living in Myrtle Beach, SC

Living in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: Things to KnowIn the heart of the Grand Strand lies Myrtle Beach, a seaside community famous for its beautiful beaches, prime dining and shopping, premier golf courses, and an expansive selection of residential neighborhoods. There’s so much to see and do in this great city that by moving to Myrtle Beach, you’re gaining a lifestyle sought after by thousands who vacation here. Get the low down on life in the “Golf Capital of the World.”

Myrtle Beach Fast Facts

  • Located 35 miles from North Carolina
  • Part of Horry County
  • Population: Approximately 37,000 residents (2021)
  • 650 acres of public parks and recreation area
  • Nearly 100 golf courses
  • “Grand Strand” is 60 miles of unbroken beach
  • Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is on the south side
  • Hosts 15 million visitors a year (prime time is June-August)

Weather

Sure, Myrtle Beach is oceanfront, but how often will the weather let you enjoy the waterfront lifestyle? Good news: Freezing weather and snow are rare in Myrtle Beach, making the city an excellent community for anyone who likes warm weather and dislikes snow. The sun shines in Myrtle Beach about 218 days each year, which is slightly more than average for the country. Summers tend to be rainy and hot for Myrtle Beach’s climate, with the most uncomfortable months being July and August. Winter is mild and dry.

Now, not every day will be gorgeous and sunny. Myrtle Beach gets about 52 inches of rain per year, while the annual average in the United States is about 38 inches. And the city is on the Atlantic coast, so tropical storms and hurricane conditions are a reality of life.

Things to Do in Myrtle Beach

For anyone interested in moving to the Myrtle Beach area, an excellent way to get a sense of what living in Myrtle Beach is like is to see the sights and visit the attractions.

Boardwalk and Beaches

The energy and excitement make the oceanfront Myrtle Beach Boardwalk among the nation’s best. This hotspot for entertainment, dining, and beach vacation fun spans from First Avenue North to 16th Avenue North. Attractions appeal to all ages. Visit the iconic Myrtle Beach SkyWheel to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Play mini golf or hit up the classic arcade. Walk to the end of the Second Avenue Pier for the perfect photo moment, or get the heart racing with zipline adventures.

Classic places to grab a bite along the Boardwalk are Mad Myrtle’s Ice Creamery, Moe Moons, and the Beach House Bar and Grill. These are packed with vacationers in season. Many eateries have open-air patios that are dog-friendly.

Enjoying a day of sun and fun is as easy as stepping off the Boardwalk onto the beach. The beaches run along the city’s eastern edge, including the Second Avenue Fishing Pier and Myrtle Beach State Park Pier off the Boardwalk. Some chairs and umbrellas are available at the resorts or through beach vendors.

Golfing

Beach fun isn’t the only attraction in Myrtle Beach. One nickname is the “Golf Capital of the World.”   Golf enthusiasts select from over 100 courses along the South Carolina Grand Stand. The Myrtle Beach golf courses, include, but are not limited to:

Outdoor Recreation

Myrtle Beach also has dozens of parks with playgrounds for the kids and dog parks for canine friends. Along the Intracoastal Waterway are marinas with access to water sports such as kayaking and sailing. Find places to rent or launch your boat for a day on the water.

One can’t miss slice of Lowcountry outdoors is the Waccamaw River. Travel down the Waccamaw River and its national wildlife refuge to explore the natural world around Myrtle Beach firsthand.

Arts and culture

Those who love the creative side of life will enjoy the Art Museum, Long Bay Symphony, and the Official South Carolina Hall of Fame on Oak Street. The region has multiple artists guilds, downtown art galleries, and historical sights preserving Lowcountry traditions.

The events calendar stays busy with music festivals; perhaps the most crowd-drawing Carolina Country Music Fest, a summertime three-day event with all the big stars.  But there’s smaller shows, too, like Pawleys Island Music Festival.

Economy

Job growth and employment opportunities in Myrtle Beach are growing. Overall, job growth is predicted to be higher than the national average, with construction, retail, healthcare, and tourism being amongst the largest industries in Myrtle Beach.

Because the city draws many people for a good time, hotel and service industries employ almost a third of the residents working in the Myrtle Beach area.

Resorts and the Resort Lifestyle

Myrtle Beach is known for its many resorts. These oceanfront and inland resorts are for all budgets and lifestyles. Several have their own golf courses and private beaches. It’s possible to rent a residence in some resorts for extended stays, but others cater to more short-term vacations.

Buying into the resort lifestyle is always an option when moving to Myrtle Beach. The real estate market lists condominiums, townhouses, and even detached, single-family homes in resort-style communities. Some operate as timeshares or allow you to buy and operate as a vacation rental, saving time for yourself when you want it. These resort communities may be gated or open; to appeal to renters and owners, they often include on-site amenities like pools, spas, tennis courts, restaurants, driving ranges/putting greens, and state-of-the-art fitness centers.

Neighborhoods in Myrtle Beach

When buying a home in Myrtle Beach, the good news is you have dozens of excellent neighborhoods, from south side Myrtle Beach up to the North Carolina border.

Resort-style neighborhoods include high-rise condominium communities near the beach with ocean views. Gated communities inland provide easy access to major routes like SC 31/Carolina Bays Parkway and U.S. Highway 17.

Other neighborhoods are master-planned around amenities. The Myrtle Beach Grand Dunes neighborhood is an example; it features multiple subdivisions plus convenient proximity to the Intracoastal Waterway and Business 17. In contrast, Berkshire Forest and Carolina Forest are two more master-planned neighborhood examples with different price points and amenity access.

Myrtle Beach Schools

The Horry County School District serves Myrtle Beach with classes for pre-kindergarten through high school children. The public schools include 28 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, and 10 high schools. The district also authorized three alternative schools and four charter schools. Private schools are also available for local families with secular or nonsecular interests.

Real Estate in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach real estate is diverse and includes abundant residential listings for Myrtle Beach condominiums, townhomes, and detached, single-family houses. On average, home prices range from the low $ 100s to more than $1 million for a custom construction in a gated community. There are nearly 14,000 parcels of real estate within Myrtle Beach. Home buyers can find a cozy Myrtle Beach oceanfront condo or luxury condo in a mid-rise building with an ocean view. Single-family homes often have contemporary, traditional looks, with attached garages and a landscaped lot. Some older communities do have more historic homes with incredible detail work. Newer homes may be on stilts or have coastal architectural influences.

Why Live in Myrtle Beach?

Myrtle Beach has so much love about it. The beautiful outdoor scenery, both coastal and inland, is amazing. The music festivals, street fairs, farmer’s markets, and more events mean something is always happening.  Supporting that fun lifestyle are careers in diverse industries, an excellent school system, and mild year-round weather. People move to Myrtle Beach to live in retirement, or to set up home near the ocean.

So don’t think of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as just a vacation destination. This large residential real estate market has neighborhoods close to amenities, attractions, and the famous Grand Strand beaches. Check them out with a local real estate agent.

Updated December 2023

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Preston Guyton

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