Our Top 8 Areas to Live near Myrtle Beach, SC  

Myrtle Beach is a top vacation destination for people worldwide, but it’s also a great place to live! U.S. News & World Report named Myrtle Beach its top fastest growing place and the number 2 best place to live in South Carolina in 2022. Young families, empty nesters, and people of all ages are drawn by the area’s mild climate and beaches to settle here and enjoy the region’s low cost of living.

What if living inside Myrtle Beach city limits doesn’t sound attractive? Perhaps you’d prefer a lower cost of living or a quieter seaside town. We have you covered! Many different communities near Myrtle Beach offer a variety of housing, school, and entertainment options while still being close enough to enjoy the local attractions.

Here are our top eight areas to live near Myrtle Beach:

North Myrtle Beach

In 1968, four pre-existing communities – Cherry Grove, Windy Hill, Ocean Drive, and Crescent Beach – were combined to establish North Myrtle Beach. It has been growing for almost 50 years.

Today, with just over 16,200, North Myrtle Beach is a small city in Horry County. The city is along the Grand Strand, a 60-mile stretch of coastline that includes some of the state’s best beaches. The North Myrtle Beach portion is one of the longest on the Grand Strand.

Along the Intracoastal waterway, visit Barefoot Landing for a wide selection of restaurants, nightlife, and shopping options. The Alabama Theater is just north of Barefoot Landing and features dazzling live entertainment ranging from country numbers to comedy performances. Another attraction is the O.D. Pavilion Amusement Park features carnival rides as well as traditional festival food.

For more recreation options, several golf courses, parks, and other leisure options are in North Myrtle Beach.

This community boasts a distinct small-town feel with coastal cottages and developed neighborhoods. The April 2022 North Myrtle Beach housing market had 217 listings with a median list price of $425,000.

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach proper is a seaside city in the center of the Grand Strand– 60 miles of stunning shoreline and 14 distinct neighborhoods. Admire magnificent sunrises over the Atlantic Ocean and wide, sandy vistas at one of its six natural beaches. The sunshine in Myrtle Beach is always warm and temperate during the winter, making it ideal for outdoor activities all year round.

With over 35,000 residents, the Myrtle Beach metro is the largest in Horry County. Thanks to its many beaches, golf courses, parks, and other attractions, the city draws residents and visitors alike. Residents have everything from boutique and name-brand shopping, exhilarating thrill rides, exciting performance attractions, quality dining options, and sizzling nightlife along the oceanfront boardwalk.

In April 2022, Myrtle Beach had 356 listings with a median sale price of $526,810. You’ll find a large selection of condos and townhomes, as well as single-family homes of every style.

Carolina Forest

The relatively new Carolina Forest community lies North of the busy intersection of U.S. 14 and 501, between Myrtle Beach and Conway and the west bank of the Intracoastal Waterway. Carolina Forest has a population of just over 42,000 in the census-designated area. The neighborhood is considered part of Myrtle Beach and its metropolitan area.

This master-planned community has some fantastic dining and shopping options! Carolina Forest is a great spot to browse name-brand retail or boutique stores, especially at Highway 501’s Tanger Outlets.

The area has more than retail therapy. Almost half of the 25-square-mile region has been designated for nature conservation, leading to plenty of walking or biking trails. Residents live by several golf courses and recreational centers. Entertainment venues like Wheels of Yesteryear and Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament theater are also available near Carolina Forest.

The April 2022 housing market had 600 listings with a median home price of $337,000. Options ranged from condos to single-family homes on the Intracoastal waterway.

Market Common

Market Common is a mixed-use development located near downtown Myrtle Beach and one mile from the oceanfront. The development offers a one-of-a-kind lifestyle experience inside a city neighborhood.

Residents can shop at the country’s top local and national retail shops, have a delicious meal, see the newest film, stroll by the lake or take a short bike ride to the beach in one masterfully designed location. The Market Common development also hosts a range of events throughout the year.

The Residences at Market Common housing options are leasable spaces ranging from studios to two-bedroom suites with dens and balconies. You can also look for single-family homes nearby in Park Place or the developments off Farrow Parkway.

Surfside Beach

Surfside Beach has a reputation as the Grand Strand’s “family beach.” It has embraced its family-friendly moniker for years. Lifeguards and police staff Surfside’s beautiful two miles of oceanfront and help keep them clean daily. Find accessible ramps and showers for people with disabilities at several access points.

With a population of just over 4,300, Surfside Beach is also distinct for being an autism-friendly travel destination. The town is located south of Myrtle Beach.

Beyond the beach, the town’s seven public parks have facilities for a game of tennis, bocce, shuffleboard, and other activities. The town has a Cinemark Theater, Myrtle Beach State Park, Waccatee Zoo, Prestwick Country Club, and more attractions.

Surfside Beach’s housing market had 183 homes for sale in April 2022. The median list price was $355,000, and options ranged from small condos to waterfront single-family homes.

Murrells Inlet

With just over 10,000 residents, Murrells Inlet is a small town located in Georgetown County, south of Myrtle Beach. The notorious pirate Blackbeard used to hide out in the fishing hamlet of Murrells Inlet. Today, it’s an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with numerous boat ramps, water access points, and a few beaches.

There is something for everyone, whether you like to boat or not. Brookgreen Gardens has one of the world’s largest collections of American outdoor sculptures and is a National Historic Landmark. One of the region’s two state parks, Huntington Beach State Park is across the street from Brookgreen Gardens.

Marshwalk is the Inlet’s version of a boardwalk, offering live entertainment, shopping, and dining. Known as the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina,” dining here promises a delicious fresh-caught supper and plenty of fun.

The April 2022 median home price was $396,700. Wachesaw Plantation, Wachesaw Plantation East, and Murrells Inlet Historic District are among the best neighborhoods in or around Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. There were 473 houses for sale, starting at $49.5K and going up to $6.8M. 

Pawleys Island

Pawleys Island is a small seaside town located in Georgetown County on an Atlantic barrier island south of Myrtle Beach. The first settlers of Pawleys Island were rice planters who came from the adjacent waterways in the early 1700s as an escape from their plantations in the summer.

This tiny town has approximately 200 people and is situated along the waterfront, where it is said to be the oldest summer fun resort located on the East Coast. Pawleys’ unspoiled stretch of wide beach and sand dunes is still famous for its shoeless, carefree lifestyle that includes crabbing in the neighboring creeks, fishing, ghost stories, rope hammocks, and undisturbed nature.

Even though it’s small, Pawleys Island still has excellent local services and convenient proximity to the Myrtle Beach area’s top sights. It’s easy to see why home buyers are interested in all that Pawleys Island offers.

The April 2022 housing market had 120 listings in the greater region, with a median list price of $442,500. Home prices went up to $7.5 million.

Conway

Conway is one of the state’s oldest towns, with the history and grace of a classic Southern town. Prospective residents will fall in love with Conway’s charming historic area dotted by oak tree-lined streets.

The Conway Riverwalk runs along the lovely Waccamaw River and is suitable for enjoying shopping, dining, and strolling in all four seasons. The enchanting downtown has many historic buildings occupied by unique businesses, a vibrant arts community, and fantastic restaurants. Several events are held in the city during the year, including the Waccamaw Riverfest and the Conway Ghost Walk.

With a population of over 24,000, Conway is inland from Myrtle Beach with access to the Waccamaw River and its National Wildlife Refuge. It is home to several parks, golf courses, and other recreational facilities.

The April 2022 housing market had 180 listings, from $15,000 for vacant land to $1.9 million for a 7,700 sq ft home on the National Register of Historic Places.

Living Near Myrtle Beach

With so many different communities in the area, there’s sure to be one perfect for you. Each community has its own personality and charm, from downtown Market Common to Conway. The Myrtle Beach area’s many attractions mean you’ll never run out of things to do. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to retire or a lively community to raise a family, you’ll find it near Myrtle Beach.

We hope this has been helpful in your home search. As always, feel free to reach out to us if you have any further questions.