Myrtle Beach is the epicenter of the Grand Strand, a 60-mile stretch of shoreline along the Atlantic Coast. The year-round mild weather and beach lifestyle are huge draws, as are the tourist attractions the city is known for, from the iconic Skywheel in Downtown Myrtle Beach to the restaurants and shops along the boardwalk. There are around 35,000 permanent residents, and city planners are rapidly addressing a need for more housing as the population is expected to grow by 75% by 2034. The city's major employment is centered around the hospitality and healthcare industries, local government and Horry County Schools. "When you're considering who's living here and why, a lot of it comes down to cost," says Brian Piercy, a Realtor with ERA Real Estate who's lived in Myrtle Beach for nearly 25 years. "Myrtle Beach is one of the most affordable coastal communities for the Atlantic, and with it growing so fast, you're seeing new jobs and changing infrastructure."
Myrtle Beach beautiful homes right on the beach.
The Sky Wheel at Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is a landmark at the beach in Downtown Myrtle Beach.
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From coastal condos to the mixed-use area of Market Common
Properties in Myrtle Beach run the gamut from inland ranch styles in Forestbrook to stilt cottages closer to the shore, townhouses and condos. New construction is focused on the downtown area as the housing stock there is low. "We have been the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States for the third year in a row now. We hired consultants for independent studies who have shown us that we need to average 200 new downtown units annually to keep up with this pace," says Devin Parks, Myrtle Beach's economic development manager. The homeowner-to-renter ratio is evenly split, and short-term rentals of less than 90 days are typically not allowed in residential areas. While central Myrtle Beach is known for its condos, rentals and energetic vibe, areas to the south such as Seagate Village and The Market Common offer a quieter atmosphere. The median selling price for homes in Myrtle Beach is around $390,000, compared to the national average of about $420,000.
Newer homes offer benefits to families and retirees alike in Myrtle Beach.
Condos overlooking the beach have pools, hot tubs, and other amenities in Downtown Myrtle Beach.
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Beachside shops along Ocean Boulevard
While Myrtle Beach is well-known for the stretch of kitschy beach shops and vivid nightlife along Ocean Boulevard, especially during the height of the summer tourist season, permanent residents have several options for day-to-day retail. Off Highway 17, just a couple miles north of central Myrtle Beach, is the area's largest commercial area. It features several big-box stores, including Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, and national and global retailers. Restaurants are clustered along Ocean Boulevard and Highway 17.
Shoppers enjoy the variety of stores at Broadway at the Beach in Downtown Myrtle Beach.
Target has various products available and is located just south of Socastee along Route 17.
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Myrtle Beach's roadways and traffic patterns
Highways 31, 17 Bypass, 17 Business and Ocean Boulevard pass east to west through Myrtle Beach. Three of these roads converge on the northern end, causing traffic congestion. "Our infrastructure hasn't quite caught up to amount of people moving here – the GPS might say you've got 7 miles, but we joke here that everything is always 30 minutes away," Piercy says. Taxis, shuttles, ride services and buses provide various commuter options. Myrtle Beach International Airport is in a central location on Jetport Road, 3 miles west of downtown, with flights offered by American, Delta and United. Medical facilities line the coast, including the Grand Strand Regional Medical Center near The Dunes area, which houses the city's only Level 1 Adult Trauma Center.
Myrtle Beach crime statistics and weather warnings
While FBI data reports Myrtle Beach has property and violent crime rates higher than the national average, the data from the Myrtle Beach Police Department shows crime has decreased by almost 40% between 2019 and 2023. The majority of offenses fall into the larceny category, with most theft-related incidents occurring in tourist-heavy central Myrtle Beach. Areas outside the tourist matrix, especially the southeast section, have the fewest incidents reported.
Myrtle Beach has all four seasons, with mild winters and long summers. Flooding and storms are always a risk on the coast. Newer homes here are built to withstand extreme weather, with steel rods and windows with impact-resistant glass. Evacuation routes are marked on main roads in case of severe emergency. To combat erosion and $3.5 billion worth of shorefront property, beach renourishment programs occur every 10 years.
Exploring the shores at Myrtle Beach State Park
The Myrtle Beach Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism Department manages the city's nearly 100 parks and recreation facilities. The area has over 100 public beach access points, and its 41 parks include Myrtle Beach State Park, with 3 miles of beachfront, a pier and a forested stretch with a mile-long walking trail. During the summer, the park hosts 10 to 15 educational programs weekly. Tee time, in particular, is a city highlight. "We have dozens and dozens of golf courses," Piercy says. "Golf is a huge part of the lifestyle here, and you can find whatever niche you want. It's a great way to build community." Myrtle Beach hosts several highly attended annual events, from the three-day Carolina Country Music Fest in June to the screenings at Myrtle Beach International Film Festival in April.
There is horseback riding available for residents in Myrtle Beach State Park.
Whispering Pines golf course has well-maintained greens and is close to Downtown Myrtle Beach.
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Top-rated Horry County Schools
Horry County Schools serves Myrtle Beach and gets an overall A-minus rating from Niche. Each section of Myrtle Beach is zoned to different schools, which can significantly impact where people with children decide to live. There are also 11 universities serving the surrounding area, including Coastal Carolina University in nearby Conway.
Front Entrance that unloads students at Myrtle Beach Elementary School.
Myrtle Beach High School has a sign that shows upcoming events and congratulates students.
Radha is a native of Myrtle Beach, graduating from MBHS in 1990. She then went on to obtain a B.S. in Engineering from Clemson University. In Raleigh NC, she built her corporate career working in the telecommunications industry before returning to her hometown in 2006 with a greater focus on real estate. After experiencing both the positive and negative sides of the corporate world, Radha has been able to model her real estate business in a manner that suits her personal goals and her client’s best interest. Her goal is to create a real estate company known for customer service, integrity, and client satisfaction.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
