Between its sandy shores, a robust festival scene and abundant attractions, the tourist mecca that is downtown Myrtle Beach is always buzzing with life. "It doesn't matter what day of the week it is. There's no way you can be bored," says Realtor Alicia Holmquist of Welcome Home Realty, who lives in Myrtle Beach and specializes in North Carolina and South Carolina markets. "If you want to grab tickets to the House of Blues, you can go see an awesome show multiple nights a week. If you want to go and walk around, we have Broadway at the Beach, which is a park in and of itself but with restaurants and shops," she adds. Tourism has become near constant, partly due to the area’s high volume of golf courses and long golfing season. Holmquist says the permanent population is low for this reason. Many would rather live in a quiet suburb near the action than at the heart of it all. At the same time, investment opportunities are high. Despite a CAP Index Crime Score of 10 out of 10, the Myrtle Beach Police Department's data shows crime has decreased by 38% in the past 5 years
The Sky Wheel on Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is a well loved landmark.
Shoppers enjoy the variety of stores at Broadway at the Beach in Downtown Myrtle Beach.
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Family fun at Captain Hook's Adventure Golf
Public beach access points lining the shore make for casual days by the ocean. People can also hop on the SkyWheel, a 187-foot Ferris wheel on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, to gain a birds-eye view of the waves and laughing dolphins. Anglers are drawn to the boardwalk's pay-to-fish Second Ave Pier, which extends from a popular beach full of people and colorful umbrellas. Whispering Pines Golf Course is one of the closest layouts, just west of downtown Myrtle Beach on South Kings Highway. Several athletic complexes and stadiums are nearby, including the John T. Rhodes Myrtle Beach Sports Center, which some athletes rent for tournaments and practice space. Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach is at Broadway at the beach for up-close views of starfish, jellyfish, sharks and stingrays. Captain Hook's Adventure Golf is an 18-hole Peter-Pan-themed miniature golf experience built around caves, waterfalls and statues from the story, including the crocodile that swallowed the clock.
Residents of Downtown Myrtle Beach are within a short drive of several golf courses.
Whispering Pines Golf Course has well-maintained greens and is close to Downtown Myrtle Beach.
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Living the high life in downtown Myrtle Beach
The beach downtown is hardly visible from the road as the coast is lined with high rise condos and hotels. Holmquist also shares that townhouses, single-family homes and multi-family homes exist in the downtown area. As does a hybrid residential option called condotels. "Condotels are where you can purchase a condo inside a hotel and live there 365 days a year, depending on the home owners association rules," she clarifies. She says many are on the beach with Starbucks and pools built into them. Some beachside single-family homes sit on stilts. On the low end of the price spectrum, mobile homes and campers in the 55-plus community section of the Myrtle Beach KOA campground can range from $45,000 to $65,000. Condos generally range from the $200,000s to the $300,000s across the board, but a beachside condo could sell for $500,000 and more. An investment duplex, townhouse or condo could head into the $1 million range. Flood insurance is recommended here, and hurricanes are a reality. "Some people definitely lose power a little bit longer, but for the most part, a hurricane is a day long, like a snowstorm," Holmquist says.
The Gay Dolphin Gift Cove is a must-see when in Downtown Myrtle Beach.
The Bowery restaurant and bar has musical entertainment nightly in Downtown Myrtle Beach.
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A honky-tonk time at Carolina Country Music Fest
Myrtle Beach's festival and event scene is robust. One of the biggest annual events is the Carolina Country Music Fest, which takes place in June. The festival sells out quickly and features many well-known and up-and-coming artists. Carrie Underwood is a part of the 2024 lineup.
The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk has restaurants, shops, and live music in Downtown Myrtle Beach.
The amusement park at Broadway at the Beach offers various rides in Downtown Myrtle Beach.
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Sushi on Second Avenue Pier
Dining, shopping and recreation all blend in this area. There's a restaurant attached to Second Avenue Pier called Wicked Tuna, which sells sushi and mixed drinks from a rooftop bar. But there are also many other restaurants and shops along the boardwalk. Beach Burger & Shakes is a casual spot for grabbing a burger and fries and taking it straight to the beach. As for shopping, Myrtle Beach is known for its eclectic and longstanding kitschy beach shops, many of which line the boardwalk. "The Gay Dolphin is featured all the time because it has so many floors with different things. I think they even have a shirt that says, 'I got lost at the Gay Dolphin' because it's so big,'" Holmquist shares. Seaboard Commons, a local shopping mall, has national chains including Target, World Market, Sam's Club, Planet Fitness, Lowe's Home Improvement and more. The second largest mall in South Carolina, Coastal Grand Mall is just over a mile from there, with stores like Ulta Beauty, Books-A-Million and more.
The Wicked Tuna restaurant has an expansive menu for families in Downtown Myrtle Beach.
Wicked Tuna restaurant is on the beach with a fishing pier in Downtown Myrtle Beach.
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Good ratings for Horry County schools
The Horry County School District serves Myrtle Beach. Along its pipeline, students may attend Myrtle Beach Elementary School, Myrtle Beach Middle School and Myrtle Beach High School. The elementary school has a B Niche rating, the middle and high schools earn B-plus scores, and the school district is rated an overall A-minus.
Myrtle Beach High School has a sign that shows upcoming events and congratulates students.
Welcome to Myrtle Beach Middle School in Downtown Myrtle Beach.
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Fixed bus routes through Coast RTA
Locals and tourists without a car can rely on taxis, shuttles, ride services and buses to take them to the airport and throughout the area. Coast RTA provides fixed bus routes 362 days a year to accommodations, attractions, major employers and medical facilities. All buses are wheelchair accessible, and students and senior citizens get discounts. Myrtle Beach International Airport is 4 miles away via U.S. Route 17, the main road crossing through the area. Some residents can walk to the beach and shops, depending on where they live. There are a range of churches for different denominations in the downtown area, including Saint Andrew Catholic Church, First United Methodist Church Myrtle Beach and Friendship Baptist Church.
The future Arts and Innovation District
As of the middle of 2024, the city is purchasing blocks of unused real estate space to create a creative hub downtown core. "What is currently a road will be a city square in the Arts and Innovation District," says Devin Parks, the Director of Economic Development for Downtown Myrtle Beach. "We are working on a partnership with Coastal Carolina University to build a performing arts theater. It will be a 12.8-million-dollar project that is currently out for a bid. We expect construction to begin this year," he adds. Parks says the city hopes to eventually institute a downtown tech lab where entrepreneurs actively pilot innovative technology in the city. This may introduce smart trash cans and drowning detection technology for more rapid emergency responses. The Arts and Innovation District will also bring new restaurants and eventually be the most walkable section of downtown.
Downtown Myrtle Beach is developing an Arts and Innovation District to expand entertainment.
Ripley's Aquarium displays various marine life and has shows daily in Downtown Myrtle Beach.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Parks in this Area
Market Common Playground
Elsie Playground
Picnic Area
Playground
Midway Park
Gardens By The Sea
Anderson Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Parking Lot
North Bark Park
Transit
Airport
Myrtle Beach International
12 min drive
Bus
N. Ocean Blvd Skywheel (Inbound)
Bus
N. Ocean Blvd & 2nd Ave N. (Inbound)
Bus
N. Ocean Blvd & 26th Ave N. (Inbound)
Bus
3rd Ave S. & S. Kings HWY (Outbound)
Bus
N. Ocean Blvd & 21st Ave N. (Inbound)
Bus
N. Ocean Blvd Pavilion Park (Inbound)
Bus
N. Ocean Blvd & 30th Ave N. (Inbound)
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Myrtle Beach
US
Homicide
7
4
Sexual Assault
9
4
Assault with Weapon
9
4
Robbery
9
4
Burglary
10
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
10
4
Larceny
10
4
Crime Score
10
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach sell after 74 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Downtown Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach over the last 12 months is $247,007, down 4% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Come see this lovely townhouse located in the wonderful gated community of Parkview! This is a true townhome, which means that it does come with the land! This lot backs up to the trees and it has privacy fence dividers for extra seclusion. You will see a covered entry as you arrive. When you enter through the foyer, you will notice luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout the entire home, upscale
As you approach the property, you are greeted by an impressive circle drive, leading to an oversized 3-car epoxied garage, providing ample space for vehicles and storage. The house is situated on the largest lot in the neighborhood, offering a generous 1 acre homesite of lush land, including a spacious backyard that opens up to the tranquil, elevated views of the Intracoastal waterway. A
Fully Renovated Oceanfront Condo – Boardwalk Resort, Myrtle Beach. Don’t miss this beautifully updated 1-bedroom, 1-bath oceanfront condo at Boardwalk Resort! Located on the 10th floor, this fully furnished unit offers breathtaking views and a fresh, modern design. Completed in February 2024, the full renovation includes new paint, furniture, shiplap accent walls, LED fireplace, granite
This 2 story, 2796 sq ft, home with a joining mother-in-law suite is located one and a half blocks from North Ocean Highway. This home is situated on .23 acres of commercial property with Chapin Memorial Park across the street. This home is being sold as is only. This would make a great investment STR or a Commercial parking lot for beach parking. The use of this commercial property is unlimited
Wake up to sweeping oceanfront views from this beautiful 1-bedroom, 1-bath condo at Bay View Resort! Fully furnished and thoughtfully designed, this unit offers the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. Enjoy two private balconies, a well-equipped kitchen with granite countertops and modern appliances, and the added bonus of an in-unit washer and dryer. The open dining area and breakfast bar
Renovated 3-Bed, 2-Bath Home in the Heart of Myrtle Beach, ready to move in. Don't miss out on this beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home, conveniently located in the vibrant heart of Myrtle Beach. This spacious home features a thoughtfully designed layout with the master suite located upstairs, complete with a generous walk-in closet and a private full bath. Downstairs, you'll find two
Immerse yourself in uncompromising luxury and comfort when you call The Landings at Grande Dunes home in Myrtle Beach, SC. Choose from perfectly designed 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments and find yourself embraced by easily accessible activities such as visiting numerous shopping and dining options. The Landings at Grande Dunes is a place that you'll want to call home.
Open and bright 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 2nd floor unit located in the gated community of Broadway Station. The unit features laminate flooring throughout, fireplace in the living room, ceiling fans, storage, and more. Enjoy your mornings or evening on the balcony or sitting by the pool. Just minutes to the beach, shopping, dining, and entertainment. Rent includes water, sewer, trash, pest control,
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Stacy Stoll,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
13,510
Median Age
40
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$32,765
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$46,440
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
83%
College Graduates
16.4%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
68.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
53''
Average Winter Low Temperature
34°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
74/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
52/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
