Moving to Myrtle Beach, SC

Myrtle Beach is the principal town on South Carolina’s Grand Strand, an arc of golden sands and glittering waves that stretches along the Atlantic Coast from Little River to Winyah Bay. Though traditionally a center for tourism, the city has begun to attract new residents in startling numbers. It's added over 12,000 new people since 2010, with an additional 100,000 moving into the surrounding metro area. Once a quiet seaside community, Myrtle Beach is now one of the fastest growing cities in the United States ‒ an attractive place for both families and retirees. For anyone who hasn’t experienced life in the Old South or Eastern Seaboard, here are a few reasons why you ought to consider living in Myrtle Beach rather than just visiting.

Low Cost of Living

Resort towns are generally expensive, with locals butting heads with tourists over the best housing, but not in Myrtle Beach. Life here is surprisingly affordable. Residents can purchase a home for 32 percent less than what they’d pay almost anywhere else in the country. Cottages, beachfront condos, single-family homes, even plantation-style villas are within reach of most people. Apartments also rent for below average rates. A one bedroom apartment costs around $1,360 in Myrtle Beach, compared to around $1,800 nationwide. Utilities and groceries may be a little pricier, but residents save so much on housing it doesn’t matter. Their money still goes further here.

Strong and Growing Economy

Tourism remains the dominant industry in Myrtle Beach. More than 20 million people visit the city every year, creating an almost endless need for workers at the city’s hotels, beaches, golf courses, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, theaters, aquarium, and convention center. There’s also a roaring trade at the city’s shops and retail centers, largely driven by out-of-town visitors. That said, the local economy is not entirely dependent on tourists. The growing population has also increased demand for construction, healthcare, and education. The city’s job growth is expected to outpace the rest of the country over the next decade, providing even more opportunities for new and future residents.

Where to Live in Myrtle Beach

The Myrtle Beach area is full of multi-neighborhood subdivisions and expansive master-planned communities that offer incredible amenities such as parks, tennis courts, pools, and even golf courses. It also features prime real estate that is perfect for raising a family or relaxing during retirement. Here are some of the top neighborhoods in Myrtle Beach. 

Cherry Grove Beach: Located in northern Myrtle Beach, this picturesque neighborhood is one of the most sought-after places to live, thanks to its access to the beach, scenic views, great fishing, excellent restaurants, and charming homes. It is conveniently located and offers a perfect location for families looking to enjoy time outdoors. 

Crescent Beach: This is a bit smaller than Cherry Grove but is a quiet and relaxing neighborhood featuring some of the most beautiful beach houses in the area. Residents enjoy exclusive access to the beach, great restaurants, and some of the area’s best entertainment.

Westwood Estates: This small suburban neighborhood consists of single-family homes with large lots. It is a great area for families, with access to some of the area’s top schools. 

Grande Dunes: Grande Dunes is a beautiful community with both single-family homes and condominiums. This master-planned community is a gated and secure neighborhood and is considered a top destination for families and golfers. It features a number of private and public amenities, including a golf course, tennis complex, pool, and marina. 

A Mild Climate

Myrtle Beach has a humid subtropical climate that is typical of the South Atlantic. The area enjoys abundant sunshine with hot summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures average between 83-91 degrees, while temperatures average 57-61 degrees.

Pristine Beaches

Living in Myrtle Beach gives you year-round access to one of the most magnificent coastlines in the United States. The Grand Strand offers plenty of ways to relax and play, and plenty of places to do it, such as:

• North Myrtle Beach. Filled with resorts, shops, restaurants, and beach clubs, North Myrtle Beach provides small town charm and big city attractions. It’s also home to South Carolina’s signature dance, the Shag Dance. Head over to the clubs along main street after dark and you can learn how to swing like they did in the old days.
• Central Myrtle Beach. The heart of the Grand Strand, generally packed with swimmers, kayakers, paddle boarders, scuba divers, jet skiers, and parasailers. Along the boardwalk you’ll find shops, restaurants, and attractions, including the city’s signature Skywheel and Ripley’s Aquarium, which lets you get up close with eels, sharks, piranhas, and penguins.
• Myrtle Beach State Park. The last coastal forest in South Carolina. Explore windswept dunes, go horseback riding along nature trails, or swim out and make friends with the sea turtles offshore.
• Surfside Beach. The gentle surf and fun atmosphere makes this one of the most popular family destinations in the city. Its shallow waves are perfect for small children and there are lifeguards on duty to keep them safe. After splashing around in the ocean, head over to the mini golf course or ride the slides at the nearby water park.
• Murrells Inlet. A prime spot for fishing and bird watching. Visitors can paddle through the saltwater marsh surrounding the harbor or charter a deep sea fishing expedition from one of the boats along the shore. At night, people roam up and down the Marshwalk, enjoying the live music and some of the freshest seafood in the state.

Strong Schools

Myrtle Beach is part of the Horry County School District, one of the highest ranked districts in South Carolina. Sixty-one percent of their schools were rated “excellent” or “good” on the state’s report card. There are also nine Blue Ribbon Schools in the district, and most students graduate with a demonstrable proficiency in math, reading, and science, ready to pursue higher education. Besides advanced placement courses, the district also offers International Baccalaureate programs, dual enrollment courses, and multiple majors for students with identified career choices.

Stellar Entertainment

It’s not hard to find a party in Myrtle Beach. The town is bustling every day of the week. Once you’re done exploring the marshes, rivers, and waves around the city, head inland for even more fun. Residents can experience an authentic Polynesian luau and fire right on the beach. Or explore the city’s landmarks on a trolley tour. Or catch a live concert in one of the bars and clubs along the waterfront, such as the Bowery, House of Blues, or Ocean Annie’s.

For something even more spectacular, head over to Broadway at the Beach to watch world-famous shows such as Anthems of Rock and Le Grand Cirque ZERO GRAVITY. The theater also features performances by world-renowned illusionists and show-stopping recreations of musical legends such as Elvis and Tina Turner. But even those artists can’t compare to the Carolina Opry. Consistently voted the number one attraction in Myrtle Beach, it hosts some of the finest country music artists in the nation, featuring an unforgettable blend of singing, dancing, and special effects.

There are also over 100 championship golf courses around the city, designed by golfing legends such as Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, and Robert Trent Jones. If you need a few laughs, you won’t want to miss the headliners at the Carolina Comedy Club or Comedy Cabana.

Children will have a blast at Blackbeard’s Pirate Cruise, singing sea shanties and fighting scallywags on the largest pirate ship in the Carolinas. There's even more excitement over at WonderWorks, with its ziplines, ropes course, laser tag arena, space discovery center, imagination lab, and extreme weather zone. It’s so much fun, kids will be begging to go and adults won’t want to leave.

Moving to Myrtle Beach

Allied doesn’t just move your belongings. We provide customers with personal moving plans that put their needs front and center. Customers can choose which services suit them best, ensuring their move happens on time and on budget. Our agents handle the heavy lifting at every stage of the process, for an experience that is as smooth and stress free as possible. Contact us today for a free quote!