Relocating from a city or town anywhere in the USA, to another, can be an exciting and traumatic experience at the same time. Maybe the company you work for is transferring you, and you don’t have much choice in the matter. Some military families know all about how that works! In other cases, you crave and need a change. Perhaps you’ve lived your life up north in a city like New York, Chicago, or Philly and have been braving the cold and the snow year after year. You’ll do anything to wake up to some warm weather in February. Maybe it’s your spouse who says the family needs a change. Whatever the reason, you’re wasting no time in taking the next step – investigation.
Your desires seem to hover over Miami or maybe LA. What more could you ask for other than sun, beaches, and dancing the rhumba until the early hours? You don’t get too far with your pleasant thoughts, when you realize the real estate prices touching $1000+ a square foot or more burst your bubble. Affordability jumped to the top of the list of needs, but weather and lifestyle by no means left the stage. One of your friends mentioned Myrtle Beach, South Carolina as a location worth considering. You’d never heard of it, but after a little digging, it quickly captured your attention. Myrtle Beach is one of the only places in the USA that still offers real estate prices that are low enough for average income citizens to be able to afford. The more you research, the more the place grabs you. Myrtle Beach oceanfront condos can still be bought for under $100,000. Try to do that anywhere else!
So here you are on the cusp of deciding to make the move. Still, you want to make sure you’ve covered all the bases. The following is an end-to-end coverage of Myrtle Beach that hopefully will carry you across the finish line.
Things to Know Before Moving
Nothing paves the way to Myrtle Beach better than careful due diligence. After all, relocating to any city is a far cry from visiting as a tourist would, for a few days. Coming to grips with everyday living realities, healthcare, community, schooling, and taxes is vital. Considering a lot of real estate options and neighborhoods to choose from. Where you live, ties in with much of the other thoughts you have had. You need a no-nonsense review of Myrtle Beach as a permanent residence, not just a place to vacation. Whether you’re a retiree or raising a young family, there are numerous compelling reasons that make so many people call Myrtle Beach their home.
Who’ll be your neighbors in Myrtle Beach, SC?
Recently due to the coronavirus, there have been big changes with job opportunities in the nation. Working from home is changing the way we think about where we live! One of the big changes in the work from home policies of many large companies. Many employees now have the option of working remotely, from wherever they wish. Many employees have gotten rid of the commute, which lands them more family and leisure time.
This workplace change has ushered in a flood of younger generations to the area. For Baby Boomers, Gen Xs, and Gen Ys there is a common thread. If you’ve got young kids or teenagers in the family, they shouldn’t have any issue finding friends. They certainly won’t be bored at the beach!
One unmistakable pillar of the Myrtle Beach community is southern hospitality. Big city impatience is pushed aside by a sincere resident-friendliness. It’s little wonder that close to 15 million visitors every year leave singing our praises.
Myrtle Beach’s most valuable asset
Hands down, it’s the Grand Stand! This is the name allocated to the 60-miles of beachfront that attracts visitors all year round. It’s the jewel in the crown that glistens among many other gems. Aside from the many entertainment opportunities of this coastal enclave, it’s nature that delivers rewards for all those who take notice. For example, sun and moon-rises over the Atlantic Ocean are nothing short of spectacular. The magnificent green grass and lakes of more than 80 golf courses, attract many exotic birds and wildlife. Aside from the dolphins that frequently visit close to the coastline, the rivers and marshes attract salt-water tern, gulls, loggerhead sea turtles, and great egrets, to name but a few species. Imagine waking up on your Myrtle Beach Real Estate property with a majestic blue heron grazing nearby, it’s a bird watcher’s paradise.
The nearby Huntington Beach State Park is a haven for birdwatchers with its famous nature trails. Hiking and biking routes with endless water backdrops give this region of the low country a unique spirit of peacefulness. Many guests comment about how much they enjoyed connecting with nature in genuinely unspoiled surroundings.
The sporting life in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Wherever water is abundant, you’ll find activities like kayaking, surfing, yachting, sailing, swimming, fishing, and jet skis. In fact, new surfside homes are popping up all along the coastline so you can enjoy the beach any and all times of the day. This healthy outdoor lifestyle is heavily ingrained into everyday living. Many who have moved to the area enjoy the yachting lifestyle and have also found affordable docking facilities. When you move to the area you may even want to buy a home or Myrtle Beach property on the Intracoastal waterway and dock your boat in your backyard.
The Weather in Myrtle Beach
The sub-tropical weather appeals to many folks living in colder weather for months on end. You’re not alone if the idea of leaving the cold weather mental stress behind.
And you’re not alone. It’s one reason that stands out as a utopia retirement location for the thousands of snowbirds who have been coming here for years. Once you have spent some time here you get to learn all the different areas and know your way around. Of course, nothing is perfect, and we promised to give you the lowdown. There are tropical storms from time to time and the occasional hurricane. A quick shower happens most afternoons during the summer months, but that is what keeps everything green! The summers are hot, but most days there is a cool breeze coming in from the ocean. Further inland (where the sea-breezes can’t reach), you’ll feel the humidity without air-conditioning. That’s the worst of it.
Now the Good News!
- The area is known for mild weather all year round
- Look forward to 258 days of sunshine every year.
- Fall and spring is often referred to as the state’s “champagne-climate”- reflects temperatures in the comfortable the mid-70s
- These same months feature an ideal combination of cool evenings and sunny days, lulling the senses with an enduring sense of relaxation.
- It rarely gets down to freezing in winter, and you will look forward to snow not being on the radar.
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Weather in Myrtle Beach
Golf Course Communities in Myrtle Beach
With over eighty golf courses in the area, many have been designed by iconic pros like Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, and the late Arnold Palmer. Golf Digest highly ranks this area since 50% of the courses are rated four stars or higher and listed in America’s top-100 public courses. So, whether you’re a single-handicapper or a weekend hacker, there’s no shortage of challenges when it comes to whacking the little white ball.
Of course, when you’re into outdoor sports, there’s a close connection to health spas, state-of-the-art gyms, tennis, volleyball, and basketball pick-up games. They’re all here in Myrtle Beach. Pamper yourself with massages after spin-classes, hot-yoga sessions, or pilates – do it all if that’s what rocks your boat!
The bottom line is that the choices are endless with the Myrtle Beach lifestyle.
What will it cost me to live in Myrtle Beach?
First off, this city is in South Carolina, so let’s talk about low taxes. Aside from Federal levies, there is no tax on social security benefits. Another reason why so many people want to retire here is that SC offers a substantial break on retirement income.
A huge benefit to residents is the low real estate taxes on Myrtle Beach properties. Full-time residents are entitled to 88% credit on the standard 4% annual rate (i.e., around 0.48% or $480 per $100,000 of assessed value). Compare this to Boca Raton in Florida, where the parallel tax is $2000+ on the same metric. Indeed, Myrtle Beach ranks as one of the lowest tax rates in the nation! For example, if you are moving from NYC as a new South Carolina resident, you’ll immediately feel the benefits. With substantially lower real estate prices for similar residences, and a fraction of the property tax rates you’re used to paying up north. It will be nothing less than huge savings.
Your dollar goes a lot further in SC and your home purchasing power will too. You will find you can purchase a lot more houses, for less money, when compared to many other states. Even in states like Utah, where it’s landlocked and dry all year round, the cost of living is nearly $180 a square foot!
The incentives for Myrtle Beach businesses starting up in our area are incredibly rewarding to developers of warehouses, office blocks, and factories. Tourism and hospitality are the main businesses and drive the city’s commerce. With online markets opening up countrywide and internationally, digital organizations can relocate here and still spread their wings far and wide.
Myrtle Beach’s healthcare and schooling
The numbers of retirees wouldn’t be moving here if they thought you couldn’t find outstanding doctors and state of the art medical treatment. Similarly, young professionals wouldn’t relocate their families only to find that the education was third-rate.
Myrtle Beach boasts some of the best medical centers with technology comparable to any major US city. With over 6 major facilities in the area, the centerpiece is Grand Strand Medical Center (GSMC), famous for its focus on cardiology, heart surgery, and stroke treatment. A teaching hospital with over 270 physicians and 1,400 staff, its accolades include Healthgrades 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery.
There are at least twelve private and charter schools in the vicinity, and an excellent public school system with over 45,000 students enrolled. But a good school goes beyond a beautiful campus. Many college students who love the beach, warm weather, and a close-knit community, seek the perfect school. Undergraduates say at the top of their want list they seek professors who care about each individual student, want to feel safe, and want affordable tuition. The good news is, top-ranked local colleges like Coastal Carolina University, Horry Georgetown Technical College, and Miller-Motte College tend to check all those boxes and stand out as winners. These schools have grown from humble beginnings into nationally recognized universities.
We don’t cook much, and we like to shop. How does Myrtle Beach shape up?
If you are into eating out or shopping, Myrtle Beach has you covered! As a vacation spot for millions of visitors every year, the area has unsurpassed cuisine and tourist comforts.
- There are seven significant malls and shopping centers covering multiple millions of square feet of storage space.
- Shoppers from every corner of the country, drive-in, to shop in Myrtle Beach.
- Just about every shop and brand is available here like Adidas, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Clarks, Disney, Fossil, H&M, J. Crew, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Nautica, Sperry, Tommy Bahama, Tommy Hilfiger, Vera Bradley, and many more.
- The area features many art galleries, cinema complexes, and live theaters to visit.
- All the supermarkets, pharmacies, depart stores, outlets, and national franchises are here in Myrtle Beach.
Fine-dining, casual dining, and all types of restaurants flourish in the area.
- 1700 restaurants in the area. Everything from seafood, steaks, and pasta to vegan cuisine.
- Dining suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic but now has come back to life. Outside seating accommodations are now all the rage. The comfortable year-round weather in Myrtle Beach makes this a great option.
- Curb-side pickup and third-party delivery are available everywhere if you’re social distancing.
- There are also numerous ethnic food stores and delicatessens, catering to every taste.
- Naturally, Starbucks and every other fast-food brand are dotted all over the place.
So how can I get into the famous Myrtle Beach entertainment?
You don’t have to go very far for entertainment! You are going to find a variety of theme parks, music events, live theaters, shows, and festivals throughout the year. The famous Myrtle Beach Skywheel, Ripley’s Aquarium, Hollywood Wax Museum, Myrtle Beach Pinball Museum, and the numerous sideshows keep the city humming. Nightclubs are everywhere if you want to dance the night away or just kick back and relax with some live music at a quieter venue. Take a stroll along the beachfront promenade as you take a deep breath of that fresh salt air. Enjoy a fresh cup of coffee or a homemade waffle cone or just people-watch on a park bench.
As a resident of Myrtle Beach, you don’t always have to get involved with the crowds of visitors. You can always sit back and relax on your balcony or in your sunroom at your house. The roadways here are excellent, and you can zip anywhere on the Grand Strand within minutes. The new Route 31 takes travelers everywhere from the North Carolina state line all the way south to Murrells Inlet in just a matter of minutes.
Talking about my Myrtle Beach home – tell me about the real estate here.
The real estate market is very active here with home sales of the best properties in the best areas selling very quickly. Myrtle Beach is not only one of the most affordable areas in the state of SC; it also represents mind-boggling value for money versus other resort areas in Florida and California.
North Myrtle Beach, a city in itself, is ten miles north of Myrtle Beach proper. It’s far quieter and should be a serious consideration for a second home purchase. Conway is 15 to 20 minutes to the beach and a little quieter and slower-paced. Murrells Inlet is no longer a tiny sleepy fishing village, but it still features some of the freshest seafood restaurants around. Garden City, Surfside Beach, and even Pawleys Island feature everything from condos, to small homes, and even million-dollar oceanfront homes.
Like In any real estate marketplace, there are bumps and obstacles waiting to trip you up. Sometimes a property looks great on the internet, but it’s what’s behind the walls or what is being built nearby that counts. If you are serious about living permanently in Myrtle Beach, and you want to take advantage of all its features, our team is here to help answer your questions. When we meet you are going to learn everything, not just the good stuff. We also want to inform you of the good, the bad, and the ugly so you can make a smart decision (and not a mistake)
If you want to buy a rental or investment property in Myrtle Beach, it may seem like a slam dunk with all those visitors pouring in. Again, you have to know where the best properties and neighborhoods are, who manages the properties and how to get the highest and best return on your investment as well as a manager to maintain it as expected. Your Myrtle Beach Realtor’s advice will be worth its weight in gold.
One thing we can say with much certainty is that coming from almost anywhere up north, you’re going to be amazed at how far your dollar will go. Not only will you pay fewer taxes, but you’ll also probably have hundreds of thousands left in your bank account. The fantastic thing is, that this beach lifestyle is easygoing, fun, and exciting.
Conclusion
We’ve given you an in-depth overview from the top down and side to side. However, there’s nothing like moving here to Myrtle Beach.
Some have tried it out for a few weeks of summer vacation or even a few months during the winter. But there is nothing like living here year-round. Casual dining, playing golf, enjoying the beach, and the nightlife. When you move here, you may have a total change of lifestyle. You may even want a classic car or a convertible so you can let the wind in your hair as you cruise around town. You’ll soon feel the Myrtle Beach spirit growing on you, and that’s precisely the time to begin making plans and investing. Talk soon!
