Coastal living still isn’t cheap—but the Grand Strand is giving buyers something many beach markets lost years ago: actual options. A lot of people still assume living near the beach automatically means million-dollar homes, impossible inventory and luxury-market pricing. And honestly, in many coastal cities, that’s become reality. But Realtor.com’s 2025 list of the Top 10 Most Affordable Beach Towns in America tells a different story—especially for the Grand Strand. Both Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach landed on the national ranking, putting South Carolina firmly into the conversation around attainable coastal living in 2025. Myrtle Beach Ranked #6—and That’s a Bigger Deal Than People Think Myrtle Beach came in around a $299,000 median list price according to Realtor.com’s 2025 rankings. For a destination known for golf courses, oceanfront resorts, marinas and more than 60 miles of coastline, that number surprises people. Especially buyers comparing the Grand Strand to places like Charleston, Naples, Tampa-area Florida or coastal New Jersey, where beach access often comes with dramatically higher price tags. Suddenly, Myrtle Beach starts looking a whole lot more realistic. The Grand Strand Isn’t Just “Myrtle Beach” One of the biggest misconceptions outsiders have is assuming Myrtle Beach is one singular experience. In reality, the Grand Strand stretches across dozens of communities that all feel completely different from one another. Buyers can choose between the energy of central Myrtle Beach, quieter neighborhoods in Surfside Beach, marshfront living in Murrells Inlet or golf communities in Carolina Forest. Others head toward Pawleys Island or Little River for a slower coastal pace. That variety creates something many beach markets no longer have: options. Condo Inventory Plays a Huge Role in Affordability One of the biggest takeaways from Realtor.com’s report is that Myrtle Beach’s large condo inventory helps keep the market relatively attainable compared to many coastal cities. Unlike beach towns dominated almost entirely by luxury homes, the Grand Strand has a much broader housing mix. There are starter condos, retirement communities, gated neighborhoods, inland developments and ongoing new construction corridors farther from the beach. That diversity creates multiple entry points into coastal living instead of forcing buyers into one ultra-luxury market. Surfside Beach Proves the Grand Strand Has Range Surfside Beach making the same Realtor.com ranking reinforces just how diverse this coastal region really is. Realtor.com described Surfside as “The Family Beach,” highlighting its quieter atmosphere, smaller-town feel and more residential vibe compared to central Myrtle Beach. And honestly, locals have known that for years. The Grand Strand isn’t one-size-fits-all. Someone can want nightlife and tourism-heavy energy, while someone else wants calm mornings, golf cart rides and neighborhoods that feel more residential than resort-driven. The fact that both Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach landed on the same affordability ranking says a lot about the area’s range. “Affordable” Doesn’t Mean Cheap Of course, affordable beach living in 2025 still comes with realities people can’t ignore. Insurance costs, HOA fees, flood zones and maintenance expenses are all part of coastal ownership. Waterfront property is still premium property, and prices across South Carolina’s coast have risen substantially over the last several years. But compared to many coastal markets, buyers here often feel like the trade-offs are different. Instead of giving up beach access entirely, they may choose a home 15 minutes inland for more space or opt for a condo community with amenities instead of direct oceanfront property. For many buyers, it’s less about finding “cheap” beach living and more about finding a lifestyle that still feels attainable. Myrtle Beach Is Becoming More Than a Vacation Destination This affordability ranking also reflects a much bigger shift happening nationally. Myrtle Beach is increasingly being viewed as a relocation market—not just a tourism destination. Realtor.com has also ranked the Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach metro highly for veterans relocating in 2025 because of its affordability relative to lifestyle, coastal access and quality of life. That’s helping attract retirees, remote workers, younger families, second-home buyers and hybrid employees who are prioritizing lifestyle access over ultra-exclusive ZIP codes. People still want beach living—they just want it to feel remotely realistic financially. Why the Grand Strand Keeps Showing Up on National Rankings The deeper takeaway from Realtor.com’s list is that Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach aren’t necessarily the “cheapest” beach towns in America. They’re simply two of the few nationally recognized coastal markets where buyers still feel like they have choices. And in 2025, that might actually be rarer than oceanfront property itself.

From marsh sunsets in Murrells Inlet to quiet beach mornings in Pawleys, here’s how locals actually spend the unofficial start of summer Memorial Day Weekend on the Grand Strand can honestly go one of two ways. You either end up stuck in traffic near Ocean Boulevard wondering why you thought driving to Broadway at the Beach on a Saturday night was a good idea—or you find the version of the coast locals actually love. The one with marsh sunsets, waterfront seafood spots, early beach mornings and long afternoons that somehow turn into live music and drinks by the water. Because despite what visitors sometimes think, the Grand Strand is a lot bigger than the same handful of tourist stops. Stretching more than 60 miles, this coastline has quieter beach towns, hidden marsh views, local restaurants and entire pockets of the coast that feel completely different from central Myrtle Beach. Start Your Mornings Earlier Than You Normally Would This is probably the biggest local secret Memorial Day Weekend. Most visitors don’t make it to the beach until late morning, which means the best part of the day is usually already over. Between 6:30 and 9 a.m., the Grand Strand feels calmer, cooler and honestly prettier. Grab coffee from somewhere local like Beach Hippie Coffee and head toward the beach before the parking lots start filling up. If you really want to avoid the crowds, head south toward Pawleys Island or spend the morning walking the shoreline at Huntington Beach State Park. Both feel worlds away from the busier sections of Myrtle Beach. Head South if You Want the Best Coastal Vibes The farther south you go on the Grand Strand, the more the weekend starts feeling less like a tourist trip and more like coastal South Carolina. Murrells Inlet especially comes alive Memorial Day Weekend. The move is simple: spend the afternoon near the water, walk the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk, grab a drink somewhere with live music and stay through sunset. This is the part of the coast people usually end up posting the most photos of anyway. For dinner, try Dead Dog Saloon for the classic MarshWalk atmosphere or Gulfstream Cafe if you can time it right for sunset over the inlet. And if you need a break from the beach entirely, Brookgreen Gardens is still one of the most beautiful places on the South Carolina coast. Massive live oaks, sculpture gardens and marsh views make it feel completely different from the busier beach areas nearby. Skip Ocean Boulevard for a Few Hours Not every part of Memorial Day Weekend needs to happen directly on the beach. One of the most underrated things visitors can do is spend time around the Intracoastal Waterway instead. Rent kayaks in Murrells Inlet, book a sunset cruise in Little River or just spend an afternoon hopping between marinas and waterfront restaurants. Even Conway has become one of the cooler local escapes from the beach crowds. Downtown Conway’s Riverwalk, oak trees and slower pace feel like a completely different version of the Grand Strand most visitors never see. The Beaches Locals Actually Love Yes, central Myrtle Beach will be packed this weekend. That’s just reality. But the Grand Strand has plenty of quieter stretches if you know where to look. Cherry Grove stays popular with families and repeat visitors because it feels slower paced than downtown Myrtle Beach. Nearby, the Heritage Shores Nature Preserve is worth visiting if you want a break from beach-chair rows and crowded boardwalks. And honestly, some of the best beach moments this weekend probably won’t happen at noon. They’ll happen early in the morning, late in the evening or during random sunset walks when the crowds finally start thinning out. Know Before You Go The best Grand Strand weekends usually aren’t the overplanned ones anyway. They’re the ones filled with beach mornings, seafood dinners, marsh sunsets, live music and accidentally staying out later than expected because the weather’s too perfect to leave.

Zillow can show you the house. It can’t show you what living there actually feels like. Scrolling Zillow can make moving to Myrtle Beach feel pretty simple. Palm trees. Golf carts. Ocean views. A suspicious amount of gray vinyl flooring. But what a lot of relocators realize after they get here is this: the biggest surprises about living on the Grand Strand usually have nothing to do with the house itself. Because Zillow can show you countertops and square footage all day long. It cannot show you summer traffic, vacation-rental chaos or whether a neighborhood actually feels like home once tourist season hits. Here are five things buyers usually learn after they move here. 1. Tourist Traffic Changes Daily Life Most people expect beach traffic. They just don’t realize how much it affects everyday routines. That “10 minutes from the beach” listing? In the middle of summer, that drive can suddenly become 35 minutes because of Highway 17 backups, Bike Week traffic or one accident near the Waterway. Locals literally plan errands around tourist season. This especially shows up around: Carolina Forest Highway 17 Broadway at the Beach oceanfront access roads major bridge crossings And honestly, this is why some relocators eventually end up preferring places like Conway, Murrells Inlet or Pawleys Island after originally searching for homes closer to central Myrtle Beach. “Close to the beach” and “easy to live near” are not always the same thing. 2. Vacation Rentals Can Completely Change a Neighborhood This surprises people all the time. Two streets can have similar homes, similar prices and the same distance from the beach—but feel completely different because of short-term rentals. One neighborhood feels quiet and residential. Neighbors know each other. People walk dogs after dinner. The next feels more like a rotating vacation resort. Rolling suitcases every Friday. Overflow parking. Pool music by noon. This becomes especially noticeable in: oceanfront condo areas beach-access neighborhoods parts of North Myrtle Beach tourist-heavy condo zones sections of Surfside and Garden City And Zillow rarely explains that difference well. A neighborhood full of full-time residents simply feels different than one where neighbors change every four days. 3. HOA Fees and Rules Catch Buyers Off Guard HOAs are a much bigger deal here than many relocators expect. Some communities are relaxed. Others have rules about golf carts, boats, rentals, fences and even exterior paint colors. And while buyers focus on the mortgage payment, HOA fees can dramatically change the actual monthly cost of living. Some fees cover things like: pools gated access landscaping private beach parking cable and internet golf amenities But those costs can rise quickly in coastal communities because of insurance increases and storm maintenance. Then come the restrictions people don’t think about until after closing: trailer storage boat parking rental minimums golf cart regulations pet policies Sometimes the cheaper home ends up becoming the more expensive lifestyle. 4. Flood Zones Matter More Than Buyers Realize This is one of the biggest “nobody told me this” topics on the coast. Most buyers search for beach access and updated kitchens. Locals immediately start asking about elevation and drainage instead. Because flood risk here isn’t always obvious. Two homes can look nearly identical online but carry completely different insurance costs depending on elevation, flood zones and stormwater drainage. And it’s not always ocean flooding either. Some inland areas flood badly after heavy rain too. Locals pay attention to things like: FEMA flood maps elevation certificates king tide flooding hurricane deductibles drainage systems evacuation zones This is the invisible map locals think about that Zillow never really shows. 5. Myrtle Beach Isn’t One Vibe This might be the biggest misconception relocators have before moving here. People search “homes in Myrtle Beach” like the entire Grand Strand feels the same. It absolutely doesn’t. Conway feels slower-paced and local. Carolina Forest feels suburban and fast-growing. Market Common feels polished and walkable. Murrells Inlet feels laid-back and marshy. Pawleys Island has a quieter Lowcountry energy altogether. And those personality differences matter more than buyers expect. Some neighborhoods feel: highly seasonal retiree-heavy golf-cart social deeply local tourism-driven quiet year-round That’s the part Zillow can’t measure. It can’t tell you whether evenings feel peaceful or chaotic. It can’t tell you whether neighbors actually live there year-round. And it definitely can’t tell you whether the lifestyle around the house actually fits the life you want. The Bottom Line At the end of the day, moving to the Grand Strand is less about finding the perfect house and more about finding the right lifestyle. Because once you live here full-time, the traffic patterns, neighborhood energy and day-to-day routines matter just as much as granite countertops and beach access. And honestly? That’s the part no Zillow listing can really prepare you for.

What buyers and sellers need to understand before making a move If you’ve been watching the market in Myrtle Beach lately, you’ve probably noticed—it’s not as fast as it used to be. Homes aren’t flying off the market overnight anymore, but they’re still selling. Buyers have more options, sellers still have opportunity, and overall, things have shifted into a more balanced (and more realistic) market. Not Every Home Is Selling the Same Way One of the biggest misconceptions right now is that everything is moving the same—and it’s not. Some homes sell quickly, while others sit. The difference usually comes down to price, condition, and location. That’s why you might hear two completely different stories from people in the same market. Buyers Have More Control Than Before Buyers finally have a little breathing room. There are more homes to choose from, and they’re not being forced into quick decisions like before. In many cases, buyers are able to negotiate—whether that’s price, closing costs, or repairs. It doesn’t mean everything is a “deal,” but there’s definitely more flexibility. Sellers Can Still Sell—If It’s Priced Right Homes are still selling every day in Myrtle Beach. The difference now is that pricing matters more than ever. If a home is priced well and shows nicely, it can still move quickly. If it’s priced too high, buyers will simply move on to the next option. The Monthly Payment Matters More Than Ever Buyers aren’t just looking at the price—they’re looking at what it actually costs to live in the home. That includes mortgage payments, taxes, HOA fees, and insurance. And in Myrtle Beach, insurance can vary more than people expect, which can change how a home feels financially. New Homes Are Competing With Resales Builders are offering incentives right now—things like lower interest rates or help with closing costs. That makes brand-new homes very appealing to buyers. So if you’re selling, your home isn’t just competing with other listings—it’s also competing with new construction. People Are Still Moving Here Even with higher interest rates, Myrtle Beach continues to attract buyers—especially from higher-cost areas. Many of them are coming in with equity, which helps keep the market steady. That’s why things have slowed down, but haven’t dropped off. Bottom Line Whether you’re buying or selling, this market isn’t about timing it perfectly—it’s about understanding how to position yourself within it.

Because around here, your address does more than impress—it enrolls If schools are at the top of your list, here’s the truth no one puts on the brochure: in Myrtle Beach, you’re not just buying a home—you’re buying into a zone. And that zone? It quietly dictates everything from your kid’s classroom to your home’s resale value. The wild part is how different each area feels. Two homes can be five minutes apart and live completely different lives when it comes to schools, demand and long-term value. So instead of chasing “best,” we’re breaking down where families are actually landing—and why. Murrells Inlet (St. James) If you’re the type who doesn’t love surprises (especially when it comes to your biggest investment), Murrells Inlet is your place. This area leans into that classic Lowcountry charm—marsh views, mature trees and a pace that feels intentional, not rushed. What really pulls families in is the St. James school track. It’s known for consistency, which is basically the holy grail in a market where growth can shake things up. That stability translates directly to home values—less volatility, steady demand and a buyer pool that already knows they want in. You’ll likely pay a little more to get here, especially near the water or golf communities. But for buyers thinking five, ten, even fifteen years ahead, this is less about stretching and more about securing. It’s not flashy—it’s reliable. And in real estate, that’s a power move. Carolina Forest: The “Everyone’s Moving Here” Energy Carolina Forest is what happens when convenience, new construction and family-friendly living all collide. It’s one of the fastest-growing areas in the region, and you can feel it—HOA communities, pools, playgrounds and homes that still smell like fresh paint. The schools here are strong across the board, but they come with a caveat: growth. More people means larger class sizes, ongoing development and, yes, the occasional rezoning conversation. From a real estate perspective, it’s a high-demand, high-activity market. That means more options when you’re buying, but also more competition when it’s time to sell. It’s ideal for families relocating or anyone who wants amenities and accessibility baked into everyday life. Translation? It’s busy, it’s growing and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. North Myrtle Beach / Ocean Bay: Coastal, But Make It Calm For those who want beach life without the chaos, North Myrtle Beach hits differently. It’s quieter, more residential and feels like a place people choose on purpose—not just where they end up. The Ocean Bay school track is a standout here, often acting as the deciding factor for buyers. Combine that with a more relaxed pace and you’ve got a market driven by lifestyle just as much as logistics. Homes don’t turn over as quickly, which is a subtle but important detail. Fewer listings mean tighter inventory—and when something good hits the market, it doesn’t sit. Pricing can creep higher in certain pockets, especially where location and school zones overlap, but for many buyers, that trade-off feels worth it. This is for families who want to exhale a little more—and still feel confident about their investment. Surfside Beach / Socastee: The Smart Entry Point If you’re trying to get into a strong area without blowing up your budget, Surfside and Socastee deserve more attention than they get. Think solid schools, approachable price points and neighborhoods that still offer room to grow. This is where a lot of first-time buyers and move-up families land—not because it’s a compromise, but because it’s strategic. There’s more turnover here, which means more opportunities to actually get in. From an investment standpoint, this area sits in that sweet spot: affordable now, with appreciation potential as nearby markets get more expensive. It’s not trying to compete with the flashier areas—it’s quietly building value. And honestly, that’s kind of the point.