The Grand Strand Relocation Guide
“At the beach, life is different. Time doesn’t move hour to hour, but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides, and follow the sun.”
Rumored to be the hideaway for renowned pirates like Blackbeard and Drunken Jack, our coastline wasn’t always the beach town that it is today. Originally inhabited by the native Waccamaw Tribe, the region was later settled by colonists attempting to establish settlements and rice plantations.
Covered mostly in timber, the area didn’t become a destination until the early 1900’s when the Conway & Seashore Railroad was built to transport timber from the coast. Employees of the lumber and railroad company would take train flatcars down to the beach area on their free weekends, becoming the first Grand Strand tourists.
During this time, Franklin Burroughs envisioned a tourist destination to rival the Florida and northeastern United States beaches, and the first hotel, the Seaside Inn was built in 1901.
Today, over 60 miles of beautiful beaches, more than 100 golf courses by top designers, great restaurants and entertainment, gorgeous sunshine, and mild winters make the Grand Strand one of the fastest-growing areas in the United States. Low taxes and low property prices make the decision to relocate here even easier.
Welcome!
Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, upsizing, downsizing, buying your first home, retirement home, vacation home, or an investment property, we are honored that you are considering working with us during the process.
From Wilmington down the coast to Myrtle Beach and on to Charleston, our team of over 100 real estate professionals possesses an in-depth knowledge of the areas, communities, and real estate opportunities all along this beautiful region of the Carolina Coast that we call home.
We look forward to guiding you through this important investment.
Demographics/Population
The Myrtle Beach metropolitan area had an estimated population in 2019 of 480,891.
Ranked as the second fastest-growing metropolitan area in the country (per 2018 census estimates). As of the 2010 census, the population of the city was 27,109, and in 2019, the estimated population was 34,695.
This is the third year in a row that the U.S. Census ranked Myrtle Beach #2.
- More than 17,000 people moved to the area between 2017-2018, representing a 3.8 percent growth. • Myrtle Beach area was also the second fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States between 2016 and 2017.
More than 104,000 people moved to the Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach area over the past eight years. That represents almost a 30 percent population growth, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Myrtle Beach is one of the major centers of tourism in South Carolina and the United States because of the city’s warm subtropical climate and extensive beaches, attracting an estimated 14 million visitors each year.
Median age: 36.7 years old, ranking 235th of 368 S.C. cities
Education: 31.8% college degree, 31.5% high school diploma, 14.6% no diploma
Crime rate: 13.8 crimes per 1,000 residents, 4.3 x national avg.
Cost of Living/Economy
In November 2020, the median list price of homes in Myrtle Beach, SC was $199.9K, trending up 8.7% year-over-year. The median listing price per square foot was $153. The median sale price was $210K The cost of living index rates Myrtle Beach at 92.7 on a scale of 100, making it 7.3% less expensive to live there compared to the national average.
Climate
Average High Temperature: 72.1°
Average highs in Myrtle Beach vary by season, spiking around 87 degrees in the warmest month (July) and going as low at 56 degrees in the coolest month (January). The record high was 104 degrees in 1990 and with a record low of 5 degrees in 1994.
Areas
Find your place in the sun! The Grand Strand is made up of several different communities, all with their own unique personalities. Learn more about each of these areas and find the one you want to call home.
Schools
Horry County School District
843.488.6700
Horry County Schools serves more than 45,000 students encompassing more than 56 schools in nine attendance areas of Myrtle Beach, Carolina Forest, Conway, Socastee, North Myrtle Beach, Loris, Aynor, Green Sea Floyds, and St. James. HCS is the third largest school district in South Carolina.
Noteworthy:
Loris Elementary School was recently featured in a Google Hangout with the White House due to its innovative use of personalized digital learning.
Whittemore Park Middle School received a grant from the Gates Foundation for its implementation of a blended learning environment.
Myrtle Beach Primary, Elementary, and Intermediate Schools have all been designated as Stephen Covey ‘Leader in Me’ Lighthouse Schools.
Georgetown County School District
843.546.8516
Georgetown County School District serves approximately 9,800 students in child development through grade twelve in the southern district of the Grand Strand including Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island, Litchfield and all of Georgetown County.
Private and Charter Schools
St. Andrew’s Catholic School
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic HS
Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach
Carolina Bays Academy
Chabad Academy
Calvary Christian School
Bridgewater Academy
Cathedral Hall High School
Life Christian Academy & Child
Socastee Montessori School
Palmetto Academy
Higher Education
The largest university in the Myrtle Beach area is Coastal Carolina University, a state supported, liberal arts university. The university is a national sea-grant institution and owns part of Waties Island, a barrier island which serves as a natural laboratory as well as a top-tier MBA program and a progressive pre-engineering program in partnership with Clemson University.
Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) is a two-year community/technical college that offers more than 65 associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs for students who are either seeking quick entry into the workforce or desiring to transfer to a senior institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
Additional Higher Education Opportunities
ITT Technical Institute • Miller-Motte Technical College • Webster University
Hospitals
The Grand Strand area’s facilities are continuing to meet the needs of more and more residents and several have added multi-million-dollar, state-of-the-art facilities within the past few years. Grand Strand Medical Center is a Level 1 Adult Trauma Center known for its programs in cardiology, heart surgery, and stroke treatment.
McLeod Seacoast Medical Center | 843.777.2000
Georgetown Memorial Hospital | 843.527.7000
Conway Medical Center | 843.347.7111
McLeod Loris Community Hospital | 843.716.7000
Grand Strand Regional Medical Center | 843.692.1000
Airport
Located on site of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is a county-owned public-use airport with over 2.4 million passengers (arriving and departing) in 2018. It is the second-busiest airport in South Carolina.
Allegiant Air | www.allegiantair.com | (702) 505-8888
American Airlines | www.aa.com | (800) 882-8880
Delta Air Lines | www.delta.com | (800) 455-2720
Frontier Airlines | www.flyfrontier.com | (801) 401-9000
Porter Airlines | www.flyporter.com | (888) 619-8622
Spirit Airlines | www.spirit.com | (801) 401-2222
Sun Country Airlines | www.suncountry.com | (651) 681-3900
United Airlines | www.united.com | (800) 864-8331
Tax Information
Real Estate Taxes
Horry County Tax Assessor’s Office
(843) 248-1361
Georgetown County Tax Assessor’s Office
(843) 546-1241
Real property (land, houses, buildings, mobile homes) tax notices are mailed in October to Horry County and Georgetown County residents and must be paid by January 15, of the following year in order to avoid penalties. Taxes are based on the following percentages of assessed value: commercial, 6 percent; residential, 4 percent or 6 percent (may only be 4 percent if you’ve filed with the tax assessor’s office to qualify as a year-round resident); second home, 6 percent.
Online Application to Apply for Legal Residency:
https://www.horrycounty.org/Departments/Assessor
Homestead Exemption
Once you have established a one-year residency and you are over the age of 65, you are eligible for a homestead exemption of $20,000. That exemption, if applied to a $100,000 home, would reduce your property tax by $173.00
Income Tax
South Carolina has a simplified income tax structure which follows the federal income tax laws. South Carolina accepts the adjustments, exemptions and deductions allowed on your federal return with few modifications. Your federal taxable income is the starting point in determining your state income tax liability.
Sales and Use Tax
South Carolina’s sales and use tax rate is 5 percent. Neither Horry County nor Georgetown County have a local option sales and use tax. Prescriptions, dental prosthetics and hearing aids are exempt from the sales tax. Those over the age of 85 are exempt from 1 percent of the sales tax. A maximum sales tax of $300 is imposed on the purchase of motor vehicles, boats, motorcycles, and airplanes. Each gallon of gasoline is taxed at 16 cents. This tax is included in the price per gallon at the gasoline pump.
Industry and Employment
The hospitality industry is the biggest industry in Myrtle Beach, employing 27.4% of the workforce, followed by 13.6% in retail, 9.6% in health care and social assistance, and 9.1% in construction. Accommodation and Food Services account for 26,485 people employed, retail accounts for 24,245 employed and health care, and social assistance 15,021 according to the Myrtle Beach Economic Development and US census data.
Horry County benefits from a variety of companies and businesses that have planted their roots in our region, and work to strengthen the economy. The County’s largest employers provide jobs for Myrtle Beach residents and contribute to the overall vitality of our communities.
Here are Horry County’s top 10 employers with number of full-time employees.
Horry County School District | 5,650
Wal-Mart | 2,800
Horry County Government | 2,200
Coastal Carolina University | 2,125
Conway Hospital | 1,400
Grand Strand Regional Medical Center | 1,350
Food Lion | 1,150
McLeod Loris Seacoast | 980
City of Myrtle Beach | 904
Horry Telephone Cooperative | 690
Horry County is quickly becoming a global hub for business opportunity; it’s currently home to 25 international companies. Strategically located in the northeastern corner of coastal South Carolina, between the port cities of Charleston, S.C., and Wilmington, N.C., and halfway between New York and Miami, Myrtle Beach businesses can reach 2/3 of the nation with ease. The area boasts the lowest property tax rate in South Carolina, making the cost of doing business here favorable. Horry County’s top five industrial employers include Conbraco Industries, Inc., New South Lumber, Precision Southeast, Inc., UFP Mid Atlantic, LLC, and Metglas, Inc.
Workforce
Rankings:
- Myrtle Beach is the second fastest growing metro area in U.S. (U.S. Census)
- South Carolina ranked no. 3 top state for business
- Horry County ranked in top five for workforce development programs (Area Development Magazine)
South Carolina’s workforce has been touted as one of the most productive in the country according to the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation (MBREDC). The reputation comes from workforce reliability, low turnover, and advanced training programs in a variety of fields like manufacturing, engineering, and machine operations. The MBREDC works closely with local colleges and universities to support programs that educate and train the next generation of talent in Myrtle Beach. In 2016, Horry County received certification through the South Carolina Work Ready Communities initiative, establishing our region as a dedicated resource to economic growth and a robust workforce pipeline.
Transportation
Horry County has invested over $1.7 billion in roads and highways over the last seven years. Within the next five years, an additional $450 million will be spent. The Carolina Bays Parkway (S.C. 31) is a six-lane scenic highway that takes you from S.C. 9 to US 501 near the Myrtle Beach Raceway. Ocean Boulevard and Kings Highway, commonly known as Business Hwy.17, runs north and south along the Grand Strand parallel to the Atlantic Ocean. The Highway17 Bypass is the Grand Strand’s westernmost route to and from downtown.
Mass transit in and around Myrtle Beach is served by the Coast RTA and the Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority. Local bus services connect the area with regularly scheduled bus services 24/7 for 365 days a year. The Coast RTA operates nine fixed routes that service the Waccamaw Region, including Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Georgetown, and Conway.
Our Favorite Beaches
With 60-miles of continuous, light sand beaches, it’s not hard to find your place in the sun. From the sparsely populated beaches of Huntington State Park to the excitement of the Boardwalk area, there’s pretty much a beach to fit everyone’s style. Our beaches attract approximately 20 million visitors annually, mostly in the summer months, but many locals will tell you their favorite time at the beach is Fall. After the tourists head home, the weather is still beautiful, the water is still warm, and the beaches are less crowded. Spend a little time exploring our miles of beaches and it won’t be long until you’ve got your own favorite spot picked out.
Some of our Agents’ Favorite Beaches
Huntington Beach State Park
The Golden Mile
Windy Hill
Cherry Grove
North Litchfield Beach
Shopping and Entertainment
Known nearly as well for its shopping and entertainment as its beaches, The Grand Strand is noted as one of the top places for shopping space per capita in the world. Here you’ll find many of the top name brands, chains, and department stores as well as incredible shopping and entertainment complexes like Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing, which not only offer tons of unique specialty shops, but also tons of attractions, dining, and nightlife.
Top it off with even more charm at spots like The Market Common, a live-work shopping and dining community, or Hammock Shops Village, where you’ll find the Low Country well represented in specialty boutiques and gift shops, the famous Pawleys Island hammock shop, and renowned restaurants. Add in plenty of community farmers markets, one-of-a-kind gift shops, and our famously extravagant beachwear/souvenir shops and you’ll find shopping options to satisfy even the most diehard shop-a-holics.
Our Agents’ Favorite Shopping Spots
The Market Common
Tanger Outlets
Our Favorite Golf Courses
Tee it up! Next to our amazing beach sunsets, there are few places where the natural beauty of the Carolina Coast is more prominent than on many of our award-winning golf courses. Major designers and many professional players have left their mark on area golf courses including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones, and Greg Norman.
As you might imagine, we have a lot of serious golfers among our ranks so a consensus of “the best courses” was nearly impossible!
A few of our Agents’ Favorite Courses
Dunes Club
Love Course at Barefoot
TPC at Prince Creek
Blackmoor Golf Club
Caledonia
Pawleys Plantation
Myrtle Beach National
Legends
True Blue
Heritage
Pine Lakes
Glen Dornach
Things To Do
In addition to our beautiful beaches, you’ll find plenty to do along The Grand Strand. From golfing to watersports, museums, amusement parks, natural and state parks, entertainment centers, and shopping, there are literally thousands of attractions. Here are just a few of our favorites!
Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum
3100 South Ocean Boulevard • Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29577
843.238.2510 | myrtlebeachartmuseum.org
Just steps away from the beach, housed in a vintage beach cottage nestled beneath live oaks, the museum consists of 11 galleries, including a spacious reception gallery, house exhibitions of regional, national and international appeal that change frequently, and interactive, educational and creative programs and workshops for people of all ages. The Art Museum is a nonprofit institution and has proudly been admission free since 2003.
Brookgreen Gardens
1931 Brookgreen Drive • Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
843-235-6000 | brookgreen.org
Brookgreen Gardens is a unique melding of art, nature, and history. This National Historic Landmark features a botanical garden, a zoo, and an internationally recognized art collection. Tucked away between Murrell’s Inlet and Pawleys Island, Brookgreen is one America’s premier gardens and one of a few select places in the United States to have earned accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums as well as being designated a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Broadway at the Beach
1325 Celebrity Circle • Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Touted as South Carolina’s most visited attraction, Broadway at the Beach is in the heart of Myrtle Beach and offers outstanding activities for visitors of all ages. Here you will experience everything from shopping and dining to amusements, entertainment and nightlife.
Myrtle Beach Skywheel
1110 North Ocean Blvd • Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
- 839. 9200 | skywheelmb.com
Towering nearly 200 feet above the oceanfront boardwalk in the heart of Myrtle Beach, the SkyWheel is the only one of its kind on the Grand Strand, which means you and your family get a rare bird’s eye view for miles of our breathtaking high-rise hotel skyline and sky-blue Atlantic waters.
Ripleys Aquarium
1110 Celebrity Circle • Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 916-0888 | ripleysaquariums.com
Learn about sea life through observation, stunning exhibits, and interactive displays like the penguin and stingray experiences.
Barefoot Landing
4898 Hwy 17 S • North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Set along the Intracoastal Waterway, Barefoot Landing is one of the most unique & popular shopping, dining & entertainment destinations you will ever experience.
Carolina Country Music Festival
3 days of fun and country’s hottest artists. Every year, Carolina Country Music Fest® brings 30+ of country music’s hottest artist to perform in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Waccamaw Neck Bikeway
A 25.3 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Murrells Inlet, South Carolina that features a lake and is good for all skill levels.
State Parks
The Grand Strand is home to 3 South Carolina State Parks
- Myrtle Beach State Park
- Huntington Beach State Park
- Hampton Plantation State Historic Site
Our Favorite Restaurants
Where to begin? From Low Country classics to New York Italian to breathtaking views while enjoying a fresh seafood feast, The Grand Strand offers every imaginable option in dining. As a resident, you could spend a year exploring our many dining options and still not make it through the entire list. Here are some recommendations from our Agents to get you started!
Favorite Brunch Spot
Tavern in the Forest
House of Blues
Gulf Stream
Chive Blossom
Blueberry’s Grill
Drift
Favorite Casual Dining Restaurant
Buoy’s
Blueberry’s Grill
El Cerro
Landolfi’s
Conch Cafe
Bistro 217
Favorite Special Occasion Restaurant
Clark’s
Hook & Barrel
Joe’s Bar & Grill
Frank’s
Gulf Stream
Perrone’s
Favorite Restaurant with a View
Austins
Ocean One
Gulf Stream Cafe
Sea Captains House
Wahoos
Tin Roof
Castaways
Favorite Italian Restaurant
Midtown Bistro
Umberto’s at Barefoot
Gios Italian Kitchen
La Trattoria
Capriccios
Favorite Mexican Restaurant
Abuelas
El Cerro
Fiesta Mexicana
Taco Mundo
Best Burgers
Eddie’s Cafe
Island Bar & Grill
The Grumpy Monk
Chive Blossom
Hamburger Joes
Important Numbers and Websites
GAS & ELECTRIC
Santee Cooper | 843.651.1598 santeecooper.com
Horry Electric | 843.369.2211 horryelectric.com
SCE&G | 843.839.5555 sceg.com
CABLE / INTERNET / PHONE
HTC Cable | 843.365.2154 htcinc.net
Spectrum | 843.913.7941 spectrum.com
Frontier Communications | 800.921.8101 frontier.com
SOCIAL SECURITY
Social Security Office | Toll Free 800.772.1213 ssa.gov
Social Security Office of Conway | 843.248.4271
TAXES
SC State Income Taxes | 800.898.5000 dor.sc.gov
Horry County Assesor – Conway Office | 800.915.5040
Federal Income Taxes | 800.829.1040 irs.gov
Horry County Assessor – Myrtle Beach office | 843.444.6125 horrycounty.org/Departments/Assessor
WATER & SEWER
Grand Strand Water/Sewer | 843.443.8200 gswsa.com
Georgetown Water/Sewer | 843.546.8408 gcwsd.com
City of North Myrtle Beach | 843.280.5550 nmb.us
Myrtle Beach Water/Sewer | 843.918.1212 cityofmyrtlebeach.com/utilities
Conway Water | 843.248.1780 cityofconway.com
Little River Water/Sewer | 843.399.1888 lrwsc.com
Bucksport Water | 843.248.3195 www.bucksportwater.com
Loris Water / City Hall | 843.756.4004
SCHOOLS
Horry County | 843.488.6700 horrycountyschools.net
Georgetown County | 843.546.8516 ghs.gcsd.k12.sc.us
Coastal Carolina Univ. | 843.347.3161 www.coastal.edu
HGTC | 843.347.3186 hgtc.edu
TRASH REMOVAL
Waste Industries | 843.397.5586 wasteindustries.com
WasteManagement | 843.651.2075 wm.com
SWA Recycling Centers – Horry County | solidwasteauthority.org/recyclingcenters
DMV
Myrtle Beach Locations | 843.448.9957 scdmvonline.com/Locations/Myrtle-Beach
BRG Real Estate Agents
BRG is the #1 Independent Real Estate Company along the Grand Strand with offices in Charleston, South Carolina, Brunswick County/Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, the North Carolina Piedmont Triad area including Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem, and the southwest Florida coastal area including St. Petersburg, Bradenton Beach, Sarasota, Venice, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and Naples, Florida.
From the start, we knew that technology in real estate was going to be a gamechanger and we set a pace that other firms would struggle to catch up to. However, our guiding philosophy from our very first day, is that the most important aspect of every real estate transaction should be the relationship between the agent and their client. Above all else, it is our goal to provide you the most exceptional service available. We want to exceed your expectations, build an enduring relationship, and help you make your dream of moving to the beach a reality.
A Team that Works for You
Your BRG real estate professional will become your true partner as you navigate the real estate buying process. They will help you recognize market trends and identify areas that are primed to deliver your best value. All along the Carolina coastal regions, our agents are immersed in our communities where they learn about new opportunities first and stay on top of the market to provide sound real estate advice. They can also help you assemble a strong team that will work on your behalf and remain focused on your best interests.
Understanding South Carolina Agency Laws
As licensed agents in the states of South Carolina, there are certain documents that we as agents are required by law to discuss when it comes time to ask a customer to decide if they would like to become a client. If you’ve spoken with an agent and they haven’t given you this information upfront, then they are already violating the license law we are supposed to uphold! As a consumer, you have the right as to how you would like to be represented. At BRG we strive to help each customer at the highest level which would be client level representation under a Buyer Agency agreement. In order to better understand your options, any agent you speak with in South Carolina should share with you the “South Carolina Disclosure of Brokerage Relationships” brochure. In North Carolina, you should receive the “Working with Real Estate Agents” brochure. Those documents would be required documents for you to review and sign when working with any licensed agent.
Real Estate Attorneys
South Carolina law requires every real estate transaction in the state to be facilitated by a real estate attorney. Your attorney is a vital member of your team and will ensure you are protected from any unforeseen issues, negotiate terms, and offer advice. Your attorney will be an invaluable resource that can provide expert knowledge and insight into your real estate transaction. Your Agent can provide you with a list of practicing Real Estate Attorneys in the area.
Contact Us
Grand Strand Office Locations
MYRTLE BEACH
1309 Professional Drive • Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH
767 Main Street • North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
MURRELLS INLET
3103 S. Highway 17 Business, Unit F • Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
MARKET COMMON
2876 Howard Avenue, Unit G-A • Myrtle Beach 29577
CAROLINA FOREST
4999 Carolina Forest Blvd., Suite 18 • Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
Main phone: 843.883.6600
Email us: admin@brgonline.com
Our Website: CarolinaCoast.BRGonline.com
Broker-in-Charge
Brie Bender | briebender@gmail.com
Regional Sales Manager
Kris Fuller | realtorkrisfuller@gmail.com
More BRG Locations
OCEAN ISLE BEACH, NC
6934 Beach Drive SW Suite #4
Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
CHARLESTON, SC
47 State Street
Charleston, SC 29401
NORTH CAROLINA TRIAD REGION
101 Gannaway Street, Suite 10
Jamestown NC 27282
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
117 7th Street N
Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
Property Management
BRG Property Management BRG’s Property Management Division offers professional asset management and long-term rental placement services for your real estate asset. Professional Property Managers, Maintenance, and Accounting Services ensure your rental investment property is being properly taken care of, represented on your behalf, and provide peace of mind for real estate investors and value retention of your property.
Please contact us for more information:
843-631-7368 | Laura@beachrentalgroup.com
767 Main Street, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Carolina Property Insurance
Myrtle Beach homeowners, welcome to your peace of mind. Lower rates. Great service. Call today for a quote!
843-839-8361
