Oceanfront living, endless entertainment, and growing opportunities.

Moving to Myrtle Beach & The Grand Strand

If you're dreaming of life near the beach, Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand offer more than just sunshine and sand. Stretching over 60 miles along the Atlantic coast, this coastal region is a top destination for retirees, remote workers, families, and entrepreneurs looking to enjoy coastal living without the high price tag of other East Coast beach towns.

Whether you’re moving for a job, a change of pace, or to enjoy your retirement, here’s what makes Myrtle Beach a great place to call home.

What Is the Grand Strand?

The Grand Strand refers to the string of beach towns and communities stretching from Little River (near the North Carolina border) down to Georgetown, South Carolina. It includes:

  • Myrtle Beach (the largest and most well-known city)

  • North Myrtle Beach

  • Surfside Beach

  • Garden City & Murrells Inlet

  • Conway

  • Pawleys Island

  • Litchfield Beach

  • Georgetown

Each area has its own feel—ranging from lively and tourist-friendly to quiet and residential.

Living in Myrtle Beach

Affordability
Compared to many coastal cities, Myrtle Beach offers a relatively low cost of living, especially in housing and property taxes. Whether you're looking for a beachfront condo, golf course community, or single-family home, there are options for a wide range of budgets.

Retirement & Second Homes
The area is a top choice for retirees, with mild winters, plentiful healthcare providers, and a strong community of 55+ neighborhoods and active lifestyle communities.

Family-Friendly Living
With expanding school districts, local colleges, and year-round outdoor fun, families are increasingly choosing to settle in the area. Areas like Carolina Forest and Conway are popular for young families and offer newer developments and good schools.

Major Employers & Economic Growth

While tourism drives the local economy, the Grand Strand is diversifying with growth in healthcare, education, construction, and remote work.

Top employers include:

  • Tidelands Health and Conway Medical Center

  • Horry County Schools

  • Coastal Carolina University

  • Myrtle Beach International Airport

  • A growing number of hospitality groups, tech startups, and construction/development companies

The region is also business-friendly, with no state tax on Social Security and strong support for small business growth.

Things to Do in Myrtle Beach & the Grand Strand

  • Relax on 60+ miles of beaches – from popular Myrtle Beach to the quiet sands of Pawleys Island

  • Play golf at over 80 award-winning courses

  • Catch a live show at The Carolina Opry or Alabama Theatre

  • Enjoy family fun at Broadway at the Beach, Barefoot Landing, and Myrtle Waves

  • Dine on fresh seafood in Murrells Inlet, the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina”

  • Explore nature at Huntington Beach State Park or Brookgreen Gardens

  • Attend festivals like the World Famous Blue Crab Festival or the Myrtle Beach Food Truck Festival

Getting Around

  • Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) provides convenient flights to major cities across the U.S.

  • Highway 17 and Highway 501 are the main thoroughfares, connecting beach towns and inland communities.

  • Coastal Carolina University and Horry-Georgetown Technical College serve as education and workforce development hubs.