Where should we visit to get a proper feel for MB area? (Myrtle Beach: how much, new home)

[pvjd]

My wife and I are visiting MB this winter, and would appreciate input on places to visit that would give us an idea of life in Myrtle Beach. We are considering moving to Myrtle, N. Myrtle, Conway or one of the surrounding aeas and will only be visiting for a few days (we plan to visit frequently, but only for a couple of days at a time). What can you tell me about Murrell's Inlet, Surfside, Conway, Socastee etc. that we could make a long weekend out of?

Thanks

[beachmomma]

Drive through the Carolina Forest area for an idea of typical residental neighborhoods -- it's off of 501 between Conway and the ocean. There are different priced neighborhoods, from Avalon and The Farm up to Plantation Lakes. It'll give you some ideas. Drive down on Ocean Blvd. that runs in front of the ocean (duh, I guess that's obvious) and look at some residential areas from 30th Ave. driving north up towards 76th Ave. or so. Drive up Kings Hwy. (also known as Hwy 17 Business) and look at some of the restaurants and specialty shops, again from about 18th or 20th Ave. up toward the higher numbers. Drive down to Murrell's Inlet one evening either on Hwy. 17 bypass (and look at all the shops and businesses along the way) or on Hwy. 17 Business (aka Kings Hwy.) and have dinner at one of the fun little restaurants on the Marsh Walk on the left over looking the ocean. Go to Broadway at the Beach and just window shop and stop in for a nice lunch at one of the dozens of restaurants, or go in the evening, if its your thing, and go to one of the many clubs to dance or listen to piano music. If you like to shag and like the old beach music, go to North Myrtle one evening (it's a small place) and ask at any gas station or shop where the best shag music is and you'll get an earfull. If you want to look at nice neighborhoods down toward Surfside, look at Wachesaw Plantation and Prestwick, both of which are gated, but you may be able to get it for a quick look-see if you talk to the gaurd right. If you like to golf, just close your eyes and point in any direction to an awesome course -- we've got some of the best in the country. Conway has some really nice little shops and it's a quaint little town to stroll around in. Make sure if you go to check out the Trestle Bakery -- wonderful, but go early enough before they run out -- when they sell out, they close for the day! Also, have a superb lunch or dinner at River Town Bistro in Conway off of 3rd. Ave, I believe (ask -- anyone will tell you where they are...) Hope this helps and you have an awesome time. Don't forget to take the time to just walk on the beach one evening at sunset.

[pvjd]

Originally Posted by beachmomma

Drive through the Carolina Forest area for an idea of typical residental neighborhoods -- it's off of 501 between Conway and the ocean. There are different priced neighborhoods, from Avalon and The Farm up to Plantation Lakes. It'll give you some ideas. Drive down on Ocean Blvd. that runs in front of the ocean (duh, I guess that's obvious) and look at some residential areas from 30th Ave. driving north up towards 76th Ave. or so. Drive up Kings Hwy. (also known as Hwy 17 Business) and look at some of the restaurants and specialty shops, again from about 18th or 20th Ave. up toward the higher numbers. Drive down to Murrell's Inlet one evening either on Hwy. 17 bypass (and look at all the shops and businesses along the way) or on Hwy. 17 Business (aka Kings Hwy.) and have dinner at one of the fun little restaurants on the Marsh Walk on the left over looking the ocean. Go to Broadway at the Beach and just window shop and stop in for a nice lunch at one of the dozens of restaurants, or go in the evening, if its your thing, and go to one of the many clubs to dance or listen to piano music. If you like to shag and like the old beach music, go to North Myrtle one evening (it's a small place) and ask at any gas station or shop where the best shag music is and you'll get an earfull. If you want to look at nice neighborhoods down toward Surfside, look at Wachesaw Plantation and Prestwick, both of which are gated, but you may be able to get it for a quick look-see if you talk to the gaurd right. If you like to golf, just close your eyes and point in any direction to an awesome course -- we've got some of the best in the country. Conway has some really nice little shops and it's a quaint little town to stroll around in. Make sure if you go to check out the Trestle Bakery -- wonderful, but go early enough before they run out -- when they sell out, they close for the day! Also, have a superb lunch or dinner at River Town Bistro in Conway off of 3rd. Ave, I believe (ask -- anyone will tell you where they are...) Hope this helps and you have an awesome time. Don't forget to take the time to just walk on the beach one evening at sunset.

Thanks so much for the info. I hear a lot of complaints about tourists in MB, but quite frankly I like all the touristy stuff, so does my wife. We are seriously considering the area because she misses the Jersey Shore (we live in AL), and I think FL is way too hot. I have heard good things about Myrtle and Conway, but don't know much about Murrell's, Longs or Socastee. Can you tell me anything about them (we don't a little mind rural, but we aren't chicken farmers)? Also, any advice on places to avoid?

[baylovers]

Here's a response I wrote to a similar request:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/charl...eorgetown.html

There is a really nice town-style development being built on the old air force base called Market Commons and from what they've built so far it looks really nice.

[beachmomma]

Originally Posted by baylovers

Here's a response I wrote to a similar request:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/charl...eorgetown.html

There is a really nice town-style development being built on the old air force base called Market Commons and from what they've built so far it looks really nice.

That is a really nice area they're developing. It's brand new and still has a long way until completion. The prices there may be a bit dear, though, from what I've been seeing. I'm not sure they're worth as much as the developers think they are, but what do I know? There isn't too much of a "a little bit rural" around here, I've noticed: you're either with a lot of neighbors or you're out in the sticks. I'm not sure why that is, but it's different than any other place we've ever lived. Socastee is what I'd consider out in the sticks. Unless you're a farmer or just like lots of space around you (and to have to drive anywhere to get to good shopping or dining or any entertainnent at all, I'm not sure why anyone would want to live there. Maybe it's cheap, I don't know. I don't know anything about Longs. Murrell's Inlet is nice -- we've got some freinds who live down there on the water and just love it. It's got a distinctive feel to it that's a little hard to describe, but it's different than Myrtle Beach. You might just want to drive around a little and you'll see what I mean. It's very cute -- just different from Myrtle Beach. It's all very close to the water, too (being an inlet, I guess that's a given.) so you're constantly more aware of the ocean than when you're in Myrtle Beach, which is much larger and spread out more.

[pvjd]

Thank. Is N Myrtle more residential than Myrtle?

[lowcountry]

As fare as residential areas, one of the most attractive ones, is in the South strand. Sometimes called the Waccamaw Neck, it consists largely of communities planned around golf courses and or the sea islands along these coastal communities. The area would basically include from Prince Creek in Murrells Inlet southward to the very upscale Debordieu on Pawleys Island. If you do a search it would be Murrells Inlet, Litchfield and Pawleys Island.

[baylovers]

How much are looking to spend PVJD? And what are looking for in a community?

Gated, planned subdivision, security, community pool etc?

[pvjd]

Originally Posted by baylovers

How much are looking to spend PVJD? And what are looking for in a community?

Gated, planned subdivision, security, community pool etc?

Well, we are looking for a new home in a community for less than 200k. 3-4 bedrooms with at least 1800 feet.

[baylovers]

I think you are going have a hard time finding many choices with that price range along the beach side. You will probably have to go closer to Conway, Aynor, Longs.

Although a quick search on the mls just showed a few houses in the Pincrest Section & a couple in The Farm area of Carolina Forest. I am not intimate with these areas. I have seen several people on these forums who live there & can help.