Retiring to the Grand Strand: Where to Land on 60 Miles of Coast

People vacation in Myrtle Beach and decide to retire here. Understandable — but the beach you vacation at isn't always the beach you should live at, and the Grand Strand stretches about sixty miles with real differences from end to end.

Here's how I'd think about it.

First, the tax picture (it's genuinely good)

South Carolina treats retirees well, and this is a legitimate part of the decision:

• Social Security is not taxed at the state level.
• Retirees 65+ can deduct a meaningful amount of retirement income before state income tax applies.
• Owner-occupied homes are assessed at 4% — and Horry County's effective property tax on a primary residence is among the gentler rates you'll find on the East Coast.

That last point comes with a critical asterisk: the 4% rate applies to your legal primary residence, and you have to apply for it. If the Grand Strand home is a second home, you're at 6% with fewer credits — a substantially different annual bill. If you're relocating permanently, file the legal residence application; don't assume it happens automatically.

Median home prices in the Myrtle Beach area sit in the low $300Ks as of mid-2026, with roughly six months of inventory — which means, unusually for a coastal market, buyers currently have room to negotiate.

The honest cost caveat: insurance

Before the town-by-town part, the thing I make sure every retiring client hears: coastal insurance is the line item that breaks budgets here. Wind, hail, and flood coverage near the ocean has risen substantially, and how much you pay depends heavily on flood zone, elevation, distance from the water, and the age and construction of the building.

Two homes at the same price five miles apart can carry very different annual insurance costs. Get real quotes on the specific property early — ideally before you're emotionally committed.

Town by town

Myrtle Beach proper

The most amenities, the most activity, and the widest range of price points — from oceanfront condos to golf-course communities to the walkable, planned Market Common area. It's also the busiest, particularly in summer. Best for people who want energy, convenience, and things happening.

North Myrtle Beach

Quieter and more residential, with wide beaches and the Cherry Grove marsh. Barefoot Landing and the marina district anchor daily life. A strong mix of full-time residents and vacation homes, and the shag-dancing heritage gives it a character all its own. Best for people who want the beach without the boardwalk.

Carolina Forest and Conway

Ten to fifteen minutes inland — and this is where a lot of smart retirees actually land. Carolina Forest offers newer, well-planned neighborhoods; historic Conway brings a riverfront downtown with real charm. You give up walking to the sand and get, in exchange: lower insurance costs, more house per dollar, less summer traffic, and easier access to daily errands. For year-round living, this trade is worth taking seriously.

Murrells Inlet, Surfside and Pawleys Island

The South Strand slows down noticeably. Murrells Inlet has the MarshWalk and a genuine seafood-town identity; Surfside is an easy family beach; Pawleys Island carries a quieter low-country elegance. Golf communities are plentiful. Best for people who want scenery and calm over convenience and activity.

The five questions I'd ask before you choose

1. What does a normal Tuesday look like? Not a vacation Saturday. Groceries, gym, coffee, doctor. Some towns are much better at ordinary life than others.
2. How close do you need to be to healthcare? This matters more each year, and it's easier to solve at purchase than at 80.
3. Oceanfront, or ocean-adjacent? Being a ten-minute drive from the sand rather than on it can meaningfully change your insurance, HOA, and tax picture. A lot of long-term residents make exactly this trade.
4. How do you feel about summer? Traffic and crowds are a real seasonal fact. Some people love the energy; some plan their errands around it.
5. Will family visit — and stay? It affects how many bedrooms you actually need, and whether a condo or a house fits your life.

How I'd approach the trip

Come outside of peak summer if you can, so you see the towns as residents experience them. Drive from Pawleys Island to North Myrtle in one day to feel the scale. Sit somewhere ordinary — a grocery store parking lot, a local coffee shop — and picture your Tuesday.

Then talk to someone who can tell you which of those towns matches what you just felt. That's the part I'm good at, and it's free. Book a call or read my full Grand Strand neighborhood guides to start narrowing it down.

Tax rates, insurance costs, and short-term rental ordinances change and vary by exact location. Verify current rules with the city, Horry County, the HOA, and a tax professional before purchasing. This is general information, not tax, legal, or investment advice. Equal Housing Opportunity.