What's it like to live in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina? I might spend retirement there.?

Answer 1

Can I go with you? That is where I want to retire also. I go there every spring and I am in love with the area. The beaches are nice, they have great dining and entertainment and the shopping is wonderful. I would choose it over Florida.....

Answer 2

I spent some time there for vacation and although it was a nice spot to be for vacation, I wouldn't recommend it for retirement since it's very congested and noisy. It's now a big spring break destination as well so there will be a flood of college students coming down in February, with the drinking, etc. Go for the occasional break, but not for retirement. Try Hilton Head for retirement.

Answer 3

Well right now it's hurricane season in South Carolina, just a thought, but have you figured that into your retirement 2? I have relatives that live in Corpus Christie, TX and well, it's just no the best time they've ever had - due to the hurricanes. Sorry, know I didn't really answer your ?. Good luck though.

Answer 4

Virginia Beach is a good coastal retirement place. It tends to be a little cheaper than most "resort areas" because it's got the military element there. And it tends to attract fewer hurricanes than the Carolina Coast. I lived there for 3 years and my in-laws retired there.

Answer 5

My family and I use to go on vacation here for 10 years. It was awesome when we visited and then my ex and I moved here thinking it was going to be awesome. Visiting and living here is two different things. When we visited people were so nice and we visited all the attractions. When we moved here we found out what it really was like. Working here, you really dont have much time to do anything. We rarely see the ocean and the city of Myrtle Beach is trashed. We live in Murrells Inlet and its not quite as bad. The traffic is aweful and sooo many car accidents. The crime rate has gone up tremendously and it would be wise to get your CWP for protection.Alot of locals call this place Murder Beach. I have almost been car jacked twice. Alot of banks, businesses, and cars have been robbed. My husband and I have a govt. job so we are lucky in that aspect but jobs are low paying and hard to find. You can find the same attractions here as you could at any other tourist area. The weather is ok here. It still gets cold at times and the summer is very hot with high humidity. This is a good place for retirees but they have to be careful of crime too. If you do your research on crime you will see we rank very high on the list. Alot of crime is hidden because they dont want to scare the tourist away. (told by a police officer with whom I work for and also his children carry). My advice, visit for a week or so, lock your car because tourist are prime targets, and be careful of your surroundings, especially in the dirty town of MB. Pawleys Island is beautiful and no high rises allowed. Visit, enjoy the beach, go home broke but do yourself a favor and dont live here. We are planning on moving to Montana asap. As far away as possible.
By the way,
My son was just robbed at work last night at Jersey Mikes in Murrells inlet. (Dec-11-14)

Worst Medium Cities for Crime (200,000-500,000 pop.)

On the other hand, the South seems to be particularly challenged with crime:



Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach has the highest total rate of crime in the nation, due to a high rate of violent crime and the nation's highest rate of property crime. In particular, the rates of assault, burglary, and larceny are particularly high.

Answer 6

The negatives would be:
Bike month!
The whole month of may is swarming with motorcycles.They are so loud,and alot of people shut down that month,its very congested then.We go there quite a bit.You may want to consider Wilmington,NC.Beautiful port city,about 50 miles from Myrtle Beach.Beaches,and not so big,but with some city life.

Answer 7

Except for when the college kids are there on vacation, Myrtle Beach is VERY quiet. If you don't play golf or like to go to flea markets you're going to be bored to death. Like I always say, you get what you pay for.
However, it's FULL of retirees, so you won't lack for friends.