Moving to Myrtle Beach? Here’s Everything Retirees Need to Know

11 minute read

What You’ll Gain From Reading This Article: Readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors to consider when contemplating retirement in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

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Many active adults love the popular beach town of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. And that popularity may inspire you to spend your own golden years soaking up the sun. But, you might still be wondering: Is Myrtle Beach a good place to retire? Before you move, you’ll want to know a few things about the area.

Here’s everything you need to know before moving to Myrtle Beach:

Retiring in Myrtle Beach: Pros and Cons

Pros

Weather – With an average temperature of 74 degrees and close to 215 days of sun, Myrtle Beach delivers pleasant weather throughout the year.
Plenty of Things To Do – There’s no shortage of activities, shopping, dining, and entertainment options to keep residents social and active. With 60 miles of coastline, almost 100 distinct golf courses in the area, and hundreds of annual events, there’s always something for residents to see or do in Myrtle Beach.
Wide Variety of Housing Options – Whether you’re looking to downsize, stick to a budget, or purchase a second home to escape harsh winters in your home state, Myrtle Beach has something for everyone’s lifestyle and budget.
Low Cost of Living – Is it expensive to live in Myrtle Beach? Myrtle Beach’s cost of living is 6% lower than the national average.

Cons

Crowds – The influx of crowds during peak season can cause major traffic delays, increasing the time it takes to get somewhere and causing longer wait times at restaurants and other local businesses.
Car-Dependent – There are limited public transportation options as well as limited walkability, so if you’re moving to Myrtle Beach, it’s important to know that residents heavily rely on having a car.

Myrtle Beach Climate

Myrtle Beach has a subtropical climate. Residents enjoy mild, sunny winters and warm summers with average temperatures ranging between 60 to 85 degrees throughout the year. Because of this great weather, locals enjoy more outdoor activities year-round. Myrtle Beach has many water-based activities, from fishing and boating to kayaking and paddle boarding. There are also countless golf courses, two state parks, and other popular outdoor destinations like Brookgreen Gardens and the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk.

Myrtle Beach Taxes

Myrtle Beach Property Taxes

While Myrtle Beach is a popular place to live, its property taxes are some of the lowest in the country. Expect 4-6% of the market value of the home. Plus, Myrtle Beach residents can receive an 88% property tax credit, according to the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Myrtle Beach Retirement Income Taxes

South Carolina doesn’t tax Social Security benefits. Also, it offers a retirement income deduction when calculating state income tax, which allows residents to save money each year.

Myrtle Beach Tax Exemptions for Seniors

Homeowners 65+ can qualify for homestead exemption. This exempts the first $50,000 fair market value of a primary residence from all property taxes.

Myrtle Beach Health Care

Finding a good doctor or hospital won’t be a problem in Myrtle Beach. There are several award-winning health care centers in the area. Myrtle Beach is home to four major hospital systems with urgent care and specialty services. These hospital systems include the Conway Medical Center, Grand Strand Health, McLeod Health, and Tideland Health. There are also many family practices, specialty clinics, and in-home health services in the area.

Where to Live in Myrtle Beach

Berkshire Forest

High $100ks – High $700ks

Berkshire Forest has 1,500 single-family homes with 20 floor plans to choose from. Homes range from 1,656 to 3,200 square feet with two to six bedrooms, two to five bedrooms, and two- or three-car garages. Along with its variety of floor plans, Berkshire Forest also has something for every budget. Amenities within the community include a clubhouse, a fitness center, as well as a day spa. Homeowners also have access to a pool and patio; tennis, basketball, and bocce ball courts; and walking trails.

Island Green

Low $100ks – Low $400ks

Island Green consists of condos, single-family, as well as attached homes. The community’s condos and attached homes are ideal for anyone looking to downsize. Condo floor plans range from 480 to 1,251 square feet, while the attached homes range from 480 to 1,018 square feet. Island Green’s single-family homes are between 1,100 to 3,468 square feet with two to four bedrooms, two to three bathrooms, and attached two-car garages. Homeowners also have access pools, patios, gathering areas, and tennis courts.

Myrtle Beach Golf & Yacht Club

Below $100k – Low $300ks

The Myrtle Beach Golf & Yacht Club is one of the area’s most affordable active adult communities. The gated neighborhood has several floor plans with models ranging from 1,100 to 1,800 square feet. All homes have two to three bedrooms and one to two bathrooms. Some options also feature attached garages and backyard patios. Additionally, the amenities include a clubhouse, a picnic area, an outdoor pool, tennis and shuffleboard courts, and walking and biking trails. There’s also plenty of room for residents to park their boats and RVs.

Emmens Preserve Myrtle Beach

Low $400ks – Low $500ks

Emmens Preserve Myrtle Beach has 569 homes with a mix of single-family and attached models. Plans for attached homes range from 1,323 to 1,700 square feet with two to three bedrooms, two to three bathrooms, and attached two-car garages. Single-family homes are larger, ranging from 1,352 to 2,790 square feet. They offer two to five bedrooms, one to four bathrooms, and attached two-car garages. Emmens Preserve Myrtle Beach also offers its residents several resort-style amenities. Residents enjoy a clubhouse and fitness center, a putting green and practice facilities, an outdoor pool and patio area, as well as walking and biking trails.

Del Webb at Grande Dunes Myrtle Beach

Low $400ks – Low $1Ms

Located within the Grande Dunes master-planned community, Del Webb at Grande Dunes Myrtle Beach is a gated neighborhood of 524 homes upon completion. Offering both attached and single-family homes, the community provides prospective buyers with plenty of floor plans. Layouts for the community’s attached homes range between 1,479 to 1,520 square feet with two to three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and attached two-car garages. There are seven customizable single-family models that range from 1,656 to 2,565 square feet. Homeowners have access to desirable amenities such as a well-appointed clubhouse with a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, and an arts and crafts studio. They also have access to the Grande Dunes Ocean Club’s amenities, which include two 18-hole golf courses.

Cresswind Myrtle Beach

Low $500ks – Low $600ks

Built by Kolter Homes, the Cresswind Myrtle Beach community consists of 400 single-family homes. There are two home collections to consider with several floor plans. The Sawgrass Collection has five models offering 1,454 and 1,957 square feet, while the Tidewater Collection has four models offering 2,136 to 2,547 square feet. Within the community, there’s also an amenity center with a fitness center, an aerobics and dance studio, an arts and crafts studio, and multipurpose rooms. Outdoor amenities include a pool, several athletic courts, as well as plenty of parks and natural space.

Cameron Village

Mid $200ks – High $400ks

Cameron Village is another Myrtle Beach community to consider if you’re moving to the area. The neighborhood boasts 344 homes with a mixture of attached and single-family homes. Layouts for attached homes range from 1,446 to 1,582 square feet, while the community’s single-family homes range from 2,248 to 3,179 square feet. Homeowners also have access to a clubhouse, an outdoor pool, basketball and tennis courts, walking and biking trails, as well as a playground for grandkids.

The Grove at Coastal Grand

Rent Starting at $1,827

The age-restricted Grove at Coastal Grand is perfect for active adults who’d prefer to rent instead of own. There are 194 apartments with monthly rental prices starting at $1,827. Unit layouts range from 715 to 1,400 square feet and have one to three bedrooms and one to two bathrooms. Renters have access to a fitness center, an onsite bar, hobby and game rooms, a movie theater, an aerobics and dance studio, as well as a demonstration kitchen. Outdoor amenities include a pool, gardening plots, a putting green, and a dog park.

Covenant Towers

Below $100k – High $100ks

Covenant Towers is ideal for active adults who want to downsize. This age-restricted community consists of 159 condos. There are studios as well as one- and two-bedroom units available that range from 450 to 1,468 square feet. Perks of living in Covenant Towers include bi-weekly housekeeping services, an onsite coffee shop, a beauty salon, and an outdoor pool and patio area. There’s also a shuttle service that will take residents to different destinations around town.

Park Place

High $400ks – High $500ks

Park Place is a small, close-knit community with 88 single-family homes. The neighborhood offers buyers four floor plans that range from 1,705 to 2,690 square feet. These properties offer three bedrooms, two to two-and-a-half bathrooms, and attached two-car garages. Park Place’s amenities include a pool and patio area, a pavilion, as well as scenic lakes.

Carillon at Tuscany

High $200ks – High $300ks

Gated and age-restricted, Carillon at Tuscany is another small community made up of 85 single-family homes. Floor plans range from 1,460 to 2,747 square feet and have three bedrooms, three bathrooms and two-car garages. Homeowners also have access to amenities like a movie theater, a fitness center, and a clubhouse with a game room, a pool table, a TV, card tables, and a dart board.

Waterside Edge

Low $600ks – Mid $1Ms

Waterside Edge, one of Myrtle Beach’s newest communities, will have 65 single-family homes upon completion. Homes within the community offer three to four bedrooms, four to four-and-a-half bathrooms, and attached two-car garages. Homeowners also have access to a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, and several athletic courts. Additionally, residents can access all of the amenities at the Grand Dunes Ocean Club, which include two 18-hole golf courses.

Waterside Pointe

Mid $600ks – Low $1Ms

Waterside Pointe is another up-and-coming 55+ community to consider in Myrtle Beach.  The gated and age-restricted development is ideally located along the Intracoastal Waterway and will have less than 50 single-family homes. Additionally, amenities within the community will include a clubhouse, a restaurant, indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, and a golf course.

55places Can Help You Move to Myrtle Beach

Now that you’ve done your research, you’re probably ready for the next step. 55places can help! Contact us, and we’ll connect you with an experienced local real estate agent who specializes in 55+ communities. They will help you through every step of the process to make your beachside retirement a reality. Start browsing homes in Myrtle Beach today!