Older Americans flocking to Myrtle Beach for retirement

On the Atlantic Ocean coast of South Carolina, near the North Carolina border, lies the Myrtle Beach area. Known as the Grand Strand, this 60-mile stretch includes 14 communities, with Myrtle Beach as its entertainment hub. This city of approximately 40,000 residents sees a significant population increase during summer months.

The region is diverse, featuring historic towns like Conway and fishing villages such as Murrells Inlet. Surfside Beach caters to families seeking beachside recreation. The area attracts over 18 million visitors annually and appeals to various home buyers including families, second-home owners, vacation-rental investors, and notably retirees. Between 2020 and 2023, it experienced a 23% growth in its population aged 65 and older according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Myrtle Beach's location is about halfway between New York City and Miami, Florida. Its accessibility is enhanced by Myrtle Beach International Airport which offers direct flights to many destinations.

The climate features mild seasons with July being the hottest month at an average temperature of 87.6 degrees Fahrenheit and January averaging at 55.7 degrees Fahrenheit.

Myrtle Beach combines vacation destination amenities such as dining, shopping, outdoor activities including golf, concerts, and community festivals with Southern hospitality.

The real estate market offers options for all types of buyers: planned communities with resort-like amenities; established neighborhoods; oceanfront condos or bungalows; Intracoastal Waterway homes; larger properties slightly inland.

Popular neighborhoods include The Dunes near Dunes Golf and Beach Club offering large homesites on golf courses or oceanfront locations. The Golden Mile features oceanfront homes without hotels along its stretch while Grande Dunes provides luxury living across more than 2,000 acres with properties ranging from condos to multimillion-dollar homes.

Recent trends show buyers acquiring small cottages on oceanfront lots for over $1 million then replacing them with larger houses in accordance with local guidelines for site layout and design aesthetics.

Home insurance costs are rising due to extreme weather events making coverage harder to obtain post-pandemic according to Brian Payne from Field Insurance Agency who notes hurricanes as a major risk factor in this region.

Melanie Hellmer from Leonard Call Real Estate advises prospective buyers to consider their desired lifestyle whether it involves proximity to beaches or marinas or interest in golfing versus preferring privacy inland where space is more abundant while noting good local medical facilities including nationally ranked institutions within driving distance for specialized needs.

Notable listings include a prestigious historic residence on N Ocean Boulevard priced at $6.75 million featuring eight bedrooms across a main house guesthouse pool house set amid landscaped gardens complete with pool outdoor kitchen patio garage space two cars plus additional parking portico listed by Melanie Hellmer Leonard Call Real Estate alongside another property located Lake Drive valued $6.45 million comprising seven bedrooms twelve bathrooms situated gated lot overlooking Dunes Lake golf course containing main house two guesthouses exterior amenities pool spa putting green patios tiered gardens lakefront dock offered through Leonard Call Real Estate