6 Most cost-effective Beach Places to Live In South Carolina

In search of probably the most inexpensive beach towns to live in South Carolina? You’re in the suitable place.

Listed below are the highest beach towns which are each secure and budget-friendly.

Murrells Inlet

Positioned just north of Pawleys Island, Murrells Inlet offers natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and a low price of living.

Murrells Inlet is often called the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina,” with fresh catches each day and waterfront dining along its wood boardwalk, the MarshWalk.

You’ll find all the pieces from casual seafood shacks to upscale restaurants featuring local shrimp, crab, and fish. Once you’re not dining out, you may drop a line within the inlet or benefit from the picturesque views of the saltwater estuary.

Housing and utility costs in Murrells Inlet are well below the national average. Home prices are 2% lower, while utility bills are 17% higher; the trade-off for living in such a beautiful place is value it. Gas and transportation prices are only 10% above average.

Outdoor lovers like Brookgreen Gardens Sculpture Park and Huntington Beach State Park will appreciate the natural surroundings. These spots offer walking trails, wildlife viewing, and access to beaches and tidal creeks just minutes from town.

Closer to home, the MarshWalk boardwalk is ideal for cycling, jogging, bird-watching, and sunset strolling.

Pawleys Island

Pawleys Island, a small coastal town, has maintained its shabby chic character with historic cottages and natural, undeveloped areas.

Positioned 70 miles north of Charleston and 25 miles south of the more touristy Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island offers a peaceful escape with an easygoing vibe.

Life here comes with a lower cost of living. As a single adult, you may expect to pay around $35,700 per yr in living expenses, barely below the state average.

Housing costs are barely higher than the national average, with a median home value of $420,000. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,455 monthly.

The Grand Strand region is understood for world-class golfing, and inside 5 miles of Pawleys Island, there are ten top-rated golf courses. You can even go fishing within the surf or from the marsh bridges.

With 60 miles of coastline, the beach is the essential attraction. Go swimming, sunbathing, kayaking, or benefit from the picturesque sunrises and sunsets.

Edisto Beach

Edisto Beach is a reasonable beach town with a relaxed vibe and natural surroundings. The common one-bedroom apartment here costs around $1,150 monthly. This sea island paradise offers an escape from the hurried pace of life.

Edisto Beach’s 4.5 miles of uncrowded coastline and surrounding marshes provide opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, boating, fishing, and bird watching.

You would possibly spot dolphins playing within the surf or pelicans diving for fish. Rare fossils, like three-toed horse teeth, skate jaws, whelk egg cases, and whale and shark bones, have been found along the shore.

Edisto Beach State Park has mountaineering and biking trails through maritime forests and salt marshes. Golfers will benefit from the 18-hole course with scenic coastal views. The Edisto Marina has slips for rent and a ship launch for exploring the Intracoastal Waterway.

This tight-knit community has a wealthy cultural heritage and culinary scene. Long-time residents, often called “Edistonians,” value simplicity, nature, and tradition. Local restaurants serve fresh-caught seafood, Lowcountry boils, and homemade pie.

Try the Edisto Island Museum to learn concerning the area’s natural and human history. Historic churches just like the Episcopal Church of the Cross and Presbyterian Church have stood here for over 200 years.

Annual events include the Edisto Shrimp Fest, Chili Cook-Off, and Christmas Tree Lighting.

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Garden City Beach

Positioned just south of the favored tourist destination of Myrtle Beach, Garden City Beach has a more laid-back vibe and a lower cost of living. The common rent for an apartment in Garden City Beach is simply $1,761 monthly.

You could find small beach cottages and condos to rent for under $1,000 per week within the off-season and around $1,500 per week in the course of the busy summer months from June through August. If you happen to’re trying to buy, the median home value in Garden City Beach is $330,000, almost $100,000 lower than the national average of $410,200.

Healthcare, transportation, and utility costs are cheaper here than in most countries. The overall cost of essentials for a single adult, including housing, food, transportation, and health care, is estimated at around $39,135 per yr. Sales tax and income tax rates in South Carolina are also lower than average.

There are many free or low-cost activities in Garden City Beach. Go for a swim or sunbathe on the beach, visit the famous Garden City Beach Pier, or take a look at the Garden City Beach Arcade, which offers games, rides, mini golf and more.

You may go kayaking or paddle boarding within the inlet or bike ride along the coast. The Garden City Beach area also has over 60 golf courses, with inexpensive rates, especially within the off-season.

Cherry Grove Beach

Positioned in North Myrtle Beach, Cherry Grove offers scenic natural beauty minus the crowds and high prices of its famous neighbor.

The median home price in Cherry Grove is $315,000, and renters pay a typical $975 a month for housing—lower than the national average. The lower cost of living means your dollar goes further, whether you must buy a vacation home or live there year-round.

Cherry Grove Beach has a wealthy history of charming beach houses, shag music from bars and restaurants along the essential drag, and wide, empty beaches. The pace is slow and relaxed, perfect for a quiet walk along the shore or a day of sunbathing and swimming.

Drop by the Cherry Grove Oceanfront Park or historic Cherry Grove Pier for scenic views of the coastline and fishing spots.

Mount Nice

Mount Nice is an idyllic beach town just 20 minutes from Charleston, with a surprisingly low price of living. As a well-liked vacation destination, you’ll never run out of things to do, but you’ll pay a fraction of the value in comparison with other resort towns.

The median household income in Mount Nice is around $106,000 a yr, while the national average is near $80,000. Mount Nice homes on the market range from $46K – $5.99M, with the common price of a 2-bed single-family home only $579K.

Rent for a one-bedroom apartment starts at around $1,000 monthly. These lower living costs mean your dollar will stretch further, allowing you to live an easygoing beach lifestyle without breaking the bank.

Walk the Ravenel Bridge at sunset, paddle the waters of Shem Creek, catch live music at The Pour House, or stroll through the streets of the Old Village stuffed with locally-owned shops.

Mount Nice has activities for people of all ages at little to no cost. Another top attractions are Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, Boone Hall Plantation, Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, and Palmetto Islands County Park.

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