I love living in our coastal city, so it bothers me when Myrtle Beach gets a bad rap. News stories about unsavory crime rates (or any other negative publicity) will occasionally surface, and sometimes people jump to conclusions without considering the big picture. (For the record, crime rate statistics are calculated without factoring in our visitors. The year round, resident population in Myrtle Beach is around 27,000 whereas the average number of people in the area on a daily basis is around 105,000. When you look at the number of crimes that occur in relation to a population of 27,000 and fail to consider there’s roughly 80,000 additional people in the area, the numbers are going to be significantly skewed.)
With that said, I want to share the top 10 reasons why Myrtle Beach is a GREAT place to live.
#1 – 215 Days of Sunshine
That’s the annual average in Myrtle Beach. The weather is fantastic all year long with mild temperatures and sunny skies. The average high in the months of December and January (our coolest months) is between 57-60 degrees. Donate your snow shovel before you make the move because you definitely won’t need it here.
#2 – Beautiful Beaches
Our beaches are diligently maintained, and they remain pristine and beautiful as a result of strictly enforced laws and the city renourishment programs.
#3 – Activities, Entertainment, and Festivals, Oh My!
There’s a TON of stuff to do in Myrtle Beach. There are more than 102 golf courses, 30 miniature golf courses, 8 entertainment theaters, over 300 outlet stores, and approximately 1,700 restaurants in Horry and Georgetown county! If that’s not enough, there’s always some type of family-friendly festival going on, such as the Blue Crab Festival, Mayfest on Main, the Beach, Boogie, & BBQ Festival, Little River Shrimp & Jazz Festival, and the Loris Bog-Off, just to name a few.
# 4 – Lower Taxes & Low Cost of Living
The cost of living in Myrtle Beach is 7{8a4f45d74d514e6dd6794b8c6dd875260e3343c96bf403696e21fc128bbedf7b} lower than the national average and our real estate is reasonably priced. In addition, South Carolina doesn’t impose a tax on Social Security benefits and offers a generous retirement-income tax deduction, as well. As a whole (housing, taxes, utilities, and daily living expenses), Myrtle Beach is one of the most affordable places to live in the country, and residents receive an impressive 88{8a4f45d74d514e6dd6794b8c6dd875260e3343c96bf403696e21fc128bbedf7b} property tax credit.
# 5 – We’re Pro-Business
The state of South Carolina is a national leader for growth in self-employment, job placement efficiency, and a business-friendly tax climate. It is consistently ranked among the top pro-business states by Forbes magazine. South Carolina rewards investment and new employment by offering the lowest income tax in the Southeast and no inventory tax. The incentive list also includes exemptions, abatements, moratoriums, credits and reductions for new or expanding companies, and our state lawmakers are committed to keeping it that way.
These are just a few reasons why Myrtle Beach is an awesome place to live. Come visit and discover the endless others!