Anybody familiar with Pawleys Island, SC?

[manaboutown]

Close friends of mine moved to the Kona area on the western side of Hawaii, the big island, two years ago and have concluded for several reasons it is not for them - well before Kilauea started flexing its muscles on the eastern side of the island near Hilo.

Anyway, they have for some months been looking for a place to move and discovered Pawleys Island. He is an expert sailor and they both love being near salt water. While they find the whole Myrtle Beach area attractive they are especially drawn to Pawleys Island, in particular Heritage Plantation.

Has anyone lived in the Myrtle Beach area for any length or time or is anyone very familiar with it?

Both pros and cons are welcome.

Does the Waccamaw River flood?

Is the island Hurricane prone?

Thank you for your responses in advance.

[stephenm52]

My wife and I visited Myrtle Beach and stayed in condos on a golf course in a place called Pawley's Plantation. It was excellent there. however we were very disappointed when we actually went to Myrtle Beach I think what played into it, it was a biker week. The bikers were those that ride the Suzuki style motorcycle where they sit very forward and make plenty of noise. Last year we spent a week at Hilton Head and it was much better. That's probably not a lot of information but it was our experience. Years back I had family who were avid golfers, they loved Myrtle Beach.

I don't think you can go wrong with Pawley's Island but I'm far from an expert.

[manaboutown]

My wife and I visited Myrtle Beach and stayed in condos on a golf course in a place called Pawley's Plantation. It was excellent there. however we were very disappointed when we actually went to Myrtle Beach I think what played into it, it was a biker week. The bikers were those that ride the Suzuki style motorcycle where they sit very forward and make plenty of noise. Last year we spent a week at Hilton Head and it was much better. That's probably not a lot of information but it was our experience. Years back I had family who were avid golfers, they loved Myrtle Beach.

Thank you! That is a start. These are lifelong Californians and while they have spent a little time on the Atlantic coast they really do not know it or understand very well.

They literally cannot believe how low the real estate taxes are in that area. They are in their mid sixties. Their adult children are in their thirties now so schools are not an issue.

[perrjojo]

Myrtle Beach has a reputation of Redneck Rivera as compared to Hilton Head. I love both. I have not lived on Pawleys Island and cannot answer your specific questions. I do like the island and Pawlleys Island Hammocks are the best.

[manaboutown]

Thank you for that info, perrjojo. I spent a couple weeks on Hilton Head fairly recently and very much enjoyed its ambiance.

As for Myrtle Beach, I was only there a couple times in 1965 while I was in the US Army stationed at Ft. Jackson, SC. I doubt I would recognize it today. lol

My friends' research indicates the Myrtle Beach area has 60 miles of nice beach which appeals to them. They both swim in the ocean off HI almost daily.

[valuemkt]

The greater Myrtle Beach area and Hilton head couldn't be much different. Not being a golfer, I found Hilton Head boring, with a shortage of restaurants and corresponding long lines and waits. The island seemed to shut down around 9. The entire coastline of Myrtle is prone to tropical storms.. here are a few links regarding pauley island in 2017:

Pawleys Island seeing significant road flooding before high tide - WMBFNews.com, Myrtle Beach/Florence SC, Weather (http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/36336628/pawleys-island-seeing-significant-road-flooding-before-high-tide)
Pawleys Island residents hold out hope for power as they brace for more flooding | WPDE (http://wpde.com/news/local/pawleys-island-hopes-for-power-as-residents-brace-for-more-flooding)

Unlike the Villages you;re on the coast and you pay your money and take your chances. I spend at least one week in Myrtle during the summer at an ocean front condo. Any new structures have to be built on stilts to minimize flood damage, Property taxes are significantly less for permanent residents vs those that have second homes there ..

There are two bikers weeks that I know of.. one around memorial day .. not sure when the other is .. Given a choice, you don;t want to be there during them.. or certainly not near the section of town where many stay .. I've spoken to restaurant servers there .. They hate Biker weeks as the restaurants are filled but they claim the tips are horrendous .

There are folks I know that think the Villages is too far "north" to experience a nice warm winter... Do the math onhow much further north pauley;s or Myrtle is.. and look at the December to March temperature ranges to see if that fits your expectations and requirements ..

The ocean is great during the summer.. you probably can go in 4 .. maybe 5 months of the year

[manaboutown]

Thanks valuemkt. PI seems to be a barrier island so it gets a pounding now and then. Other friends of mine had a place on Galveston Island which was hit by Ike in 2008. What a mess it was for them. I have spent a lot of time on Ocracoke Island. No house has lasted there over time as one can tell by looking at old aerial photographs.

This inquiry is not for me. Inland is far safer IMO.

[manaboutown]

Hurricane Ike In Galveston Texas (Sept 2008) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK30w05yzTE)

[villagerjack]

Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach could not be more different. A walk or bike ride on each beach area tells the story for me with large condos abutting MB but on HHI. Except for a few hotels, not many structures lmore than 4-5 stories line the beach with many private homes. While both places can be a little crowded during the summer, it dwindles off around mid August as kids go back to school. The Grand Strand traffic at MB is a complete nightmare. Sun City Hilton Head is short 20 minute ride to HHI and has residents all year long as population dwindles sharply about 9 months of the year. Jimmy Buffet is also building an over 55 Community a short distance from Sun City. HHI is a treasure I also like Myrtle Beach. A visit to both areas is highly recommended before any purchase, you will see the difference right away particularly with the Landscaping the 60 miles of bike paths and a few large Marinas at Skull Creek, Shelter Cove. For an active older couple I would choose HHI over MB any day of the week. I am a little prejudice as we own property on HHI and have been going there for over 30 years. Although we did get hit two years ago, hurricane history is excellent.Hurricanes seem to bypass HHI and head up to Wilmington NC. I have two condos at or near the beach and I had zero damage although the island did suffer some damage.

[ColdNoMore]

Hurricane Ike In Galveston Texas (Sept 2008) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK30w05yzTE)

I was staying in the San Luis Resort, not long before Ike hit.

Even with a great view, no way would I try to ride a hurricane out from there...lol

[asianthree]

Have a place in St James Plantation, NC. Near barrier island. First week of ownership hurricane knocked on the door. In two years there has been 4 hurricanes, and multiple storms.

House is built on stilts, and multiple ponds and a golf course, for water run off. While not in SC, storms are about the same.

If you are a worrier, barrier island life is not for you. We look at it as good insurance will take care of things. And nobody loves the kitchen:faint:.

[bagboy]

My wife and I visited Myrtle Beach and stayed in condos on a golf course in a place called Pawley's Plantation. It was excellent there. however we were very disappointed when we actually went to Myrtle Beach I think what played into it, it was a biker week. The bikers were those that ride the Suzuki style motorcycle where they sit very forward and make plenty of noise. Last year we spent a week at Hilton Head and it was much better. That's probably not a lot of information but it was our experience. Years back I had family who were avid golfers, they loved Myrtle Beach.

I don't think you can go wrong with Pawley's Island but I'm far from an expert.

Judging the area while visiting during any one of three bike events is extremely unfair and inaccurate.

[bagboy]

There is alot of misinformation in some of the previous posts. I lived in North Myrtle and Little River for almost 12 years so I won't pretend to know Pawleys Island, but I am very familiar with the Grand Strand over all. Trying to compare Pawleys Island to Myrtle Beach is ridiculous. MB is all tourist and beach and attractions, all the time. South of MB from Murrells Inlet through Litchfield to Pawleys Island is much more laid back, low country living. There are quaint shops and eateries, and many very upscale neighborhoods. Traffic??? Yes, it's usually heavy because there is only one road, Highway 17.
Sailing ??? I'm not sure about. I'm not aware of any marinas south of Murrells Inlet, but you can access the ocean there, or in Litchfield. A person could spend a lifetime enjoying the laid back atmosphere and southern lifestyle in Pawleys Island and never have to go up to Myrtle Beach for anything. I suggest renting a condo or house for a minimum of a month, hopefully longer. August and September would be good. You can experience the low country heat and humidity, the busier month of August, and quieter month of September (with the exception of golfers).

[manaboutown]

There is alot of misinformation in some of the previous posts. I lived in North Myrtle and Little River for almost 12 years so I won't pretend to know Pawleys Island, but I am very familiar with the Grand Strand over all. Trying to compare Pawleys Island to Myrtle Beach is ridiculous. MB is all tourist and beach and attractions, all the time. South of MB from Murrells Inlet through Litchfield to Pawleys Island is much more laid back, low country living. There are quaint shops and eateries, and many very upscale neighborhoods. Traffic??? Yes, it's usually heavy because there is only one road, Highway 17.
Sailing ??? I'm not sure about. I'm not aware of any marinas south of Murrells Inlet, but you can access the ocean there, or in Litchfield. A person could spend a lifetime enjoying the laid back atmosphere and southern lifestyle in Pawleys Island and never have to go up to Myrtle Beach for anything. I suggest renting a condo or house for a minimum of a month, hopefully longer. August and September would be good. You can experience the low country heat and humidity, the busier month of August, and quieter month of September (with the exception of golfers).

Thank you!

From what you wrote it seems PI or another similarly quiet area outside MB would be the way to go. They are truly tired of living amongst tourists, especially the hard partying kind.

They resided in a 55 and over community in Southern California for nine years just prior to moving to HI, enjoying the relative peacefulness of that community. Since they have traveled the world, literally, they are familiar with spending time in hot, humid climates. Where they live now in HI it is hot and humid at times but then the Trade Winds kick in. Being in a coastal community is important to them. I agree they should rent for a couple months at least which I imagine they want to do.

[manaboutown]

Have a place in St James Plantation, NC. Near barrier island. First week of ownership hurricane knocked on the door. In two years there has been 4 hurricanes, and multiple storms.

House is built on stilts, and multiple ponds and a golf course, for water run off. While not in SC, storms are about the same.

If you are a worrier, barrier island life is not for you. We look at it as good insurance will take care of things. And nobody loves the kitchen:faint:.

:agree: To me it is a sooner or later situation. They want to live on or very near the coast so...

[bagboy]

Thank you!

From what you wrote it seems PI or another similarly quiet area outside MB would be the way to go. They are truly tired of living amongst tourists, especially the hard partying kind.

They resided in a 55 and over community in Southern California for nine years just prior to moving to HI, enjoying the relative peacefulness of that community. Since they have traveled the world, literally, they are familiar with spending time in hot, humid climates. Where they live now in HI it is hot and humid at times but then the Trade Winds kick in. Being in a coastal community is important to them. I agree they should rent for a couple months at least which I imagine they want to do.

I think the Pawleys Island, Litchfield by the Sea area might be to their liking. Several "plantations" there including Pawleys Plantation and Willbrook where there are very nice homes and neighborhoods. I looked on Google maps and there is a small marina in Willbrook Plantation called Reserve Harbor Yacht Club. And there may be more. One more thing, Murrells Inlet is great for dining out and departing the marina for sailing, but it is usually busy, alot of tourists at times, and a couple of biker bars. Probably not where they would like to live, but nice to have close by.

[manaboutown]

I think the Pawleys Island, Litchfield by the Sea area might be to their liking. Several "plantations" there including Pawleys Plantation and Willbrook where there are very nice homes and neighborhoods. I looked on Google maps and there is a small marina in Willbrook Plantation called Reserve Harbor Yacht Club. And there may be more. One more thing, Murrells Inlet is great for dining out and departing the marina for sailing, but it is usually busy, alot of tourists at times, and a couple of biker bars. Probably not where they would like to live, but nice to have close by.

Good info. Thanks. So far they have looked at Heritage Plantation (only on the internet, of course) which has a marina. I will let them know of these others. They are not golfers.

[John_W]

I lived in Savannah most of the 80's and traveled to Hilton a couple of times, it seemed to be more residential and not much going on. I think at that time they only had 7 golf courses, it's probably grown a lot but I would guess it's still laid back. If you like that low country housing and desire a bigger city, look in Savannah at Skiddaway Island or if you want near the beaches and an older more established neighborhood, look at Wilmington Island.

In 1998 I was considering a move from Baltimore to Myrtle Beach and we made 3 one week trips. Myrtle Beach midtown in the winter, Pawleys Island in the spring and Little River in the summer. Overall I liked North Myrtle Beach at the time. It had a quaint small town flavor, nice little library, new homes were actually bungalow style and they had a new Walmart that was the nicest one I've been in, I found products there like an old tyme fan that I've never seen at any other Walmart. North Myrtle Beach is near everything as far as activities and beaches.

The Pawleys Island was my least favorite, kind of a sleepy little South Carolina town. I even drove 5 miles further south across the bridge into Georgetown and it might of been 100 miles inland, you would of never known you were near Myrtle Beach.

I found the area around the airport to have a lot of housing with golf courses in my price range at the time. We looked at dozens of new homes, and we found a new 3 BR 2 BA masonry rancher on the golf course fairway for $150K in a new subdivision off Dick Pond Rd. Very near everything and yet secluded. I just looked at Zillow and in that subdivision right now there is not one home for sale, and yet all around the other areas are full of resales. I looked at the street view and the place looked immaculate and grown up, very nice community.

[manaboutown]

I lived in Savannah most of the 80's and traveled to Hilton a couple of times, it seemed to be more residential and not much going on. I think at that time they only had 7 golf courses, it's probably grown a lot but I would guess it's still laid back. If you like that low country housing and desire a bigger city, look in Savannah at Skiddaway Island or if you want near the beaches and an older more established neighborhood, look at Wilmington Island.

In 1998 I was considering a move from Baltimore to Myrtle Beach and we made 3 one week trips. Myrtle Beach midtown in the winter, Pawleys Island in the spring and Little River in the summer. Overall I liked North Myrtle Beach at the time. It had a quint small town flavor, nice little library, new homes were actually bungalow style and they had a new Walmart that was the nicest one I've been in, I found products there like an old tyme fan that I've never seen at any other Walmart.

The Pawleys Island was my least favorite, kind of a sleepy little South Carolina town. I even drove 5 miles further south across the bridge into Georgetown and it might of been 100 miles inland, you would of never known you were near Myrtle Beach.

I found the area around the airport to have a lot of housing with golf courses in my price range at the time. We looked at dozens of new homes, and we found a new 3 BR 2 BA masonry rancher on the golf course fairway for $150K in a new subdivision off Dick Pond Rd. Very near everything and yet secluded. I just looked at Zillow and in that subdivision right now there is not one home for sale, and yet all around the other areas are full of resales. I looked at the street view and the place looked immaculate and grown up, very nice community.

Thank you John W. I will pass this info on.

[bagboy]

I lived in Savannah most of the 80's and traveled to Hilton a couple of times, it seemed to be more residential and not much going on. I think at that time they only had 7 golf courses, it's probably grown a lot but I would guess it's still laid back. If you like that low country housing and desire a bigger city, look in Savannah at Skiddaway Island or if you want near the beaches and an older more established neighborhood, look at Wilmington Island.

In 1998 I was considering a move from Baltimore to Myrtle Beach and we made 3 one week trips. Myrtle Beach midtown in the winter, Pawleys Island in the spring and Little River in the summer. Overall I liked North Myrtle Beach at the time. It had a quaint small town flavor, nice little library, new homes were actually bungalow style and they had a new Walmart that was the nicest one I've been in, I found products there like an old tyme fan that I've never seen at any other Walmart. North Myrtle Beach is near everything as far as activities and beaches.



The Pawleys Island was my least favorite, kind of a sleepy little South Carolina town. I even drove 5 miles further south across the bridge into Georgetown and it might of been 100 miles inland, you would of never known you were near Myrtle Beach.

I found the area around the airport to have a lot of housing with golf courses in my price range at the time. We looked at dozens of new homes, and we found a new 3 BR 2 BA masonry rancher on the golf course fairway for $150K in a new subdivision off Dick Pond Rd. Very near everything and yet secluded. I just looked at Zillow and in that subdivision right now there is not one home for sale, and yet all around the other areas are full of resales. I looked at the street view and the place looked immaculate and grown up, very nice community.

The Myrtle Beach area has grown tremendously over the last 25 years. North Myrtle Beach still gives you a small town vibe, especially along Main St. and up in Cherry Grove. Little River is still quaint, with several affordable communities and a few golf course communities. Traffic is usually okay here, even during tourist season, except for the dinner hour.
The subdivision you mentioned off Dick Pond Rd. is most likely Southwood. It in itself is very nice, but a couple of big negatives. Dick Pond Rd. is also Hwy 544. On Saturdays spring, summer especially, and fall it is the main drag for tourists going to Ocean Lakes and Pirate land camping parks. And adjacent to Southwood is Deer Track, a former golf course community which is ready to undergo a major construction boom. So, like anywhere, it pays to visit, stay as long as you can, and seek out the locals for info.

[PennBF]

We have spent considerable time on PI's and MB and lived 12 years on the beach in Florida (e.g.Jensen Beach). The first thing I think they should consider is the threat of hurricanes for a few months. That does not go away and if it hits you are in for a bad couple of years rebuilding. The second when it comes to PI and MB although they are fine in the Spring and Fall, somewhat warm in the summer but in the winter months you get about 2-4 good days
and the other's are chilly and can be rainy. The net is it is very risky to buy on the coast as you are putting yourself in harms way. The beach (e.g. Jensen Beach) is great in Florida which is generally all beaches in Fla but they are very open to Hurricanes and bad storms. Thus, The Villages which is best choice if someone wants warm temp winter and summer, pretty much safe from the main damages from hurricanes and God forbid much to do. Good Luck in the search for a good place to settle.:bowdown:

[manaboutown]

Thank you, PennBF. I concur with you and have sent them info on TV including a wonderful promotional video made by the developer. It will be interesting to see what they decide to do. The Vog has been terrible where they live the last few days. They really want to move elsewhere.