For years, the conversation around North Myrtle Beach real estate has centered on beach blocks, oceanfront condos, and golf cart neighborhoods just inland from the dunes. That's still a huge part of the story. But more and more buyers are widening their search just a few minutes to the west, and they're discovering something that has long been one of the area's best-kept secrets. Longs, SC offers a different way to live near the coast, and it's drawing in buyers who want more space, more value, and a quieter pace without losing the easy connection to the beach.
Where Longs Sits and Why That Matters
Longs is a small unincorporated community in Horry County, just a short drive west of North Myrtle Beach along Highway 9. It's close enough to be at the beach in 15 to 20 minutes, but far enough away to feel completely different from the busy beach corridor. Buyers searching for Longs SC homes for sale tend to be looking for that very balance: coast access without coast crowding.
The Right Distance From the Beach
The sweet spot for many buyers is being able to reach the ocean quickly without living on top of summer tourist traffic. Longs hits that mark. Once the bridges and beach traffic are behind you, life slows down, and the everyday rhythm becomes more like a country town than a coastal resort.
What Buyers Are Actually Getting in Longs
The biggest reason Longs keeps gaining momentum is the value. Buyers who feel priced out of the beach blocks are finding that they can stretch their dollar much further just a few miles inland.
More Square Footage and More Land
It's common to see homes in Longs offering 2,000 to 3,000 square feet on a quarter acre or more, often for less than what a smaller home costs closer to the beach. Communities like Plantation Pines, Carrington Woods, and Sun Colony regularly attract buyers who want a backyard, a garage, and enough room to entertain without sacrificing newer construction quality.
Newer Construction at Attractive Prices
Longs has been one of the most active new construction zones in the area. Builders have moved in over the past several years to deliver entry-level and mid-level price points that simply don't exist closer to the ocean anymore. For first-time buyers, downsizing retirees, and investors, this has opened up a whole new band of inventory.
Who Is Choosing Longs
The buyer profile in Longs is more diverse than people sometimes assume. The community now includes:
- Retirees moving south from the Northeast and Midwest who want low-maintenance new homes
- First-time buyers who work in North Myrtle Beach but couldn't make the math work on the beach side
- Growing families looking for room to spread out, with good access to schools
- Investors picking up homes for long-term rentals where short-term rentals dominate the beach market
- Second-home buyers who want a coastal address without the higher carrying costs
Each of these buyers has slightly different priorities, and one of the strengths of Longs is the variety of communities that fit them.
Lifestyle in Longs
Longs has its own personality. There's open land, working farms, golf, and a steady supply of new construction subdivisions tucked between mature oak-lined streets. Long Bay Golf Club, the Park at Long Bay, and several other golf-oriented communities give golfers a strong reason to look here. There's a slower pace that resonates with people who want their daily life to feel like the South they imagined.
Golf, Outdoors, and Easy Beach Days
Buyers can play golf in the morning, run errands in Longs without crowds, and still drive to North Myrtle Beach for dinner on the ocean. The Waccamaw River, Vereen Memorial Gardens, and easy day trips to Cherry Grove or Ocean Drive round out the lifestyle.
Costs, Risks, and Practical Considerations
Buyers should understand a few practical aspects of buying in Longs:
- HOA fees are typically lower here than at the beach, but they vary by community
- Some neighborhoods sit in or near flood zones, especially closer to the rivers, so flood maps should be reviewed early
- Schools are part of Horry County Schools, and families often weigh school zoning carefully
- Commute times to Highway 17 and the beach corridor are reasonable but worth driving in real traffic before committing
- Resale value is supported by ongoing demand from buyers priced out of the beach blocks
None of these issues are red flags. They are simply part of the diligence any out-of-state buyer should run before settling on a community.
How Longs Compares to Other Inland Options
Buyers often weigh Longs against Loris, Conway, and Little River. Each has its own appeal, but Longs tends to win on the combination of newer construction, proximity to North Myrtle Beach, and competitive pricing. Compared to Loris homes for sale, Longs typically offers more new builds and easier beach access. Compared to Conway, Longs is closer to the ocean. Compared to Little River, Longs typically offers more home for the dollar, even if Little River wins on waterway access.
Strategy for Buyers
If you're considering Longs, the smart move is to define what you're optimizing for. Buyers who want acreage, golf, and value lean toward the larger lot subdivisions and golf course communities. Buyers who want low-maintenance new construction lean toward the active builder communities. Either way, working with an agent who tracks what's selling, what's stalled, and what's coming on the market keeps you ahead of the buyers who only check the big national portals.
Final Takeaway
Longs has quietly become one of the most attractive landing spots for buyers shopping near North Myrtle Beach. The combination of newer homes, more land, lower carrying costs, and a slower pace of life is exactly what a lot of buyers are searching for. If your dream is to live near the South Carolina coast without paying the full beach premium, Longs deserves a serious look.
About Greg Harrelson
Greg Harrelson is a seasoned Realtor® with more than 30 years of experience serving the Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand markets. As the founder of Century 21 The Harrelson Group, Greg has built his career helping buyers, sellers, and investors achieve success in every corner of the coastal Carolina real estate market. His expertise spans residential homes, investment properties, land development, and coastal condos. Known for his deep local knowledge, innovative marketing strategies, and commitment to personal service, Greg consistently helps clients reach their real estate goals while navigating the ever-changing market with confidence and precision.