Two popular choices south of Myrtle Beach with their own feel, housing mix and ownership tradeoffs.
Surfside Beach and Garden City can appeal to buyers who want to be near Myrtle Beach without living in its central resort corridor. They are adjacent but should not be assumed to have identical rules, taxes, rental patterns or property types.
Surfside promotes itself as a family-oriented beach community. Buyers should compare properties inside and outside municipal boundaries carefully because regulations and services can differ by jurisdiction.
Garden City Beach extends into the Murrells Inlet area and includes oceanfront, inlet and marsh-influenced settings. Water proximity can be a major lifestyle advantage, but it makes flood, drainage, insurance and property-specific due diligence especially important.
How close do you need to be to the ocean? Is rental income part of the plan? Do you prefer a condo association handling exterior work, or a house where you control maintenance? What will insurance, HOA costs and periodic capital work do to the true annual carrying cost?