Any DU'ers from Myrtle Beach? I'm considering relocation and would love some advice.

[AZBlue]

I've seen several posts from those considering a move to Arizona in that state's forum and thought I'd give this a try. I may have the opportunity to take a transfer of sorts within my industry/company and would love honest feedback on MB - good or bad! I'm from the East Coast (New York City and then the Washington DC/Northern Arizona) and do miss it (and to be honest, I'm not that wild about Arizona). So, I'm just curious what others like (or don't like) about living there - any comments will be very appreciated! Thanks so much!

[Left_Winger]

1. Myrtle Beach...

I have a home about twenty miles south of MB and I am glad that there is a state park which blocks the growth from the Grand Strand. Personally, I avoid Myrtle Beach because of the traffic which can be absolute gridlock in the tourist season. However, there are some very good local restaurants just south of MB in Murrell's Inlet. I guess the one thing that turns me off about MB and the Grand Strand is its amusement park appearance.

[AZBlue]

2. Good to know! Thank you!

For the business I'm in, the amusement park atmosphere will help sales, so working there will be fine - but I may want to look at living a little outside of the area for my own sanity!

Thanks for the response!

[junkiebrewster]

3. Tacky and traffic choked

Personally, I'm no fan of Myrtle Beach. I find it far too traffic choked and tacky. Plus, there is an over-abundance of rednecks and Canadians. (Just kidding, Canada!!!)

Some stores in MB actually accept Canadian dollars. Oddly enough, you don't hear people screech about it like they screech about pizzerias accepting pesos, which pretty much proves the racial element to the whole immigration debate.

That said, the beaches there really are beautiful. And there are some good places to eat and a few decent live music venues.

[AZBlue]

4. Hmmmm....thanks for the info!!!

Good to know.

[siouxsiecreamcheese]

5. I moved to MB last June

I do think it's a pretty area, but the traffic is horrible. At least where I live, right off of hwy 501 which is the main road to get to the beach. I find myself staying at home most of the time because it just takes way too long to get anywhere, ever if its the store less than a mile down the road. Anyhoo, if you do decide to move here, keep away from the main roads if you want some peace and quiet. The weather is great though, I never had this long of a spring back in NY.

[AZBlue]

6. I'm originally from NY too, so it's nice to have a perspective I can relate to!

(btw - I love your comment on your profile and can totally relate - moving here to red Red RED Arizona was a shocker!)

Yeah....I keep hearing about this traffic. If I wind up moving there, maybe a bicycle is a good investment!

Thanks for the info!!!!!

[Rockholm]

7. As a former resident.....

I am from South Carolina (Charleston) and have lived in the Northeast since 1986. Boston, North Jersey and Philadelphia (now back in Boston).

My remaining family lives in Myrtle Beach. I used to live there and work for them and can tell you my experience. Others have posted some excellent comments, so I will add my 2 cents.

Weather: Lovely, except for the summer. As much as we northerners may complain about cold weather, expect to bitch about the heat and HUMIDITY. Your AC will run from April - October. Forget the beach in August. Too hot. Winters are nice, although it does go below freezing.

Traffic: Horrible. It used to be there was no traffic in the winter. Now winter traffic is like summer traffic was 15 years ago and summer traffic just plain sucks. Since you know DC, you are aware of that lovely mix of northern and southern drivers.

My family owns a few hotels and restaurants all over MB. Restaurants are jammed in the summer. It seems everyone smokes. And unless it has changed recently, you can smoke in bars and restaurants.

Don't buy housing in MB right off the bat. They are building new stuff every day, so what is new and flashy today will be yesterday's news tomorrow. There are some wonderful neighborhoods, if you do decide to buy that are no subject to whims of the market. Briarcliffe Acres (where my family lives) and the Dunes Club are the nice places.

As far a politics...Myrtle Beach is called the "Redneck Riviera" for a reason. It is red, red, red. Yes, there are a few pockets of blue, but Christ and Bush are equally worshiped. Smallish Jewish community.

If you need to be close to Myrtle Beach, I would suggest either looking in Georgetown (30 or so miles to the south). Cute little historic city, fairly blue. Litchfield Beach and Pawley's Island are nice as well (the South Strand).

I would suggest looking at www.fundrace.org and check out the red/blue donations to Kerry and * to get an idea of the political bend of the area.

When I lived in MB it was certainly fun in the sun. I had tons of friends, fun nightlife and things were alot slower then. Like everywhere, it just seems much more crowded.

Feel free to PM me if you want.

[Ian David]

8. We spent some vacation time there last year. Other than being FUCKING HOT(!) it was great

See prior thread:

I'm going to be in Myrtle Beach next week. Where should we go?
Topic started by IanDB1 on Jul-17-06 10:49 AM (4 replies)
Last modified by LastDemocratInSC on Aug-05-06 12:10 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=177&topic_id=993


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