Myrtle Beach, SC, United States

🌊 Coastal

Tourism and hospitality dominate Myrtle Beach's economy—86 golf courses, 1,800 restaurants, and seasonal resort work employ most residents. Real estate development has exploded alongside 28% metro population growth since 2016, creating construction and property management jobs. Wages lag national averages; most positions are service-sector roles ($28k–$35k annually) with seasonal volatility. Remote work and early retirement are common here precisely because locals can't sustain themselves on local wages alone.

A 1-bedroom downtown runs $1,550/month; further out, $1,100–$1,300 is realistic. No public transit—you need a car. Healthcare is adequate (Grand Strand Medical Center is solid), but specialists require Charleston trips (90 minutes). No language barrier. Bureaucracy is standard U.S. state-level friction: driver's license, vehicle registration, property tax. Summer traffic is genuinely brutal; I-17 becomes parking lot June–August.

Subtropical climate means 70°F winters and 85°F summers; humidity peaks July–September. Food scene is tourist-oriented seafood and chains, not adventurous. Expat community is small but visible—mostly retirees and remote workers. Weekends: beach, golf, fishing, or day trips to Charleston. Myrtle Beach suits retirees on fixed income, remote workers seeking low cost-of-living, and golf enthusiasts—not people seeking walkability or cultural depth.