Good Life and less stress
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4/5/2008
I read many reviews and often find that those who post their opinions are of one of two extremes, it’s either a wonderful place with wonderful people or the opposite, a terrible place to live.
Here is my low down on Myrtle Beach, on the negative side Myrtle Beach lacks a cultured cosmopolitan feel, there are only a handful of nice restaurants and the tourists, like them or not are generally not on America's highest social scale and can be intrusive. It’s geographically isolated by road and larger cities can only be reached by plane or a long car journey. I don't like the risk of hurricanes and I dont like the mass construction of condos everywhere.
On the upside the lifestyle is more relaxed and easygoing, people seem less aggravated and more polite, I find the people generally happy and friendly, the climate is seasonal, yet warm enough sometimes to still wear a t-shirt in the wintertime. The beaches offer both the hustle and bustle of the downtown area's, with tourist attractions, bars and attractions etc as well as the quieter retreats to the north and particularly the southern end of what is known as the Grand Strand. Charleston and Wilmington both are within a 2 hour drive and are charming, cultured cities rich in History and southern charm.
The airport is excellent, I can be in New York in under 2 hours and even have made it to London, England in Under 12 hours. Shops, although lacking somewhat in designer brands to say nearby Charleston, are good value and the range of activities and sports are pretty broad. If you like Golf, this is the place.
I've been living in Myrtle Beach for 5 years, year round the area attracts people who visit, some just for a weekend escape and others know as 'snowbirds' spend the entire winter here to escape the cold and miserable winters in the north.
The bottom line is that despite its trashy summer tourists, loud noisy bikers and the obvious lack of a cosmopolitan lifestyle, I live in a place where I know many people would love to live, and more than often they do. I know countless people who have moved here, young and old, and they seem perfectly content to stay here.
I like living in a place that people visit, why? Because it’s nicer than where they live!
OLIVER | Myrtle Beach, SC