The 3 Cheapest Beaches in South Carolina to Buy a Second Home

Do you dream of living in a second home with front porch access to the beach? It was once believed that to have such access was a luxury. However, in this article, you will find three of the cheapest beaches in South Carolina to buy a second home that won’t cost you a ton!

Is a Beachfront Home Worth It?

Beachfront homes are no doubt some of the most breath-taking houses that you could dream of. But are they worth it?

There are a few factors that will determine if a second home is right for you.

1. Budget

The first and one of the most important factors is your budget. Second homes can be great, but if you are seeking a beachfront home, it may be more costly than you can afford. There is also an added expense with beachfront homes: the cost of natural disaster or flood insurance. 

Flooding insurance can cost as much as $10,000 or more per year.

2. Location

South Carolina is the perfect choice for a second because there are many beach towns to choose from, which means that you’re bound to find your dream second home. 

The weather can get hot. However, the winters here are mild, which makes it perfect if you love snow but don’t love frigid temperatures. It is important to keep in mind that you may want to refer to the farmer’s almanac to keep up with predictions for each season. It is also important to remember not every season will be the same. Some can be colder or hotter than expected.

3. Insurance

As mentioned briefly before, there are additional insurances that you may want to consider for your beachfront home in South Carolina. For example, in places like South Carolina, there are hurricanes, tornadoes, and torrential downpours. Some of these weather systems can be extremely dangerous and may destroy homes in their path.

4. Population

The fourth factor is based solely on your preference and finances. If you want to be around people, you may want to look into a beach that has a large population. However, if you are introverted or aren’t a people person, you will want to look into a smaller populated beach. You may also want to keep in mind that smaller populations can also mean cheaper costs of living.

5. Opportunities For Employment

If you enjoy working in different locations, you may want to make sure that the beach city in which you want to purchase your second home has employment opportunities. Plus, the money you make from employment can be put directly towards your home.

6. Education

If you are looking for a beach home and you are bringing teenagers or little ones, you will want to check out the education scores of the schools available.

3 Cheapest Beaches in South Carolina to Buy a Second Home

1. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach may have a great reputation for its sporty and beach-lover vibes, but it is also a great place to move if you are a parent who is an empty nester or a young professional. However, you will also find that the largest percentage of Myrtle Beach’s population is made up of happily retired folks.

Myrtle Beach is a great choice if you’re the outdoorsy type, music junkie or beach aficionado. There are tons of activities to choose from, such as hiking, surfing, and rock climbing. If you crave moving your feet and jamming to the music with friends, you will find an abundance of live entertainment as well.

Another reason that you will love living in a second home in Myrtle Beach is the weather: Autumn and Spring average daily temperatures of around 70 degrees. In the colder seasons, Myrtle Beach rarely reaches frigid weather.

Myrtle Beach Stats

• Population: 478,654.
• Average age: 50 years old.
• Average Salary: $40,470.
• Average Monthly Rent: $1,000.
• Unemployment Rate: Under 10%

Cost of Housing: $220,000

2. Surfside Beach, South Carolina 

Surfside is a small, quaint, and quiet town. If you want to purchase a second home where you can visit a bar, coffee shop, or restaurant, this may be the town for you.

You’ll also find pottery barns, flea markets if you like bargain shopping, and jewelry places where you can make necklaces and bracelets made out of beads and glass.

Surfside Beach Stats

• Population: 4,155
• Average Age: 65 and older.
• Average Salary: $65,000
• Average Monthly Rent: $1,777.
• Unemployment Rate: 8.4 %

Cost of Housing: $218.000

3. Georgetown, South Carolina

If you’re looking for a small town that offers spacious suburban living, you’ve found a great choice! Georgetown, South Carolina, is a small town in Georgetown County. It is the cheapest option to buy a second home in South Carolina on this list.

Georgetown has great beachfront choices to choose from when you are ready to purchase your second home.

Many of the folk here are liberal. There are tons of opportunities for small jobs if you are looking for something that isn’t strenuous when you visit your second home.

Georgetown is also sandwiched between two major cities, which means that there will always be something to do or somewhere to explore. It is important to note that while the town is small, you will need reliable transportation to get around. If you’re a huge history buff, this could also be a town for you! There are a few plantation tours and even a rice museum!

There’s also lush scenery, which is ideal for those who love to gawk at nature. Love wildlife? There are a few wildlife parks in Georgetown where you can go to get closer to nature.

Georgetown Stats

• Population: 8.435
• Average Age: 65 and older.
• Average Salary: $42,998
• Average Monthly Rent: $960.
• Unemployment Rate: 3.6 %.

Cost of Housing: $200,000

Whether you want endless activities to try in Myrtle Beach, a small town with lots of restaurants to try in Surfside, or a small town with scenic routes in Georgetown, these are the three cheapest beaches in South Carolina to buy a second home.

Top 3 Beaches in South Carolina to Buy a Second Home Table

The photo featured at the top of this post is © anthony heflin/Shutterstock.com

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