Briarcliffe Acres is a quiet community in the heart of the Grand Strand
Briarcliffe Acres is where waterside living comes with a close-knit community. This enclave between Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach attracts those looking to be steps from the Atlantic Ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway yet removed from tourist hotspots. “I call Briarcliffe Acres the jewel of the East Coast,” says Carolyn Pennisi, a longtime resident and Realtor with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage. “It’s the large lots, wooded acres and beach access,” Pennisi adds that the community’s secluded feel doesn’t sacrifice convenience. “We’re close to everything — we’re close to shopping. If people want to play golf, there are several courses around. There are a lot of activities at Barefoot Landing, so if you have visitors staying with you, you don’t have to go far.”
Briarcliffe Acres is comprised of several subdivisions and its namesake town, which stretches from the dunes along the shore to U.S. Route 17. The town was incorporated in 1976 and is nearly entirely residential. “We are one of the very few municipalities in the state of South Carolina where our elected officials, being the mayor and the four-member council, are elected volunteers,” says Town Clerk Jennifer Newbold. “People want to keep this little place a secret. It’s quiet and we like to keep it that way,” Newbold says.
While high-rises dot many oceanfront communities in Myrtle Beach, due to a land trust, tall buildings will never line the sand in Briarcliffe Acres. The Meher Spiritual Center rests in the expansive woods south of town, creating additional separation between the community and nearby resorts.
Sought-after properties between the beach and the Intracoastal Waterway
Briarcliffe Acres’ dense tree cover sets it apart from neighboring communities. Towering pines and flowering magnolias hug single-family homes, providing ample shade. Properties in the town proper rest on 1-acre lots and are diverse in age and size. “Originally, in the 1950s and 1960s, it was mainly brick ranch-style houses. There are not many left. Many have been added to or taken down for new builds,” Pennisi says. With many custom designs, each home looks different from the next. Colonial Revivals sit between contemporary homes and neo-traditional dwellings. Briarcliffe West and Forest at Briarcliffe offer waterfront properties along the Intracoastal Waterway.
The median price for a single-family home is around $1.2 million, but properties north of Kings Highway range from $375,000 to $675,000. Condos are also available for between $160,000 and $180,000. Homes don’t come on the market often and typically sell after three days, significantly faster than the national average of nearly 50 days. “People who buy here have been here for years. There's not a lot of turnover,” Pennisi says.
Potential buyers should note that the town of Briarcliffe Acres, which is south of North Kings Highway, is separate from the Forest at Briarcliffe, Briarcliffe West and Waterfront at Briarcliffe Commons subdivisions north of the highway. All four communities have separate homeowners associations. The town’s organization is voluntary and operates as a social organization, while the subdivisions’ HOAs are mandatory and come with monthly fees ranging from $30 to more than $400. Only residents of the town proper have access to the Briarcliffe Acres Association Cabana on the beach. Each subdivision offers private amenities, such as pools and tennis courts.
Beachside fun and outdoor activities in Briarcliffe Acres
Residents of Briarcliffe Acres can often be found at the beach. The community has its own boardwalk and cabana, which provides private parking and direct access to the shore. “We have parties down at the cabana. They’re sort of like ‘bring your own dish and get to know each other’ kind of events,” says Pennisi, who adds that sunbathing, swimming in the Atlantic Ocean and hanging out with family and friends are popular pastimes. “You’re going to see a lot of people relaxing, people playing bocce and everybody socializing.”
A few miles down the beach, Apache Pier offers fishing with scenic views. Boaters looking to cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway can launch their vessels at Peter Vaught Senior Boating Facility. Myrtle Beach has more than 100 golf courses. Barefoot Resort and Golf is one of the closest to Briarcliffe Acres and features four courses designed by legendary names in the sport, such as Tom Fazio and Pete Dye. Hikers trekking through the over 10,000-acre Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve, about 15 miles away, can explore a unique habitat home to Venus flytraps.
Myrtle Beach offers dozens of family-friendly activities, from rounds of mini-golf at Hawaiian Rumble Golf and exploring the reptile exhibits at Alligator Adventure to catching a concert or theater production at the Alabama Theatre.
A small town with a big Fourth of July celebration
Community events often take place on the beach in Briarcliffe Acres, but for the Fourth of July, festivities take over the streets. The town hosts a big celebration each year to honor resident veterans and military families, starting with a parade. “There are people on golf carts and bikes, and they salute the military. We’ve got convertibles that drive the military people around. It’s a guided tour of sorts,” Pennisi says. “We do the ‘Pledge of Allegiance’ and host a barbecue.”
Shopping and dining from Barefoot Landing to Myrtle Beach Mall
Bustling commercial centers bookend Briarcliffe Acres. Barefoot Landing, an outdoor mall along the Intracoastal Waterway with a large pond at its center, features boutique and name-brand stores as well as local restaurants that serve seafood, pub fare, American diner classics and Mexican cuisine. The indoor Myrtle Beach Mall offers dozens of recognizable retailers and hosts an AMC movie theater. High-end and designer brands fill the Tanger Outlets, while discount retailers line Arcadian Shores Commons next door. Food Lion, Kroger and Walmart Supercenter are the closest grocery stores.
Horry County Schools is a highly rated district
With over 48,000 students and 56 schools, Horry County Schools is the third-largest school system in South Carolina. The district earns an A-minus overall rating from Niche and offers specialized high schools and programs that students can apply to in eighth grade. Briarcliffe Acres is zoned for Myrtle Beach Primary, which Niche does not yet rate, the B-rated Myrtle Beach Elementary, the B-plus-rated Myrtle Beach Middle and Myrtle Beach High, which also earns a B-plus.
The community has one private school, Risen Christ Christian Academy, which is unrated by Niche. A few other private options are nearby, including the A-rated Holy Trinity Catholic School and the B-rated North Myrtle Beach Christian School.
There are multiple ways to get around Myrtle Beach
While few sidewalks are available in Briarcliffe Acres, it’s common to see people getting around on their own two feet. “It’s a great walking and biking community. You don’t have to get out on 17 to do that,” Pennisi says. However, to reach destinations outside of the community, driving is preferred. U.S. Route 17, also known as North Kings Highway, is a main road for the region, linking communities along the coast. It also connects to alternate highways, such as state Routes 31 and 22. Downtown Myrtle Beach is about 12 miles away. Myrtle Beach International Airport is around a 16-mile drive. Coast RTA offers fixed route bus service to destinations across the Myrtle Beach region, including several hospitals such as Grand Strand Medical Center.
Sea turtles, hurricanes and a relatively low risk of crime
As a coastal community, Briarcliffe Acres faces a few environmental challenges, from beach erosion and tropical storms to sea turtle conservation. “We have an active sea turtle watch. Once they see the turtles, they do daily patrols. They get up early in the morning and patrol again in the afternoon. The march of the turtles is a wonderful thing to see,” says Pennisi, who adds that residents look out for each other when hurricanes are in the forecast. “Most neighbors will pitch in and help you board up if you need. A lot of the newer houses have hurricane shutters.” While flooding is possible, Pennisi says falling trees and tree branches are more problematic due to the community’s tree cover.
Briarcliffe Acres receives a CAP Index Crime Score of 3 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4 out of 10.
