Garden City's residents enjoy fishing, watersports and hanging out by the ocean while being just 10 miles southwest of busier Myrtle Beach. The city of nearly 11,000 people sits between marshland and the Atlantic Ocean, offering a diverse landscape for outdoor adventures, and shares a zip code with Murrells Inlet, the seafood capital of South Carolina. "It's a really lovely place. It's not very different from Murrells Inlet other than the fact that Murrells Inlet has the MarshWalk whereas Garden City Pier is the feature of this place," says former resident Nikki Lane, a Realtor with Duncan Group Properties. "People have started to discover it, but in relation to Myrtle Beach, it’s away from the hustle and bustle. It’s more like a family beach than a spring break beach,” says local Realtor Merrill Bryan of Dunes Realty Sales.
There are various home styles along the beach in Garden City.
The Pier at Garden City is a landmark in Garden City.
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Coastal designs reign within Garden City
Dominant home styles include midrise beachfront condos and raised beach houses with double porches and hurricane shutters, though a few mobile homes and ranch styles are scattered throughout the area. Inland mobile homes range from the $80,000s to the mid $200,000s. However, a mobile home closer to the water could range from the $300,000s to $500,000s. Oceanside condos and raised beach townhouses price mostly from upper $200,000s to $500,000s. Beachside stilt homes fetch from $1 to $2 million. Overall, the price range is vast enough to meet buyers where they are, whether they're seeking a starter home or a dream home. Flooding from a hurricane or severe storm is an ever-present reality. "It's super important to work with an agent to help you figure out where you sit and where your flood risks are. I tell my clients that even if flood insurance is not required, if you’re close to water you should certainly consider it," Lane says. "As you go further back toward the marsh you may not have a moderate flood risk. There are some small pockets with a minimal risk," she adds. Homeowners association fees sometimes include flood insurance in Garden City. Short-term rental agreements are also established with HOAs.
There are a variety of coastal styled homes in Garden City.
There are oceanfront townhouses in Garden City.
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Fishing off The Pier at Garden City
The Pier at Garden City, on South Waccamaw Drive, is the hot spot to cast a line during the day and catch live music and enjoy a cocktail at night. "There's one bar at the end of the pier and one at the beginning of the pier. They will often do live bands out there in the summertime, Lane says. “You'll get not only fishermen and people walking through the arcade and getting ice cream for their kids, but also lots of people just love to hang out for karaoke and live bands." Casual surfers head to Village Surf Shoppe, on Atlantic Avenue, where they can rent surfboards or paddleboards by the day or week. The surf shop, which opened in 1969, also offers private and group surfing and paddleboarding lessons. Meanwhile, the Garden City Inlet nature preserve is popular with casual walkers, crabbers and kayakers. The Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk is another popular trek, with oyster beds dotting the water, and a saltwater breeze that cuts the heat on summer days and carries pelicans overhead. The Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge wraps around both Garden City and Murrells Inlet, and several golf courses are within reach.
Fishing a major pastime at the Garden City Pier near The Lakes.
The Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge surrounds the Cypress River Plantation area to the North and makes for a beautiful natural backdrop.
Residents enjoy a family outing at the Garden City Pier near Burgess.
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Oceanside dining at Conch Cafe
Waccamaw Drive travels hugs the coast, linking Garden City and Murrells Inlet while leading to waterside restaurants. After renting a boat for the day at the Marlin Quay Marina, locals can order crab and flounder on the Quay Seafood Grille patio, enjoying unobstructed marshland views. The front porch at Conch Cafe opens to the beach, allowing for oceanfront dining on fish tacos, conch and shrimp ceviche, po' boys and more. And even more seafood restaurants from Dead Dog Saloon to The Claw House line the boardwalk at Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk. The most famous local spot is Sam's Corner, the go-to spot on Atlantic Avenue for grabbing a foot-long chili dog and a cold beer since 1976. For groceries and more, there’s a Walmart Supercenter on Garden City Connector and a Piggly Wiggly on Azalea Drive.
Folks can enjoy a hot dog at Fenway Grille near Garden City.
Wacca Wache Marina has an outdoor patio for dining with friends and family.
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Starting out at Seaside Elementary
Public school students may attend Seaside Elementary, St. James Middle and St. James High within the Horry County Schools district. The middle and high schools score A-minus Niche grades, while the elementary school earns an A. Home of the sharks, famous alumni from the high school include pro surfer, Cam Richards, who ranked fifth in the World Surf League in 2022. St. Michael Catholic School provides a private school option. It's right by Saint Michael's Catholic Church on Cypress Avenue. Garden City Baptist Church on Pine Avenue and the Anglican Church of the Resurrection and Shepherd of the Sea Lutheran off U.S. Highway 17 Bypass offer sanctuaries for other denominations. Iglesia Cristiana Monte de Oración Los Olivos is across from the same highway, just outside Garden City.
Seaside Elementary offers diverse programs for students in South Myrtle Beach.
St. James High School has large sport fields in Forestbrook.
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10 miles from Myrtle Beach International Airport
Garden City’s proximity to the beach and the airport makes it a popular location for a vacation home or Airbnb. The Myrtle Beach International Airport, on Jetport Road, is 10 miles away via U.S.-17 Business. “We have seen a large increase in snowbirds coming in for the months of January and February. Retirees from up north will come and rent a condo on the beach during the winter,” Bryan says. "It's still an active community in the wintertime, but it's not the same as it is during the summer. You're not going to find a live band on the pier. You’ll see people fishing and bundled up enjoying the view," Lane adds. Since Highway 17 is the gateway to Garden City from other areas and spans the entire 60-mile coastline of the Grand Strand, traffic can be a challenge. "A lot of the area is golf-cartable and walkable provided you're on a road that allows it," Lane says. For farther distances, cars are essential as Garden City doesn't have the same robust public transit options as Myrtle Beach. When urgent medical care is needed, Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital is less than 4 miles away in Murrells Inlet with round-the-clock emergency and specialty services.
Photography Contributed By
Carmen Natale
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On average, homes in Garden City, SC sell after 74 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Garden City, SC over the last 12 months is $345,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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The marsh invites you to make this beautiful beach home yours! Fully furnished and move-in ready, it is more than accommodating with a stylish surfboard outdoor shower after a long relaxing day at the beach. Large outdoor storage for your golf cart, fishing rods, and beach gear. A bonus Carolina room and a 3rd bedroom has been added to the single wide to give you extra space for family and
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Welcome to your perfect coastal retreat and getaway! This delightful one-bedroom, one-bath condo is your ticket to effortless beach living, ideally located just a five-minute walk to the Garden City Pier and public beach accesses. The unit features tasteful laminate flooring throughout, an efficient galley-style kitchen with updated cabinets and sparkling white granite countertops, an oversized
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Fantastic location and recently updated 3br 2bath second floor condo. Move in incentive for 2nd months rent with approved application, deposit and first months rent. Quiet Surfside community. You will love the new quartz/granite counter tops, LVP flooring, paint, cabinets, stainless appliances and porcelain floors in both bathrooms and the entry. Washer and Dryer included. Rent includes water,
Townhome style living in the heart of Garden City, near the beach. Convenient to grocery stores, shopping, waterfront dining at the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk and public transportation.Bring your pets. Garden Grove is pet friendly, with an onsite bark park!Community grills and picnic areas for residents use.This community is professionally managed onsite, with 24-hour
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