When you think Myrtle Beach, you probably picture oceanfront condos and tourist-packed boulevards. But just 27 minutes inland, Conway offers something completely different: a charming small-town feel, bigger property sizes, and home prices that won't make you wince. We're talking $250,000 to $650,000+ for everything from historic fixer-uppers to brand-new golf-course homes, all without the beach crowds or the tourist-season traffic jams.

I've spent years showing clients around this area, and Conway keeps surprising people. You get proximity to the airport (26 minutes), access to all the Myrtle Beach attractions, and a historic downtown that feels like it belongs in a holiday movie. The trade-off? Highway 501 gets congested, especially during tourist season, and you need to know about the 2018 flood before you buy. But if you want more house for your money and a genuine community vibe, Conway delivers.

In this guide, we'll walk through what it's really like to live here, the commute reality, the shopping and schools, the price ranges you'll see, and the golf communities that make this area special. We'll also cover the flood maps, because that's the first thing I check with every client looking in Conway. Let's get into it.

Table of Contents

• Conway: Small-Town Charm Near Myrtle Beach
• Wild Wing Plantation: Golf-Course Living in Conway
• Myrtle Beach National: Side-by-Side Golf with a Different Zip Code
• Comparing Conway's Golf Communities: Which One Fits Your Lifestyle?
• Conclusion

Conway: Small-Town Charm Near Myrtle Beach

Conway sits about 27 minutes from Myrtle Beach and 26 minutes from the airport, which makes it one of the most convenient inland spots if you want beach access without living in the thick of it. Highway 501 is your main artery, it runs straight down to the beach and the airport, but it gets very congested, especially during tourist season and where all the shops are concentrated. They're doing road work there now, which doesn't help. If you're commuting daily or heading to the beach on a summer Saturday, plan for delays.

What you get in return is space and affordability. Home prices in Conway range from $250,000 to $650,000+, and the variety is wild. You can find older homes on big lots in established neighborhoods, brand-new construction with smaller yards and zero maintenance, or golf-course properties in gated communities. The older homes often need updates, but they come with larger property sizes and layouts that don't feel cookie-cutter. New construction gives you modern finishes and reasonable prices, though the lots are tighter.

Downtown Conway is one of my favorite spots. It's historic, walkable, and decorated to the nines during the holidays. You've got the Riverwalk along the Waccamaw River, River Park for boat access, and a bridge leading into the heart of downtown that looks like something out of a postcard at Christmas. There are mom-and-pop shops, bed-and-breakfasts like the Cypress Inn (which is pet-friendly and absolutely charming), and restaurants like Rivertown Bistro. My wife and I stayed at the Cypress Inn when we first moved here, and it's the kind of place that makes you fall in love with a town.

Coastal Carolina University is here, and the football and baseball programs are huge. People go crazy for the games. You've also got Conway Medical Center with emergency rooms, clinics, and pediatrics all close by. Shopping is concentrated along 501: Publix, Kroger, Lowe's, fast food, and the Tanger Outlets with Nike and other big-name stores. It's convenient, but again, that stretch gets busy.

Schools include Waccamaw Elementary, Conway Middle, Conway High, and South Conway Elementary. If you want current ratings, check niche.com, they give pretty accurate breakdowns. Just remember to verify everything with the district before you buy.

Now, the 2018 flood. Hurricane Florence affected over 1,600 homes in Conway, and it was devastating. The Waccamaw River overflowed, and downtown was underwater. If you see a home that's elevated, that's a clue it might be in a flood zone. The first thing I do with clients looking in Conway is pull up the flood maps. Some people are willing to take that risk with flood insurance, and that's a personal choice. But you need to know what you're getting into. The last thing you want is buyer's remorse because you didn't check.

Conway is a pretty big area, and it offers a little bit of everything. If you want small-town charm, proximity to Myrtle Beach, and more house for your money, this is the spot. Just be smart about the flood zones and realistic about the 501 commute.

Wild Wing Plantation: Golf-Course Living in Conway

Wild Wing Plantation is one of my favorite places in the entire Conway area. It's a golf community with beautiful, well-built homes, an amazing amenity center with a pool, and even a golf bag drop-off if you're serious about the game. They're still building here, though there aren't many lots left. Prices range from the high $300,000s to around $800,000, depending on size and location.

You get a real variety of home sizes here. We're talking 3-bedroom, 2-bath ranches all the way up to 5-bedroom, 3-bath two-stories. The new construction I saw listed at $519,000 was a 4-bedroom, 3-bath right on the golf course. That's the kind of setup where you walk out your back door and you're already thinking about your next round.

The homes here don't feel generic. The layouts are thoughtful, the finishes are solid, and the whole community has that polished, well-maintained vibe. The amenity center is a big draw, pool, gathering spaces, and everything you'd expect from a golf community that takes itself seriously. If you're into golf and you want a home that reflects that lifestyle, Wild Wing delivers.

One thing to note: Wild Wing Plantation is in Conway, but it's right next to Myrtle Beach National, which is technically in a Myrtle Beach zip code. They're side-by-side, and people sometimes confuse the two. Both are golf communities, but they're separate developments with different inventory and pricing.

If you're looking at Wild Wing, you're looking at a golf-course lifestyle with newer construction, solid amenities, and a Conway address. It's a great option if you want the convenience of being near Myrtle Beach without the beach price tag.

Myrtle Beach National: Side-by-Side Golf with a Different Zip Code

Myrtle Beach National sits right next to Wild Wing Plantation, but it's in a Myrtle Beach zip code. That's the big difference. Same golf-course lifestyle, same general area, but technically a different community. All the homes here are already built, there are no empty lots left. If you're looking for new construction, you'd have to find a newer resale, but you're not getting dirt and a builder.

The homes in Myrtle Beach National are solid, and the golf course is the main attraction. If you're comparing it to Wild Wing, the big distinction is inventory. Wild Wing still has a few lots and active construction. Myrtle Beach National is fully built out. That can be a plus if you want to move in quickly and you're not interested in waiting for a build.

Pricing here varies depending on the home, but you're generally looking at similar ranges to Wild Wing, high $300,000s and up. The layouts and finishes are comparable, and the golf-course access is the same draw. It's really about whether you care about the zip code and whether you want the option of new construction.

If you're serious about golf and you want to live on a course, both Wild Wing and Myrtle Beach National are worth a look. Just know that Myrtle Beach National is fully built, so your options are limited to what's currently on the market.

Comparing Conway's Golf Communities: Which One Fits Your Lifestyle?

If you're choosing between Wild Wing Plantation and Myrtle Beach National , here's what it comes down to: zip code, inventory, and timing.

Choose Wild Wing Plantation if you want a Conway address, the option of new construction, and a few remaining lots to pick from. You'll get modern finishes, solid amenities, and the flexibility to customize if you're building. Prices start in the high $300,000s and go up to around $800,000 depending on size and location.

Choose Myrtle Beach National if you want a Myrtle Beach zip code and you're ready to buy a resale. All the homes here are already built, so there's no waiting on construction. You'll get the same golf-course lifestyle, just with a different address and no new-build options.

Both communities offer golf-course living, solid construction, and proximity to Conway's shopping and schools. The real question is whether you care about the zip code and whether you want the option to build new. If you're flexible on both, it's worth touring both communities to see which one feels right.

Outside the golf communities, Conway offers established neighborhoods with bigger lots and older homes that may need updates, or new construction developments with smaller lots and less maintenance. It depends on what you value: space and character, or modern finishes and zero upkeep. Either way, Conway gives you more house for your money than you'll find closer to the beach.

Conclusion

Conway is the most affordable Myrtle Beach suburb for a reason. You get proximity to the beach and airport, a charming historic downtown, and home prices that range from $250,000 to $650,000+. Whether you're looking at older homes with big lots, new construction with modern finishes, or golf-course living in Wild Wing Plantation or Myrtle Beach National, there's something here for almost every buyer.

The trade-offs are real: Highway 501 gets congested, especially during tourist season, and you need to check the flood maps before you buy. The 2018 flood affected over 1,600 homes, and it's critical to know where the risk zones are. But if you're willing to be smart about those factors, Conway offers a lifestyle that's hard to beat, small-town charm, bigger properties, and a genuine community feel.

If you're thinking about relocating to Conway or anywhere in the Myrtle Beach area, let's talk. I pull flood maps, walk you through the commute reality, and make sure you're buying in the right spot for your lifestyle. Shoot me a call, text, or email, and we'll set up a Zoom or an in-person tour. I'm here to make sure you love where you land.