The first time I drove through Waterbridge's gates, I noticed the trees. Not the manicured landscaping you see in most new developments, but actual forest, 80 acres of lakes and natural beauty that wraps around the entire community. This is Carolina Forest, the part of Myrtle Beach where you can live 15 minutes from the ocean without hearing the tourist traffic or paying oceanfront prices. Waterbridge sits tucked between Highway 501 and International Drive, close enough to Tanger Outlet and Coastal Carolina University that you can grab groceries or catch a game in ten minutes, but gated and quiet enough that you forget how close you are to everything.

What confuses people is that Waterbridge isn't one community, it's three distinct phases, each with a different builder, price point, and level of customization. Phase 1 is all custom homes where you buy a lot and build exactly what you want. Phase 2 is semi-custom, meaning you pick from specific models but choose all your finishes at the builder's showroom. Phase 3, the star of this tour, is production building: the builder has already assigned a model to each lot, and you cannot change it. That lack of flexibility is exactly what keeps prices affordable. You can buy a 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home on half an acre for $389,900 in a gated community with the biggest residential pool in South Carolina. That is the trade-off, and for a lot of buyers relocating to Myrtle Beach, it is worth it.

I am going to walk you through all three phases, show you what is currently available in Phase 3, and explain how to secure a lot before it hits MLS and turns into a bidding war. If you are looking for affordable gated living in Carolina Forest with A-rated schools at the entrance and a swim-up bar you can use year-round, keep reading.

Table of Contents

• Waterbridge: Three Phases, Three Price Points, One Amenity Center
• Which Waterbridge Phase Is Right for You?
• Conclusion

Waterbridge: Three Phases, Three Price Points, One Amenity Center

Waterbridge is a gated community in the Carolina Forest area of Myrtle Beach, and it is structured around three phases that each serve a different buyer. Phase 1 has a median list price of $800,000 and is all custom builds, you buy a lot and hire your own builder to create the home you want. Phase 2 has a median list price of $658,000 and uses a semi-custom builder who offers specific models but lets you pick finishes at their Myrtle Beach showroom. Phase 3, where we are focusing today, has a median list price of $483,000 and is production building: the builder has already decided which model goes on which lot, and you cannot change it. That is how they keep costs down.

All three phases share the same amenity center, and it is genuinely impressive. The pool is the biggest residential pool in South Carolina, with Olympic-sized lanes, a jetted spa, a swim-up bar, and a small island in the middle. There is a 24-hour fitness center, tennis and pickleball courts, basketball courts, and a boat launch on Palmetto Lake. The amenity center even has a full kitchen you can reserve for parties if you do not want to mess up your own house. This is staycation living, you do not need to leave the community to feel like you are on vacation.

Phase 3 backs up to a preserve, so you are surrounded by trees that the builder cannot tear down. One of the biggest complaints I hear from buyers looking at new construction is that builders clear-cut everything and leave you staring at your neighbor's vinyl siding. That does not happen here. If you want a wooded lot, you can get one. Lot sizes in Phase 3 range from 0.28 acres to 0.57 acres, and the closer you get to the tree line, the smaller your yard becomes. The half-acre lots go fast, so if yard size matters to you, contact me early and I will find out where the builder is planning to put the next round of larger models.

The way Phase 3 works is the builder releases 5 to 10 lots at a time, each with a model already assigned. Once the lot is released, it goes to construction, then it hits MLS, and that is when people start bidding. I just took clients through this process, and they wanted a half-acre lot with a specific 5-bedroom model. We had to get ahead of the release to secure it before it became a bidding war. If you are serious about Phase 3, do not wait for the listing to go live. Reach out now, tell me which model you want, and I will contact the builder to find out where they are planning to build it.

Homes in Phase 3 currently range from $389,900 to $551,000. The $389,900 home is a 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath, 1,872-square-foot house on half an acre. It is under construction right now, so there are no interior photos yet, but that is the entry point for gated living in one of the most sought-after communities in Carolina Forest. On the higher end, you have a 5-bedroom, 3.5-bath, 3,900-square-foot home on 0.57 acres listed at $544,000. That one has a screened-in porch and a deep backyard that runs all the way to the preserve.

The models vary. Some are two-story, some are one-story ranches. The most popular model is a 5-bedroom, 4-bath, two-story with a 3-car garage and over 3,700 square feet. It has a dedicated spot for your golf cart, which matters because this is a golf cart community. You can take a golf cart to Ten Oaks Middle School , which sits right at the entrance of Waterbridge. The elementary school, Ocean Bay Elementary , is a short drive on International Drive, and Carolina Forest High School is off 501. All three schools are rated A or A- on Niche.com, and I cannot steer you on school quality, but I can tell you where they are and what the ratings say. Verify current information with Horry County Schools if that is a priority.

Waterbridge has two gated entrances, and both have security. The main entrance is off River Oaks Drive, and the second entrance is closer to Phase 1. You are about 15 to 20 minutes from the beach depending on which beach you want, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Cherry Grove, or even the North Carolina beaches like Ocean Isle and Sunset Beach. You have 60 miles of coastline within easy reach, but you are far enough inland that you do not deal with the tourist congestion year-round.

Shopping is along 501 and International Drive. You have Tanger Outlet, Publix, Walmart Supercenter, Lowe's, Planet Fitness, Buffalo Wild Wings, and a Food Lion on International Drive. There is also a cigar lounge I am a member of, I have a locker there, and an Eggs Up Grill that makes biscuits so heavy you will need a nap afterward. It is worth it. The area does get congested during tourist season, especially along 501, so be aware of that. They have expanded the road, but it still backs up when the summer crowds hit.

Medical is covered. You have Conway Medical Center right on 501, McLeod Health Carolina Forest with an emergency center, and Grand Strand Medical Center a bit farther east. There are urgent cares all along International Drive, and you have access to specialists throughout the Grand Strand. Coastal Carolina University is nearby, and you have golf courses like Myrtle Beach National and Wild Wing Plantation within a few minutes.

The trade-off in Phase 3 is customization. You cannot pick your finishes. You cannot move a model to a different lot. The builder has already decided what goes where, and if you want to change something, you are out of luck. But that is how they keep the price at $389,900 for a gated community with these amenities. If you need full control over finishes, look at Phase 2. If you want a custom build, look at Phase 1. If you want affordable gated living with A-rated schools and the biggest pool in South Carolina, Phase 3 is the move.

Which Waterbridge Phase Is Right for You?

The three phases serve different buyers, and the price gap is significant. Here is how to think about it:

• Choose Phase 1 if you want a custom build and have a budget around $800,000. You buy a lot and hire your own builder. Every home looks different, and you control the entire process.
• Choose Phase 2 if you want semi-custom and have a budget around $658,000. You pick from specific models, but you go to the builder's showroom and choose all your finishes, countertops, flooring, cabinets, fixtures. You get some personalization without going full custom.
• Choose Phase 3 if you want the most affordable gated option and can live with a production build. The builder assigns a model to each lot, and you cannot change it. Lot sizes vary, so if you need a half-acre, contact me early to find out where the next release is happening. Homes range from $389,900 to $551,000, and you get access to the same amenity center as the $800,000 custom homes.

All three phases share the same schools, the same pool, the same fitness center, the same boat launch. The difference is how much control you have over the build and how much you pay for that control. If you are relocating to Carolina Forest and want gated living without spending $700,000, Phase 3 is the best value in the area.

One thing to watch: lot sizes in Phase 3 fluctuate. The lots closer to the preserve have smaller yards because the tree line cuts into the usable space. The half-acre lots are deeper and give you more room, but they go fast. If yard size matters, do not wait for the listing to hit MLS. Contact me, tell me what you are looking for, and I will find out where the builder is planning the next release.

Conclusion

Waterbridge gives you three ways to live in a gated community in Carolina Forest, and Phase 3 is the most affordable entry point. You get the biggest residential pool in South Carolina, A-rated schools at the entrance, and a preserve-backed lot starting at $389,900. The trade-off is you cannot customize the build, and lot sizes vary depending on where the model sits. But if you are relocating to Myrtle Beach and want gated living without the $800,000 custom-build price tag, this is the community to look at.

If you are thinking about Waterbridge or any other Carolina Forest community, let's talk. I can show you what is coming in the next Phase 3 release, walk you through the builder's process, and help you secure a lot before it turns into a bidding war. Reach out and we will set up a Zoom or an in-person tour so you can see exactly what you are getting.