Forget Florida, Retire To South Carolina's Highly-Rated County With Beaches, Warm Weather, And Affordable Living

If you have dreams of retiring somewhere coastal in America, you may need to consider somewhere other than Florida. Rising house prices, home insurance costs, intolerable summer heat and humidity, overtourism, and hurricanes are all turning seniors away from the Sunshine State. But lo and behold, America's East Coast has numerous alternatives. For coastal lovers, Horry County in South Carolina offers access to one of America's premier beach vacation destinations: Myrtle Beach. But this isn't the only reason it's popular among retirees.

Horry County is considered one of the best counties in America for retirees, ranked No. 15 by Niche, an online school finder and neighborhood platform, earning top marks for retirees. Niche also grades Horry County highly when it comes to outdoor activities (helped, no doubt, by Myrtle Beach), health, weather, and cost of living. "Horry County has it all. Country life, bustling city, quiet downtown and Main Street, the beach, the rivers, food, attractions, nightlife [...] Living in Horry County is wonderful," one resident writes in a review. Others have called out how much of the county's entertainment revolves around Myrtle Beach, which can be expensive and overrun with loud and disrespectful visitors.

However, Myrtle Beach isn't the only viable place in the county, which encompasses many other beach towns, coastal golf courses, and inland cities. Whether you choose to live inland or on the coast, Horry County's beaches are rarely too far away. They're also made all the more alluring and accessible by the county's warm weather and affordability.

Retirees shouldn't consider Horry County without factoring in Myrtle Beach. This East Coast city is one of America's top summer destinations, which means plenty of things to see and do, but also a lot of visitors — every year 17 million people visit its various seaside communities within the Grand Strand. Retiring in Horry County doesn't necessarily mean retiring in Myrtle Beach, but if you're wanting to spend many of your Golden Days on the sand, chances are you'll need to get comfortable with crowds of other beachgoers. 

Myrtle Beach still holds its own as one of the top beaches in South Carolina on Tripadvisor. You'll find numerous beach access spots along Ocean Boulevard, including Anderson Park, Cameron Park, and various intersecting avenues as you head north. The wooden Myrtle Beach Boardwalk also provides an accessible pathway for anyone wanting to see the coastline. The city of Myrtle Beach focuses a lot on family-friendly activities, such as amusement parks, a Ferris wheel, golf carts, and mini golf. It also has most of the county's nightlife, offering numerous beachfront cafés, bars, and grills. 

Fortunately, there are over 60 miles of coastline to spread out, which includes Surfside Beach, known as South Carolina's "Family Beach," and the idyllic retirement town of Atlantic Beach. The latter is located next to North Myrtle Beach, which has access to 9 miles of sandy beaches, including the Cherry Grove and Ocean Drive areas. North Myrtle Beach has a more relaxed vibe, centered around playing golf, fishing, and long walks along the sand. Horry County's southernmost coastal spot, Garden City, also offers plenty of charm and watersports. Its 668-foot pier is a local favorite for catching the sunset, casting a line out, or enjoying live music during summer.

Part of what makes Horry County such a viable retirement destination for beach lovers is its climate. Hot, humid summers average around 81 degrees Fahrenheit. Come winter, you can expect a milder climate, with temperatures sitting mostly in the 40s. With about 214 days of sunshine, you also have more opportunities for beach days. That said, summer can be too warm and even uncomfortable in July and August. Summer could be a time for more indoor activities, such as the Horry County Museum in Conway. The free-to-visit museum has historical exhibits, including old tools and photographs, clothing through the ages, domestic items, and taxidermy animals.

Affordability is also a big plus for retirees here. The county's cost of living is almost 10% lower than the national average, according to BestPlaces. This affordability extends to housing costs, which are around 8% lower to buy or 20% lower to rent than the national average. However, this is still one of the more expensive areas to live in South Carolina, as owning a house here is almost 20% more expensive than the state average. Still, you can live comfortably here on about $40,000 a year, over $20,000 less than what GoBankingRates estimates you need to live well in Florida.

Life will be easier here if you own a car, especially if you live inland. However, you can get around a lot of the county using the Coast RTA buses. This service operates most days of the year and covers prominent Horry County communities, such as Conway, Garden City, Loris, Myrtle Beach, and Surfside Beach. At the time of this writing, seniors aged 55 years or older can also ride the fixed routes for $0.75, while disabled retirees can book curb-to-curb paratransit services for no more than $3 each way.