Home Care In Myrtle Beach, SC

Thousands of people are expected to make a move to South Carolina in the coming year. And with home prices on the rise in the Palmetto State, finding a place where you can get the most bang for your buck is probably at the top of the moving “to do” list.

It’s no surprise that the top landing place for those planning to relocate to the state is Myrtle Beach. But the coastal city didn’t make the list of the top “10 Cheapest Places to Live in South Carolina in 2026,” according to Houzeo, an online real estate site.

Only one city in Horry County made the list — Conway.

The city’s small-town charm with convenient access to Myrtle Beach earned it a place on Houzeo’s list. Conway is about 15 miles from the beach.

It offers affordable living with a wide-range of affordable homes — “an attractive choice for families, young professionals, and retirees,” the site stated. The median home price in Conway is $170,500, and the average rent is $1,793, according to the site. In addition, the cost of living is below the national average at 7%.

There are also quality schools and a balanced lifestyle, “making Conway one of the cheapest ocean cities to live in South Carolina.”

Conway has been identified as one of the top 10 Metros in South Carolina with the fastest growing sales price for homes, according to Redfin. In November 2025, home prices in the Horry County city were up by 4.5%. The Carolina Forest community in the Myrtle Beach area also was on the list, with home prices up by 10%.

The median home value in Conway is $287,000, according to Houzeo reporting.

Here are other South Carolina cities that made the list:

1. Bennettsville

2. Union

3. Dillon

4. Orangeburg

5. Newberry

6. Gaffney

7. Conway

8. Aiken

9. Laurens

10. Florence

From exciting new restaurants to longtime favorites, diners have plenty of options around the Myrtle Beach area.

But amid financial issues, family complications and life changes, some restaurant owners around the Grand Strand made the decision to permanently close these 23 eateries.

Here’s what we know about why these spots in Carolina Forest, Conway, Little River, Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island and Surfside Beach shut their doors for good in 2025.

Anchor Bar

In August, Anchor Bar gave notice it would close and lay off 29 employees in an SC Works WARN report. The restaurant announced that it would not renew its liquor license after a year in business. Manager Sally Rice told The Sun News she didn’t know why Anchor Bar hadn’t renewed its license.

Bagel Dock Express

The North Myrtle Beach Bagel Dock Express location closed without explanation this year. Although the South Carolina restaurant ceased operations, the chain maintains two North Carolina locations with plans to open new spots in Georgia and Tennessee, according to its website.

Bar Louie

The Broadway at the Beach Bar Louie location closed for good in 2025. The chain opened in Myrtle Beach in 2019. The closest location now is in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Sun News was unable to reach the restaurant for comment at the time. According to court records, the franchise, BLH TopCo LLC, filed for bankruptcy in Delaware in March.

Bumstead’s Pub and Dagwood’s Deli

Downtown Myrtle Beach staples Bumstead’s Pub and Dagwood’s Deli closed in August after about 22 and 37 years, respectively. Despite the Myrtle Beach Dagwood’s closure, the North Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach locations remain open.

Burger King

The popular fast food chain shuttered its Seaboard Street location in Myrtle Beach last January.

“An agreement with landlord and franchisor could not be met,” Kingdom Restaurants LLC’s Director of Operations Jason Pridgen said in a post. “Thank you all for all the years of patronage and support.”

Although one location closed, Burger King’s website shows six other restaurants around Horry County.

Cinnaholic

The vegan bakery chain known for gourmet cinnamon rolls and personalized sweet treats is closing its Myrtle Beach location for good, citing “low daily sales.” Cinnaholic, which opened in fall 2023, will close its doors for good on Dec. 31, 2025.

Hart’s Cafe and More

After less than two years, the breakfast, lunch and pastry spot closed in March. Doreen Hart, owner of Hart’s Cafe and More, said she would step away from the restaurant to take care of her mother, whose health was declining.

Le Manna Bread

Although it was intended to be a fixture in Myrtle Beach’s Arts & Innovation District, Le Manna Bread bakery and restaurant shut down less than a year after its opening. Co-owner Gus Pena said after his partner, Frank Rodriguez’s health declined, running the business alone was not feasible. Le Manna Bread sold its equipment and furnishings to the City of Myrtle Beach, which now rents the Ninth Avenue space to Winna’s Kitchen.

Jiggy’s Bistro

The Myrtle Beach Italian restaurant closed its doors after two years in business. Owner Holly DiFrancisco told The Sun News it was a challenge to stay open.

“It’s just a hard market,” DiFrancisco said. “We had some of the neighborhood support, but you know, you need more than just your surrounding neighborhood and customers and businesses to support you… The tourists don’t support the smaller restaurants.”

Kaminsky’s Deli

The longtime Myrtle Beach Deli announced its permanent closure this fall. Kaminsky’s Deli, which opened in 2008 and transferred ownership in 2023, was known for sandwiches and matzah ball soup.

“We want to thank everyone who supported us on this incredible journey and we wished it lasted longer. This is coming on the heels of us winning best deli on the beach for the second consecutive year, which makes this all the more difficult,” a social media post said.

Kaminsky’s didn’t disclose why it was shutting down, and The Sun News was unable to reach the restaurant, as the number had been disconnected.

Kluck It

The second Grand Strand Kluck It chicken spot closed over the summer about a year after expanding into Conway. The Sun News couldn’t reach the owner for comment, but the Conway Kluck It interior had been gutted by the end of July. Although one location closed, the Myrtle Beach Kluck It remains open to customers.

Lulu’s Cafe

After 15 years as a Myrtle Beach breakfast favorite, Lulu’s Cafe announced plans to close its doors in November. However, devotees can find Lulu’s menu items in Murrells Inlet starting next year. In 2026, Lulu’s Cafe will begin a partnership with Conch Cafe.

“Today, I’m 50. My kids are now 25 and 21 and we’re now a family of 14 and I’m a grandmother! As life changes so does business and plans for the future. I’ve made the bittersweet decision to close Lulu’s Cafe at the end of the 2025 season. But this is not goodbye, just a new chapter,” owner Misty Coan wrote on Facebook.

Maple Street Biscuit Co.

The Myrtle Beach breakfast spot, which opened in the Coventry Marketplace in 2023, closed its doors for good this year.

The Sun News was unable to reach Maple Street Biscuit Co. for comment and a recorded phone message said simply, “We have made the difficult decision to close our Myrtle Beach location. We appreciate the continued support of many guests that have dined with us over the years.”

Mura

The Market Common Korean barbecue restaurant closed without explanation over the summer after about two years in business. At the end of June, tables and chairs had been cleared from the conveyor belt-style restaurant. Mura didn’t post an announcement about the closure, and The Sun News was unable to reach the restaurant for comment.

Player 1UP

The arcade, bar and eatery in Murrells Inlet, which opened in 2022 at the entrance of Inlet Square Mall, closed for good in March. The Sun News couldn’t reach owner Howard Bohrer at the time, but Player 1UP’s Facebook account posted that it was “Game Over.”

Tbonz Gill & Grill

After more than 30 years, the TBonz Gill & Grill on Seaboard Street announced it would close in favor of a new restaurant concept.

“Following the closure, the restaurant space will be reimagined under a new concept, introducing a breakfast-driven experience with expanded brunch offerings and an in-house bakery,” Charlotte Bruton, a representative for South Carolina-based Homegrown Hospitality Group said in a statement.

Tbonz’s final day will be Dec. 31, 2025.

The Rat Hole

The popular Grand Strand biker bar announced plans “to roll down our bar doors for the final time” following this year’s Myrtle Beach Fall Bike Rally. The Rat Hole, which has been a staple among bikers for years, was known for live music, biker rodeo and pudding wrestling. Ownership did not return The Sun News’s request for comment.

“We want to thank all our Rat Hole friends and family for joining us and allowing us to continue our biker fun over the years, but with much sadness we have decided it is time to close this chapter of life and start the next!” a Facebook post said.

Roca Roja Cantina

The popular North Myrtle Beach Mexican eatery announced plans to close after four years with an eye on an “ambitious project.”

A Mexican-Italian fusion restaurant called La Perla was planned for the space, but in light of financial issues, legal problems and ongoing disagreement, the location remains unfilled.

Sea Merchants Restaurant

After 40 years as a steak and seafood Grand Strand staple, Sea Merchants Restaurant in North Myrtle Beach closed its doors for good in January when operators Danny and David Huddle decided to retire. The brothers put the restaurant up for sale in 2024 for $1.8 million, and a new seafood restaurant called White Heron is set to open in its place next year.

Snooky’s on the Water

In February, Snooky’s on the Water took to social media to announce it was permanently closing, but didn’t offer a reason. The Little River restaurant, which was known for seafood, served customers from 2017 until its 2025 closure.

“Thank you all for your support throughout the years,” the post said. “Stop by and see us before Sunday. This isn’t goodbye, it’s see you later.”

Its sister restaurants, Snooky’s Ocean Front and Hurricane Juel’s, remain open and offer dishes from the Snooky’s on the Water menu.

Solé Italian Restaurant

Located along Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach, Solé Italian Restaurant closed its doors in late summer.

A hand-written note posted on the door read, “Sorry we are closed due to my mother’s illness. Thank you.”

Uncle Mikey’s Pizza

While Uncle Mikey’s Pizza closed this year, a new pizza spot with a similar name opened in its place. After more than 24 years in business, Mike Zalloum sold Uncle Mikey’s Pizza in January. His brother, Sammy Zalloum, then acquired the space to open Mikey’s Pizzeria.

Walter’s on the Waterway

The Murrells Inlet waterfront eatery at the Wacca Wache Marina closed in January, apparently due to unfulfilled lease obligations.

“Unfortunately, within the last few months the restaurant was unable to fulfill certain aspects and remain financially aligned with the obligations outlined in the lease, which both parties agreed to, which has ultimately led to Walters closing,” the marina wrote on Facebook.

According to the same post, the Wacca Wache Marina is working to bring in a new restaurant operator.

Looking to make a move to South Carolina for the new year?

You won’t be alone. With its cost of living 6% below the national average and some of the lowest property taxes in the country, it’s considered a “smart choice for workers and money-smart people,” according to Houzeo, an online real estate site.

The site recently released its top 10 best places to live in South Carolina for 2026.

Myrtle Beach ranked No. 5 on that list. Houzeo said the coastal city is retiree-friendly with an abundance of 55+ communities and is known for its warm climate and beautiful beaches.

The cost of living in Myrtle Beach is 3.9% lower than the national average, the site said. The median home price is $324,747. Rent for a two-bedroom apartment ranges from $380 to $3,750 a month, depending on proximity to the ocean.

In order to live comfortably, a person would need an estimated annual income of about $66,880, according to the site’s figures.

While Myrtle Beach’s economy relies heavily on tourism and hospitality, the site pointed out that healthcare is growing, providing additional jobs.

There are some downsides to living in the Myrtle Beach area. Crime has increased in Myrtle Beach, and the city attracts a high volume of tourists during the warmer months, which causes traffic congestion and crowded public spaces, the site pointed out.

Houzeo’s best places to live in South Carolina

Here are what other South Carolina cities made the list:

1. Greenville

2. Lexington

3. Hilton Head Island

4. Spartanburg

5. Myrtle Beach

6. Rock Hill

7. Columbia

8. Charleston

9. Mount Pleasant

10. Summerville

Brookes, Cayo, Cross, Nori and Webster aren’t the Grand Strand’s typical winter tourists, but as water temperatures drop and prey grows scarce, white sharks join humans and birds in traveling to the Myrtle Beach area for the holidays.

Many white sharks in the west Atlantic make their way south to spend winter months off of the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida, according to Ocearch, an ocean research nonprofit that tracks hundreds of marine animals.

Among the sharks tracked by Ocearch, in the last month five pinged off the Carolina coast around the Grand Strand from above the state line to south of Georgetown.

Since starting her journey south in Nova Scotia in early October, 8-foot-10-inch female white shark Nori has been making her way down the coast. The 423-pound shark, which is only a juvenile, most recently pinged off of Georgetown on Nov. 30.

While Nori is still young, Webster is fully grown. As the biggest of the bunch, the male white shark weighs in at 1,008 pounds. With a 12-foot-2-inch frame to match, Webster has spent the fall around the ocean off of South Carolina before pinging just over the state line on Dec. 2.

Two other juvenile white sharks, 8-foot-10-inch, 456-pound female shark Brookes and 9-foot-1-inch, 377-pound male shark Cross were located further out to sea on Dec. 13.

Most recently, 10-foot-3-inch juvenile female shark Cayo pinged off of South Carolina on Dec. 15. This is the farthest south the 689-pound shark has pinged since Ocearch started tracking her off of Nova Scotia in July.

Other sharks off the South Carolina coast

The five white sharks Ocearch has tracked in the area aren’t alone. South Carolina waters are home to many shark species year-round, and host even more in the colder months.

“We have several species that live right here off the coast … there are at least 20 different species that you can see here locally,” said Jamie Justice, Museum of Coastal Carolina director of programs and exhibits, “We’ve got spiny dogfish, we’ve got sandbar sharks, Atlantic sharks.”

Anyone who has taken a dip in South Carolina oceans has probably swum with sharks, but the animals tend to stay below the surface and avoid human encounters. There have been fewer than 120 confirmed unprovoked shark attacks in the state, and there hasn’t been a fatal attack since the 1840s. Sharks may infest Myrtle Beach’s waters, but they aren’t much of a threat.

Amateur marine biologists can keep an eye on Brookes, Cayo, Cross, Nori and Webster as they enjoy their winter vacation before returning to the north on Ocearch’s online tracker.

A smashburger doesn’t tease with its name.

Simply put, it’s a thin hamburger patty that has been pressed flat onto a hot griddle or skillet and cooked until the outside is crispy and the inside remains juicy. And it’s having a moment in restaurants across the country, including the Myrtle Beach area.

While the making of the patty is pretty much the same wherever you go, what it’s topped with can range from just cheese, to jalapeno poppers, to porcini and black truffle aioli.

Here are some of the recommended places to order a smashburger based on Yelp reviews and social media.

Grand Strand Brewing

The menu at this Myrtle Beach brewery offers a smashburger that has two patties topped with cheese, pickles, sauteed onions and keg sauce. Order one of the craft beers, and you have yourself a perfect All-American lunch or dinner. Located at 819 N. Kings Highway.

Burky’s Grill

Those who remember sidling up to the counter at a 1950s diner and watching the grill cook throw down a patty or two will enjoy this Myrtle Beach diner. While it’s not called a “smashburger” on the menu, that’s what you’ll get at this retro diner that’s like stepping back in time. Finish off your meal with a milkshake or malt to complete the ‘50s experience. Located at 4001 N. Kings Highway.

Take a Bite

Not only was this family-owned restaurant rated high on Yelp, it also was a top recommendation by the Myrtle Beach Foodies Facebook group. You can order a classic burger with the works – mayo, mustard, lettuce, or get creative with your toppings such as blue cheese crumbles or grilled jalapenos. Located at 2701 Highway 501 in Conway.

Blueberry’s Grill

The Porcini & Truffle Smash Burger is topped with caramelized onions and mushrooms, porcini and black truffle aioli and bacon. Not your typical burger toppings, but Blueberry’s prides itself on offering different flavors while elevating its comfort dishes. Located at 7931 N. Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach and 4856 Highway 17 South in North Myrtle Beach.

Surf Dawgs

They’re not kidding when they call these “giant smashburgers.” It’ll take two hands to eat it. Its menu boasts such creative names as J-Reuben Smash (double patties topped with chopped corned beef and sauerkraut) or the El Paso (double patties topped with house-made chili and jalapeno peppers). Or, you can always build your own. Located at 421 Highway 17 Business in Surfside Beach.

Hippie Hen House

Another Grand Strand restaurant that has gotten creative with its smashburgers is the Hippie Hen House in Murrells Inlet. There are eight to choose from, including such creations as The Surf & Turf Burger that has a sch’mear of the restaurant’s crab dip and cheddar cheese on a pretzel bun or The Brady Bunch Burger with an over-easy egg, bacon and bacon jam. Located at 3256 S. Highway 17.

Project Smashburger

This Conway-based food truck recently expanded its reach by joining Palmetto Taps in its brick-and-mortar location at 909 4th Ave. in Conway. Owner Mike Hensley said he will continue to offer his popular smashburgers at his new location.

Burger Social

To say that Burger Social is a little over the top with its smashburgers is saying a lot. The restaurant’s gourmet burgers are highly rated and have unique toppings you won’t find on other menus. There is the PB&J with crunchy peanut butter and habanero blackberry jam; The Mormon with pastrami, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut; and The Tejas with brisket, BBQ cheddar and chipotle aioli. Located at 4018 Highway 17 S. in North Myrtle Beach.

Hamburger Joe’s

There’s nothing fancy about Hamburger Joe’s burgers. It’s an old-fashioned burger joint plain and simple. But its burgers are raved about and there is often a long line of people waiting to get into the restaurant. There is the option of ordering your burger “all the way,” which includes slaw, chili, onions or choice of mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, relish, extra cheese and extra bacon. One thing to remember is that Joe’s in North Myrtle Beach, 712 48th Ave. S., is cash only. However, its Surfside Beach location, 1410 U.S. 17 Business, does take credit cards.

Sizzle and Smash

It’s all in the name, and you know exactly what you are getting at this North Myrtle Beach restaurant. Sizzle and Smash offers up 10 burgers to choose from. You can even add a side of smashed fries. Located at 4011 Highway 17 S. in North Myrtle Beach.