Looking for a place where your budget can go a little further without giving up access to the coast? That is exactly why more buyers are taking a closer look at Longs, South Carolina. If you want to understand how Longs compares to nearby beach markets, what types of homes you can find, and what details deserve extra attention before you buy, this guide will help you sort it out. Let’s dive in.
Why Longs Stretches Your Budget
Longs stands out because home prices are generally lower than in nearby beach cities. Zillow’s current figures show a typical home value of $284,683 in Longs, compared with $321,339 in Myrtle Beach and $387,424 in North Myrtle Beach. That gives many buyers a chance to consider more space, a newer home, or a different property type than they may find closer to the ocean.
Median sale prices tell a similar story. Longs is currently at $262,500, compared with $271,667 in Myrtle Beach and $384,650 in North Myrtle Beach. In simple terms, Longs can offer a more approachable entry point while still keeping popular coastal destinations within a short drive.
What You Can Find in Longs
One reason Longs appeals to such a wide range of buyers is the variety of available properties. Zillow’s current category pages show 503 single-family homes, 37 townhomes, 25 condos, and 28 land listings. That mix gives you more flexibility if your goals are different from the typical beach-area search.
You might be looking for a detached home with a yard, a lower-maintenance townhome, a smaller condo, or land for future plans. In Longs, those options all exist in the same broader market. That can make it easier to compare lifestyle, upkeep, and cost side by side.
Entry-Level and Budget-Friendly Options
If you are buying your first home or trying to keep monthly costs in check, Longs offers some helpful price diversity. Current examples on Zillow include a 3-bedroom, 2-bath single-family home listed at $230,000, townhomes around $265,000, and a 1-bedroom condo at $119,000. Those examples support the idea that Longs is not limited to one price band.
That range matters because it gives you room to prioritize what matters most. You may choose lower maintenance, a newer build, more square footage, or simply a lower price point. Longs gives you more chances to make that tradeoff in a way that fits your budget.
More Room to Move Up
If you already own a home and want more space, Longs can also be a practical move-up market. Lower typical values compared with North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach may open the door to a larger home, additional bedrooms, or more outdoor space. For many buyers, that is the real advantage.
Instead of stretching for location alone, you may be able to balance price and property features more comfortably. That can be especially appealing if you work remotely, want extra room for guests, or simply prefer a little more breathing room.
Land and Custom-Build Potential
Longs also has land listings, which adds another layer of opportunity. Zillow currently shows 28 land listings, ranging from smaller lots to larger acreage tracts. If your goal is more privacy, future flexibility, or a custom-build path, that inventory mix matters.
Still, land purchases require careful review. In Horry County, zoning is parcel-specific and tied to the tax map number, so you should not assume two properties with a Longs mailing address have the same use options or development standards.
New Construction Communities to Watch
Longs has several new construction communities that help explain why buyers see value here. These communities also show that “more house for your budget” can mean different things, from newer systems and smart-home features to community amenities and flexible floor plans.
Oak Hollow
Oak Hollow is priced from $295,990 for 3 to 4 bedroom, 2 to 3 bath homes ranging from 1,408 to 2,376 square feet. The builder highlights natural gas, tankless water heaters, a pool, and both one-story and two-story plans. The location is described via SC-9 and SC-905, with North Myrtle Beach, Cherry Grove, and Little River minutes away.
Heritage Park at Longs
Heritage Park at Longs is priced from $279.9k for 2 to 4 bedroom homes. The community page says it is off Highway 9 and about 15 minutes from Cherry Grove Beach and North Myrtle Beach Main Street, with Myrtle Beach about 30 minutes away. For buyers who want newer construction and practical coastal access, that balance may stand out.
The Forest at Black Bear
The Forest at Black Bear is positioned by D.R. Horton as a fit for first-home buyers and downsizers. The community includes smart-home technology along with amenities such as a clubhouse, fitness area, and pool. A separate D.R. Horton market snippet shows homes from the $247s.
Long Bay Golf Club
Long Bay Golf Club offers limited single-family homesites and low-maintenance townhomes on a Jack Nicklaus-designed course. Hunter Quinn states that new homes start in the high $300s and that the community is about a 15-minute drive to North Myrtle Beach. This can appeal to buyers who want a more lifestyle-driven setting while staying outside higher coastal price points.
Eden Springs and Carrington Woods
Eden Springs is located off Highway 90 and less than a mile from Highway 22, according to D.R. Horton. The builder highlights private and waterfront homesites, sidewalks, a coming pool, and two product lines. Carrington Woods, also from D.R. Horton, is described as off Highway 9 with one-story and two-story plans, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a smart-home package.
Location Tradeoffs That Work for Many Buyers
Longs is not directly on the beach, and that is part of why many buyers find it appealing. Being inland enough to come in at lower price points can create more options, while still keeping the coast within realistic reach. For many households, that is a smart middle ground.
The road network helps support that balance. Housing pages repeatedly point to Highway 9, Highway 90, Highway 905, and Highway 22 as key access routes. Heritage Park says Cherry Grove Beach and North Myrtle Beach Main Street are about 15 minutes away, while Myrtle Beach is about 30 minutes away.
At the regional level, SCDOT lists the SC 31 / Carolina Bays Parkway extension as an active Horry County project. While every buyer’s commute and travel pattern is different, this reinforces how important these corridors are in Grand Strand mobility planning.
What to Check Before You Buy in Longs
Getting more house for your budget is exciting, but you still want to compare properties carefully. In Longs, parcel details, HOA structure, drainage responsibility, and flood-zone review can make a real difference from one property to the next.
Review Zoning by Parcel
Horry County’s planning department says zoning is parcel-specific and determined using the tax map number. The county zoning ordinance also governs density, setbacks, height, lot coverage, and parking. That means you should not assume two nearby homes or lots have the same rules just because they share a Longs address.
This is especially important if you are considering land, planning exterior improvements, or comparing homes with very different lot sizes. A parcel-level review can help you avoid surprises later.
Understand HOA Rules
If you buy in an HOA community, it is important to know what approvals may be needed after closing. Horry County’s design-modification form states that HOA approval must be provided when a property is in a subdivision with a legal and active HOA. That is a useful reminder that exterior changes may require permission.
Before you buy, ask for the governing documents, current dues, and any rules that could affect how you use or update the property. A home that looks similar on paper may come with a very different ownership experience depending on the community.
Pay Attention to Drainage
Horry County also notes that many stormwater systems, including ponds, are privately owned in HOA communities. The county says HOAs should inspect drainage systems such as ponds, pipes, swales, and ditches. In a coastal county, drainage is not a small detail.
If you are comparing homes, it is smart to ask how stormwater is maintained and who is responsible. This can be just as important as square footage or finishes when you are evaluating long-term ownership.
Check Flood Tools Early
Because Longs is in Horry County, local flood tools matter here too. Horry County directs buyers to FEMA flood maps and its flood-hazard resources, and the county’s Know Your Zone campaign explains hurricane evacuation zones and storm-surge vulnerability. These are essential checks before you move forward.
Flood-zone status and evacuation planning are not things to leave until the last minute. Reviewing them early can help you make a more confident and informed decision.
Is Longs Right for You?
Longs can make a lot of sense if you want more flexibility in your home search. You may find a lower price point, more square footage, newer construction options, or land opportunities that are harder to find in nearby coastal markets. For buyers who want access to the Grand Strand without paying beach-city pricing, that is a compelling combination.
The key is to look beyond the headline price. When you compare Longs properties, make sure you also compare zoning, HOA rules, drainage setup, and flood-related factors. With the right guidance, you can identify the option that truly gives you more value, not just a lower list price.
If you are weighing Longs against Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, or other Grand Strand communities, a local comparison can make the decision much clearer. When you are ready to talk through your goals, connect with Liat Edri for personalized guidance on finding the right fit for your budget and lifestyle.
FAQs
How do Longs home prices compare with Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach?
- Zillow’s current figures show Longs at a typical home value of $284,683, compared with $321,339 in Myrtle Beach and $387,424 in North Myrtle Beach.
What types of homes can you buy in Longs, SC?
- Current Zillow category pages show single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and land listings in Longs, giving buyers a wider mix of options.
Are there new construction communities in Longs, SC?
- Yes. Research sources mention Oak Hollow, Heritage Park at Longs, The Forest at Black Bear, Long Bay Golf Club, Eden Springs, and Carrington Woods.
What roads connect Longs to the Grand Strand?
- Housing and builder pages repeatedly reference Highway 9, Highway 90, Highway 905, and Highway 22 as key access routes for Longs.
What should buyers check before purchasing a home in Longs?
- Buyers should review parcel-specific zoning, HOA rules, drainage responsibilities, and local flood and evacuation tools before assuming two Longs properties are directly comparable.
