South Carolina

Situated along the northern South Carolina coast, about 10 miles south of bustling Myrtle Beach, quaint, quiet Murrells Inlet (population 7,000) is a fishing village that has experienced 25% growth in the last decade.   It is known as the Seafood Capital of South Carolina, and although it is close to touristy Myrtle Beach and the entertainment-rich Grand Strand, it has so far eluded a lot of the summer vacation crowds and still has a cost of living that meets the national average.  The beaches are clean; the crime rate is below the national average, and the lifestyle is leisurely.   Murrells Inlet attracts a mature demographic (53% of residents are age 45 or better), and most people who live here seem to love it.   The median home price is $145,000, and real estate includes everything from beautiful beachfront residences to condos with boat slips in gated developments.
	Not overly developed or commercialized, Murrells Inlet is popular with naturalists, photographers and artists who revel in the scenic juxtaposition of seascapes, marshlands, cypress trees and hazy blue skies.    Commercial fishing boats venture out in the early morning and return with catches of shrimp and flounder, mimicking the easy come and go of life here (and thirty or more restaurants serve the seafood caught earlier in the day, although some eateries let diners catch their own dinners).   Brookgreen Gardens is a nationally-recognized garden museum and zoo, and nearby Huntington State Park boasts pristine beaches and hiking trails.  Wacca Wache Marina, on a stunning stretch of the Waccamaw River, is a popular stop for boaters traveling up and down the river.     The Marshwalk is a mile long boardwalk overlooking a salt marsh teeming with egrets, osprey and pelicans.  And with a history of pirate visits, including one from the infamous Blackbeard, Murrells Inlet plays up the various ghosts said to be in residence around town.
Waccamaw Community Hospital, with 124 beds, is accredited by the Joint Commission and won a national award this year for its outstanding patient care.  It meets or exceeds national averages in nearly all areas, and Medicare and Medicaid patients are both accepted.
The Bureau of Aging Services in Georgetown County offers programs for seniors (age 60+), including medical transportation, home delivered meals and home care services (light housekeeping, personal assistance, etc.).   Murrells Inlet does not have a senior center, but neighboring Pawleys Island (9 miles away) has a center with limited services, and Georgetown (20 miles away) has four centers with transportation provided to and from them.  Services include congregate meals, health screenings, classes and field trips.  Murrells Inlet does not have a public library, either, but the Georgetown Public Library System has a branch location, with public access computers and a bookmobile, in Pawleys Island.
T Costa RTA runs shuttle buses up and down the coast and makes stops at places in and near Murrells Inlet, including Piggly Wiggly, WalMart, Garden City Beach and the hospital.   It also runs north to Myrtle Beach.  The fare is $1.50, but people age 55+ ride for $.75.  There is also a paratransit service. Murrells Inlet has summer high temperatures in the low 90s and winter temperatures in the 50s and 60s.  Humidity is high (the area receives four to seven inches of rain each month).   On the  comfort index, a combination of temperature and humidity, the town ranks below the national average.  The shines 210 days of the year.   Hurricanes are a reality.  Hugo, Fran, Floyd, Charley and Hanna have all come close in the last 22 years.

Recommended as a Retirement Spot? Yes Have a town in mind for retirement?  Write to us and we will review it in a weekly issue!

Murrells Inlet has some drawbacks, including a lack of cultural amenities, few jobs, the hurricane threat and no local senior center, but its charming character, clean beaches, mature demographic, reasonably priced housing, nearby entertainment venues and good hospital make it a place to consider for retirement.

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