Area Information

Georgetown County sits tucked between the neon and hurry of Horry County on SC’s northern coast and the history-rich city of old Charleston less than two hours south. Stretching inland for a few dozen miles, it is a region blessed with diverse natural beauty, unexpected culture, a burgeoning business environment, and more legend and lore than we can begin to describe. Little wonder the County recently received the prestigious All America City Award, a fiercely coveted, nationwide honor recognized as a benchmark of community achievement for more than five decades.

On the northern edge of Georgetown, SC’s third oldest port city, five splendid rivers pour into Winyah Bay, a vast expanse of water counted among the most pristine estuaries on the Eastern Seaboard. The land that extends north toward the Grand Strand is a peninsula of beautiful real estate set apart by a tangle of rivers, tributaries, creeks and marsh. This slender finger of land is known as the Waccamaw Neck, named for a Native American tribe that once inhabited the area. It rests between the Intracoastal Waterway and the ocean.

It is a place of surprising ecological diversity. There are maritime forests, sandy pinelands, and massive bluffs overlooking the river. Marshes and swamps are rich with wildlife. Thanks to conservation easements and visionary attractions like Brookgreen Gardens and Hobcaw Barony, many thousands of acres are protected from development forever. An ever-present spirit of historical and environmental stewardship makes for an area that is growing fast but growing smart, a fact that results in unexpected opportunities for solitude, as well as modern lifestyle alternatives comparable to those in much larger metropolitan areas.

Towns that comprise the Waccamaw Neck include Pawleys Island, a delightful barrier island community ten miles from Georgetown’s bustling Historic District. The oldest resort community in the nation, it boasts a mix of modern and historic homes fronted by towering dunes. Litchfield Beach, like only the best oceanside communities, is acclaimed for its elegantly relaxed personality. Thoughtful planning shaped Litchfield Beach, an affluent neighborhood perhaps best known for its impossibly wide, white shoreline. And then there’s Murrells Inlet, a fishing village that skirts one of the most beautiful marshes in the entire South. The Inlet counts delectable seafood, an award-winning boardwalk and plenty of pirate lore among its characteristic charms.

Leisure opportunities abound. From deep-sea fishing and scuba diving, to kayaking and parasailing, there a lot of water to splash in and related activities often take center stage. Eco-friendly attractions consist of gardens, plantation homes, state parks, protected barrier islands, galleries, museums, historic sites and more. Shopping, restaurants and recreational amenities have earned rave reviews from national media outlets that range from Southern Living to National Geographic. Add to all this bounty the singular glory of golf. There are more than a dozen championship courses on “the Neck.” Many are gracefully carved from historic rice plantations and sport much-loved vistas of gnarled old oaks and abandoned rice fields. Several of the courses boast a rare five-star rating.

A reasonable cost of living, comparatively low taxes and a temperate climate enhance the area’s appeal, as do excellent medical care facilities, staggering educational resources and a lively arts and cultural community. No matter what juncture you are at in your life – starting out, beginning again or winding down – odds are very good there’s a place here that’s exactly what you’re looking for. The diversity of smart real estate options makes it possible to follow your heart and your head. For very good reasons, the rest of the world will envy you when you live here.