Little River SC Real Estate

If you are thinking about buying a home or condo in North Myrtle Beach, you owe it to yourself to consider the quiet little town of Little River, just 4 miles north of Cherry Grove, and across the bridge from the city limits.

According to what you read, Little River was either the first settlement in Horry County, or one of the earliest, sometime in the 1600's and 1700's. What is now the waterfront, meaning the Intracoastal Waterway in the town's main section, was originally a small stream which the Indians called "Mineola", meaning "Little River". Thus the town got its name, and the road going to the waterfront is Mineola Rd.

If you visit the strip of waterfront, you'll find several excellent restaurants, an old but maintained dock to walk on, several fresh shrimp and fish huts, and one of the least known and most fun things to do in the Grand Strand - the Casino Boats! Although gambling is illegal in South Carolina, these large ships go out twice a day to a 3-mile limit into the ocean, and open for gambling pleasure that is almost exactly like a casino in Vegas. Most of the time the voyage is free, and depending on your VIP (spending) status, they provide a buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Spend enough and eat free too!

Before the Civil War, Little River was a thriving port town, with a sawmill, stores, a school and a bank. Churches were starting to pop up, and the residents were prosperous, shipping lumber and providing much-needed salt to southern areas. This was burned out during the war and all of the waterfront business stopped. Today it is little more than a tourist spot, hosting several yearly festivals like the Blue Crab and Shrimp Festivals that bring in a nice addition to help the Chamber of Commerce and town needs. Little River remains unincorporated, with no police force of its own, relying on the county for most of the services. This is one of the best reasons to own property here! Although it's less than 5 miles away from the Cherry Grove Beach, taxes are much, much lower.

Traffic is almost never heavy, yet there are thousands of condos in Little River, as well as several of the best golf courses and their fine gated housing developments. As the Waterway borders the town, there are many homes and condos with water views, along with boat docks and marinas every mile or so. Many northerners go south for the winter, traveling in their yachts down the Intracoastal to Florida, and stopping along the way to eat and shop. The marinas everywhere on the SC coast do well.

Some notable condo complexes and subdivisions are: 

Lightkeepers Village  - a beautiful development with Waterway Condos that is closest to North Myrtle Beach. These condos overlook the marina, yacht basin, and lighthouse, many with boat slips - as well as the Intracoastal along the back.

Coquina Harbour - Another huge complex of condominiums on the opposite side of the yacht club, also offering boat slips for the more expensive ones, and some inexpensive condos at the back with a view of the swamps and Waterway.

River Hills Golf and Tennis Club offers some of the most exclusive single family estate homes in the area, with views of the greens and many lakes and ponds. It's also home to the River Hills Medical Complex at the entrance, and still close to the beach, on the western side of the Highway.

Eastport Golf Club - every kind of condo, townhouse, patio home, and luxury golf course property you could ask for, and one of the most popular courses around, too.

Cypress Bay Golf Condos - further north on the west side of Highway 17, with several sections - The Gardens at Cypress Bay are very popular for seniors...quiet and inexpensive, with views of the greens and landscaped pines off the screened porches. Flowers and blooming trees abound. Cypress Bay also has several lakes, and its golf course condos offer views of the greens as well as lakefront condos.

Village at the Glens is another large condominium and townhome complex that belongs to the Heather Glens and Glen Dornoch golf courses. They are located near the North Carolina state line and Calabash, and offer residents and vacationers free golf packages at both of these beautiful courses. Just past them are some brand new, and very exclusive waterway homes - Big Landing, which border Calabash. This is a gated development with very quiet and impressive waterfront estate homes. 

And there are many, many more. See our main North Myrtle Beach Real Estate website for details on all the communities and condo complexes in Little River, or call us for more information.