Longs, SC

Longs is a small unincorporated community in Horry County, South Carolina, situated in the northern part of the county a short drive inland from the Grand Strand beaches. With a population in the low thousands, the community retains a quiet, low-country character even as it sits within easy reach of one of the Southeast's most popular tourism corridors. It functions primarily as a residential community that serves as a convenient and more affordable base for visitors exploring the Myrtle Beach area, with the main resort district of Myrtle Beach lying roughly fifteen to twenty miles to the south along the Atlantic coast.

Just a short drive to the southeast is North Myrtle Beach, the closest incorporated city and a popular destination in its own right. The area is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, the historic Cherry Grove fishing pier, and the lively Main Street oceanfront in Ocean Drive, where seasonal shag dancing traditions still draw crowds. From Longs, the drive to the heart of North Myrtle Beach typically takes only about fifteen minutes, making it an easy evening destination for guests who want beach access without the heavier traffic of the main Myrtle Beach strip.

A bit farther south lies Myrtle Beach itself, the dominant tourism hub of the region and home to attractions like Broadway at the Beach, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, and the dozens of golf courses that have earned the broader area its reputation as the "Golf Capital of the World." From Longs, the drive to central Myrtle Beach runs around thirty minutes depending on season and traffic, allowing visitors to spend full days at the beach, the boardwalk, or the area's many entertainment complexes before retreating to a quieter inland setting in the evening.

For those drawn to the natural side of the region, the Waccamaw River winds through the area near Longs, offering opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing amid cypress-lined backwaters typical of the South Carolina low country. Several public landings and access points are scattered throughout the area, and the river eventually connects to the Intracoastal Waterway, giving boaters a scenic route that runs parallel to the coast all the way south to Georgetown and beyond.

Longs appeals to short-term-rental investors and visitors because it offers the best of both worlds: a peaceful, residential setting with generally lower accommodation costs than oceanfront properties, combined with quick access to the beaches, golf courses, and entertainment of the Grand Strand. Guests can return from a day on the sand or the links to a quieter community that still feels close to everything, making the area a practical and attractive base for families, golfers, and beachgoers exploring the northern South Carolina coast.