OK. The
Down Low on
Low Down MB
(For comparison, I have been fortunate enough to visit many different places. FL, GA, SC, NC, VA, NY, TN, NV, OH, PA and MA)
Mrs. Pete. Thank you for your perception. Although appreciated, here are some facts for clarification. Please allow me to extend an apology should this offend, it is not meant to do so. I hope those reading will consider what is written accordingly; use it if you find it useful, please disregard if it is not.
Myrtle Beach itself is only slightly larger than 3 miles wide and 10 miles long. The base population is around 40 to 50 thousand, give or take. The Zip Code 29577 by which FBI crime statistics are drawn actually extends several miles in any direction out of and away from MB (and yes, that includes towards NMB). During summer the tourist population can increase in excess of 100,000. Busy weekends can entertain 2 or 3 HUNDRED thousand (give or take a few 10 thousands). The reason the FBI stats are so skewed is because the amount of crime for such a large population is being assessed at the citys base population of around 40 to 50 thousand and the stats use the Zip Code 29577 which includes parts of the area lying outside of the city of Myrtle Beach. Were the numbers appropriately assessed at the population being serviced by the city during the peak times, you would most assuredly see a dramatic difference in the statistics for The Most Dangerous City in America.
Ocean Drive has always been in NORTH Myrtle Beach and is still referred to as such (I have not heard the OD jokes to which you refer, but then again, I have only been in this area since late 70s). Ocean Boulevard, in MB, to my knowledge has always been OB.
Downtown MB dirty and dangerous. Simply not accurate.
This time of year, June, is often referred to as Senior Week due to the influx of graduates. This used to only apply to the first two weeks of June, but now that schools release at different times almost the entire month of June is filled with graduating students from across the nation. However, the kids normally go to where the action is located and this does not normally include areas where most families have to be overwhelmed or overburdened with the young party crowd.
Now, Black Biker Week information;
This does not occur in June. Atlantic Beach Bike Festival takes place on Memorial Weekend. It usually begins on Thursday, ending on Monday (Memorial Day), making it pretty much a 4 to 5 day event. Atlantic Beach is actually in NORTH Myrtle Beach, not MB. This is a very, very busy time and can often appear to be chaotic. The crowd is here to party and party they do. Nuff said.
Myrtle Beach State Park is ACTUALLY in the opposite direction described. The state park is located on the south side of MB. NMB is located on the north side (obviously) of MB. To help clarify, starting from the NC state line and moving south the locations in order are, NMB, Atlantic Beach (which only consists of 4 city blocks within and surrounded by NMB City), MB, Surfside Beach and Garden City.
Night Clubs; yes, some night clubs have been closed. Simply put, the citizens of MB will not tolerate clubs that have dangerous, lewd or lascivious activities. In other words, if you have a nightclub and there is trouble with shootings, robberies or assaults, then the police will be doing what is appropriately necessary to deter this type of activity. If you have a club that night after night allow young women to disrobe and dance naked in an area that is not zoned and proper permits not issued, then the police will be doing what is appropriately necessary to intervene. These types of activities are not tolerated by the citizens and will be addressed as is best deemed appropriate.
Please allow me to offer understanding with regards to crime as I have extensive first hand knowledge. Crime can be and is in every city USA. This is no different in MB. The majority of crime victims the MB area do not live and work in MB. They are the tourists and transients to which you have spoken. Many of the reported robberies and rapes are not accurately reported and often are false reports. Robberies can mostly be attributed to drug deals gone bad. Reported rapes are often reported as such due to the after morning guilt trips or needed excuses for being late and overdue. Nothing more, nothing less. Nuff said.
Comments about police manpower doubling; Not accurate. Police K9 consist of two dogs. Used to be one, now two, okay I guess that is doubled. LOL.
Myrtle Beach and New York crime comparisons; Not fair to either city. General misgivings about crime in one city versus the other are just that, misgivings.
Now, to the initial inquiry regarding a nice stay without spending an excessive amount of money. Look for motels and rentals along the outside of where the action is happening. I like the far north end of MB (this is not North Myrtle Beach, but the northern end of the MB City extending above 30th Ave North) or the far south end of MB (preferably south of 4th Ave South). Someone mentioned the Sand Dunes/Ocean Dunes. I like this place. It also has a new water play area for the guest and it looks very fun and nice. The Crown Reef is another nice location. Surfside Beach is 10-15 minutes south of MB and can be very quiet during your vacationing down time. I really like some of the condo and home rentals in the Garden City area. This area is about 20-25 minutes south of MB and some very reasonable rates can be found. I would recommend, on a budget, checking locations that are two or three streets over from the beach (in the Garden City area). You may not have a place where you can walk out of the back door and onto the beach, but you are only two or three blocks away and can walk to the beach in one to three minutes, give or take, of course. Garden City is also close to Murrells Inlet where some of the finest dining in the state can be found. Myrtle Beach is a resort area that has a lot to offer for adults and children. To name a few; golf, miniature golf, NASCAR Speed Park, Myrtle Waves Water Park, the Pavilion (amusement park), Family Kingdom (amusement park), South Beach Resort (amusement park), Broadway at the Beach (shopping, night clubs, a few amusement rides, Ripleys Aquarium, dining, putt-putt, IMAX and movie theaters), Carolina Opry, Dixie Stampede, Palace Theater, Coastal Grand Mall (shopping, dining, movie theater), a multitude of different restaurants and of course the ocean!
Of particular note about police; should you need a police officer, in one of the cities (NMB, MB or Surfside Beach) the response time will be quicker. The county police unfortunately are spread out rather thin and response can sometimes be in excess of 30 to 45 minutes, respectively.
You will find the residents of MB as being nice and helpful. Myrtle Beach, as any other tourist attraction, has its fair share of party places, but above all of that it is mainly focused on attracting those tourist who are looking for the family beach where there is plenty of rest, relaxation and entertainment activities.
Mrs. Pete, yes, I can tell you are not a fan of Myrtle Beach. I sincerely hope you are not offended by the necessary clarifications. If so, please allow me to extend my apologies. If it has been some time since your last visit, please allow me to extend a warm invitation for you to return in hopes of you going away with a much more rewarding experience.
I thank you all for your time and consideration with regards to this lengthy reply. May I extend to you all the well wish that your next vacation come sooner than your last vacation ended, and may the loving memories from such wonderful times be as many as the grains of sand along the beach and as never-ending as the falling and rising of beautiful waves along the beach in beautiful places.
The Grandedunes is up the beach, a newer & more expensive property. I've found that if you call the Grandeshores direct, you usually get a better rate than their web rate.
