Moving to Carolina Forest, SC: Living Guide

Carolina Forest is a large master-planned suburb on the Grand Strand. It sits inland between Myrtle Beach and Conway, built around longleaf pine forests and the oval wetlands known as Carolina Bays. It is also young: the main road, Carolina Forest Boulevard, was only finished in 1996, and the area was first counted as its own census-designated place in 2020.

What you get here is a family-focused community with newer homes, amenity-packed subdivisions, big grocery-anchored shopping centers, and schools that carry the Carolina Forest name. The beach in Myrtle Beach is about 6 miles away, so you can live in a quiet cul-de-sac and still be on the sand after a short drive. It suits young families, professionals who commute across the Grand Strand, and relocating buyers who want something newer. Expect HOAs, gates and busy roads at rush hour.

Planning a move to Carolina Forest? Call our NC & SC team at 910-758-0081 or get your price online.

Where Is Carolina Forest?

Carolina Forest is an unincorporated community in Horry County, west of Myrtle Beach and east of Conway. It grew out of the Buist Tract, about 30,000 acres that International Paper bought in 1937. The company began selling land for development in 1994, Carolina Forest Boulevard opened in December 1996, and River Oaks Drive followed in December 1997.

The land itself is part of the appeal. Developers built around existing longleaf pine forests and savannas, and the area contains Carolina Bays, elliptical depressions in the land often filled with thick vegetation. The community covers about 17.3 square miles in total. For decades it was also home to the Myrtle Beach Speedway, which hosted NASCAR events from 1958 until it closed in 2020.

Approximate driving distances:

Myrtle Beach: about 6.4 miles, roughly 10 minutes
Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR): about 8.5 miles, roughly 13 minutes
Conway: about 14.8 miles, roughly 19 minutes

The area is framed by US-501 and SC-31, with Carolina Forest Boulevard and River Oaks Drive as the main internal roads. Because Carolina Forest is not a city, it has no town hall of its own. Horry County provides services such as policing and parks.

Being this close to the airport is a real advantage. Myrtle Beach International advertises more than 50 nonstop destinations on ten airlines, including American, Delta, United and Southwest, which is handy if you travel for work or have family flying in to visit.

Carolina Forest Population & Demographics

At the 2020 Census, Carolina Forest had 23,342 residents. The Census Bureau’s more recent 2020–2024 American Community Survey estimates about 26,263, which shows how fast the area is still filling in. It is a family-oriented place: 22.2% of residents are under 18, and the median age is 40.3. Household incomes are above both the Myrtle Beach and state medians.

Measure	Carolina Forest	South Carolina	United States
Population (2020 Census)	23,342	—	331,449,281
Population (ACS 2020–2024 estimate)	26,263	—	—
Median age (ACS 2020–2024)	40.3	—	—
Residents under 18	22.2%	—	21.1%
Residents 65 and older	18.3%	21.1%	18.9%
Median household income (2020–2024)	$74,436	$69,324	$80,734
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	35.5%	32.1%	35.7%
Owner-occupied housing rate	69.6%	—	65.2%
Mean travel time to work	22.0 min	25.6 min	26.4 min

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (2020 Census and 2020–2024 American Community Survey); population estimate and median age from Census Reporter (ACS 2024 5-year).

The high school graduation rate among adults is 96.9%, and the share with a bachelor’s degree (35.5%) matches the national rate almost exactly. About 10% of residents were born outside the U.S., and the community is home to 1,310 veterans. At the 2020 Census, Carolina Forest had about 1,388 residents per square mile, denser than Conway or North Myrtle Beach.

Is Carolina Forest Safe?

Because Carolina Forest is unincorporated, it is patrolled by the Horry County Police Department, which serves the county’s unincorporated areas through five precincts and is the only remaining county police department in South Carolina. We did not find a recent, reliable crime data source specific to Carolina Forest, so we won’t quote one. Ask the department about your specific neighborhood, talk with your future HOA, and drive the area at different times of day before you decide.

Cost of Living in Carolina Forest

Home Prices

The Census Bureau puts the median value of owner-occupied homes in Carolina Forest at $336,800 (2020–2024), above the South Carolina median of $259,000 and close to the U.S. median of $332,700. Recent sales are in the same range. Redfin reports a median sale price of about $350,000 over the three months ending August 2026, down 16.3% from a year earlier, with 167 homes sold and a median price of $196 per square foot. Homes are selling faster than last year, with a median of 66 days on market, 46 days faster than the same period a year earlier.

Most homes are newer single-family houses in HOA communities, with townhomes and condos mixed in. HOA dues vary widely depending on amenities like pools, lakes and gates, so add them to your monthly budget from the start.

Rent

Renting here costs more than in nearby towns. The median gross rent in Carolina Forest is $1,668 a month (2020–2024), compared with $1,261 in Myrtle Beach, $866 in Conway, $1,180 statewide and $1,413 nationally. If you are renting while you shop for a home, Conway or Myrtle Beach may stretch your budget further.

Best Neighborhoods in Carolina Forest

Waterbridge

Waterbridge is known for its amenities: one of the region’s largest community pools, a lake for non-motorized boating, a swim-up bar, food truck nights and car shows. The streets are golf-cart friendly, and homes range from production builds to custom homes across several phases. It suits families who want a built-in social life and plenty for kids to do.

Indigo Bay

Indigo Bay is a gated community with a kayaking lake, dog park, pickleball courts, walking trails and a community center with a pool and gym. The HOA keeps a busy calendar of social events. It suits buyers who want gated security and lots of amenities while still being close to schools and shopping.

Plantation Lakes

Plantation Lakes is built around lakes, and residents have access to a community pontoon boat. The pace is relaxed and centered on the water. It suits buyers who want lakefront views and a quieter setting, including empty nesters and retirees who still want to be close to Carolina Forest’s shopping and medical offices.

Other names you will hear: The Farm, a resale community with mature trees and a barn-style amenity center; Covington Lakes, known for brick homes and a gated eastern section; The Parks, a D.R. Horton community with multiple pools and a lazy river; and waterway communities such as The Bluffs and Waterway Palms, where some homes have dock access. River Oaks is the commercial spine, with Publix, Kroger and Food Lion, urgent care clinics and restaurants.

Weather & Climate

Carolina Forest shares the Grand Strand’s humid subtropical climate. Based on 1991–2020 normals for the nearby Myrtle Beach station, January highs average about 55.5°F with lows near 33.6°F, and July highs average about 87.4°F with lows near 71.6°F. Annual precipitation is about 53.6 inches. Snow is very rare.

Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, peaking around September 10, according to the National Hurricane Center. Even away from the ocean, heavy rain can flood low spots and roads. Look up your address on Horry County’s “Know Your Zone” map, which divides the county into evacuation zones A, B and C.

Best months to move: Spring and fall. If you want to be settled before the school year starts, book early and schedule crews for the morning to avoid afternoon heat and storms.

Things to Do in Carolina Forest

Carolina Forest Recreation Center

Run by Horry County Parks and Recreation at 2254 Carolina Forest Boulevard, the rec center has a full-size gym for open play and leagues, a fitness room for classes, a rock climbing wall and a multipurpose room. The Palmetto Adventure Land Playground sits behind the neighboring Carolina Forest Library on the same stretch of the boulevard, so one stop can cover a workout, a playground visit and a library card for the kids.

Myrtle Beach National Golf Club

Myrtle Beach National, at 4900 National Drive, has three courses: King’s North, the West Course and SouthCreek. Arnold Palmer designed King’s North, which reopened in October 2025 after a renovation done in phases over 2024 and 2025 and is famous for its par-5 “Gambler” hole.

Tanger Outlets Myrtle Beach Hwy 501

Tanger’s open-air outlet center at 4635 Factory Stores Boulevard shares Carolina Forest’s 29579 ZIP code. It has EV charging, bike racks and a pet-friendly policy.

Coastal Grand Mall

Opened in 2004, Coastal Grand is the area’s main indoor mall, with Belk, Dillard’s and JCPenney, more than 170 specialty stores and a 14-screen Cinemark theater. It sits off US-17 and Harrelson Boulevard.

The Beach

Myrtle Beach is about 6.4 miles away, so a sunset walk on the sand is an easy after-work trip. Myrtle Beach State Park, with its fishing pier and undeveloped beach, is a favorite for a quieter day.

Where to Eat in Carolina Forest

Handley’s Pub & Grub

Family-owned since 2004, Handley’s at 3873 Renee Drive is an English-style pub and one of the area’s longtime locals’ hangouts. It has fresh food made daily, 28 TVs, 68 beers, pool tables and a covered patio.

Tavern in the Forest

Tavern in the Forest at 4999 Carolina Forest Boulevard serves “upscale bar food” such as pizza, burgers and wings, plus craft cocktails. Local owners bought and renovated it in 2019, and it is open daily from 11am.

River Oaks Pizzeria

River Oaks Pizzeria’s Carolina Forest location at 154 Sapwood Road sits next to Publix. The family behind it brought New York pizza traditions from the Bronx, and the menu includes slow-fermented pizza, lobster ravioli, calamari and homemade tiramisu.

Jobs & Economy

Carolina Forest is mostly residential, so most residents commute to jobs elsewhere on the Grand Strand. The average commute is 22 minutes. The largest employers in Horry County, according to the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation, include Horry County Schools (about 6,400 employees), Coastal Carolina University (about 2,700), Horry County Government (about 2,650), Conway Medical Center (about 1,800), McLeod Seacoast (about 1,700) and Grand Strand Regional Medical Center (about 1,300). Carolina Forest’s location between Myrtle Beach and Conway puts many of those jobs within a short drive.

Retail, restaurants and health care services along River Oaks Drive, Carolina Forest Boulevard and US-501 also provide local jobs. The former Myrtle Beach Speedway property, which hosted NASCAR events from 1958 to 2020, is being redeveloped as Victory Point.

Schools in Carolina Forest

Carolina Forest is part of Horry County Schools, which serves more than 47,000 students in 58 schools. Schools serving the area include Carolina Forest Elementary, Ocean Bay Middle and Carolina Forest High School, though assignments depend on your subdivision. With so much new construction, attendance lines can shift, so always confirm your address with the district’s “Find My School” map before you sign.

Families who want a specialized path can also look at the district’s application-based programs, which are open to students countywide. These include Scholars Academy for high-achieving high school students, the Academy for Arts, Science & Technology, and Early College High School, where students can earn up to two years of college credit alongside a diploma.

Coastal Carolina University and Horry-Georgetown Technical College’s Conway Campus are both on the Conway side of the area, and HGTC’s Grand Strand Campus is in Myrtle Beach.

Carolina Forest Quick Facts

County	Horry County (unincorporated)
ZIP code	29579
Area code	843
Mailing address city	Myrtle Beach
Nearest airport	Myrtle Beach International (MYR), about 8.5 miles
Main roads	US-501, SC-31, Carolina Forest Blvd, River Oaks Dr
Land area	16.82 square miles
Population (2020 Census)	23,342
Police	Horry County Police Department

Moving to Carolina Forest: Tips From Our Crew

Get your HOA’s move-in rules first. Nearly every subdivision here has an HOA. Many set moving hours, limit where trucks and storage containers can park, and require gate access codes. Send the rules to your mover ahead of time.
Avoid rush hour on Carolina Forest Boulevard and River Oaks Drive. School traffic and commuters crowd the main roads in the morning and afternoon. A mid-morning start helps a crew get in and out faster.
Use your Myrtle Beach mailing address. Carolina Forest homes use Myrtle Beach addresses in ZIP 29579. Give your mover the full street address with the subdivision name, since GPS can struggle with brand-new streets.
Plan for new-construction timing. Closing dates on new homes often slip. If yours might, ask about short-term storage so you are not paying for two moves or a truck sitting idle.
Watch summer storms. Afternoon thunderstorms and hurricane-season rain can soak a move. Keep plastic wrap on upholstered furniture and mattresses, and check the forecast a few days out.
Protect new floors. Brand-new homes have fresh flooring and paint. Ask your crew to use floor runners and door-jamb protection, and walk the house with them before the first piece comes off the truck.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Carolina Forest

How much do movers charge in Carolina Forest?

Moving costs depend on the size of your home, how far you are going, access issues like gates and stairs, packing, and your date. Because every job is different, we give free, no-pressure quotes. Call our NC & SC team at 910-758-0081, and an owner will call you back, usually within 15 minutes between 8am and 8pm.

Is Carolina Forest part of Myrtle Beach?

Not officially. Carolina Forest is an unincorporated, census-designated place in Horry County. Homes use Myrtle Beach mailing addresses (ZIP 29579), but the county provides services like police. The city of Myrtle Beach is about 6.4 miles away.

Is Carolina Forest good for families?

It is one of the most family-oriented areas on the Grand Strand. More than one in five residents is under 18, subdivisions like Waterbridge and Indigo Bay have pools, lakes and trails, and schools carry the Carolina Forest name. Confirm your school assignment by address, since lines vary by subdivision.

Are home prices in Carolina Forest going up or down?

Recently, down. Redfin reports the median sale price over the three months ending August 2026 was about $350,000, 16.3% lower than a year earlier. Homes also sold faster. Prices vary a lot by subdivision, so ask your agent for recent sales in the neighborhood you want.

Can you move us into a new-construction home?

Yes. Our Carolina Forest moving crews can plan around your closing date. We offer packing and unpacking, local moves and long-distance moves, plus storage if your builder’s schedule changes.

Move to Carolina Forest With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers is family-owned and has been moving families since 2015. Every crew member is a background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employee, never a subcontractor. Our Owner’s Promise means you talk to an owner, not a call center. If anything is damaged, an owner calls you the same day, and claims are resolved in 60–90 days. From pianos and safes to military moves, our Carolina Forest movers are ready to help. Call our NC & SC team at 910-758-0081.

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Moving to Carolina Forest, SC: Living in Carolina Forest Guide