Conway, SC

Thinking about living in Conway, South Carolina? Located inland along the Waccamaw River roughly 15 miles northwest of Myrtle Beach, Conway offers a noticeably different lifestyle than the Grand Strand’s tourism-heavy coastal corridor. Known for its historic downtown, riverfront setting, oak-lined streets, and growing residential communities, Conway blends small-city character with access to beaches, universities, and major regional employment centers.

Unlike many coastal communities shaped primarily by tourism, Conway functions as a year-round residential and civic center for Horry County. The city combines historic neighborhoods, newer suburban developments, university influence, and outdoor recreation into a more locally oriented environment. Learning how Conway operates day-to-day can help determine whether its balance of affordability, historic character, and regional access aligns with your priorities.

Why You’ll Love Living in Conway

Conway stands out for its slower pace and stronger sense of local identity compared to many nearby beach communities. While residents remain within driving distance of the coast, daily life here feels more grounded in neighborhoods, schools, local businesses, and community events than in tourism activity.

The city’s riverfront and downtown district shape much of its atmosphere. Residents spend time walking the Riverwalk, attending festivals downtown, dining at locally owned restaurants, and participating in community events throughout the year. Conway also maintains a more traditional Southern small-city feel than many newer suburban communities developing farther east.

Another major advantage is the balance between affordability and access. Residents can typically find larger lots, newer homes, and more affordable housing than in many beachside communities, while remaining connected to Myrtle Beach, Carolina Forest, and the broader Grand Strand economy.

Conway is located in Horry County along the Waccamaw River inland from the South Carolina coast.

The city is connected by U.S. Highways 501, 22, and 90, providing access throughout the Grand Strand region. Residents can typically reach Myrtle Beach in 25-35 minutes, depending on traffic, while North Myrtle Beach and Murrells Inlet are accessible in roughly an hour.

Myrtle Beach International Airport serves as the area’s primary airport and is located southeast of the city near central Myrtle Beach.

Conway experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot summers, mild winters, and long spring and fall seasons.

Summer temperatures frequently reach the upper 80s and 90s, while winters remain relatively mild compared to northern states. Spring and fall are especially popular for outdoor recreation because of lower humidity and comfortable temperatures.

The climate supports year-round outdoor activity, including boating, fishing, riverfront walking, golfing, and community events throughout much of the year.

Conway’s economy is tied closely to education, government, healthcare, retail, and the broader Grand Strand tourism market.

The city serves as the county seat of Horry County and benefits from a substantial public-sector employment presence. Coastal Carolina University also plays a major role in the local economy through education, athletics, and university-related development.

Many residents commute to jobs in Myrtle Beach, Carolina Forest, and surrounding coastal communities, while others work locally in education, healthcare, construction, logistics, and professional services.

Horry County Schools serve Conway. Local schools include Conway Elementary School, Conway Middle School, and Conway High School, though assignments vary depending on address and zoning changes.

Families should confirm attendance zones directly through the district’s official school locator tool.

Coastal Carolina University is located just outside the city and strongly influences the broader area through academics, athletics, and student activity. Nearby higher education options also include Horry-Georgetown Technical College.

Conway offers several distinct residential environments ranging from historic downtown neighborhoods to newer suburban developments farther from the river corridor.

Historic Downtown Conway

The neighborhoods surrounding downtown Conway offer some of the city’s most established residential environments. Residents are drawn to the area for its walkability, mature trees, historic homes, and close connection to the Riverwalk and downtown business district.

Housing includes historic cottages, renovated Southern-style homes, and smaller in-town residential lots. Residents who prioritize local restaurants, community events, and a more walkable small-city atmosphere are often drawn to this part of Conway.

Wild Wing Plantation

Wild Wing Plantation is one of Conway’s best-known golf-oriented residential communities. Located west of Highway 501, the neighborhood blends golf-course living with newer suburban development patterns and larger residential lots.

Homes range from mid-sized suburban residences to larger golf-front properties. Residents are often attracted to the neighborhood’s golf amenities, newer housing stock, and relatively convenient access to both Conway and Myrtle Beach.

Coastal Heights

Coastal Heights sits near Coastal Carolina University and combines residential neighborhoods with strong university influence. The area includes a mix of student-oriented housing, long-term residential streets, and newer developments surrounding the university corridor.

Residents benefit from proximity to university events, shopping centers, restaurants, and access to Highway 501. The atmosphere tends to feel more active and transitional than some of Conway’s quieter suburban neighborhoods.

Blackwater / Highway 90 Corridor

The Blackwater and Highway 90 areas north of Conway appeal to residents seeking larger lots, quieter surroundings, and a more rural residential atmosphere while remaining connected to the Grand Strand region.

Housing in these areas often includes newer single-family homes, custom properties, and semi-rural residential developments with more separation between homes than in denser suburban communities.

Residents have access to local medical services throughout Conway, including hospitals, specialty clinics, urgent care centers, and regional health systems.

Conway Medical Center serves as one of the area’s primary healthcare providers and continues to expand alongside the region’s population growth.

Additional medical facilities are available throughout Myrtle Beach and the broader Grand Strand corridor.

Conway’s lifestyle centers heavily around the riverfront, downtown events, local recreation, and access to nearby coastal amenities.

Conway Riverwalk remains one of the city’s defining public spaces, connecting residents to the Waccamaw River through walking paths, boardwalk sections, and gathering spaces. Downtown Conway also hosts festivals, live music, seasonal events, and farmers’ markets throughout the year.

Residents also spend time boating, fishing, golfing, and exploring nearby natural areas throughout Horry County. While Conway itself feels more locally focused than Myrtle Beach, beaches, shopping districts, and coastal attractions remain within relatively easy driving distance.

Outdoor recreation is woven deeply into daily life in Conway. The Waccamaw River, surrounding wetlands, golf courses, parks, and nearby conservation areas shape much of the local environment.

Residents frequently kayak, fish, boat, walk the Riverwalk, and spend time in nearby outdoor recreation areas. The city’s mature tree canopy and riverfront setting also create a greener and more shaded environment than many coastal developments closer to the beach corridor.

Conway’s dining scene feels more locally oriented than the tourism-heavy restaurant corridors along the Grand Strand.

Downtown restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, and local gathering spaces anchor much of the city’s social atmosphere. Residents often gravitate toward locally owned restaurants and riverfront dining rather than large entertainment-focused chains.

The university’s presence also contributes additional coffee shops, casual restaurants, and sports-oriented gathering spots throughout the Highway 501 corridor near Coastal Carolina University.

Conway is defined by its balance between historic Southern character and regional growth. Unlike nearby resort communities built primarily around tourism, Conway maintains a stronger sense of local continuity, civic identity, and year-round residential life.

Its riverfront setting, historic neighborhoods, university influence, and slower pace create a lifestyle that feels more grounded in community routine than seasonal tourism. The result is a city that offers access to the Grand Strand economy and beaches while maintaining a distinctly different day-to-day atmosphere.

FAQs About Conway, SC