Looking for a home base near the beach without living in the middle of beach traffic and resort density? Longs may be worth a closer look. If you want more space, newer construction, and a practical drive to North Myrtle Beach and Little River, this inland part of Horry County offers a different kind of coastal lifestyle. Here’s what you should know before deciding if Longs fits the way you want to live.
Why Longs appeals to near-beach buyers
Longs is better understood as an inland growth area than a traditional beach town. Census data for the Longs CCD shows 9,523 residents across 87.5 square miles, or about 109 people per square mile. By comparison, Little River CDP has 11,711 residents across 10.5 square miles, or about 1,115 people per square mile.
That lower-density setting is a big part of the appeal. If you like the idea of being near the coast but not surrounded by beach-core activity every day, Longs offers a calmer base. Horry County’s FY2025 financial plan also points to new residential growth along the Highway 9 corridor, which helps explain why more buyers are taking a look.
Location and access in Longs
Longs sits north of the Grand Strand and is often presented as a convenient drive to North Myrtle Beach, Little River, and nearby shopping and recreation. Several current communities are marketed as being off Highway 9 or near the Highway 22 Connector. In practical terms, that means you can live inland while keeping coastal destinations within reach.
It is important to think of Longs as a drive-first location. This is not a walk-to-the-ocean setting. For many buyers, that tradeoff works well because it can mean more room at home while still keeping beach days, dining, errands, and entertainment realistic as part of your routine.
What drive times may look like
Current builder pages offer useful directional estimates for day-to-day access. D.R. Horton’s Carrington Woods page lists about 13 minutes to Main Street in North Myrtle Beach and 15 minutes to Little River. Eden Springs lists about 13 minutes to Main Street, 14 minutes to the beach, and 15 minutes to Little River-area destinations.
Great Southern Homes’ Oak Hollow describes the community as about 20 minutes to North Myrtle Beach. These are builder estimates, so your exact drive will vary by neighborhood, route, and traffic. Still, they help frame Longs as a place where coastal access is close enough for convenience, but not right outside your door.
Housing in Longs today
Much of the current housing story in Longs centers on new construction. Communities commonly feature single-family homes with one-story ranch plans and two-story layouts, open living areas, and two-car garages. Many also include neighborhood amenities such as pools, cabanas, playgrounds, dog parks, ponds, or community gardens.
Current examples from builder communities in Longs commonly show 3 to 4 bedrooms, 2 to 3 baths, and roughly 1,183 to 2,376 square feet. That gives you a fairly wide range whether you are looking for a manageable footprint or need more room to spread out.
Some communities also offer features that can shape your search. Oak Hollow is marketed as a natural-gas community. Eden Springs notes 3-car garage options, and Cypress Ridge highlights spacious homesites and pond views.
What prices look like in Longs
Recent builder pricing places Longs new construction from the low $200,000s into the upper $300,000s. D.R. Horton listings show homes from the $247s to $255s in Longs. Great Southern Homes lists communities around $295,990 to $299,990, while Meritage Homes shows homes around $353,990 to $369,990.
That pricing range is one reason Longs stands out for buyers comparing inland and coastal options. You may find that staying a short drive from the beach opens the door to a newer home or a larger layout than what you might target closer to the shoreline.
Are lots in Longs larger?
In many current new-construction examples, a lot around a quarter acre is common. Recent listings include homesites of about 0.23, 0.25, and 0.27 acres, along with at least one example at 0.5 acres. That can be useful if outdoor space matters to you.
There is also added flexibility for buyers who want more land. Current land listings in Longs range from about 0.4 acres to roughly 9.5 acres. If your goal is more separation from neighbors or room for a different kind of homesite, Longs may offer options that are harder to find in more built-up coastal areas.
Daily-life tradeoffs to consider
Longs tends to work best when you are comfortable with a drive-everywhere lifestyle. Grocery runs, dining, beach trips, and many routine errands will usually involve getting in the car. In a growing area, seasonal traffic and your day-to-day route can make a difference in how convenient a neighborhood feels.
That does not make Longs less appealing. It simply means the fit depends on your priorities. If you would rather trade walkability for more space, newer homes, and a quieter setting, Longs may line up well with your goals.
HOA costs can vary widely
If you are comparing communities in Longs, HOA costs deserve a close look. Recent examples show monthly HOA fees around $70, $75, $81, and $94 in some listings. At least one current Meritage listing shows HOA at $0 per month.
That range matters when you are building a realistic monthly budget. Two homes with similar pricing can feel different once you factor in association fees and what those fees cover. It is worth comparing those details carefully as you narrow your choices.
Flood maps and drainage matter in Longs
Even though Longs is inland compared with the oceanfront, flood and drainage research still matters. Horry County strongly encourages buyers to check flood maps and understand flood risk on a parcel-by-parcel basis. The county participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and recommends considering flood insurance even outside mapped flood hazard areas.
Horry County also provides GIS flood maps and FEMA flood map resources, and its 2025 stormwater milestones note drainage and flood-mitigation work in the Longs area. For buyers, the key takeaway is simple: do not assume inland means no flood questions. Review the specific property, not just the town name.
Who is most likely to like Longs
Longs may be a strong fit if you want more house and yard for the money, prefer newer construction, and do not need daily beach walkability. Buyers who value ranch plans, garage space, and a little more breathing room often find the area appealing. It can also suit relocators who want a quieter home base while keeping North Myrtle Beach and Little River nearby.
This can be especially useful if you are trying to balance lifestyle with budget. You may be able to stay connected to the coast without paying for a location in the center of the beach market.
When Longs may not be the right fit
Longs is not the best match for every buyer. If your goal is a walkable beach lifestyle, frequent nightlife, or regular ocean access without a drive, you will probably want to focus closer to North Myrtle Beach or Little River.
The better question is not whether Longs is good or bad. It is whether the inland tradeoff makes sense for how you live. For some buyers, that tradeoff feels smart and comfortable. For others, being closer to the water every day is worth the higher-density setting.
How to evaluate Longs the right way
If you are considering Longs, try comparing homes through the lens of daily life rather than just list price. A smart side-by-side review should include:
- Drive time to the places you visit most
- Home size and layout
- Lot size and outdoor space
- HOA cost and included amenities
- Flood map status and drainage considerations
- Access to Highway 9 or Highway 22
This kind of comparison helps you see whether Longs truly supports your routine, not just your wish list.
If you want help weighing Longs against North Myrtle Beach, Little River, or other Grand Strand options, Kristen Lundy offers the local guidance and hands-on support to help you make a confident move.
FAQs
How far is Longs from North Myrtle Beach?
- Current builder estimates in some Longs communities place Main Street in North Myrtle Beach at about 13 minutes, while another community is marketed at about 20 minutes to North Myrtle Beach.
How far is Longs from Little River?
- Some current builder pages for Longs communities estimate about 15 minutes to Little River-area destinations, though exact drive time depends on the neighborhood and traffic.
What kinds of homes are common in Longs?
- Current Longs communities are largely new-construction single-family homes, often with 3 to 4 bedrooms, 2 to 3 baths, open layouts, and roughly 1,183 to 2,376 square feet.
Are lot sizes in Longs larger than coastal lots?
- Many current Longs new-construction lots are around a quarter acre, with recent examples around 0.23 to 0.27 acres and some larger homesites also available.
What should buyers know about HOA fees in Longs?
- HOA fees vary by community, with recent examples around $70, $75, $81, and $94 per month, while at least one current listing shows no monthly HOA fee.
Do you still need to check flood maps for homes in Longs?
- Yes. Horry County encourages buyers to review flood maps parcel by parcel and recommends considering flood insurance even outside mapped flood hazard areas.
