In Myrtle Beach for two weeks.

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

So my folks got a condo here, and it’s not ready to live in yet, so we’re staying in another condo for the time being. I just love it so far, and I haven’t even done anything ‘touristy’ yet.

I’m from the Buffalo area, and I don’t get to travel much. I wouldn’t say I have Seasonal Affective Disorder, (I got a special lamp for people who have it, and it doesn’t do squat for me, plus it’s been rainy here too). It’s just such beautiful area. I could definitely see myself moving here, and think scenery would help me with my depression.

The one problem I have is that I can’t drive… (well, I CAN drive back home, but only on familiar roads, where I feel comfortable.) I might rent a bike when I’m up here for now, but if I were to move here one day, I would really be frightened to drive about. I don’t know how confident I would be on these roads, especially when tourists come down. So that sucks.

They have subsidized housing up here too, (I live in a subsidized apartment back home), and it’s very close to my parent’s condo, which is good. I’m unemployed right now, and here it’s difficult finding a job up here. So that sucks too.

It’s just the thought of possibly living here some day has me feeling really hopeful for my the future, and this is only my second day here! There’s an energy here that I don’t see where I live. Oh! And the women… there are some fine looking ladies here too.

**So any suggestions on the types of things I should be doing while I’m down here? ** Should I visit the Ripley’s attractions? There’s an Aquarium, there’s a ‘Believe It or Not!’ museum, a Haunted Adventure, a 3D Moving Theater… some other ones.

I plan to see the ocean for the first time.

My parents might come back in the summer time, and may be nice enough to let me tag along, so don’t limit your suggestions to things I can do this time of year.

Thanks!!!

2

Okay, let me understand this. :slight_smile: You say you’re from the Buffalo area, which makes me think New York. But you’re calling Myrtle Beach “up.” Is there another Buffalo?

I love Myrtle Beach. If you do have a car there you could just get on King’s Hwy and go straight forever. There are tons of things on that stretch. (Too far to walk but you could bike.) We used to stay at one of the original motels there called the Apache. (On the next road to the right.) It’s next to the Sheraton. The Apache is is dwarfed by the other motels around it but was “grandfathered” into being allowed to have a great, long deck right on the sand. People from the Sheraton used to come over to sunbathe. That was fair because we used to go over there to listen to their outside bands.

There used to be a restaurant there named Steers. All you can eat buffett with steaks, chicken and fish, shrimp, crawfish and mounds of crablegs. Since we had the kids it was our affordable go-to place for seafood.

If you get a chance, bet you’d like Pawley’s Island. It’s known for the hammocks made there. The place is beautiful.

Have a good time! And don’t bungee jump unless you just have to. Oh! And do they still have the wooden roller coaster?

3

I used to live up the road a piece from Myrtle Beach. We’d drive down once in a while, mainly to see bigger musical acts at the House of Blues, which is the biggest venue for some distance. There also used to be plenty of local/regional bands in the area, and it’s probably still the case. So, I’d say go see some live music.

There’s other goofy touristy stuff too, like miniature golf and go carts. Do you play regular golf? It’s a big business and there are tons of courses.

The beach is, sadly, not much to look at, there are better ones elsewhere in SC. The beaches just to the north, in North Carolina, are far superior. In fact, a day trip to Wilmington, NC would be high on the list of things to do, it’s a great town. They have gorgeous beaches, an aquarium, a civil war sand fort, and a battleship. Plus good food and friendly people. If you are seriously thinking about moving, it would probably be a better bet in terms of cost of living vs. work opportunity. I’d go back right now if I could.

Charleston is also a good day trip from Myrtle Beach. Lots of history and old buildings there, and low country food.

4

If you are planning on working, you’d better have skills that are in demand in myrtle beach. Winter unemployment is a big problem, especially in service jobs.

If you like the beaches, but hate crowds, check out Surfside beach. It’s just as nice as Myrtle, without being packed in like sardines.

5

Thanks Becky2844! Yes I live in Buffalo NY… I meant to say “down”. I’ll ask about the wooden roller coaster. I know I saw one roller coaster, I’m pretty sure it was wooden. :slight_smile:

Furious_Marmot live music is a great suggestion. I also like the other “goofy touristy stuff”. No I don’t golf, but my dad does. I can’t even hit the ball. :o

ExcitedIdiotI might be on social security disability soon, (as much as I don’t *want *to be, and that **wont **be permanent), but I can probably handle a part time job, (I want to be productive). I was told how hard it is to get a job here. I don’t know what I would even do.

For now, I’m lucky to have parents that are understanding… they know that this trip is a big deal to me.

If I were to move here, my biggest fear would be getting around. I hear it’s crazy in the summer.

Thanks for the replies you three!

6

It might be kind of strange but I like the crowds. The more the merrier. We got to know a lot of the people who stayed there the same time we did, year after year. Several people, my husband & sons included, flew those snappy nylon kites down next to the water. In the evening we’d take walks and talk to people all along the way. The catamarand (sp) rental was close by and when their rigging banged against the masts it sounded like calypso music. I loved waking up in the morning and seeing the lifeguards dig holes for the fruit-slice looking umbrellas. We did the go-carts and the indie carts where you had to show your drivers license to get to drive. There was an amazing water park. A new hotel had gone up nearby that had its own “lazy river.” One afternoon somebody’s kid came and got me to go sneak in with her. Loved it. We did every touristy thing we could find. :smiley:

As far as jobs go, you could try areas that aren’t reliant on the “season.” Schools, doctor’s offices, things like that.

Now we’re right on the Gulf of Mexico. It’s beautiful and all, but where we are IS the quiet place. :frowning: Sometimes we have to go a long way to get right-smack-dab in the middle of a bunch of people. :smiley:

7

Gorgeous beaches, fine dining, and some of the best golfing on the East Coast aside, you must visit the Gay Dolphin if you hope to call yourself a true Myrtle Beacher, uh Myrtle Beachian, er, Myrtlian, or whatever. If you look up the word “kitsch”, there is a picture of the Gay Dolphin there, and I say this with great love.

8

Would that it had been there when we were going! But don’t forget Wings; it’s the epitome of tacky and absolutely necessary.

9

My husband and I lived in Surfside Beach (just south of MB) for almost a decade. A lot of people love it, but it wasn’t for us at this point in our lives. Great place when you’re young and single or at least kid-free.

We saw No Doubt at the House of Blues. It was a fantastic concert, mainly because it isn’t a very big venue. We felt like we were practically on the stage. I definitely recommend catching a show there.

This is true if you’re in the service industry, but remember that there are a lot of locals in the area. All your “normal” jobs are there, too. I worked in telecom for years, my husband is a PT. There are some big hospitals there and a ton of doctors offices - lots of retirees needing cardiac surgery and home health care. It’s also fairly easy to commute from Myrtle Beach to some of the other towns on the coast or slightly inland - I knew people who commuted to Charleston (admittedly, a hike).