Moving from Florida to Myrtle Beach

Why Tampa Bay / Orlando / South Florida / Jacksonville Buyers Move to the Grand Strand

This is the counterintuitive move. Florida-to-SC makes financial sense primarily on insurance, not taxes. Coastal Florida homeowners insurance runs $4,000–$12,000/year or more in Tampa Bay, South Florida, and the Gulf Coast. Horry County interior communities (Myrtle Trace, Seasons, Bridgewater) run $900–$2,500/year. For FL retirees on fixed incomes who are watching insurance costs spiral, the SC move is a financial decision, not a lifestyle upgrade.

The Property Tax Comparison

What $300K–$900K in Florida Equity Buys on the Grand Strand

Florida buyers moving to Myrtle Beach typically do not expect a lifestyle upgrade — they expect comparable quality at lower cost. Cresswind and Seasons at Prince Creek West are the most common landing spots for this buyer profile. Del Webb Norte Myrtle Beach attracts FL buyers who want the newest construction comparable to what FL Del Webb communities offered.

Before You List Your Florida Home

File for SC primary residence tax exemptions within the year of purchase — do not wait until the following year. The 4% legal residence ratio (filed with the Horry County Assessor) and the 65+ homestead exemption (filed separately with the Horry County Auditor) must both be filed by December 31 of your purchase year. Missing either filing costs you $1,500–$3,000 or more in that tax year with no retroactive correction available.