Is East Longs safe?
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates East Longs as “Go”.
Gogo's take on East Longs
“Go. East Longs is a quiet, developing semi-rural and suburban area situated just inland from North Myrtle Beach, offering a peaceful and low-crime environment. While it lacks urban amenities and is completely car-dependent, visitors face negligible violent crime risks.”
About the area
East Longs is an unincorporated community in northern Horry County characterized by residential subdivisions, golf courses, and pine woodlands along the Highway 9 corridor. It primarily serves as a tranquil bedroom community for workers and retirees seeking proximity to the Grand Strand coast without the resort-strip congestion.
- Quiet Suburban
- Car-Dependent
- Golf Community
- Sprawling
Walking and biking in East Longs
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 24/100
Dedicated bike paths and bike-share services are absent; cycling is limited to quiet internal subdivision roads due to fast traffic on main corridors like Highway 9.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates compared to coastal resort strips
- High rate of single-family homeownership with well-maintained master-planned subdivisions
- Quick access to North Myrtle Beach and Little River via Highway 9 and SC-31
- Quiet, low-density atmosphere with minimal traffic congestion off main arteries
Cons
- Completely dependent on private vehicles with virtually no pedestrian infrastructure
- Limited local dining, retail, and entertainment options within immediate neighborhood boundaries
- High-speed traffic along Highway 9 creates hazards at rural highway intersections
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in East Longs, as social services and shelters are concentrated further south in Myrtle Beach and Conway.
What East Longs is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene with residential commuters heading out toward the coast along Highway 9.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and sunny with light traffic around golf club entrances and residential connectors.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Very quiet and safe, though visibility drops rapidly on unlit rural connector roads.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and tranquil with virtually no street activity or safety concerns outside of wildlife hazards.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is virtually nonexistent in East Longs, as Coast RTA routes generally do not service this inland pocket; a personal vehicle or rideshare is essential.
Parking is exceptionally easy and universally free in private driveways, residential streets, and spacious commercial parking lots.
Things to do in East Longs
- Play a round of golf at Long Bay Golf Club, an acclaimed Jack Nicklaus Signature course
- Pick up fresh local produce and seasonal treats at nearby roadside farm stands
- Take a short drive to the historic Little River Waterfront for fresh seafood and casino boat cruises
Local favorites
- Long Bay Golf Club · Golf Course · 4.3★ (510)Renowned 18-hole championship course featuring deep pot bunkers and scenic pine forest settings.
- Sunken Pirate Charters · Boat Charter · 4.9★ (120)Popular local charter service providing inshore and nearshore fishing expeditions nearby.
- El Chepos Tacos · Mexican Restaurant · 4.6★ (240)Casual, beloved roadside spot serving authentic street tacos, burritos, and homemade salsas.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.