Is North Garden City 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 North Garden City as “Go”.
Gogo's take on North Garden City
“Go. North Garden City is a laid-back, family-friendly coastal community with significantly lower violent crime rates than downtown Myrtle Beach. Visitors should practice standard vacation precautions regarding vehicle and rental property security, but the area is generally safe and peaceful.”
About the area
Situated just south of Surfside Beach on the Grand Strand, North Garden City offers a quieter coastal experience characterized by beachfront cottages, low-rise condos, and tidal inlets. It caters primarily to families, anglers, and retirees seeking a relaxed beach vacation away from heavy commercial strips.
- Coastal / Beach
- Family-Friendly
- Relaxed
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in North Garden City
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 49/100
While there are no dedicated bike paths or bike-share hubs, low-speed residential streets and Waccamaw Drive are popular for cruiser bikes and golf carts.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are low and well below the greater Myrtle Beach municipal average
- Strong presence of family vacationers, retirees, and stable property owners
- Direct, easy access to clean and relatively uncrowded public beach access points
- Lower traffic congestion compared to the northern sections of the Grand Strand
Cons
- Seasonal uptick in opportunistic property crimes such as car break-ins and theft of beach gear
- High seasonal vacancy rates during winter months can make streets feel isolated
- Heavy car dependency with narrow roadways lacking dedicated pedestrian sidewalks in residential blocks
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in North Garden City, with panhandling and encampments rarely observed due to the suburban, strictly residential nature of the oceanfront.
What North Garden City is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with joggers, dog walkers, and beachcombers enjoying the sunrise safely.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy with beachgoers and golf carts moving between rental homes and ocean access points.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and casual as families head to nearby seafood restaurants or stroll along the beach.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Calm and residential with minimal nightlife; standard awareness is sufficient when walking along unlit side streets.
Transit, parking and getting around
There is no rail transit; public transportation is limited to regional Coast RTA bus routes along Kings Highway (US-17 Business), making a personal vehicle or rideshare practically essential.
Most rental properties provide private driveway parking; public beach access lots require paid parking via mobile app during the peak season from March through October.
Things to do in North Garden City
- Relax and sunbathe at the less-crowded North Garden City public beach accesses
- Walk or fish at the nearby Garden City Pier just south of the neighborhood
- Paddleboard or kayak along the calm waters of Murrells Inlet tidal marsh
Local favorites
- Garden City Grocer · Deli & Convenience · 4.6★ (185)Neighborhood spot offering breakfast sandwiches, beach snacks, and convenience staples.
- Gulfstream Cafe · Seafood Restaurant · 4.5★ (2420)Waterfront dining with panoramic sunset views over Murrells Inlet serving fresh coastal seafood.
- Sara J's Seafood Restaurant · Seafood Restaurant · 4.4★ (1650)Family-run marsh-side eatery known for local catches and outdoor seating.
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.