Is South Conway safe?
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates South Conway as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on South Conway
“Go with care. South Conway is a relatively quiet, spread-out semi-suburban and rural fringe community where violent crime is infrequent for visitors. Basic situational awareness along highway corridors and standard vehicle security are all that are typically necessary.”
About the area
Situated just south of historic Conway along the US-701 corridor and the Waccamaw River basin, South Conway is primarily composed of modest residential neighborhoods, farmland, and light commercial strips. It serves mostly as a commuter and residential zone for workers in Conway and the greater Grand Strand area.
- Car-Dependent
- Semi-Rural
- Quiet Residential
- Working-Class
Walking and biking in South Conway
Walk score: 18/100 · Bike score: 26/100
There are no bike-share programs or dedicated cycle lanes in the area, and cycling along major high-speed corridors is hazardous due to narrow shoulders.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower rates of violent crime compared to the dense tourist strips along the Grand Strand coast.
- Quiet, low-density residential layout featuring established single-family homes and spacious lots.
- Convenient driving access to downtown Conway's historic Riverwalk and Coastal Carolina University.
Cons
- Scattered property crime and opportunistic vehicle break-ins along commercial highway stretches.
- Below-average median household income with pockets of rural poverty and older housing stock.
- Poor pedestrian infrastructure with few sidewalks, crosswalks, or streetlights along arterial roads.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in South Conway, though occasional individuals may be seen along major highway intersections leading into central Conway.
What South Conway is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe as local commuters and school traffic filter onto US-701 and secondary roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active vehicle flow through commercial pockets with virtually no safety concerns for daytime visitors.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and dark in residential areas, requiring extra caution when driving due to sparse street lighting.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very deserted with minimal activity; staying in well-lit areas and keeping vehicles locked is recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by Coast RTA with limited bus routes connecting Conway to Myrtle Beach, but headways are long and most areas in South Conway require a personal vehicle.
Parking is completely free and widely available across expansive surface parking lots and private driveways.
Things to do in South Conway
- Enjoy quiet freshwater fishing and paddling along nearby access points of the Waccamaw River.
- Sample authentic regional barbecue and Southern soul food at local highway roadside diners.
- Take a short drive north into downtown Conway to visit the historic Riverwalk, shops, and county museum.
Local favorites
- Big D's Bar-B-Q Trough · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.4★ (1150)Down-home buffet offering classic pit-cooked pulled pork, fried chicken, and Southern comfort sides.
- The Trestle Bakery & Cafe · Bakery & Cafe · 4.7★ (1420)Local institution known for scratch-made sourdough breads, sweet pastries, and hearty lunch sandwiches.
- Rivertown Bistro · Southern Restaurant · 4.6★ (1650)Refined regional eatery featuring creative Southern seafood, steak dishes, and artisanal sushi.
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.