Is South Conway East safe?
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates South Conway East as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on South Conway East
“Go. South Conway East is a calm, largely residential and semi-rural area that presents very little violent crime risk to visitors. Standard situational awareness is sufficient, especially regarding vehicle security around major roadway corridors.”
About the area
Situated just southeast of historic Conway and inland from the Myrtle Beach Grand Strand, South Conway East features quiet subdivisions, wooded lots, and light highway-adjacent retail. It functions primarily as a bedroom community for workers across Horry County, offering a low-key suburban feel away from tourist congestion.
- Suburban / Semi-Rural
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in South Conway East
Walk score: 18/100 · Bike score: 28/100
There are no bike-share systems and limited dedicated cycling infrastructure, though recreational cycling is possible on quieter subdivision roads.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to coastal tourist hubs in Myrtle Beach
- High rates of single-family homeownership fostering neighborhood stability
- Affordable lodging and services with straightforward highway access to beaches
Cons
- Occasional property crimes and vehicle break-ins along commercial corridors and unmonitored lots
- Pockets of lower median household incomes and mixed infrastructure maintenance
- Poor pedestrian lighting and absence of sidewalks along rural secondary roads
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in South Conway East, with occasional panhandling limited to major highway intersections and retail plazas near US-501.
What South Conway East is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe with light residential commuter traffic navigating out to main arterials.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm neighborhood streets with steady commercial traffic along US-701 and connecting routes.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential winding down with minimal street activity and very low street-level risk.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally safe but very dark due to limited streetlighting; driving is strongly recommended over walking.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by Coast RTA with limited fixed-route coverage connecting Conway to Myrtle Beach along major corridors; a personal vehicle is essential for navigating the area.
Parking is abundant and universally free in private driveways, shopping plazas, and roadside businesses across the area.
Things to do in South Conway East
- Paddle or fish along nearby access points on the Waccamaw River
- Explore the historic Riverwalk and downtown shops in adjacent Conway
- Take a short drive to the coastal attractions of Myrtle Beach via US-501
Local favorites
- Rivertown Roasters on Main · Coffee Shop · 4.8★ (320)Popular local cafe serving artisanal espresso and fresh breakfast pastries in nearby Conway.
- Crafty Rooster · Gastropub · 4.5★ (750)Laid-back pub offering craft beer selections, burgers, and pub bites.
- Pickled Cucumber · Southern Restaurant · 4.6★ (1100)Classic cafeteria-style Southern meat-and-three serving hearty traditional comfort food.
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.