Is Southeast Conway safe?
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Southeast Conway as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Southeast Conway
“Go. Southeast Conway offers a quiet, relaxed suburban atmosphere with easy access to Coastal Carolina University and the historic Conway Riverwalk. Violent crime is relatively low, though visitors should lock vehicles against opportunistic property theft along commercial corridors and keep standard awareness at night.”
Recent Horry County infrastructure improvements have focused on widening arterial roads and improving stormwater drainage across low-lying sections along the Waccamaw River basin.
About the area
Southeast Conway is a tranquil mix of established single-family neighborhoods, student-friendly apartment complexes, and wooded residential tracts situated between downtown Conway and the Waccamaw River basin. It provides a peaceful, car-oriented setting away from the heavy tourist congestion of coastal Myrtle Beach.
- Suburban
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet Residential
- College Periphery
Walking and biking in Southeast Conway
Walk score: 24/100 · Bike score: 32/100
Dedicated bicycle lanes are sparse outside the Coastal Carolina University campus perimeter, and riding along high-speed corridors like US-501 or Highway 544 is not recommended.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Substantially lower violent crime compared to dense coastal tourist centers
- Proximity to Coastal Carolina University and the historic Waccamaw River district
- Ample free parking and easy highway connectivity along US-501 and Highway 544
Cons
- Heavily car-dependent with minimal pedestrian infrastructure on major roads
- Higher incidence of opportunistic property crime and vehicle break-ins along commercial retail strips
- Pockets of higher poverty and older rental housing stock with limited street lighting
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low across Southeast Conway residential areas, though occasional individuals or panhandlers may be observed near major highway intersections, bus stops, and discount retail centers along US-501.
What Southeast Conway is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with commuters heading toward US-501 and locals jogging through quiet residential subdivisions.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Moderate vehicle traffic along thoroughfares, creating a calm and secure suburban environment for errands.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and low-key with minimal foot traffic, maintaining a safe atmosphere in residential and campus-adjacent areas.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark along unlit secondary roads; remain aware of your surroundings around highway gas stations and convenience stores.
Transit, parking and getting around
Coast RTA operates limited bus service through Conway (notably Route 15S and Route 16 connecting toward Myrtle Beach), but headways are long and a personal vehicle is practically required.
Parking is plentiful and virtually 100% free across shopping plazas, residential driveways, and strip malls.
Things to do in Southeast Conway
- Stroll along the nearby Conway Riverwalk beside the scenic Waccamaw River
- Catch a Coastal Carolina Chanticleers athletic event at the nearby HTC Center
- Play a round of golf at the nearby General James Hackler Golf Course
Local favorites
- The Pickled Cucumber · Southern Restaurant · 4.6★ (1250)Beloved local cafeteria-style eatery serving classic meat-and-three Southern comfort food.
- Big D's Bar-B-Que Trough · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.4★ (980)Classic casual buffet offering slow-smoked pulled pork, fried chicken, and traditional country fixings.
- Crafty Rooster · Pub · 4.6★ (1100)Popular taphouse and gathering spot offering rotating craft brews, wings, and hearty pub fare.
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.