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 with care. Southeast Conway is generally a quiet, working-class suburban and semi-rural community that is safe during normal daytime hours. Visitors should maintain standard situational awareness along commercial highway corridors and darker residential side streets after dark.”
Local Horry County reports note occasional vehicle break-ins and property crimes along the major commercial corridors, but violent incidents remain relatively rare.
About the area
Southeast Conway sits just south of historic downtown Conway and southwest of Coastal Carolina University, featuring a mix of older single-family subdivisions, quiet wooded pockets, and commercial strips along major thoroughfares. It serves primarily as a peaceful residential zone with convenient driving access to both historic riverfront Conway and the greater Grand Strand coastline.
- Suburban / Semi-Rural
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet Residential
- Lowcountry Charm
Walking and biking in Southeast Conway
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 34/100
Dedicated bike infrastructure is sparse; cyclists must share high-speed roads or stick to recreational multi-use paths near the riverfront and university campus.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Lower violent crime rates compared to central Myrtle Beach tourist districts
- Affordable residential atmosphere with spacious, tree-lined lots
- Close proximity to downtown Conway historic riverwalk and Coastal Carolina University
- Growing suburban commercial amenities along Highway 501
Cons
- Higher property crime and petty theft incidents near commercial plazas and motels
- Above-average local poverty rate compared to national medians
- Limited street lighting on rural and secondary residential roads
- Heavily vehicle-dependent with minimal pedestrian infrastructure
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the residential pockets of Southeast Conway, though occasional unhoused individuals may be seen near bus stops and commercial plazas along Highway 501.
What Southeast Conway is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe with light commuter traffic and residents heading out for work or school.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active along major highway corridors with standard suburban traffic and minimal safety concerns.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential streets wind down early, though commercial plazas along US-501 remain busy and generally secure.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Subdued and mostly deserted; stick to well-lit main roads as dimly lit side streets can feel isolated.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is limited; Coast RTA Route 7 and Route 16 provide basic bus connections linking Conway to Myrtle Beach, but service frequency is low and a car is essential.
Parking is exceptionally easy and universally free across residential areas, retail plazas, and nearby public municipal lots.
Things to do in Southeast Conway
- Stroll along the nearby Conway Riverwalk and take in scenic views of the Waccamaw River
- Explore the local shops, bakeries, and historic architecture in nearby Downtown Conway
- Catch a college sporting event or performance at adjacent Coastal Carolina University
Local favorites
- Big D's Bar-B-Q · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.4★ (920)Classic South Carolina buffet-style joint known for pulled pork, fried chicken, and traditional Southern sides.
- Rivertown Bistro · Southern Bistro · 4.6★ (1450)Upscale eatery offering creative Lowcountry cuisine, fresh seafood, and craft cocktails near the riverfront.
- Trestle Bakery & Cafe · Bakery & Cafe · 4.7★ (1150)Charming local bakery serving freshly baked sourdough breads, pastries, and hearty lunch sandwiches.
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.