Is West Conway safe?
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates West Conway as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on West Conway
“Go. West Conway is a generally peaceful, semi-rural to suburban community with a relaxed Southern atmosphere. Visitors should exercise standard situational awareness around strip malls and busy highway corridors after dark, but violent crime affecting tourists or travelers is low.”
Recent Horry County reporting centers primarily on regional road expansion and drainage improvement projects to handle rapid residential growth.
About the area
West Conway encompasses the expanding residential subdivisions, rural outskirts, and commercial strip centers west of Conway's historic core. It serves as a quiet bedroom community for the greater Myrtle Beach metropolitan area, characterized by modest single-family homes, pine woods, and easy access to US-501 and US-378.
- Suburban / Semi-Rural
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet
- Working-Class
Walking and biking in West Conway
Walk score: 22/100 · Bike score: 31/100
Dedicated bike infrastructure is virtually non-existent along major routes, and there are no municipal bike-share programs in this suburban area.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Low density and quiet residential neighborhoods with modest violent crime rates
- Affordable local dining and direct highway access to Coastal Carolina University and the coast
- High vehicle ownership rates (over 94%) providing strong regional mobility
- Close proximity to the historic Conway riverfront and cultural sites
Cons
- Pockets of elevated property theft, particularly vehicle break-ins in commercial parking areas
- Below-average median household incomes and scattered areas of aging housing stock
- Poor pedestrian infrastructure along high-speed multi-lane roads like US-378
- Limited street lighting on rural secondary roads at night
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low in West Conway, with unhoused individuals and support services largely concentrated closer to downtown Conway and urban Myrtle Beach.
What West Conway is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and busy with local school and work commuters heading toward US-501 and Myrtle Beach.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe with steady vehicle traffic along major commercial corridors and quiet residential side streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet as commercial activity slows down; residential areas remain very safe for evening strolls.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low foot traffic and quiet streets, though caution is advised on unlit rural roads and around 24-hour service stations.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by Coast RTA, but fixed-route bus service is minimal in the outer western reaches of Conway, making private vehicles essential.
Ample free surface parking is readily available at all shopping plazas, businesses, and residential complexes throughout the area.
Things to do in West Conway
- Tour the L.W. Paul Living History Farm to experience early 20th-century Horry County farm life
- Take a short drive to the Conway Riverwalk along the scenic, blackwater Waccamaw River
- Browse local antiques and country markets along the US-378 corridor
Local favorites
- Donzelle's Restaurant · Southern Restaurant · 4.6★ (1150)Longstanding local institution serving traditional meat-and-three Southern breakfasts and lunches.
- Big D's Bar-B-Q Trough · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.4★ (1400)Beloved regional buffet specializing in Carolina-style vinegar-based pulled pork and country sides.
- Trestle Bakery & Cafe · Bakery & Cafe · 4.7★ (980)Popular nearby spot known for fresh-baked sourdough bread, pastries, and hearty 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.