Drive down Ocean Blvd during the warmer months, and you’ll notice a few things: throngs of people are cruising down the street. They look wide-eyed at the hotels, shops & bright neon displays beckoning them to enter. These folks are clearly from the North, and most of them seem to be from Ohio. But why? What is it about the Buckeye that falls so easily in love with the Palmetto?

Though it’s impressive to see how many Ohioans vacation here each year, what’s more impressive are how many eventually purchase vacation homes on the Grand Strand. When I began to research & compare the stats on SC & OH, respectively, I found a few trends that help to explain this. Here are some of the larger points:

• An average Ohioan’s income is slightly larger than a South Carolinian’s, though general living expenses are lower in SC. [1]
• Houses here are also (on average) a little less costly, and the homes tend to be newer. [1]
• Retirees find the Grand Strand to be more welcoming to their generation & lifestyle needs. [2]
• A recurring influx of tourists guarantees a yearly economic stimulus, which yields job opportunities in the service industry for almost anyone wanting to work full or part-time.

Purchasing a vacation property on the Grand Strand has many perks. We’re only about an 11 hr drive from most places in OH, and direct flights from Akron to Myrtle Beach are very reasonably priced. Many who choose to relocate here during retirement do so because of SC’s relative proximity to the Northeast. Remember, Florida is another 10-14 hrs in the car! It’s important to look at all the ‘little draws’ we have here on the beach ~ great shopping, dining & recreation ~ to get a larger picture of what the ‘big draw’ actually is. Value.

Browse our MLS listings and our featured properties to find out exactly what this means in terms of dollars & cents. You work hard for your living & for your family’s well-being; it’s only natural for you to want (and feel entitled to) the best value in a vacation home. Whether you’re renting, purchasing or considering the Interval Ownership program, Beach Realty is committed to matching families with the perfect vacation property. It’s more than a roof and a place to sleep between beach trips ~ it’s a lifestyle that we cherish, and we invite you (Buckeye or not) to do the same.