Student's Guide to Living in the Myrtle Beach, S.C. Area: Upperclassmen

As a recent graduate of Coastal Carolina University, I know the importance of finding affordable and acceptable housing in the Myrtle Beach Area. During my four years at Coastal Carolina, I lived in four apartments, one house, and one dorm room. I moved a lot for various reasons, but if I had investigated each living situation closer before moving, I might have found housing that I would stay in for a longer period of time. Hopefully other students look around more when trying to find housing after their freshman year...so this guide is for them!

Okay, you've survived your first year at Coastal Carolina, and unlike some (perhaps many) of your classmates...they are letting you come back for another year! Chances are you lived in the dorms or University Place last year, and while I'm sure you appreciated the experience...I doubt you want to go back. As I mentioned, I moved around a LOT during my years at Coastal, so I have experienced several different atmospheres. None of the places I lived were that bad, they were all just more appropriate for some students than others.

If you like to party a lot (and somehow still made it through your first year), or if you do not own any furniture at all and are financially independent, I would reccommend living at Campus Pointe Apartments. The apartment grounds are somewhat disgusting...there's usually beer cans and cigarette butts lying all over the place (although the poor maintainence woman is out there every morning, faithfully trying to pick up the trash left from the night before). The apartments themselves are not that bad...depending on the actual apartment and who lived there before you. If you choose to live here, be sure to turn in that move-in evaluation where you fill out all the things wrong with the apartment so you are not charged for them when you move out. One good part about Campus Pointe is that there are individual leases on each room, so you are not responsible if your roommate doesn't pay his or her rent. Your utilities bills are also included in your rent, unless our electric bill is over $75, and then you are charged for the overage (this is sort of common, especially in the summer, but you will usually owe less than $10). The rental rates may be increasing before next semester, but as of right now, they charge $450 a month for a furnished room, and $400 for unfurnished. You might choose Campus Pointe for its convenience (it is also close to the school), but you probably won't choose it based on the quality. It's a give and take situation, so as I said, it is appropriate for some students and probably not others.

If you prefer some peace and quiet, value a clean environment, and wish to have diversity among your neighbors, look into housing at Carolina Forest. Although this is a bit further from the school, many upperclassman choose to live in apartments or houses in the Carolina Forest area. As far as apartments go, Cantebury is pretty much the only option. These apartments are pretty nice and usually not too loud. They are also in a very convenient location, close to the Kroger and new Piggly Wiggly shopping centers and not far off 501. If you and several (responsible) friends want more space and better overall quality living, I would really recommend renting a house in the Carolina Forest area. There are many subdivisions that rent houses to students, some are more strict on parking regulations, noise, etc. than others. You also have to maintain your yard and keep the house in decent shape. I lived in The Farm subdivision in a 4 bedroom house for a year and loved it. We paid $1300 a month for that house, and ended up only having three of us to rent, so we paid $434 each. It's not a bad price in comparision to some apartments even, but remember that your rent does not include any bills, and those can be a significant amount more for a house then living in an apartment. Living in the subdivisions often provides you with convenient benefits, such as a gym, recreation and pool areas. The Farm has a great pool and clubhouse.

It's a good idea to really think about what is most important to you before choosing where to live, and be sure to really discuss it with your future roommates and make sure you are all on the same page. Unfortunately, if you live in a house or apartment in Carolina Forest, you are responsible for anything that might go wrong financially for your roommates. Just remember that if bills and leases are in your name and are left unpaid or consistantly late (whether it is your fault or not), it can affect your credit rating. And that is not worth it! So decide what you want out of your years at Coastal, find roommates looking for the same...and then check out my recommendations. Good Luck!