When a family lands in my office looking at Conway, the questions are almost always the same: which school zone is best, where do the kids play, and how far is the drive to work or to the beach. After watching this town grow from a sleepy county seat into one of the fastest-growing pockets of Horry County, I have a short list of neighborhoods I send families to first. None of them are perfect, and the right fit depends on the school you want, the price point, and whether you can stomach a school bus ride down Highway 905. Here's how I think about it.
Why Conway Works for Families in the First Place
Conway sits about 15 minutes inland from Myrtle Beach, which is the sweet spot a lot of families end up wanting. You're close enough to the beach for Saturday morning trips. You're far enough away to escape the tourist traffic on Ocean Boulevard and the rental turnover that wears on full-time residents. The downtown has been steadily reinvested in. The Riverwalk along the Waccamaw is genuinely a place kids ride bikes after dinner. And Coastal Carolina University right here in town shapes the rhythm of the community more than people realize.
For real estate purposes, "Conway" actually covers a wide geography. Homes addressed Conway, SC can sit inside city limits, off Highway 501 in the Carolina Forest corridor, deep into rural acreage on Highway 905, or out toward Aynor on the west side. Each pocket has a very different feel.
Wild Wing Plantation
Wild Wing Plantation remains the neighborhood I show first when a family wants amenities. There's a golf course, a pool complex with water slides, lakes, and a true clubhouse. Inventory ranges from townhomes in the low $300s up to custom waterfront builds well past $700,000. The school zone changes depending on which gate you enter through, so I always tell parents to confirm the exact address against the current Horry County school attendance map. The mistake I see most often is a buyer falling for a house and then learning their child won't attend the school they thought.
The Carsens Ferry and Astoria Park Corridor
If you want newer construction, lower-maintenance yards, and the most predictable bus stop in the area, this is where I steer young families. Both Carsens Ferry and Astoria Park have led the new construction wave on this side of town, with builders like Lennar, D.R. Horton, and Beazer all active. The price point is friendlier than Wild Wing, typically in the high $200s to low $400s for new construction. The trade-off is smaller lots and HOA dues. Families who don't want to mow a half-acre find that a fair swap.
Hillsborough and the Highway 544 Pocket
Hillsborough is a master-planned community that has matured nicely. You can walk to the community pool. The streets are wide enough for kids to ride bikes safely. The location off Highway 544 puts you closer to the Carolina Forest schools and a shorter commute to the south end of Myrtle Beach. The catch is that 544 traffic at school drop-off has gotten worse year over year. Plan on leaving 10 minutes earlier than the GPS estimate during the school year.
The In-Town Conway Historic District
For families who want older homes with character, the streets around Main Street and Kingston Street are worth a serious look. You get true sidewalks, oak canopies, walkable distance to Conway Elementary, and a downtown that's growing more useful every year. The inventory is small and the homes need attention. I tell buyers here to budget for HVAC, electrical, and sometimes a full kitchen redo. If you want a turnkey home, this isn't the pocket for you. If you want a real neighborhood with kids on bikes after dinner, this is one of the last truly walkable family streets on the Grand Strand.
For families specifically targeting Conway Elementary, I keep a curated list of 4-bedroom homes near Conway Elementary School updated, which usually saves a few weeks of searching.
The Highway 905 and Burning Ridge Area
This is where the buyers wanting more space land. Lots stretch from half an acre to several acres. Burning Ridge has a golf course running through it and homes that range from the $300s into the $500s. The school bus ride is longer, but a lot of families think the trade is worth it for the space. You'll also find a mix of older brick ranches that come at much friendlier prices, especially when the seller has held the home for twenty-plus years.
The Two Things I Always Tell Family Buyers in Conway
First, school assignments in Horry County are address-specific, not subdivision-specific. The line between two attendance zones can literally run through a neighborhood. Don't trust the subdivision marketing material. Pull up the official zone map by street address before you write an offer.
Second, look at the home with August in mind, not March. The Conway summer is humid, the rain comes hard, and the mosquitoes find any yard that holds water. The houses with proper grading, gutters that discharge well, and a covered porch outlast the ones built fast in 2022 that look great until the first wet week of July.
For families exploring the broader area or watching budget, browse Conway homes for sale under $300,000 for some of the most-watched inventory in the market right now.
Key Takeaways
The right Conway neighborhood for your family depends mostly on the school you want and the commute you'll tolerate. Wild Wing leads on amenities. Carsens Ferry and Astoria Park lead on new construction and predictable schools. Hillsborough wins on layout and Carolina Forest proximity. The historic district wins on walkability and character. The 905 and Burning Ridge stretch wins for buyers needing space. Whatever pocket you pick, verify the school attendance zone by exact street address, not by community name, before you sign anything. That single step prevents almost every regret I see in this market.
About Greg Harrelson
Greg Harrelson is a seasoned Realtor® with more than 30 years of experience serving the Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand markets. As the founder of Century 21 The Harrelson Group, Greg has built his career helping buyers, sellers, and investors achieve success in every corner of the coastal Carolina real estate market. His expertise spans residential homes, investment properties, land development, and coastal condos. Known for his deep local knowledge, innovative marketing strategies, and commitment to personal service, Greg consistently helps clients reach their real estate goals while navigating the ever-changing market with confidence and precision.