Longs has quietly become one of the busiest new construction pockets in our entire market. Drive up Highway 9 or out Highway 905 past Loris on any weekday morning, and you'll see grading crews working three or four subdivisions inside a five-mile stretch. The Longs growth story has been building for over a decade, but the last three years have changed the inventory mix in real ways. Buyers who priced themselves out of North Myrtle Beach and Little River keep landing here. Here's how I help them sort through what's worth a look.
Why Longs Took Off in the First Place
Longs sits roughly 15 to 20 minutes inland from North Myrtle Beach, which is the sweet spot for buyers who want coastal access without the property tax bill and traffic of the immediate beach corridor. The land was cheaper than it should have been for years, which is why the national builders moved in heavy. You also get easier flood zone designations than the coastal pockets — most of Longs sits in Zone X — and that simplifies financing and insurance.
The road network finally caught up too. Highway 31 connects Longs to the south end of North Myrtle Beach in about 12 minutes once you're on it. That single road changed the math for buyers comparing Longs to communities ten miles closer to the water.
Polo Farms
Polo Farms is the community I bring up first with most buyers who want a balance of newer construction, larger lots, and amenities. Lots run noticeably bigger than the typical national builder community. The price points have crept up but still tend to land in the high $300s to mid $500s for what you get. The trade-off is the drive to grocery and shopping is longer than buyers expect on the first visit.
The Park and The Reserve at Long Bay
Long Bay has been delivering homes for years and matured into one of the more recognizable golf community options on the north end. The Park at Long Bay and The Reserve at Long Bay sit next to the course and pull a steady mix of full-time retirees and second-home buyers. The HOA is more active than most Longs communities, which buyers either appreciate or find heavy depending on temperament.
Heritage Park
Heritage Park at Longs has been one of the steadier sellers for D.R. Horton-style buyers — predictable layouts, predictable pricing, decent amenity package. Inventory turns reasonably quickly and the pool is genuinely used. The community gets a lot of relocation buyers from the Northeast and Midwest who want something move-in ready without the volatility of waiting on a custom build.
Cypress Ridge and Chestnut Farms
These are two pockets I send buyers to when they want a quieter feel and a slightly older "new" — meaning homes built in the last 5 to 8 years that have settled, but still have plenty of life left. Cypress Ridge is on the more affordable side and works well for first-time buyers or downsizers. Chestnut Farms offers slightly larger floor plans for the same price band.
Newer Pockets to Watch
A few smaller communities are growing quickly enough that they're worth knowing about even if they aren't quite as established yet:
- - Carrington Woods and Avery Woods — both filling in steadily with mid-tier single-family product
- - Colonial Charters — a more established option that still has resale opportunity
- - Chestnut Estates at Mesa Raven — newer subdivision worth a drive-through
- - Pine Needle Estates — quieter pocket with a different feel
- - Ivy Woods and Buck Creek — popular with relocation buyers wanting smaller lots and lower maintenance
For the broader picture, browse the full inventory of Longs real estate to see what's currently for sale across all of these. The market in Longs moves quicker than buyers expect on competitively-priced homes, and the active listings list updates frequently.
Two Things I Tell Every Longs New Construction Buyer
First, the lot premium is real and worth thinking through. A standard interior lot might list at base, but a corner, pond view, or wooded buffer lot can add $5,000 to $25,000. Some lots are worth the premium for resale and some aren't. Pond views, in particular, hold up well on resale; corner lots are more of a personal preference call.
Second, the design center adds up faster than buyers realize. National builders price the base home aggressively because they know the average buyer will add $20,000 to $50,000 in finishes. The buyers who finish under that average usually walk in with a clear list and stay disciplined. The buyers who pick options room by room blow through it.
Key Takeaways
- - Longs has become one of the fastest-growing new construction pockets in Horry County, driven by Highway 31 access to North Myrtle Beach and easier flood zone designations
- - Polo Farms, The Park at Long Bay, and The Reserve at Long Bay lead the higher-amenity options
- - Heritage Park, Cypress Ridge, and Chestnut Farms cover the predictable mid-tier price band
- - Newer growth pockets to watch include Carrington Woods, Avery Woods, Colonial Charters, Chestnut Estates at Mesa Raven, Pine Needle Estates, Ivy Woods, and Buck Creek
- - Most price points land in the mid $200s to mid $500s, with amenity-heavy communities running higher
- - Lot premiums and design center upgrades typically swing the final number more than the base price; budget accordingly
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.