If you have spent any time exploring North Myrtle Beach, you have probably noticed how different it feels from one section to the next. Two of the most popular areas, Ocean Drive and Cherry Grove, sit just a few minutes apart but offer two distinctly different lifestyles. Both are beloved, both have loyal full-time and second-home communities, and both have shaped the personality of the city over generations. The right choice between them really comes down to how you want to spend your days, and understanding what makes each section unique is the key to picking the home and the neighborhood that actually fit you.
Why North Myrtle Beach Has So Many Personalities
North Myrtle Beach is technically one city, but locals think of it as a string of distinct beach communities. Each section has its own street layout, its own beach access feel, and its own pace. Buyers exploring North Myrtle Beach real estate often arrive thinking the choice is one beach or another. They quickly discover that the choice is closer to picking between two different towns that happen to share the same coastline.
Ocean Drive sits in the central, historic heart of North Myrtle Beach, while Cherry Grove anchors the northern end and stretches into a network of saltwater canals. The geography alone shapes much of how daily life feels in each.
The Personality of Ocean Drive
Ocean Drive, often referred to as “OD” by locals, is the cultural heart of North Myrtle Beach. Main Street runs straight to the ocean, and the area carries a deep connection to the shag, the official state dance of South Carolina. Beach music venues, classic bars, and waterfront restaurants give Ocean Drive a social, walkable energy that buyers either love right away or know is not the right fit.
Most homes in Ocean Drive are on flat city blocks set back from a wide, open beach. You will find everything from older single-story cottages to fully renovated raised beach homes and oceanfront condos. The streets are golf cart friendly, and many residents do most of their daily errands without ever getting in a car. Buyers who choose Ocean Drive usually want easy access to dining, music, festivals, and the steady rhythm of a classic beach town.
The Personality of Cherry Grove
Cherry Grove sits at the northern edge of the city, where saltwater marshes weave between residential streets and form a network of canals leading to the Intracoastal Waterway. Most of the homes here are raised beach homes, many with private docks behind them. Boating, fishing, kayaking, and crabbing are part of the daily routine for a lot of residents, and the lifestyle leans toward outdoor recreation more than nightlife.
The beach in Cherry Grove feels different too. The pier is a local landmark, the foot traffic is generally lighter than around Main Street, and the sand stretches out into a wide, peaceful shoreline at low tide. Buyers who want a more residential, water-oriented lifestyle, especially boat owners and retirees, gravitate here. Many also cross-shop just inland in Little River when looking at canal homes and waterway access at slightly different price points.
Comparing the Daily Lifestyle
The clearest way to choose between these two areas is to picture an average week. In Ocean Drive, mornings might start with coffee on the porch, a short walk to the beach, errands by golf cart, lunch at a Main Street favorite, and an evening of live music at a waterfront venue. In Cherry Grove, mornings might start with the boat, a few hours fishing or shrimping, lunch at home, kayaking through the marsh in the afternoon, and a quiet sunset on the dock.
Both lifestyles are wonderful. They are simply different. Buyers who realize early which version of a beach week feels more like home tend to fall in love with their neighborhood faster.
Home Features That Matter
Buyers shopping in either area should pay close attention to a handful of features:
- Elevation and flood zone: Both Ocean Drive and Cherry Grove include homes in flood zones, and elevation impacts insurance and long-term value.
- Boat access: Cherry Grove canal homes vary based on water depth, dock length, and bridge clearance to the open waterway.
- Beach proximity: Ocean Drive homes are often valued by how many blocks they sit from the sand and the closest public access.
- HOA or regime structure: Many condos and a few neighborhoods carry HOAs that affect rentals, pets, and exterior changes.
- Rental potential: Investors should review both city rules and HOA rules before counting on short-term rental income.
Costs, Risks, and Practical Considerations
Coastal ownership in either area comes with insurance, flood, and HOA layers that buyers from inland markets often underestimate. Wind and hail policies, separate flood policies, and master condo policies are all part of a typical North Myrtle Beach budget. In Cherry Grove, homes with private docks may need additional coverage and ongoing maintenance for the dock structure itself. In Ocean Drive, older oceanfront condos may carry assessment risk tied to building maintenance, so reviewing recent meeting minutes and reserve studies is essential.
Property taxes also behave differently for owner-occupied buyers compared to second-home and investment buyers. Working through carrying costs with a local lender and agent before making an offer keeps the picture clear from day one.
Strategy for Buyers
The smartest buyers shopping these two areas spend a day in each before deciding. Walk Main Street in Ocean Drive in the late afternoon. Take a slow drive through the streets of Cherry Grove and stop near the marsh at sunset. Visit during a busy weekend and a quiet weekday. The two trips will tell you more than any spreadsheet ever could.
From there, work with a local agent who has closed in both areas. They can guide you through canal-specific issues in Cherry Grove, condo-specific issues along Ocean Drive’s oceanfront, and the rental rules that vary block by block.
Key Takeaways
- Ocean Drive offers a walkable, social, classic beach-town lifestyle centered around Main Street and the wide open beach.
- Cherry Grove offers a quieter, water-oriented lifestyle with canal homes, marsh access, and a strong boating culture.
- Boat owners, retirees, and outdoor lovers often gravitate to Cherry Grove.
- Buyers who want music, dining, and a lively beach-town feel often choose Ocean Drive.
- Insurance, flood zones, HOA rules, and rental policies all deserve a careful review in both sections.
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.