Linda M. Cataldo - Myrtle Beach Real Estate

Only 5 more days until the big final event of Sun Fun Days in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This year is the first 5k Run/Walk event to be held in conjunction with the Beach, Boogie, and BBQ event at Market Common. Today is also the last day to register for the Run/Walk at a reduced rate.

The race will run along Grand Park and Farrow Parkway. It will be 2 1/2 laps around the lake. There are prizes for different age groups, if you are the competitive type. I am entering just to have fun and doubt that I will be in contention...

Also on Friday, John Michael Montgomery, will be performing for a free 1 1/2 concert at Grand Park.

If you would like more information on the B,B & BBQ, click on this link: Beach, Boogie, and BBQ.

Thirsting for more information on Myrtle Beach check out Market Common Myrtle Beach

If you are thinking of relocating or investing in the Myrtle Beach area, you may find these statistics helpful in making that decision:

Average apartment rent $746

Median Home Price on the Grand Strand $230,000

Average home Price in the Area $304,515

Minimum Wage Per Hour $5.85

Median Hourly Wage for the Area $10.84

National Median Hourly Wage $14.61

Source: Sun News - statistics gathered from the U.S. Department of Labor, Real Data, Charlotte, N.C., and Market Opportunity Research Enterprises in Rocky Mount, N.C.

This weekend the 2nd Annual Beach Boogie and BBQ Festival will be held at Grand Park in Withers Preserve. This is part of the new planned communities located in the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. A celebration for Labor Day, complete with BBQ contests with lots of 'sampling', bands, and boat rides is sure to be memorable.

The new live/work communities under construction so far are The Market Common is a pedestrian friendly town center which will have a mix of shopping venues, restaurants, a movie theater, a hotel, parking, and a community center along with residential living.

Withers Preserve is over 3790 acres comprised of 40 lakes, walking trails, over 100 parks, including several ball fields. The concept is that of a 'small town' where residents can have easy access to restaurants, entertainment, and shopping all within walking distance. Traditional single family low country homes, condos and townhomes will be built in this master-planned community. Residents, who desire a close community will undoubtedly find it here.

Typical live/work park center

The west side of Myrtle Beach has undergone a tremendous change since we first came down to vacation from Rome, New York. We purchased unit 16G at River Oaks Golf and Tennis on as a preconstruction investment. We were one of the few owners in this part of town. We selected the location from a brochure with a picture of a few man made lakes and lots of trees. Eleven years later the change that has occurred is amazing. Several developments have been built in this short amount of time: River Oaks Golf and Tennis was first. Then came Wateway Village, River Oaks North, River Oaks South, and now The Cottages at River Oaks. The area will gain new prominence with the coming Hard Rock amusement park. There proposes to be an additional 30,000 visitors to this area every day. I am truly awed when I think how far this area has come from the days when Waccamaw Pottery, off of River Oaks Dr, was considered an out of the way trip for vacations on Ocean Boulevard!