What’s become the fastest-growing portion of the ever-expanding Myrtle Beach housing market was once no more than a piece of rural eastern Horry County known as the Buist Tract.
Carolina Forest housing was once covered in dense foliage and longleaf pines, the 30,000 acre Buist Tract plot that would become Carolina Forest was purchased by International Paper in 1937 for its potential in paper producing.
Over the next 60 years, the area served various uses — including being used as a gunnery and bombing range during World War II, being donated to form Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Trust Preserve and later becoming home to the area’s most prominent hub of higher learning.
Coastal Carolina Junior College, founded in 1954 as a charter of the College of Charleston, became the Coastal Carolina Campus of the University of South Carolina in 1960 after International Paper donated a part of its land for the development of the college.
Coastal Carolina University was awarded the independent status in 1993 and over the past two decades has grown its enrollment to nearly 10,000 students, while continuing to expand its campus and infrastructure.
In the mid-1990s the vision of Carolina Forest as the area’s first master-planned community began to take shape with International Paper selling more and more of its land and helping to develop the backbone of the area’s two main roadways.
With both Carolina Forest Boulevard and River Oaks Drive completed, in 1997 Horry County put its stamp of approval on development of the area by voting to freeze zoning rules for more than 7,000 acres of land that would accommodate roughly 35,000 residents over the next 20 years.
As development began to take off, three schools were built to accommodate incoming residents including Carolina Forest Elementary School (opened in 1996) and Carolina Forest middle and high schools (opened on a shared campus in 1997).
By 2000, the population of Carolina Forest had grown to nearly 3,400 residents — according to census data — but that increase was nothing compared to the more than 500 percent increase in population it would see over the next decade.
During the early part of the decade, a number of new developments popped up. Subdivisions such as Avalon (2000), Walkers Woods (2000), Black Creek Plantation (2002), Bellgrove (2003), The Farm (2003), Plantation Lakes (2003) and The Bluffs (2003) provided plenty of new Carolina Forest homes for sale.
As these developments grew, added traffic put stress in the roadway infrastructure of the area.
Though the original agreement between Horry County and International Paper did not require the widening of Carolina Forest Boulevard or River Oaks Drive to four lanes, in 2004 roadway expansion began with a third lane added in certain areas.
In 2006, the Carolina Forest schools saw a major shakeup as attendance had doubled at the elementary school — with many kids being taught in portable units — and the middle and high school complex also approached its capacity.
Carolina Forest Middle School was then closed to make room for expansion of the high school, while two new schools — Ocean Bay Middle School and Ocean Bay Elementary — opened that year in an area along International Drive to help alleviate the overcrowding.
In 2007, the area’s first community newspaper, the Carolina Forest Chronicle, was launched by Waccamaw Publishers being distributed weekly to roughly 13,000 residents in the area.
Throughout that year and into 2008 road expansion continued with more widening — up to 5 lanes in some areas — to accommodate growing retail and restaurant development at both ends of Carolina Forest Boulevard.
In 2009, the Carolina Forest Civic Association was established in an effort to represent the people, businesses, and the organizations of the community and ensure a voice for residents throughout all levels of government.
Since forming the group has addressed a variety of issues ranging from roads and bike paths to increased public safety, economic development and annexation and tax issues with Myrtle Beach.
Though the rapid pace of housing development has slowed over the past several years with the national housing bubble and recession, the overall growth of the community continues.
According to census data, the area now houses well over 21,000 residents.
In 2010, construction began on the area’s first major community projects, a community center and library located near the center of Carolina Forest Boulevard.
The $4 million Carolina Forest Community Center opened in spring 2012 and features a gym, walking track, multipurpose meeting rooms and an exercise room, plus an open lobby with room for games.
The Horry County Carolina Forest Library opened that fall. The 20,000 square foot facility features children's and young adult areas, 24 computer stations, a public meeting room, a conference room and a large play area — known as the Palmetto Adventure Land playground — outback.
Some of the area’s most recent developments have taken place near the intersection of International Drive and Carolina Forest Boulevard.
This area, which will be the gateway to an International Drive extension — scheduled to begin in 2014 — will eventually include a new gas station, grocery store and several other retail shops.
Several areas including The Farm, Waterbridge Plantation, and others are continuing to expand. Overall, Carolina Forest home sales are up significantly since last year and median home prices continue to be on the rise, making now a great time to buy in this beautiful community.
For more information on the history of the area or details on Myrtle Beach homes for sale in the Carolina Forest area, please don’t hesitate to contact us or give us a call at 843-839-9870.
Custom renovation for the discriminating buyer! Three BR/2BA condo in highly desirable Windsor Green, on a cul-de-sac nestled in the quiet back of the community, with no...
Listing courtesy of BHHS Myrtle Beach Real Estate , Karen Camera.
This MOVE IN READY Mary Floor Plan, 4 bedroom/2 bath is available in the prestigious Covington Lakes East gated community in Carolina Forest. The open concept floor plan ...
Listing courtesy of BHHS Myrtle Beach Real Estate , The Davis Team.
Have you been searching for a top floor condo in a golf community with golf course and lake views? Then this is it! This 2 bedroom 2 bath end unit with views of the beau...
Listing courtesy of Century 21 The Harrelson Group , Anita Anthony.
Like-new! Amazing all Brick and Stucco home in Gated Community. This home was built in 2019 and has only been used as a vacation home. Everything is like new. Open flo...
Listing courtesy of New Wave Real Estate, LLC , Russ Richardson.
WELCOME HOME to this IMMACULATE 3 bed 2 bath 2 car garage SINGLE LEVEL home in the highly sought-after Carolina Forest area. The kitchen, bathrooms, laundry area, and the...
Listing courtesy of Century 21 The Harrelson Group , Serdar "Max" Kilic.
Great location close to everything, but yet quietly situated at the back of the subdivision. Just minutes away from the beach, restaurants, and shopping that will keep yo...
Listing courtesy of Graycrest Realty Inc. , Eric Gray.
This is a very stately home. You walk across your front porch, into your foyer and you are in the great room. The 1/2 bath and coat closet are placed inside garage door ...
Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Innovate South , Grand Strand Sales Group.
This amazing Carolina Forest residential lot has over a quarter of an acre located inside a gated community. Build your dream home in this prestigious Covington Lakes...
Listing courtesy of Realty ONE Group Dockside , Mengjia Xia.
You will love this delightful 1st Floor Condo in the quaint, quiet and gated community of The Fountains. This 3-bedroom, 2-bathroomhome gives you newly renovated floors t...
Listing courtesy of Coastal Beach Realty , Alayna DeFalco.
Are You ready to live where luxury meets low country? Look no further, as Brighton Lakes Community is just that! From the 24/7 Gated Front Entry, to the well-appointed am...
Listing courtesy of Realty ONE Group Dockside , Cindy Cupps.
Check out Clear Pond's hidden treasure. This .25 acre property is home to a beautiful custom 13,700 Gallon Salt Water Pool and soon to be yours!! This five bedroom coloni...
Listing courtesy of Watermark Real Estate Group , Chris Kavanagh.
Enjoy the peaceful water views from this beautiful, newly built 4 bedroom 2.5 bath home in the highly desirable community of Clear Pond at Myrtle Beach National. The home...
Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Southern Shores , Emily Otto.
Considering southern coastal living in a lovely home & community? This Carolina Forest community, Covington Lake, provides quality of life located only minutes from the b...
Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Southern Shores , Daniel Ober.
This incredible property is calling you home! Introducing a show-stopping 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom home in the highly desirable neighborhood of Spring Lake-- right in the he...
Listing courtesy of eXp Realty LLC , Alexandra Osborn.
Beautifully maintained home on pond with fountain in Clear Pond at Myrtle Beach National! This is the very spacious Liberty floor plan. Huge eat-in-kitchen has 42' mapl...
Listing courtesy of Coastal Luxury Properties , Carol Rosenthal.
***OPEN HOUSE FRI JUNE 24th 2-4, SAT JUNE 25th 12-4 & SUN JUNE 26th 1-5 PM*** LOCATION is the key for this end unit with fabulous views of the 15th hole of the Wizard Gol...
Listing courtesy of Weichert Realtors SB , Brenda Heier.
The Popular Madison Plan offers 10 ft. ceilings, wide foyer, open plan. There are 3 bedrooms, a Study w/french doors( instead of the middle bedroom) and Sunroom. 2-car ...
Listing courtesy of Toll Brothers Real Estate Inc. , Trisha Whitaker.
Lovely ranch style home with an updated kitchen, sun room, and lush landscaping in the coveted community of Walkers Woods in the Carolina Forest community of Myrtle Beach...
Listing courtesy of BRG Real Estate , The Derrick Legacy Team.
Beautiful 3 bedroom 2 bath home located in Carolina Forest!! This home sits on an oversized pond view lot. The Carolina Forest area is home to many stores and restaurant...
Listing courtesy of Palms Realty , Brendan D'Anna.
Welcome home to this beautiful 2 bed/2 bath River Oaks condo. This condo has been completely renovated with a modern touch to it. Granite counter tops, backsplash, New vi...
Listing courtesy of Coastal Premier RE Services , David Adam.
An amazing opportunity to own a completely renovated 3 bedroom / 2.5 baths single level home at the desirable community of Avalon - Carolina Forest. The home was complet...
Listing courtesy of Realty ONE Group Dockside , Liat Edri.
This beautiful fully furnished condo is located in the desirable area of Carolina Forest! Situated in the gated community of The Fountains, this move-in ready condo, incl...
Listing courtesy of BRG Real Estate , Chris Koppel Team.
Better than new!!! A must see 5 bedrooms & 3.5 Baths at the amazing community of Clear Pond. Built in a Cul-De-Sac in 2018, this home is immaculate and offers endless up...
Listing courtesy of Realty ONE Group Dockside , Liat Edri.
The townhouse is 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths with 1,394 heated sq. ft and one of the best floor plans built in this community. Spacious living room, kitchen, dining, powder roo...
Listing courtesy of Hadley Properties Real Estate , Betty Moyer.
Must see!! Take a look at this BEAUTIFUL 3 bedroom 2 bathroom home located in the HIGHLY desirable Brighton Lakes, a GATED and NATURAL GAS community in Myrtle Beach SC. T...
Listing courtesy of Century 21 The Harrelson Group , Greg Harrelson Sales Team.
Beautiful lakefront 4Bed/2.5Bath home at Avalon in Carolina Forest. Large eat in kitchen with granite countertops, stainless appliance package, and center island. This ho...
Listing courtesy of Beach One Realty LLC , Michael Rudden.
To Be Built Home by one of the areas best custom home builders in Horry County! 4 bed 4.5 bath To be built home in the beautiful Carolina Forest Community of Waterbridge!...
Listing courtesy of Century 21 Stopper &Associates , Lawrence "Lance" Stopper.
To Be Built home in Waterway Palms Plantation provide by Brighton Builders. Lovely .20 acre water lot located in the GATED Waterway Palms Plantation, an Intracoastal Wate...
Listing courtesy of Century 21 Stopper &Associates , Lawrence "Lance" Stopper.
3bed/2.5ba home has been freshly painted and updated throughout with granite counters, stainless appliances and hardwood floors. HVAC and ROOF are 2018. Large Fenced-in B...
Listing courtesy of Watermark Real Estate Group , Radha Herring.
Centrally located 4BR/2.5BA home located in the fantastic community of Avalon with all the right amenities. The master suite is on the ground floor. Granite countertops, ...
Listing courtesy of BrandName Real Estate-Irongate , Jeffrey Long.
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