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.
Welcome to the Turnberry Park Community in the Carolina Forest area of Myrtle Beach. This two bedroom two bath second floor (no one above this unit) condo has carpet flo...
Listing courtesy of BRG Real Estate , Cindy Krieger.
Located in Ashford, a low HOA community, this 4 bed, 2 bath home features a large open living room with a wood burning fireplace & lots of natural light. The kitchen offe...
Listing courtesy of Century 21 The Harrelson Group , The Abe Safa Team.
Do not miss this opportunity! This home is located on a beautiful Cul-de-sac in the highly desirable Waterford Plantation community in Carolina Forest. You will love th...
Listing courtesy of Cohen & Associates Real Estate , Trish Cohen.
Your beautifully crafted custom home awaits you in the prestigious gated community of Waterbridge. This uniquely designed lakefront mother-daughter home with separate ent...
Listing courtesy of Myrtle Beach Realty Group , Alaina Doria.
MUST SEE 3 bedroom/2 bathroom golf course condo in the highly desired Carolina Forest area of Myrtle Beach! As soon as you enter you will notice the new carpet and freshl...
Listing courtesy of Plantation Realty Group , Kerri Oppedisano.
Don't miss out on this chance to own in the highly desirable Windsor Green community. Located in the heart of Carolina Forest and conveniently located to everything you'd...
Listing courtesy of Sloan Realty Group , Matthew Rose.
The Farm is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Carolina Forest. A very active community with great schools, 2 wonderful outdoor pools, a clubhouse, basketball cou...
Listing courtesy of Booe Realty , Beth Campbell.
Welcome home to this well kept 3 bed/2.5 bath townhome with 1 car private garage in Sawgrass East. Townhome was used mostly as a second home and has never been on a rent...
Listing courtesy of Century 21 The Harrelson Group , Joel Barber Team.
Never Rented, 2nd Floor, END UNIT, ALL REDONE!! This gorgeous end unit is exactly what you've been looking for. With all the windows in this unit, you'll see how bright a...
Listing courtesy of Century 21 The Harrelson Group , The Jill Powell Team.
Come see this gorgeous custom home with breathtaking lake views in the prestigious gated Waterbridge community. From the moment you step into this home you will not want ...
Listing courtesy of Century 21 Stopper &Associates , Natalia Stopper.
Like new 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, with a Sunroom that can used as a flex room or an office.. Open floor plan great for entertaining and overlooking beautiful lake/pond views!...
Listing courtesy of Lenertz Realty, LLC , Cynthia McGhee.
Beautiful 5 BR 3 BA home in Waterford Plantation at Carolina Forest. Located just minutes to the beach, near restaurants, shopping, hospitals, schools, parks and entertai...
Listing courtesy of Keller Williams MB S. Realty , Mike DiFronzo.
Large square feet. Open floor plan: living room, dining area and kitchen are connected. Large screen covered porch from living and master bedrooms with large double sli...
Listing courtesy of Sand Dunes Realty , Robert Nguyen.
No need to worry about stairs with this first floor condo located in The Fairways at River Oaks! Wake up in the morning to views of the fairway right through the Master B...
Listing courtesy of Anchor Realty , Jay McDowell.
Choose your own Builder ...Large quite Cul-de-Sac lot with small pond is the perfect place to build your dream home. Easy access to 501. Located in popular golf community...
Listing courtesy of JTE Real Estate , Jennifer Burgess.
Welcome home to this beautiful QUICK MOVE-IN 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom + huge flex room and high ceilings throughout! This home features an extended great room, open kitchen ...
Listing courtesy of Century 21 The Harrelson Group , Joel Barber Team.
Lot is located in popular golf community of Waterford Plantation. Many amenities await you in this friendly, active community which includes sidewalks, Olympic-sized pool...
Listing courtesy of BRG , Osborn Team.
THIS IS THE ONE! Absolutely beautiful 3 bed 2 bath home in ideally located Ashford Estates in Myrtle Beach! This single-level home is in pristine condition, move-in ready...
Listing courtesy of Ace Realty, LLC , Ashlynne Chapman.
Don't Snooze on this one.
Listing courtesy of Realty ONE Group DocksideNorth , Jeff Stofko.
Beautiful waterfront living in Carolina Forest! This house has a large living space looking onto a pond with custom dual French doors leading out to the screened porch. A...
Listing courtesy of Isave Realty , Randal Longo.
Wonderful 2br/2ba unit with views of the golf course. Has vaulted ceilings--home is in great condition--right across from the pool! New hot water heater, laminate floorin...
Listing courtesy of CENTURY 21 Broadhurst & Associ , Amanda Lykins.
This beautiful two story home in Avalon is ready for you to call home today! As you walk through the front door you will step into the bright family room which has sight...
Listing courtesy of Fathom Realty Coastal , Dan Brown.
Upscale gated community, large cul-de-sac lot, sidewalks, rear water view, no time frame to build your own home, pool... Nearby shopping, schools, colleges, restaurants, ...
Listing courtesy of Sand Dunes Realty , Robert Nguyen.
Beautiful home in Waterford Plantation, built in 2017! New flooring, carpeting and paint! This gorgeous home includes 4 large bedrooms with walk in closets. The master in...
Listing courtesy of CB Sea Coast Advantage CF , Coastal Links Group.
Thinking about a home in Myrtle Beach? but, not ready to buy? You might want to consider investing in a building lot with no time limit to build. This lot (just under a h...
Listing courtesy of Heritage Real Estate Sales LLC , Mickey Chiappetta.
Come view this beautiful 1 Bed 1 Full Bath Ocean View Condo! This unit has never been rented and has been used for the owners personal enjoyment. You can relax in this ...
Listing courtesy of Real Living at the Beach , Wade Causey.
This two-story beautiful home is in the gated community of Waterbridge in Carolina Forest. The house offers open concept style living; Futures a first floor for entrainme...
Listing courtesy of Exit Coastal Real Estate Pros , Mireya Casas.
Lot 60 & 61, This lot is wide and deep. Amenities center includes large swimming pools, whirlpools, exercise rooms, and a clubhouse. Includes as we bocce courts. This lot...
Listing courtesy of Carolina Shores Real Estate , Carlos Scheer.
6.27 Acre Neighborhood Commercial Many development Possibilities for the right buyer. High visibility frontage on Carolina Forest Blvd. All measurements and features ...
Listing courtesy of Circa Real Estate , Edgar Wilson.
Build your custom dream home on this beautiful lake lot located in waterbridge
Listing courtesy of NextHome Seekers , The Pierce Group.
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