Highway 17 Corridor Development: Accessibility & Commuter Advantage in Coastal South Carolina

Transportation infrastructure remains one of the most influential factors shaping residential real estate demand. In coastal South Carolina, the development and expansion of U.S. Highway 17 (US-17) have played a central role in supporting regional growth, employment access, and multifamily housing demand. Highway 17 Corridor Development: Accessibility & Commuter Advantage in Coastal South Carolina As professionals seek convenient living environments that combine accessibility with productivity—such as Myrtle Beach apartments with clubhouse and business center —corridor-adjacent communities continue gaining appeal.

Apartment communities such as The Veranda at Market Common benefit directly from their location along the Highway 17 corridor. In a region defined by tourism, healthcare expansion, and steady in-migration, infrastructure-driven accessibility significantly impacts residential desirability. As coastal communities continue expanding, transportation connectivity remains a primary driver of real estate performance.

The Strategic Importance of U.S. Highway 17

U.S. Highway 17 runs parallel to the Atlantic coastline, connecting key cities throughout the southeastern United States. In the Myrtle Beach region, US-17 functions as the primary north-south corridor, linking:

Myrtle Beach
North Myrtle Beach
Surfside Beach
Murrells Inlet
Georgetown

According to the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), Highway 17 carries a substantial volume of daily traffic, reflecting both local commuting and tourism flow.

Within Highway 17 Corridor Development: Accessibility & Commuter Advantage in Coastal South Carolina, US-17 represents more than a roadway—it is the backbone of regional economic integration.

Infrastructure-Driven Real Estate Demand

Transportation corridors directly influence residential absorption rates. Access to major highways reduces commute times, enhances employment reach, and increases daily convenience.

Infrastructure access contributes to:

Faster lease-up periods
Higher occupancy stability
Broader renter catchment areas
Stronger long-term appreciation potential

CBRE Southeastern Multifamily Market Reports consistently identify highway proximity as a positive performance indicator for suburban apartment communities.

For The Veranda, adjacency to Highway 17 enhances visibility and convenience, reinforcing its competitive positioning in Market Common.

Infrastructure access → Broader tenant pool → Increased absorption rates

Commuter Accessibility in the Myrtle Beach Metro

Myrtle Beach’s economy relies heavily on tourism, healthcare, retail, and hospitality sectors. Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates steady employment growth within these industries.

Professionals working in:

Coastal resort properties
Regional healthcare facilities
Retail centers
Educational institutions
Hospitality management

often require flexible commuting options across dispersed employment nodes.

Highway 17 enables efficient travel between residential communities and major employment centers along the Grand Strand.

Reduced commute time → Improved work-life balance → Higher rental satisfaction

Coastal Regional Growth and Population Expansion

The Myrtle Beach metropolitan area continues to experience population growth driven by:

Retiree migration
Remote workers relocating from northern states
Healthcare sector expansion
Tourism-driven employment opportunities

The Grand Strand Economic Development Alliance highlights infrastructure investment as a key factor supporting this expansion.

As population increases, residential development follows transportation corridors, reinforcing infrastructure-driven demand cycles.

Coastal employment growth → Rental demand → Corridor development reinforcement

Retail and Commercial Accessibility

Highway 17 not only connects employment centers but also serves as a commercial spine for retail and dining establishments.

Retail clusters along US-17 provide residents with:

Grocery stores
Restaurants
Medical facilities
Entertainment venues
Service-based businesses

This retail concentration increases daily convenience for residents of adjacent apartment communities.

Retail proximity → Resident convenience → Increased property value

Within Highway 17 Corridor Development: Accessibility & Commuter Advantage in Coastal South Carolina, corridor development supports both residential and commercial synergy.

Suburban Location with Urban Connectivity

Market Common offers a suburban residential atmosphere while maintaining direct access to Highway 17’s regional connectivity.

This combination provides:

Quieter residential streets
Immediate highway access
Reduced congestion compared to central beachfront zones
Proximity to shopping and recreation

Suburban location + connectivity → Lifestyle balance → Competitive advantage

For renters seeking coastal living without heavy tourist congestion, this balance becomes a significant draw.

Employment Sector Alignment

Myrtle Beach’s employment landscape is geographically distributed along the coast. Workers often commute between municipalities along the Grand Strand.

Highway 17 facilitates access to:

Resort hotels
Medical centers
Educational institutions
Retail complexes
Municipal offices

Apartment communities near the corridor attract professionals seeking efficient travel routes.

Highway adjacency expands the effective commuter radius, enabling renters to consider properties slightly outside beachfront zones while maintaining employment flexibility.

Infrastructure Investment and Long-Term Value

SCDOT continues investing in roadway enhancements, signal improvements, and traffic flow optimization along the Highway 17 corridor.

Infrastructure investment signals long-term economic commitment, increasing investor confidence in adjacent real estate markets.

Well-maintained corridors contribute to:

Reduced travel time variability
Safer driving conditions
Increased development opportunities
Sustained property demand

Within Highway 17 Corridor Development: Accessibility & Commuter Advantage in Coastal South Carolina, ongoing infrastructure improvements strengthen asset resilience.

Multifamily Development Patterns Along Transportation Corridors

Nationally, multifamily development often clusters near major transportation corridors. This pattern reflects demand for accessibility and convenience.

In coastal South Carolina, corridor-adjacent apartment communities benefit from:

High visibility
Strong commuter appeal
Proximity to retail and employment
Reduced reliance on secondary road networks

CBRE market analysis suggests that corridor-based developments often achieve stable occupancy during economic fluctuations due to diversified renter demographics.

Tourism Influence and Seasonal Flow

Tourism significantly impacts Myrtle Beach’s traffic patterns. Highway 17 accommodates both resident commuters and seasonal visitors.

For permanent residents, living near Highway 17 allows:

Avoidance of smaller, congested coastal roads
Efficient navigation during peak tourism seasons
Flexible commuting schedules

Infrastructure-driven accessibility supports year-round residential demand, even as tourism fluctuates seasonally.

Investment and Market Implications

For developers and investors, corridor proximity reduces market risk by expanding the renter pool. Accessible properties attract:

Healthcare professionals
Hospitality managers
Retail employees
Government workers
Remote professionals with regional travel needs

Infrastructure access → Rental demand stability → Long-term value growth

The Veranda’s location along Highway 17 reinforces its ability to serve multiple employment sectors simultaneously.

Future Outlook for the Highway 17 Corridor

As Myrtle Beach continues to expand, Highway 17 will remain a central transportation spine. Future development may include:

Expanded retail nodes
Additional residential communities
Enhanced public transit connections
Improved traffic management systems

Corridor-driven growth often compounds over time, increasing the desirability of early-positioned developments.

Conclusion

Transportation infrastructure shapes the trajectory of coastal real estate markets. Highway 17 Corridor Development: Accessibility & Commuter Advantage in Coastal South Carolina demonstrates how US-17 enhances commuter accessibility, expands tenant demographics, and strengthens long-term rental demand in the Myrtle Beach metro.

Proximity to Highway 17 broadens the renter pool, reduces commute times, and supports employment access across the Grand Strand. Suburban residential comfort combined with regional connectivity creates a powerful lifestyle balance.

As coastal South Carolina continues experiencing population growth and economic diversification, corridor-adjacent apartment communities like The Veranda at Market Common will remain strategically positioned to benefit from infrastructure-driven demand and sustained residential expansion.