A Slice of J1 Advice Myrtle Beach

A SLICE OF J1 ADVICE – MYRTLE BEACH

INTRODUCTION No doubt one of the most popular J1 destinations, Myrtle Beach offers just about everything you would want for a J1 summer – sun, sand, students and plenty of social life! If you are looking forward to spending your summer in the city or want to get away from all things Irish for the summer, then Myrtle Beach is probably not the destination for you, but if you look forward to having the craic with the Irish posse in the U.S. and nursing your hangover on a beautiful beach in the mornings then read on! Myrtle Beach received its name after the Sweet Myrtle Tree native to the area. The Myrtle Beach area has long been known as the Grand Strand. With 60 miles of pristine shoreline, it's no wonder this name has stuck. http://www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/ http://www.myrtlebeach.com/ http://www.visitmyrtlebeach.com/

TRANSPORT If you do want to organise an internal flight from New York, you can get internal flights from either Newark or La Guardia. Try Spirit Air or United Airlines. The bus is about $85 and will take you 15 hours, so no doubt most people’s preference is to fly!

If you are not one of the gas-guzzling majorities with your own car, just how do you get about in Myrtle Beach? Until the Lymo transport system was introduced, taxi was your only option. The Lymo service covers a wide area including Georgetown and Conway. Their regularly scheduled bus system, consisting of more than 35 vehicles, offers service seven days a week, 365 days a year. The Coast RTA buses travel on 15 routes servicing the Coastal Carolina region, including Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Conway, Loris, and Aynor. Fares are no more than $3 depending on the destination.

CLIMATE July and August are the hottest months, with sea breezes making temperatures in the 90s bearable.The climate is temperate year-round with only a few cold days annually.

SOCIAL SCENE Hogan’s and Neal’s have always been cited as the place to go for the Irish contingent. For other pubs and clubs check out Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing. The best nights to go out are Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The main clubs are Celebrations, Freaky Tiki, Club Cryptonite and Club Baha.

In Myrtle Beach they focus on fun, fun and more fun for people of all ages. Who can resist the twists and turns of a water slide or the fun of racing a car, well that is only the beginning? Visit the Wet Water Park, NASCAR Speed Park or Pavilion Amusement Park for a thrilling afternoon or take one of the Carolina Safari Jeep Tours! Myrtle Beach provides Shopping at its very best. You need, look no further for discounts in the many designer outlets such as Ralph Lauren, Nine West and Polo with brand names like Nautica, and Reebok. Of course your summer wouldn’t be complete without a trip to one of Myrtle Beach’s outside markets. Enjoy the many local artisans on display as well as delicious snacks, fresh produce and flowers. So whether you are an experienced bargain hunter, who wants to shop till you drop or merely planning a relaxing day of window shopping, you will not be disappointed. Myrtle Beach is second to none in the variety of shopping experiences. Myrtle Beaches: http://www.best-beaches.com/us/south-carolina/myrtle-beach/myrtle-beach-beaches

ACCOMMODATION Anyone looking for accommodation in north Myrtle Beach should check-out www.myrtlebeachtours.com . The two most popular places for J1ers to live in Myrtle Beach are The Darlington Apartments and The Rainbow Court. Quite a bit of rivalry exists between past J1ers who like to argue over which is the best, but check them both out as they house plenty of J1 students every summer. The website for Rainbow Court is www.rainbowcourtmyrtlebeach.com Rent is generally $85 per person per week. Tenants must also pay a security deposit of $100(refundable if stay is through Labour Day).The website for the Darlington Apartments is http://www.thedarlingtonmyrtlebeach.com.They generally accommodate 6 people per apartment. Contact Terry Hucks on 001 843 448 3465. The address is The Darlington, 203 N Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, SC.

Some more motels worth checking out for accommodation:

Calypso Motor Inn Ocean West Motel Joe-Jan Motel 1st Ave N & Flagg St 2nd Ave N & Kings Hwy 3rd Ave N & Chester St 843-448-5266 843-626-9056 843-626-3028 $75 pp per week $85 pp per week $275 room/ sleeps 2/3 Sleeps 6 or 8 must stay until 8/31 Myrtle Beach Hostel Comet Inn Stardust Motel 308 5th Ave N 5th Ave N & Chester St 5th Ave N 843-448-5941 843-448-7613 843-448-6717 $89 pp per week $92.50 pp per week, sleeps 4 $225 p/room, Full kitchen, sleeps 5/6 sleeps 4 Twin bunks, $50 deposit pp Security - $100 Atlantic View Motel Sea Palms Motel Aquarius Motel 6th Ave N 7th Ave N 843-448-7596 843-448-3845 843-448-2825 $85 pp per week $75 pp per week, sleeps 4 $100 pp per week, sleeps 6 Security $100 Security - $100 total Myrtle Beach Grand Inn Carousel Motel Sand Dollar Motel 8th Ave N 14th Ave S & Ocean Blvd 401 6th Ave N 448-7106 843-448-7232 Myrtle Beach $85 pp per week $204 per room, sleeps 4 SC 29577 Security $100 (843-448-5364) Refundable stay until 8/31

JOBS It is wise to go online before leaving Ireland to get a job arranged. This will help you to settle in faster. Two places where you are almost guaranteed to get a job are the Pavilion and Family Kingdom amusements parks. The majority of J1ers in Myrtle Beach end up working in one or other of these amusement parks so they’re definitely worth checking out. Broadway at the Beach is an area that is a must when looking for a job – with plenty of restaurants shops and cafes such as the Hard Rock Café, etc. Johnny Rockets is also located on Broadway and is known for employing Irish staff. It is a theme restaurant where waiters and waitresses will have to dress up and sing and dance for the customers – so you wouldn’t want to by shy! Anyone looking to have a bit of fun where they work should definitely check them out – previous employees have sung its praises, and you are guaranteed to have fun while getting paid!

Another possibility is Restaurant Row, loads of busy restaurants such as Giant Crab or Garcia’s. Ocean Boulevard has plenty of work, including temporary tattoos, amusements, bars, diners etc.

Some more restaurants to try are; Mammy's Kitchen, Peaches, Grandma's kitchen, and Italian Ice (an ice cream parlour). Other favourites include Dunkin Donuts & Baskin Robbins. You can also try North Strand Beach Services Inc. For jobs in the service industry. For any lifeguards out there North Strand Beach Services Inc. would be a great place to apply for a job. What better way to spend your summer than sunning yourself on a lifeguard tower while getting paid? North Strand Beach Service is always looking for individuals who enjoy working with people, possess good moral character, and have high standards for health and physical fitness. No experience is required as they provide training and affordable housing for summer employees. Full details can be seen on the website. Check it out: www.nsbslifeguards.com or email: [email protected]

THINGS TO REMEMBER Be careful not to have an open container of alcohol outdoors as it is illegal, even outside your own house. The police are strict and can turn up anywhere. Be careful of walking around carrying bags as small groups are targeted in certain areas. Rent ranges from $65 to $90 per week and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.Clubs are strict on ID if you are under 21. The cheapest places to do grocery shopping are Food Lion, Walmart and Rellereneral. Eating out is fairly cheap but be careful of the fast food places as they can come addictive and before you know it you’ve gained 60 pounds. Pubs! Pubs! Pubs! Weeknights they close at 8am and weekends at 2am so it is a little confusing compared to home but who is complaining when they stay open until 8am!!!

INFO & TIPS Tip between 15%-20% on your restaurant/bar bill or cab-fare. $1 per drink otherwise. Minimum wage is $5.15 p/h, except in tipping positions where it's $2.83 - $3.09p/h If under 21 don't look for bar/waiter/waitressing work. It's not legal to serve drink as a minor. Take the FIRST job you get, the first 3 weeks are the most expensive of the whole summer, you can always leave when you get another one. Negotiate when you're taking an apartment, it can't hurt & may save you a fortune. GET AIR CONDITIONING! Buy an air mattress from Sport-Mart. Kit out your apartment with 2nd hand stuff, it’s amazing what American’s throw out!

WI_FI ACCESS http://www.openwifispots.com/city_free_wifi_wireless_hotspot- Huntington_Beach_CA.aspx#33.647251,-117.982438,14