We have been going to Sunset Beach for years and are considering a new destination. We want something family oriented but a bit less expensive and more to do. Any suggestions?

Interesting question. More to do such as what? I think beach accomodations in prime season are just going to be expensive. We are going to be out of our beach place for a year and will be looking for something and will probably go to Ocean Isle, as we used to many years ago.

You may want to look just up the Coast a bit. Oak Island has a bit more going on than Sunset & IS cheaper. Holden is the cheapest of the lot but probably has the least to do. You're likely to have a hard time finding anything much cheaper than the Brunswick Isalands though.

We stay in a part of Myrtle Beach that is more residential and quiet, but is still close to attractions and is wonderful. It makes for a great trip and is relatively inexpensive.
www.forestdunes.com

Thanks for your replies. Gretchen...I was thinking of more to do like a bar with acustic music, etc. Anyone have any opinions on Charleston? And what part is the best?

we went to Kiawah Island, SC a few years ago. It is about 25 minutes to Charleston.

The beaches are great. There are a lot of places to rent. We had a house that slept 6 with 3 bathrooms. It was quite nice. Our place was on the ocean, however, the place next door had a pool.

Definitly check into it. It is a wonderful family place.

Charleston itself is not on the beach, of course. The closest beach is Wild Dunes and there isn't much there. Maybe Folly--anyone?
If you are looking for a bar and music scene then MB may be it.

Hilton Head has a jazz club, and a couple of live music venues every night. HH is significantly larger than Sunset and offers much more in the way of restaurants and clubs while the beaches, bike paths, kayaking, and recreational opportunities are abundant.

In June we rented a house in the town of ISLE of PALMS. I would recommend it. The beaches are lovely, there was easy access to Chartleston about 20 minutes away and there was lots for us to do.

I would NOT recommend WILD DUNES though. The beaches are eroding so bad that they are losing the golf course and a dozen homes are getting ready to fall into the ocean. check this out:

www.islandrealty.com/beacherosionphotos_000.htm