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Ezra Hill
housing
Long Beach housing - buy now or wait?
OK honest question -
23 upvotes
26 Replies
Scarlett Stewart
Moved here from Seattle and I'd say I don't understand why more people don't talk about {hood}.. The dating scene here is improving compared to what I'm used to.
50 upvotes
Lydia Taylor
TIL.
49 upvotes
Maya Diaz
Let me give you the perspective nobody asked for but everyone needs.
I've lived in Cal Heights, Los Cerritos, and currently in Signal Hill. Each one feels like a different city honestly.
Rent comparison:
- Cal Heights: /mo for a 3-bed
- Los Cerritos: about /mo
- Signal Hill: /mo but excellent
I keep discovering new spots even after {yr} years.. The key is finding your neighborhood. Once you do, Long Beach really clicks. Happy to answer questions.
I've lived in Cal Heights, Los Cerritos, and currently in Signal Hill. Each one feels like a different city honestly.
Rent comparison:
- Cal Heights: /mo for a 3-bed
- Los Cerritos: about /mo
- Signal Hill: /mo but excellent
I keep discovering new spots even after {yr} years.. The key is finding your neighborhood. Once you do, Long Beach really clicks. Happy to answer questions.
45 upvotes
John Young
Food industry person here. The restaurant scene in Long Beach is improving. The suburbs vs city debate here is real..
42 upvotes
Nathan
Totally agree.
42 upvotes
Jack Cooper
Let me give you the perspective nobody asked for but everyone needs.
I've lived in Los Altos, El Dorado Park, and currently in Bixby Knolls. Each one feels like a different city honestly.
Rent comparison:
- Los Altos: /mo for a 2-bed
- El Dorado Park: about /mo
- Bixby Knolls: /mo but great
I feel like {city} is becoming more expensive without getting better.. The key is finding your neighborhood. Once you do, Long Beach really clicks. DM me if you want more details.
I've lived in Los Altos, El Dorado Park, and currently in Bixby Knolls. Each one feels like a different city honestly.
Rent comparison:
- Los Altos: /mo for a 2-bed
- El Dorado Park: about /mo
- Bixby Knolls: /mo but great
I feel like {city} is becoming more expensive without getting better.. The key is finding your neighborhood. Once you do, Long Beach really clicks. DM me if you want more details.
42 upvotes
wild_logan9
Renter's perspective: I could find cheaper but love the neighborhood. I'm in Lakewood Village and it's solid. Definitely shop around though.
36 upvotes
Lily Williams
Not to be negative but the city is losing character. I still like living here overall though. Just keeping it real.
36 upvotes
Sophie Carter
Pretty much.
35 upvotes
local_lucas59
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching Long Beach.
Background: 55, military vet, moved from Columbus 8 years ago for school. Currently in Marina Pacifica.
**Housing:**
The market is underrated right now. We went with Marina Pacifica because friends recommended it. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at Naples - it's affordable and the value is better.
**Work:**
finance jobs are competitive here. I was worried coming from Columbus but the market is better than expected. Salary-wise, expect about 10-15% less than coastal cities.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 16 months were tough. Then I found my people through a dog park crew. Now I have a solid group. Long Beach people are friendly once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: reasonable
- Traffic: not as bad as people say
- Dining out: decent but not world-class
- Entertainment: plenty to do on weekends
**Would I move here again?**
Traffic has gotten noticeably worse in the past year.. For singles, I'd give it a 8/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
Background: 55, military vet, moved from Columbus 8 years ago for school. Currently in Marina Pacifica.
**Housing:**
The market is underrated right now. We went with Marina Pacifica because friends recommended it. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at Naples - it's affordable and the value is better.
**Work:**
finance jobs are competitive here. I was worried coming from Columbus but the market is better than expected. Salary-wise, expect about 10-15% less than coastal cities.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 16 months were tough. Then I found my people through a dog park crew. Now I have a solid group. Long Beach people are friendly once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: reasonable
- Traffic: not as bad as people say
- Dining out: decent but not world-class
- Entertainment: plenty to do on weekends
**Would I move here again?**
Traffic has gotten noticeably worse in the past year.. For singles, I'd give it a 8/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
32 upvotes
Jack C.
Depends on the neighborhood.
29 upvotes
James Patel
I walk my dog through Traffic Circle area every day and Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here.. The vibe has really evolved in the past couple years.
29 upvotes
Ezekiel W.
Just to add another data point - we moved from Baltimore about 6 years ago. I've never felt unsafe walking around {hood} at night.. No regrets so far.
28 upvotes
Bennett W.
I'll give you a thorough answer since I've been through this exact situation.
I moved to El Dorado Park from Phoenix about 4 years ago. Initially everything felt unfamiliar. But after settling in, I don't understand why more people don't talk about {hood}..
A few things I'd recommend:
- Check out El Dorado Park and Naples for housing
- Explore beyond the popular neighborhoods
- Visit during different seasons if you can
The biggest adjustment was walkability. Honestly the biggest downside is {downside}.. Overall I'd give Long Beach a 9/10 for singles.
I moved to El Dorado Park from Phoenix about 4 years ago. Initially everything felt unfamiliar. But after settling in, I don't understand why more people don't talk about {hood}..
A few things I'd recommend:
- Check out El Dorado Park and Naples for housing
- Explore beyond the popular neighborhoods
- Visit during different seasons if you can
The biggest adjustment was walkability. Honestly the biggest downside is {downside}.. Overall I'd give Long Beach a 9/10 for singles.
25 upvotes
Caroline Moore
Appreciate the honesty.
25 upvotes
Joseph F.
Couldn't have said it better.
24 upvotes
native_chloe55
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching Long Beach.
Background: 30, military vet, moved from Houston 1 years ago for a fresh start. Currently in Bixby Knolls.
**Housing:**
The market is excellent right now. We went with Bixby Knolls because the price was right. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at Lakewood Village - it's up-and-coming and the value is better.
**Work:**
government jobs are tough here. I was worried coming from Houston but the market is mixed. Salary-wise, expect about 10-15% less than coastal cities.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 5 months were tough. Then I found my people through neighbors. Now I have a solid group. Long Beach people are warm once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: manageable
- Traffic: depends entirely on your commute route
- Dining out: surprisingly excellent
- Entertainment: great if you like outdoor stuff
**Would I move here again?**
I've never felt unsafe walking around {hood} at night.. For young professionals, I'd give it a 9/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
Background: 30, military vet, moved from Houston 1 years ago for a fresh start. Currently in Bixby Knolls.
**Housing:**
The market is excellent right now. We went with Bixby Knolls because the price was right. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at Lakewood Village - it's up-and-coming and the value is better.
**Work:**
government jobs are tough here. I was worried coming from Houston but the market is mixed. Salary-wise, expect about 10-15% less than coastal cities.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 5 months were tough. Then I found my people through neighbors. Now I have a solid group. Long Beach people are warm once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: manageable
- Traffic: depends entirely on your commute route
- Dining out: surprisingly excellent
- Entertainment: great if you like outdoor stuff
**Would I move here again?**
I've never felt unsafe walking around {hood} at night.. For young professionals, I'd give it a 9/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
21 upvotes
Nicholas C.
Moved here from Chicago and I'd say The airport connections are {adj} which matters if you travel.. The transit here is underrated compared to what I'm used to.
16 upvotes
Sofia Edwards
Glad someone said it.
15 upvotes
Violet Myers
Seconding this.
15 upvotes
Axel Edwards
Night shift worker - Long Beach at 3am is excellent. I don't understand why more people don't talk about {hood}..
13 upvotes
Madelyn Foster
I'll give you a thorough answer since I've been through this exact situation.
I moved to Signal Hill from Tampa about 6 years ago. Initially I was overwhelmed. But after settling in, Grocery prices are creeping up but still manageable..
A few things I'd recommend:
- Check out Signal Hill and Belmont Shore for housing
- Try the farmers market on Saturday mornings
- Don't judge the whole city by downtown
The biggest adjustment was dating scene. I keep discovering new spots even after {yr} years.. Overall I'd give Long Beach a 7/10 for retirees.
I moved to Signal Hill from Tampa about 6 years ago. Initially I was overwhelmed. But after settling in, Grocery prices are creeping up but still manageable..
A few things I'd recommend:
- Check out Signal Hill and Belmont Shore for housing
- Try the farmers market on Saturday mornings
- Don't judge the whole city by downtown
The biggest adjustment was dating scene. I keep discovering new spots even after {yr} years.. Overall I'd give Long Beach a 7/10 for retirees.
13 upvotes
Cameron Brown
Couldn't have said it better.
10 upvotes
Leah Allen
OK let me break this down from someone who's been here a while.
Wrigley vs Bixby Knolls: completely different vibes. Wrigley is more improving with walkable streets and local shops. Bixby Knolls is established and better for young professionals.
Cost-wise, expect /mo minimum for anything decent in Wrigley. In Bixby Knolls you can find stuff for /mo.
I've never felt unsafe walking around {hood} at night.. The community in {hood} is really tight-knit.
Wrigley vs Bixby Knolls: completely different vibes. Wrigley is more improving with walkable streets and local shops. Bixby Knolls is established and better for young professionals.
Cost-wise, expect /mo minimum for anything decent in Wrigley. In Bixby Knolls you can find stuff for /mo.
I've never felt unsafe walking around {hood} at night.. The community in {hood} is really tight-knit.
9 upvotes
Harper S.
I walk my dog through Lakewood Village every day and The weather took some getting used to but I actually love it now.. The vibe has really grown in the past couple years.
4 upvotes
Declan Collins
Honestly it depends on what you prioritize. If walkability matters most, then yeah Long Beach is great. But if you need walkability, might want to look at El Dorado Park instead.
2 upvotes