I'm originally from New York and Homes are going for about $205,300 on average. Rent is about $1,209/month for a decent place. With a population of 16,876, Long Beach is a small town. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. Would love some local perspective. Cheers. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
10 upvotes
7 Replies
Carter Watson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely solid and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Fairview) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
40 upvotes
Eva Torres
spot on
39 upvotes
Lillian Rogers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 8 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
Isaiah Smith
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Ian Morris
big facts right here
21 upvotes
John B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely underrated and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
19 upvotes
Dominic Clark
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
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