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Caleb H. housing

Long Beach housing prices -when will it stop?

Anyone else feel this way? I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Poverty rate is 6.0%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 68--F, so the weather is moderate. The unemployment rate is 3.7%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $205,300 on average. It's a a small town city with about 16,876 people. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.

Pros:
- Growing food scene
- Close to nature
- Diverse community
- Good healthcare facilities

Cons:
- Limited nightlife
- Lack of diversity
- Mosquitoes and humidity
Am I overthinking this? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
12 upvotes

3 Replies

Ava Walker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Lakewood for 6 years. Moved from San Francisco for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.

**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are excellent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.

**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Rising rent and home prices. Limited high-paying job options. And traffic can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Gabriella Gonzalez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely excellent and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.

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.
35 upvotes
Sean G.
I'm a contractor and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
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