Random thought, With a population of 1,844, Long Beach is a small town. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. What are your go-to spots?
10 upvotes
10 Replies
Alexa Turner
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
37 upvotes
nyc_gianna
Saving this thread
35 upvotes
chill_gianna86
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 6 years. Moved from Tampa for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are solid. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited high-paying job options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Jacob Sanders
haha yep pretty much
28 upvotes
Gabriella Nelson
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great sushi places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
26 upvotes
Arianna Richardson
I've lived in Highland for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- The job market scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Aurora Hughes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 11 years. Moved from Raleigh for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are tough. 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. Limited public transit options. Limited entertainment options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Chloe Mitchell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 15 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Albert D.
I'm a lawyer and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
18 upvotes
Isaac S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Maple Ridge. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
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