Where to Live in
Long Beach

The 2026 Long Beach Shortlist

Long Beach isn’t a single city; it’s a collection of a dozen small towns stitched together by the 710 and Pacific Coast Highway. The old lines are blurring. The port’s shadow is creeping west, and downtown’s glass towers are pulling everything eastward into the Downtown Core. You can feel the shift in the air—diesel fumes and cold brew coffee. The biggest story is the Westside, where the industrial spine of Terminal Island meets the quiet, bungalow-lined streets of Wrigley. The cranes are moving in, but the old guard is digging in. This is the new frontier. Meanwhile, Belmont Shore is entrenched as the kingdom of strollers and boat shoes, and Bixby Knolls is the final stop for those who want the Signal Hill skyline view without the downtown chaos.

Bixby Knolls

• The Vibe: Established & Leafy
• Rent Check: A decent 1BR here runs you $2,300+, so you’re paying a premium for the trees and the zip code.
• The Good: This is the closest you’ll get to a proper suburb without leaving the city. The schools, specifically Longfellow Elementary, are a major draw. You get actual yards here, not just concrete patios. The walkability along Atlantic Avenue from 4th Street up to 62nd Place is the real deal; you can hit The Green Oyster for a pint, grab a killer breakfast burrito at The Breakfast Bar, and walk it off in Bixby Park. The commute north to LA is the easiest in the city via the 405.
• The Bad: Parking is a nightmare on the side streets. The weekend brunch crowd on Atlantic can make a simple errand impossible. You’re also paying for the name; the price-to-space ratio isn’t great.
• Best For: The family that wants a yard and good schools but still wants to be a 10-minute Uber from downtown bars.
• Insider Tip: Drive down E. 2nd Street west of Atlantic in the evening. The bungalow lights and giant trees are what sell this place.

Belmont Shore / Naples

• The Vibe: Coastal Preppy
• Rent Check: Insane. A 1BR is easily $2,800+. You’re paying for the zip code and the bay breeze.
• The Good: The location is unbeatable if your life revolves around the water. The Belmont Plaza pool area is packed with Olympians and wannabes. The canals in Naples are genuinely beautiful for a walk. You’re steps from the sand and the Long Beach Yacht Club. The food scene on 2nd Street is dense and high-quality; Open Sesame is legit, and The Stache is a solid dive in a sea of wine bars. The weekly car shows are a local institution.
• The Bad: It’s a target for petty theft. Don’t leave anything visible in your car. The nightlife on 2nd Street gets loud and drunk, especially on summer weekends. The rent is astronomical for the square footage. It’s a tourist magnet, so you’re never fully alone.
• Best For: Old money, dual-income no-kids (DINKs), or anyone who actually uses their boat more than twice a year.
• Insider Tip: Forget 2nd Street. Park on Live Oak Avenue near the Naples Canals and walk the waterway to Gondola Getaway. That’s the real magic.

Rose Park / Wrigley

• The Vibe: Up-and-Comer
• Rent Check: Right around the city average, maybe $1,900 - $2,100 for a 1BR. This is where you get in before the wall goes up.
• The Good: This is the value play. The architecture is killer—1920s craftsmans and storybook homes. It’s quiet, but you’re a 5-minute bike ride from the Alamitos Beach action and the Crown Plaza. The new Los Altos Center redevelopment is bringing in legit coffee and food options. You can actually find street parking here. The neighborhood is dense but feels residential.
• The Bad: It’s sandwiched between the 710 and the 405. You will hear the freeway. It’s not fully gentrified yet, so you’ll see some rough edges and vacant lots. The schools are not as strong as Bixby Knolls. Package theft is a real issue on the main drags like Ximeno.
• Best For: The young professional or creative who wants a standalone house with a yard without the Belmont Shore price tag. Someone who bikes everywhere.
• Insider Tip: The secret weapon is Rose Park itself. The library is a gem, and the Sunday farmers' market is where the neighborhood actually connects. Walk Orange Ave between 7th and 10th to see the best homes.

Downtown Core (Pine Ave / Promenade)

• The Vibe: High-Rise Hustle
• Rent Check: High. A modern 1BR in a building like The Current or Aqua will be $2,600+.
• The Good: This is the only true "car-optional" neighborhood in Long Beach. Everything is at your feet: Shoreline Village, the Aquarium, the Convention Center, and a dozen good bars and restaurants. Roe Seafood is the go-to for a business dinner. The Metro Blue Line connects you straight to Downtown LA. The nightlife is concentrated and accessible—walk from The Stave to The Blind Donkey to Rabbit & Dolly without moving your car.
• The Bad: It’s a concrete canyon. Zero green space unless you walk to the waterfront. The rent is brutal for the size. The unhoused population is visible and concentrated here, especially along 3rd Street and near the Promenade. The constant sirens from the nearby Memorial Medical Center and police HQ are a given.
• Best For: The corporate transferee, the serious commuter to LA who wants the train, or the person who wants a 24/7 city feel.
• Insider Tip: The best spot is the Linden Avenue corridor south of Ocean Blvd. It’s quieter than Pine, has the best cocktail bars (The Lighthouse), and you’re a block from the water.

Strategic Recommendations

For Families: Bixby Knolls is the only real answer. The trees, the single-family homes with yards, and the school pipeline (especially Longfellow) make it the most stable and family-centric environment. Wrigley is a distant second if you need a house but can’t swing Bixby prices, but you’ll be driving your kids to school.

For Wall St / Tech: If you work in Downtown LA, live in the Downtown Core and take the Blue Line. It’s a 30-minute door-to-door trip that beats 90 minutes on the 710 in traffic. If you’re one of the few working in the Wilmington or Torrance oil/tech fields, Rose Park gives you quick access to the 710 without the industrial grit.

The Value Play: Rose Park / Wrigley. The gentrification wave from Alamitos Beach is pushing west. The flip money is already here. Buy a bungalow on Orange Ave or Ximeno south of PCH before the new Los Altos retail hub is fully built out. The appreciation floor is rising fast.