Best Neighborhoods in Long Beach: A Complete Moving Guide

David Sanchez
May 21, 2026
Aerial view of the Queen Mary in one of the best neighborhoods in Long Beach California






Best Neighborhoods in Long Beach | Living CA Realty


Long Beach Real Estate Guide

A complete guide to help you find the area that fits your lifestyle, commute, and goals. From the waterfront to the hills, Long Beach has something for everyone.

By David Sanchez  |  Living CA Realty  |  Long Beach, CA  |  Updated: May 2026

One of the most common questions I get from people considering a move is simple: which of the best neighborhoods in Long Beach is right for me? It is one of my favorite questions to answer because this city has so much variety that almost everyone finds a pocket they love.

The answer depends on your lifestyle, priorities, and what you want right outside your door. This guide walks you through six of the most popular and well-rounded areas in Long Beach, what each one is known for, and who tends to thrive there. I also share some of the community events and social groups I run across these neighborhoods, because one of the best ways to get to know a new area is to explore it with other people while making friends along the way.

Quick Takeaway

  • Long Beach spans roughly 50 square miles with over 450,000 residents, making it the seventh-largest city in California.
  • Each neighborhood has its own distinct character, from waterfront condos and bungalow-lined streets to arts districts and quiet residential pockets.
  • There is no single best neighborhood. The right fit depends on your lifestyle, commute, budget, and the type of home you are looking for.
  • Spending real time in each area before you buy is one of the most underrated parts of the homebuying process.
  • Read on to find your fit.

Explore These Neighborhoods With Others

Before you buy, I always recommend spending real time in the areas you are considering. Through my Meetup groups, I organize events across Long Beach including beach cleanups, happy hours, paddleboarding outings, golf rounds, and neighborhood hangouts. It is a fun way to explore the city while meeting people who already live there.

The Best Neighborhoods in Long Beach: Six Areas Worth Knowing

These six neighborhoods represent a wide range of lifestyles, price points, and housing types. Understanding what makes each one distinct will help you narrow your search quickly.

Belmont Shore

Waterfront Lifestyle

Belmont Shore sits along the waterfront and Second Street, one of Long Beach’s most active commercial corridors. It is a tight-knit area with a strong sense of place. You will find a wide range of dining, coffee shops, boutiques, and casual bars all along 2nd Street. Naples Island is just minutes away, offering canals, waterfront homes, and a peaceful setting for an evening out.

The housing stock here is primarily condos, townhomes, and multi-unit buildings, with a smaller selection of single-family homes. Parking can be competitive, and the area has a lively weekend atmosphere. If energy and convenience matter to you, this neighborhood delivers on both.

Community
Our Living LA and OC group hosts happy hours and social events in and around Belmont Shore throughout the year. It is one of the best ways to get a feel for the neighborhood before you commit to it. See upcoming events
2nd Street dining and retail
Naples Island nearby
Beach and bay access
Mostly condos and townhomes
Active social scene

Bixby Knolls

Arts and Community

Bixby Knolls has been one of Long Beach’s most talked-about neighborhoods over the past several years, and for good reason. Atlantic Avenue serves as its commercial spine, lined with locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, vintage stores, and galleries. The area has a strong arts and community identity, with events like First Fridays drawing people from across the city.

Homes here tend to be classic California architecture: craftsman bungalows, Spanish revivals, and mid-century ranches. Lot sizes are generally more generous than what you will find closer to the coast, and the streets are tree-lined and quiet. For buyers who want character, space, and a real neighborhood feel, Bixby Knolls is hard to beat.

Community
Our group has attended First Fridays on Atlantic Avenue, and I love taking new members through Bixby Knolls on our neighborhood hangout events. Seeing the streets on a Friday evening gives you a feel for the energy that no listing photo can capture. Join us at livinglaandoc.com
Craftsman and Spanish revival homes
Atlantic Ave corridor
First Fridays events
Generous lot sizes
Tree-lined streets

Alamitos Heights

Space and Accessibility

Alamitos Heights is tucked between the water and the Traffic Circle, and it offers one of the most desirable combinations of accessibility and neighborhood charm in Long Beach. Homes here are predominantly single-family with larger lots, mature trees, and architectural variety ranging from Spanish colonial to mid-century modern.

Marine Stadium sits right at the edge of the neighborhood, offering open water and a scenic backdrop year-round. The area is close to the 405 and 605 freeways, which makes it practical for commuters heading north toward Los Angeles or southeast toward Orange County. Colorado Lagoon, a restored coastal wetland nearby, is a genuine community gathering point.

Community
Our Paddle LA and OC group regularly meets near Marine Stadium and the surrounding waterways for paddleboarding outings. It is one of my favorite ways to show people how beautiful this part of Long Beach really is. Check the schedule at livinglaandoc.com
Single-family homes with larger lots
Marine Stadium proximity
Colorado Lagoon
405 and 605 freeway access
Architectural variety

Downtown Long Beach and East Village Arts District

Urban Living

Downtown Long Beach has transformed considerably over the past decade. The skyline now includes high-rise condos like the Aqua Towers at 388 and 488 E Ocean Blvd, which offer luxury amenities including 24/7 concierge service, resort-style pools, fitness facilities, and stunning views of the ocean and harbor. For buyers who want a low-maintenance lifestyle with a city feel, downtown is hard to match.

The East Village Arts District sits just inland from the waterfront and has developed into one of the more creative and eclectic pockets of the city. You will find art studios, coffee shops, and independent restaurants tucked into historic commercial buildings. Transit access is strong here, with the Metro A Line providing direct connectivity to Los Angeles.

Community
I regularly organize social events and happy hours in the Downtown Long Beach area through both Living LA and OC and my First Time Home Buyers group. If you are curious about condo living downtown, coming out to one of these events is a natural way to explore the area alongside people who already know it. See what is coming up
Aqua Towers luxury condos
24/7 concierge service
Metro A Line access
East Village arts scene
Ocean and harbor views

Los Cerritos and Bixby Highlands

Quiet and Established

This quieter pocket on the north end of Long Beach often surprises people who are new to the city. The streets are calm, the homes are well-maintained, and the area sits close to shopping, dining, and freeway access without the noise and density of more central neighborhoods. It attracts buyers who prioritize space, quiet, and practicality over proximity to the coast.

Home values in this area have appreciated steadily, and it remains one of the more accessible price points for buyers looking to get into a single-family home in Long Beach proper.

Community
Our Golfing LA and OC group hosts rounds at courses near this part of Long Beach and the surrounding area. It is a low-key, fun way to spend a morning getting to know the north Long Beach neighborhoods while meeting people who already live and work nearby. Join us at livinglaandoc.com
Calm residential streets
Single-family homes
Strong freeway access
Accessible price point
North Long Beach location

Wrigley

First-Time Buyer Friendly

The Wrigley neighborhood is often overlooked by first-time searchers, but it has a lot going for it. Centrally located and close to the 710 freeway, it is one of the more commuter-friendly areas in the city. The housing stock includes a mix of single-family homes, duplexes, and multi-unit buildings, and the price point tends to be lower than coastal neighborhoods. That makes it a strong option for first-time buyers looking to maximize their budget.

Wrigley has seen increased investment and genuine momentum in recent years. Buyers willing to look here often find more square footage for their dollar than they expected.

Community
Through my First Time Home Buyers Meetup group, I host educational seminars and casual meetups that often cover neighborhoods exactly like Wrigley. It is a great space to ask real questions, hear from other buyers at the same stage, and connect with people who have already made the leap. Find the next event at livinglaandoc.com
710 freeway access
Mix of housing types
Strong value for budget
Improving neighborhood
Central location

Who Each of the Best Neighborhoods in Long Beach Is For

Every buyer comes in with a different set of priorities. Here is a quick framework to help you match your lifestyle to the right area.

🎉

The Active Social Buyer

You want dining, nightlife, and community events right outside your door. Belmont Shore or Downtown Long Beach will feel like home quickly.

🏡

The Character-Driven Buyer

You care about architecture, lot size, and neighborhood identity. Bixby Knolls or Alamitos Heights offer the charm and space you are after.

🚗

The Commuter Buyer

Freeway access and transit connectivity matter most. Alamitos Heights, Los Cerritos, and Wrigley all offer strong commuter options in different directions.

🔑

The First-Time Buyer

You want to get into homeownership without stretching too far. Wrigley and Los Cerritos offer the most accessible entry points in the city.

🏢

The Low-Maintenance Buyer

You want amenities, concierge service, and none of the yard work. Downtown Long Beach and the Aqua Towers condos are built for this lifestyle.

🤝

The Community-Focused Buyer

You want events, neighbors you know, and a sense of belonging. Bixby Knolls and Belmont Shore both have strong neighborhood identity and regular community programming.

How to Start Your Long Beach Home Search

Whether you are a first-time buyer or relocating from another part of Southern California, these steps will help you approach the search with clarity and confidence.

1

Get Pre-Approved Before You Search

Long Beach moves quickly, especially in neighborhoods with limited inventory like Bixby Knolls and Alamitos Heights. Knowing your budget before you start looking puts you in a position to act when the right property comes up.

2

Define Your Non-Negotiables

Narrow down what matters most: proximity to the coast, commute direction, housing type, outdoor space, or access to specific areas. Getting clear on your priorities will dramatically narrow your neighborhood list.

3

Explore Each Neighborhood in Person

Visit your top neighborhoods on different days and at different times. A street that feels calm on a Wednesday morning can feel very different on a Saturday afternoon. Pay attention to parking, noise, and how the area feels on the ground. Better yet, come out to one of our community events and explore it alongside others who know the city well.

4

Understand the Housing Stock

Each neighborhood has a different mix of property types and ages. Condos in downtown buildings have HOA fees and assessments to evaluate. Older single-family homes in Bixby Knolls or Alamitos Heights may need updated systems. Know what you are buying before going into contract.

5

Work With Someone Who Knows Long Beach at the Street Level

Neighborhood knowledge matters. Understanding which streets hold value, which buildings have strong reserve funds, and where new development is coming shapes the advice you receive. I have helped buyers find their place in every neighborhood on this list, and I would love to help you do the same.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Long Beach Neighborhoods

Is Long Beach a good place to buy a home right now?

Long Beach continues to be one of Southern California’s strongest markets for long-term value. Its combination of coastal access, transit infrastructure, job diversity, and neighborhood variety makes it a city where homes hold their value well. Market conditions shift monthly, so reach out for a current overview specific to the area you are considering.

Which neighborhood in Long Beach is best for first-time buyers?

Wrigley and Los Cerritos tend to offer the most accessible entry points for first-time buyers looking for a single-family home. For buyers open to condos, downtown Long Beach can also be a strong starting point depending on budget. I also run a free First Time Home Buyers Meetup group where we cover exactly these kinds of questions in a relaxed setting.

What is the difference between Belmont Shore and Naples Island?

Belmont Shore is centered around 2nd Street with a commercial corridor, restaurants, and shops. Naples Island sits just to the south and west, surrounded by canals with a quieter, more residential feel. Both are near the water, but they offer noticeably different day-to-day experiences.

Are there good condo options in Long Beach?

Yes. Downtown Long Beach has the most concentrated selection of condo buildings, including the Aqua Towers at 388 and 488 E Ocean Blvd, which offer 24/7 concierge service and resort-style amenities. There are also condo options near Belmont Shore and throughout the city in various price ranges.

How can I explore Long Beach neighborhoods before I buy?

I always recommend spending real time in the areas you are considering before making any decisions. Through my Living LA and OC Meetup groups, I organize events across Long Beach including beach cleanups, happy hours, paddleboarding outings, and neighborhood hangouts. It is one of the best ways to get a feel for a neighborhood and meet people who already live there. Find upcoming events at livinglaandoc.com.

How do I figure out which Long Beach neighborhood is right for me?

Start with your lifestyle priorities, commute direction, and budget. Then spend time in your top two or three areas before making any decisions. A free consultation is a great way to talk through your situation and get honest, neighborhood-level guidance. You can book directly at calendly.com/YourRealtorDavid.

Ready to Find Your Neighborhood in Long Beach?

Long Beach is one of those cities where the right neighborhood makes all the difference. Let’s talk about what matters most to you and find the area that fits. And if you are not quite ready yet, come out to one of our community events first. Let’s build a community together.

David Sanchez, REALTOR®
Real Estate Agent | Living CA Realty | Brokered by eXp Realty
DRE #02029945
562-537-9206
David@LivingCARealty.com
YourRealtorDavid.com

This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or real estate advice. Market conditions, pricing, and neighborhood characteristics in Long Beach can vary depending on timing and individual circumstances. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed real estate professional. David Sanchez, REALTOR® | Real Estate Agent | Living CA Realty | Brokered by eXp Realty | DRE #02029945.


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