Long Beach, California has a wide range of options when it comes to residential neighborhoods. You’ll find everything from high-rise condo complexes to neighborhoods with custom historic homes to streets with cookie-cutter tract homes. This means there’s something for everyone within the borders of Long Beach.
Here are three neighborhoods in Long Beach that we love—each with their own character and unique offerings.
Best Long Beach Neighborhood for Young Singles: East Village Arts District
The East Village Arts District can be found in the southeast portion of downtown Long Beach. It is a bustling urban area that features quirky shops, unique restaurants, many art galleries, and a weekly organic farmer’s market. It is also home to the Long Beach Convention Center, which means there are always visitors about. If it’s an active nightlife scene that you’re looking for, the East Village is the place to be!
In the East Village, there are a variety of housing options, including apartment complexes, condos, artist lofts, as well as small homes, many of which were built in the Craftsman style. The abundance of rental units makes it a great place for young professionals who are just starting out.
Despite being in a dense, urban area, the East Village is still considered a relatively safe area, with the majority of locals reporting that they feel safe to walk in the area at all hours.
Best Long Beach Neighborhood for Families: Belmont Heights
In the south-east portion of Long Beach, you’ll find Belmont Heights, a safe, walkable community with great schools and many community activities geared toward families with young children. It’s proximity to the beach is another plus for active families. Just over 10,000 people live in Belmont Heights, giving the area somewhat of a “small-town feel” within a large city.
A unique feature of Belmont Heights is its large population of feral green parrots that live in the palm trees, which many residents consider to be honorary residents of the community.
The majority of the homes in Belmont Heights are Craftsman-style bungalows, but you’ll also find home in other styles, such as Spanish, Victorian, and Mediterranean. Overall, it’s a city with many charming homes that have a ton of unique character. The area is mostly residential, but it does have a small business district that is home to many unique shops, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops.
Best Tight-Knit Neighborhood in Long Beach: Bixby Knolls
Bixby Knolls is an uptown Long Beach neighborhood that boasts large homes on wide, tree-lined streets. Many of the homes were custom-built between 1920 and 1950 and showcase a variety of architectural styles, including Craftsman, Tudor, Spanish, and Mid-Century Modern. More than 11,000 people call this unique community “home.”
The Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association works hard to put on events that bring the community together, and has also attracted a variety of upscale businesses in recent years, such as craft breweries, wine bars, and unique restaurants and shops. The locally famous Virginia Country Club, with its beautiful golf course, is another popular gathering spot for Bixby Knolls residents who are able to gain access.