Wide, Open Spaces: Three Green Long Beach Neighborhoods

Located about 30 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach, CA is one of the best-kept secrets in terms of beach living in south Los Angeles County. It represents one of the best buying and renting opportunities in the area for commuters who either don't mind a drive or who work in one of the South Bay territories like Torrance, Redondo Beach or Hermosa Beach. Many Long Beach neighborhoods have access to city parks, biking paths, fantastic ocean views and family-friendly activities.

Long Beach, CA: Moving Beyond The "LBC"

Long Beach has gone through a renaissance in recent years that has transformed it from its "gin and juice" days (Long Beach still loves you, Snoop Dogg!). There are now, and have always been, very family-friendly areas in the so-called LBC, with some truly spectacular areas near and around the coastline. Downtown Long Beach, in particular, has seen an uptick in development, with fashionable lofts, restaurants and stores taking up what used to be vacant and derelict parking lots and commercial spaces. Since the Metro Blue Line has connected downtown Los Angeles to downtown (and central) Long Beach, making the trek to or from this area has become increasingly convenient. Long Beach is also home to more parks per capita than any other community in southern California, with a stunning 162 city parks for locals to enjoy.

For Those Who Long For The Shore

Belmont Shore, or "The Shore" as it's known to locals, offers some of the most affordable apartments in Long Beach for actual beach dwellers. The bike paths along Second Street keep this area friendly for people who prefer to live life car-less. Just a few miles from downtown, it's also adjacent to stunning Naples (read more about this little gem below), with bike paths that can take you down along stunning, coastal Orange County. The area is pedestrian friendly, with central access to some of the city's most dazzling parks, including the breath-taking Los Cerritos Wetlands only two miles away. Beach homes in Long Beach, CA, will get you more bang for your buck than in other beach 'hoods in the L.A. area, and most homes here have a bit of history and charm as well.

A Little Slice Of Italy In Southern California

The Naples neighborhood (named in part for its Venice-like canals) of Long Beach is a tiny circle of an island surrounded on all sides by dredged canals that offer calm waters for paddle boarding, swimming and kayaking. Tourists and locals also know it for its charming gondola rides. Truly one of southern California's more picturesque neighborhoods, prices for homes here are in the category of high. What you're paying for is an ideal climate, easy access to a marina and boat launches (and gondola rides!) and the convenience of still being within a stone's throw of freeways and public transportation that will get you back up to bustling L.A. when you need it. Every view from every window in Naples offers some of the best of any Long Beach neighborhood.

El Dorado Park: Park Living At Its Finest

El Dorado Park is a staggeringly large park for such a relatively small town. It offers a Central-Park-like experience, with green space as far as the eye can see. It has a large lake, replete with paddle boat rentals, a golf course, tennis courts, over four miles of bike trails and numerous playgrounds. Buying a home in this Long Beach neighborhood offers a bit more accessibility than its nearby beach neighbors, especially for the family that likes its views green and its city area walkable.

If you're ready to make Long Beach your home, let Movoto Real Estate help you find a home that will allow you to take advantage of all the beauty and wide, open spaces that this area affords.