Firstly why Long-Beach, California?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Long-Beach
• State: California
• Population: 466,756 people
• Long-Beach’s quick summary would be Famous for the Queen Mary ocean liner and the vibrant Aquarium of the Pacific.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 35,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 30,000 annually
• Net Migration: 5000 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 20,000
• Number of Homeless people: 2,000

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it offers a vibrant urban environment and beach access attracting professionals and families

Perk #1: Long-Beach Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 35%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 48%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $78,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Long-Beach is $76,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $-2000 in negative cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Long-Beach’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 155 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $5,125
• Property Tax %: 1.09%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $2,100
• Rent for an average house: $3,200
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Belmont Shore
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Long-Beach, Signal-Hill, Lakewood, Wilmington, and probably could include Carson
• Avg. Age of Homes in Long-Beach: 59 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 2.7%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Long-Beach’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Long-Beach are  Shipping, Manufacturing, and Tourism
• Long-Beach Job Scene: healthy job market with focus on shipping and healthcare
• The General Tech Scene: diverse tech landscape with strengths in biotech, aerospace, and digital media
• Long-Beach Resident’s pay $1,900 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Long-Beach: 10.25%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 300 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 41

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Long-Beach

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $170 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-710 provides major access for Long Beach to Los Angeles
• Commute Time: 30 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: traffic congestion on Pacific Coast Highway
• Transportation Score: 70 out of 100 described as Excellent Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Long-Beach: 200,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.4
• No. of Car Washes: 15 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Long-Beach: dmv.ca.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 67 of 100
• Local Airport: Long Beach

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Long-Beach’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Earthquakes
• General Weather in Long-Beach is best described as experiences mild winters with cool temperatures and warm summers with occasional heat waves
• Winter Weather in Long-Beach i’d describe as mild and sunny
• Spring Weather in Long-Beach can be described as mild and dry
• Summer’s in Long-Beach are mostly mild and sunny
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Long-Beach is usually cool and breezy
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 74 days in summer
• Days in a row in Long-Beach below Freezing: 0
• Average Annual Rainfall: 15 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality influenced by port activities
• Long-Beach Winter Air average air quality impacted by port emissions

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Long-Beach Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Long-Beach 25
• While the number of trade schools inside Long-Beachs’s city limits are 5
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Long Beach Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Long-Beach Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 10 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Long-Beach only Doctors is about 300
• Local Hospitals here is  11
• Full-time Long-Beach only Police Officers is about 560
• Crime Rate Index: 50/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Long-Beach’s Monthly utility bill average is $200
• Long-Beach’s Monthly Gym Membership: $70
• Long-Beach’s Water Quality Score: 69

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Long-Beach

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 20 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: urban area with waterfront attractions and a rich cultural scene
• You might enjoy concerts at the Long Beach Arena
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Long-Beach  known for its vibrant nightlife with an array of clubs bars and cultural events throughout the city

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Long-Beach

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Includes seafood restaurants and a rich diversity of cuisines
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 90 scattered around Long-Beach
• The Popular Sports Team is Long Beach State 49ers
• Top Level Political Climate in Long-Beach can be described as progressively leaning urban area focused on social justice issues
• Long-Beach’s Longer standing religious establishment is Long Beach First Church of the Nazarene

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Long-Beach Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Long-Beach has 55 Parks?
• Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is Long-Beach’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Long Beach Farmers Market normally open Tuesday
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Beach activities, biking, and kayaking

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Long-Beach Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Long-Beach can be described as busy city life with a focus on arts and beach activities
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Long-Beach beach activities going to local events exploring parks
• The Cities people commute to from Long-Beach are Los-Angeles 20 miles away Carson 13 miles away Torrance 8 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Long-Beach or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: traffic congestion on Pacific Coast Highway. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Long-Beach’s Earthquakes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Belmont Shore is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Long-Beach are Los-Angeles 20 miles away Carson 13 miles away Torrance 8 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 50 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Long-Beach has 0 days in a row below freezing and 74 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Long-Beach people have an average (positive or negative) $-2000 in negative cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   2,000 homeless people living in Long-Beach. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general progressively leaning urban area focused on social justice issues could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Long-Beach.

Retiree & Senior Life in Long-Beach

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can may benefit from property tax exemptions easing housing costs
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Park
• Long Beach Senior Center offers programs for seniors including health screenings and fitness classes

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Long-Beach, California?

If Long-Beach, California ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Long-Beach, California, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!