Ah, Long Beach, California. The popular beach town that draws in more and more people every year. And, quite frankly, we can’t blame them. After all, the city has loads of restaurants, popular beaches, entertainment, and of course, great weather every day. And if you’re one of those folks looking to find a room for rent in Long Beach, California, you’ve come to the right spot!
Here’s everything you need to know about Cali’s much loved Long Beach!
Related: A Guide To Renting An Apartment In Los Angeles(Opens in a new browser tab)
Getting to know Long Beach, CA
Long Beach is a city in the U.S. state of California located within the Los Angeles metropolitan area. It is the 43rd most populous city in the United States, with a population of 463,218 as of 2020. To get more specific, Long Beach lies in Southern California. Yes, that place that Frank Ocean makes songs about.
The city is known for its waterfront attractions, including the permanently docked RMS Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific. Long Beach also hosts the Grand Prix of Long Beach, currently an IndyCar race and the Long Beach Pride Festival and Parade. California State University, Long Beach, one of the largest universities in California by enrolment, is located in the city.
Finding rooms for rent in Long Beach, CA
From turn-of-the-century historical homes to modern homes, Long Beach has architectural home styles for everyone. Some of the most common styles of houses in Long Beach include the Victorian, Craftsman Bungalow Style, Cottage Style Home, Mission Revival Style Home, and Spanish Colonial Revival style homes. With that covered, let’s move on to the top neighborhoods in Long Beach, California.
Top neighborhoods in Long Beach
Bixby Knolls
Bixby Knolls is regarded as one of the most central and conveniently located neighborhoods in Long Beach. It offers residents both an easy commute to Downtown Long Beach, and for those who prefer using the Metro, the local Blue Line can take riders straight to Los Angeles.
Naples
For residents who prefer living by the water, check out the Long Beach neighborhood of Naples. This is a dream neighborhood for people who enjoy paddling or gondola-riding through the community’s public canals. Naples consists of three islands separated by water canals that open to the bay. Very much reminiscent of Italy, the neighborhood of Naples attracts many out-of-town visitors, adventurers, boating enthusiasts, and outdoorsy folks.
East Village Arts District
Move aside Downtown LA; Long Beach also has a little something to offer when it comes to culture and the arts. Simply head towards the neighborhood of East Village Arts District, which is located on the southeast end of Downtown Long Beach. This community is a hotspot for both locals and visitors, and it’s best known for being Long Beach’s designated “arts district.”
Average rent in Long Beach, CA
Similar to Downtown Los Angeles, there’s a long list of developments on their way to Long Beach, so the city skyline will inevitably look different over the coming years. For those renters who are looking to find a room to rent in Long Beach right now, you might be wondering where to start. Since Long Beach is the third largest city in Southern California (after Los Angeles and San Diego), navigating its many neighborhoods can be overwhelming.
To help, here’s a picture of the average rent prices in Long Beach, CA
| Rooms For Rent in Los Angeles | Average Rent |
| Studio Apartment For Rent In Los Angeles | $1,169 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment For Rent In Los Angeles | $1,297 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartment For Rent In Los Angeles | $2,394 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment For Rent In Los Angeles | $3,519 |
University life in Long Beach, CA
Students in Long Beach are known to be diverse, open-minded and looking for new experiences. Universities in Long Beach are academically driven and make their education a major priority. One of the main universities in Long Beach is the CSULB or the California State University, otherwise just known as The Beach.
Here’s some intel on the climate for students who are looking to start school in Long Beach. Long Beach has a Mediterranean-type climate, with semi-arid climate characteristics. In general, the city features hot summers and mild to warm winters with occasional rainfall. Days in Long Beach are mostly sunny, just like Southern California in general.
Moving on from daydreaming about the sun, here are the top universities in Long Beach, CA:
- California State University: Long Beach
- North-West College – Long Beach
- American University Of Health Sciences
- Long Beach City College
- DeVry University Long Beach Campus
How transit-friendly is Long Beach, CA?
Long Beach is known to be a fairly organized city. It also boasts excellent public transport options, and there’s even free service for those who are staying Downtown and want to visit some of the attractions!
Walkability
Long Beach is the 10th most walkable large city in the US with 462,257 residents. It has good public transportation and is somewhat bikeable. The most walkable neighborhoods around here include Franklin School, Saint Mary, and Downtown.
Ports
As of 2005, the Port of Long Beach was the second busiest seaport in the United States and the tenth busiest in the world! The port specifically serves ships between the United States and the Pacific Rim. The combined operations of the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles are the busiest in the USA.
During the summer months, you can also enjoy water rides. Just note that the daily pass is not valid for them! The water rides available include:
- Aqualink with $5.00 for one-way trips to or from Alamitos Bay Landing
- Aquabus charges $1.00 each time you board
Public transport and busses
Long Beach Transit provides local public transportation services within Long Beach, Lakewood, and Signal Hill. Long Beach Transit regularly operates 38 bus routes. Most regular service bus routes begin or end at the Long Beach Transit Mall in downtown Long Beach. Some of the most used public transport services include:
- Long Beach Transit Passport bus – a free service that takes you to several attractions Downtown. The Passport C line goes to the Queen Mary. Passport A goes to Los Alamitos Bay and Passport D goes to Cal State, starting from Catalina Terminal. Note that once the bus leaves Downtown, the service is paid 90 cents per ride.
- The Pine Line shuttle also operates for free from Long Beach Plaza to Shoreline Village
- Long Beach Transit offers a ride for $1.25 or a daily pass for $2.50
- The Metro Blue Line train is yet another option for $1.75
Cabs and taxis
Cab services in Long Beach CA are most often used by those traveling to and from the airport. The fares between the companies that run cabs in Long Beach may differ and the final amount can also depend on the traffic. The initial fare is around $3.00, with a 15% tip included in the final price. There are various shuttle and limo options as well, depending on the type of service you need.
Cycling
The Long Beach Shoreline Bike Path is the quintessential SoCal oceanfront path—cool breezes, sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, beautiful boats. The 7.5-mile (round-trip) out-and-back bike path runs along the entirety of Long Beach’s narrow stretch of shoreline known locally as Junipero Beach and Belmont Beach. Cyclists can be found on the beaches in the city as early as 5 am!
Top beaches in Long Beach
From summer getaways too late-night picnics — if you’re looking for rooms to rent in Long Beach, be sure that your days (and nights) are filled with multiple visits to the many beautiful beaches here!
Even the very best beaches near Long Beach hold no candle against the ones in the city itself, where you can expect wide sandy dunes paired with pristine waters that’ll take your breath away.
Here are the best beaches in the city!
Alamitos Bay Beach
Alamitos Bay Beach has been the go-to for enjoying the shores of Southern California. Visitors can casually peruse and cruise around Bay Shore Avenue, which is exclusively for walking and biking. If you’re the sporty kind, there are volleyball courts ready to get your game on as well.
Alamitos Park Beach
Alamitos Park Beach is the best beach for swimming in Long Beach. Unlike in Alamitos Bay and Alamitos Beach, the waters are much calmer and ideal for the average swimmer. The area is also well-protected by the breakwaters from the bayside, so swimming feels safe and peaceful.
Colorado Lagoon Park
Colorado Lagoon Park is one of the remaining urban wetlands across California. With several restoration projects ongoing, it allows the park loved by many Long Beach residents to remain in tip-top shape.
Peninsula Beach
Located facing the ocean, Peninsula Beach is one of two beaches to explore when you visit The Peninsula. The oceanfront offers an immersive experience with the seas’ splashing waters and plenty of room for recreational fun on the white sands.
Restaurants in Long Beach
When talking of restaurants, the food industry in general and the abundance of taste that Long Beach has to offer, we have one thing to say. The experience is a whole treat. For Long Beach, 2019 marked a distinct turn in what local chefs are making, with an influx of new cuisines, methods, and personalities. In fact, there is no other year that the city’s food landscape saw such wonderful additions.
Essentially, with hundreds of restaurants to choose from, Long Beach offers a diverse selection of dishes to satisfy any palette. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly restaurant that will keep the kids happy, a romantic dinner with a view, or the perfect spot for brunch, Long Beach has everything you’re looking for. And finally, here are our top recommendations:
D’you know what else Roomi does outside of helping its readers find rooms for rent in Long Beach? With our ever-increasing lists of rooms and roommates across the world, we help you find your perfect match!
