LB-the best kept secret in Southern California! (San Diego, Long Beach: apartment, crime)

[I Remember]

I moved to Long Beach around 1940 right before my 15th birthday. I lived with my brother's family in North Long Beach. I attended Jordah High School until I left for teh military during WW11. Tere were very few boys left in school as they all left to fight the war. After school, I worked at Mon's Cafe, Hilton Hotel (now called theBreakers) Buffums as a bus boy. I set pins at a bowling alley on South Street. I also workd at a Shell Gas Staion on Los alimitos Street. I would get out of school at 2:30 and get home around midnight. I had many jobs as my sisterr-in-lawwould call my place of work so I would quit. My last job was at the Villa Rivera Hotel. After getting back to the states, I worked for Golden State Dairy, and Royal Farms. In 1947, I left Long Beach and have never been back. I can't edit for spelling as everything is erased as I go along.

[CindyC]

We are newbies to Long Beach. Moved here in 2001. We were in a condo in Rossmoor before that. LOVE this area. I did go to school at CSULB in the 80s, but didn't really get to know the city. I agree about the high cost of living. We lucked out when we bought. I have no idea where we would be if we had to buy a home now.

[johnbfizzle]

I am considering the move to California from Milwaukee, WI within the next month or two. I have two friends who are likely going to be coming with me. We are all 24 and single. I am wondering about the cost of living in the area. Are there any affordable apartments that aren't dumps? I am likely going to take a job in Irvine making almost $50k, but I'm told that won't go very far in CA. What areas should we look into, and what areas should we avoid? I'd love to be near the beach and where the dining, clubs, etc. are.
Also, as far as renting goes, how are leases generally handled in the area? 6 months? 1 year? Any month-to-month?

Thanks!

~John
Milwaukee, WI

[BobbyB]

I love going to the aquarium with the kids; Shoreline Village is always a great stroll. Downtown is looking good. I have a friend from the LBC, and he is very proud of where's he's from.

[GregJ]

The aquarium and shoreline village areas are really great places. I first came upon Long Beach as a student at CalStateLB in the 70's. Downtown wasn't so hot then. Lots of sailors, bars, and xxx joints, not to mention the Pike. If it's possible, it actually went downhill until about 15 years ago. Lot's of lofts going into the great old buildings, tons of money pouring in, and it's really a place for us locals to be proud of. Even the Queen Mary is looking good.

Unfortunately, it's at the end of the blue line rail link from downtown LA. The line brings all sorts of lowlifes downtown on the weekends to raise cain but the cops are doing a magificent job of keeping things cool.

Love LB!

[bigdaddy5]

Signal Hill has changed quite a bit. It was bleak with some oil pumps now there are million dollar homes all over it. Someone should do something about the Los Coyotes Traffic Circle. I heard the daughter of the guy who designed it, was killed there. I need to head back to East Anaheim Street and visit Casa Sanchez or Tommy Burger. CSULB has grown quite a bit since I attended. My parking money helped build that **** pyramid. It opened after I graduated.

[Paula Lynn]

johnbfizzle,

[cut] LB is a great place to live - you can't get anything better than this!! Like the other posters mentioned, there are some not great areas, but you'd have no reason to go there anyway. If you're looking for night life, you may want to look at places close to "trendy" 2nd Street. Broadway is good, too. There's also the Art District - something for everyone. Long Beach has gotten soooooooo much better recently. Rents are high, but that's the truth with any places. I think we're less expensive than Orange County. [cut]

Good luck!

[vryork]

Grew up and lived in Long Beach my whole life and yes it has improved a lot and still has some great neighborhoods but it is surrounded by plenty of bad neighbor hoods. The house prices are terrible and all you get for $550,000 is a 1000 sf. box. I about two weeks I am doing like a lot of people and I am moving out of state to Colorado Springs.

[Twinkle Toes]

The BEST part of Long Beach is ... that's where Snoop Dog is from!!!!!

[GregJ]

Somebody a couple posts back mentioned the traffic circle. Here's some news that might upset old time Long Beach'ers: the city is installing traffic lights at the Traffic Circle! Yikes! There was an article in the paper a few months back that said the traffic circle is the single highest intersection for traffic accidents in the entire city! It is pretty treacherous, though.

For those of you that don't know what I'm talking about, the traffic circle predates all those new trendy traffic management circles you see around now. It goes back to the 1920's when Pacific Coast Highway was THE main thoroughfare between LA and San Diego. The circle intersects PCH, Lakewood Blvd and two other streets. In the center is a huge lawn with palm trees that back in the 50's and before was the big teen hangout spot in the area. As legend goes, kids used to park on the inside curb and hang out in the circle on Friday nights. It's actually big enough to hold a football field. The SE corner of the traffic circle was where the Circle Drive-In was for decades. It was demolished in the 80's to make way for a miserable office building. I have fond memories of fogged up windows at the Circle Drive In!

Long Beach was and still is an absolutely great place to live. What a great town!