Need Help Choosing Long Beach neighboorhoods! (Anaheim, Belmont: rent, neighborhoods, live in)

[TimmyVegas]

Hello,

My friend and I plan on moving to Long Beach in May 2011 from Orlando, FL. We chose Long beach because it seems to have an urban feel in some places, and a more relaxed feel in others, as well as it's proximity to Anaheim (where we will be working) and Downtown LA. We have done some research, but were hoping to hear from people who have lived in Long Beach for any amount of time what different neighborhoods are like.

We are both gay males, in our early 20's, we want to be somewhere close to shopping and nightlife. In a somewhat safe/clean neighboorhood..We plan on renting a studio until we are more established and can upgrade, and we'd like to keep the rent under $1050.. We like the Belmont shore area, also downtown, any information on what types of people live in these neighborhoods as well as any other suggestions that fit our price range and lifestyle would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

[hart4july]

I lived in Long Beach a very long time ago in the early 90's, and had family members who lived there longer. Belmont Shore was really fun and nice, its been some time but I am sure its still really cute and the safest part of LB. I saw part of the filming of Corinna Corinna w Whoppi Goldberg as was being shot there to achieve a 50's suburbia ambiance.
There also used to be an area jokingly referred to as the "gay ghetto", but it was not so bad at all just quaint bungalows that were near gay retailers, bars etc and had reasonable rents. I had a cousin who lived in that area many years and loved it .A really nice, down to earth guy. Bless his sweet soul, he died just before the HIV meds became widely used.
Again its been a few years but one of those two areas should work for you, just avoid the "working class" areas. there are some toughies in LB, I would stay Belmont Shore or gay bungalow enclaves.