Downtown LA (South Park) vs. Belmont Shore

[the one]

it def. comes down to commute time. but DTLA would be better for the higher end activities. dinning, entertainment, etc. but dont forget, all that is only a drive/train ride away from LBC.

i think LB is the winner here.

but it is ok to be in DTLA after dark, even by yourself.

there is more and more life there. 7th streets is getting busier and busier. normally i would alsways choose downtown, but considering job location, go for LBC.

[BRinSM]

Originally Posted by NYSwan

My small experience staying here so far suggests that I would have an easier time meeting available professional woman if I lived in LA than Belmont Shore. Don't know for sure.

this is probably the case since belmont shore has a rather large college student population. there is also quite a large lesbian population in long beach as well. however, downtown LA also has quite a few students from USC.

[NaplesRes]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

this is probably the case since belmont shore has a rather large college student population. there is also quite a large lesbian population in long beach as well. however, downtown LA also has quite a few students from USC.

Lots of opportunity to meet a professional woman in Long Beach. There is a something for everyone.

[Island_OnThe_Land]

As a former downtown LA resident, let me throw in the "good points" about South Park in downtown LA. First of all, the South Park area of downtown is VERY SAFE. The "sketchy" part of downtown is really skid row which is quite removed from So. Park. Second, no doubt you have much greater access to cultural/art scenes in downtown than in belmont shores/long beach. And while So. Park is a "new" part of downtown you are not far from some very diverse and historic districts.

That said, So. Park is NOT an active walking district as other more fully revitalized areas of So. Calif. like Pasadena, Santa Monica, etc. In due time it will get there but it's still a work in progress...

[bhcompy]

Long Beach has its own cultural/art scene, and it's not like LA has anything really special to begin with

[ucbedge]

Ummm...I think youre getting the somewhat the wrong view of Belmont Shores.

My wife and I have lived in Belmont Shores for 4 years now. We rent an apartment one block from 2nd Street (we're in our late 20s).

First of all, there is definitely crime here. My car has been broken into twice in the past year. My neighbors house was broken into (while they were home), and there were two attempted break-ins to our apartment over the past 4 years. And we live in a supposedly "nice" area of the shores (like a said, one block from the shops/restaurants of 2nd street). It's definitely not crime-riddled like South Central, but I think people's quote of "safe 24/7" is definitely misleading.

There are two things that get really old, real fast: 1) Parking. If you do not have a garage, expect to have problems with parking. Also, I hope you dont have a nice car....if so, expect numerous "bumper dings". 2) The college party mentality. There is a very large college student population in the area. Lots of parties, lots of noise...esp the closer you get to 2nd street.

Also, one more thing - I dont consider BS a "beach" community, per se. Sure it's by the ocean, but youre within the breakwater so the beach here sucks pretty badly usually. If youre looking for more a beach lifestyle, I'd check out Seal Beach. If I could do it all over again, I'd pick Seal Beach over Belmont Shores.

[NaplesRes]

Originally Posted by ucbedge

Ummm...I think youre getting the somewhat the wrong view of Belmont Shores.

My wife and I have lived in Belmont Shores for 4 years now. We rent an apartment one block from 2nd Street (we're in our late 20s).

First of all, there is definitely crime here. My car has been broken into twice in the past year. My neighbors house was broken into (while they were home), and there were two attempted break-ins to our apartment over the past 4 years. And we live in a supposedly "nice" area of the shores (like a said, one block from the shops/restaurants of 2nd street). It's definitely not crime-riddled like South Central, but I think people's quote of "safe 24/7" is definitely misleading.

There are two things that get really old, real fast: 1) Parking. If you do not have a garage, expect to have problems with parking. Also, I hope you dont have a nice car....if so, expect numerous "bumper dings". 2) The college party mentality. There is a very large college student population in the area. Lots of parties, lots of noise...esp the closer you get to 2nd street.

Also, one more thing - I dont consider BS a "beach" community, per se. Sure it's by the ocean, but youre within the breakwater so the beach here sucks pretty badly usually. If youre looking for more a beach lifestyle, I'd check out Seal Beach. If I could do it all over again, I'd pick Seal Beach over Belmont Shores.

sorry you've had a bad experience in the shore. though interesting you haven't moved to seal in 4 years since it's only about a mile away.

even given your anecdotes about crime, i think you be hard pressed to find many people who think belmont shore isn't safe. Like any beach community parking is tough and you do have auto break ins from time to time (mostly south of 2nd) with so many cars on the street. That said, it's one of the safer places in southern california and if you get a garage parking is not so bad. also some streets are better than others for parking. It's actually quite easy to park on most of the north of 2nd side.

as far as the beach goes, it sucks for surfing obviously. But many people enjoy the kayaking, rowing, and swimming in the bay along the peninsula. with all the yacht clubs, boats, etc. I think of LB as more nautical than beachy in some respects. The sabot was invented in Naples. just a bit of trivia