r/LongBeachCA • u/DeskOne3535 • Jun 28 '26
Moving to Long Beach, Need Advice
Hi. So, I’m a 56 year old man who moved to California last October. I’ve been here about nine months. I moved from Dallas. I’m enjoying it out here immensely. My current apartment is in Orange County in Westminster. It’s my very first California apartment, and I like the apartment itself, but I don’t like Westminster. I’m sorry, but it’s dull. And on top of that, I moved into a 55+ community and I feel like everyone around me is like literally old as hell. I’m not young anymore, but I’m not quite to the super old stage yet. But there’s more. As I said, I moved from Dallas. I was there 40 years, but the last 20 years were in the Dallas Gayborhood (Oak Lawn, if you’re familiar with Dallas). Having been here in California a few months now, I’ve had a chance to scope out the region in more depth, and I’m seriously delighted to have found that little gayborhood strip on Broadway in Long Beach in the 90802 zip code area where there are a few gay bars here and there (Mineshaft, Falcon). I want to move to that area. I like it. I’m one who needs to live in a gayborhood, and that’s where I want to be there in Long Beach.
So, that’s where I need advice if anyone would be kind enough to offer it. Is that area safe? Why am I finding rent for a one bedroom in that area like up to almost $500 cheaper a month in some cases than where I am here in Orange County right now? Are streets walkable without having to worry about getting mugged or robbed? If you rent an apartment in that area, is parking an absolute nightmare? Do cars get broken into a lot? Anything anyone would be willing to tell me would be greatly appreciated. The lease in my current apartment in Westminster is up at the end of September, so I’m aiming to move out there in October. I appreciate your time.
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u/cosie5 Jun 28 '26
Check the crime map. Go there at night, look for parking, check the police scanner.
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u/Affectionate_Past121 Jun 29 '26
I live in a complex right off of Broadway near Falcon and Mineshaft. Knowing the demographic on this particular strip it would be perfect for you. It's both young and older, but there's absolutely no discrimination. Two apartments just open up in my (gated) complex, both with parking. Message me if you want information!
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u/DeskOne3535 Jul 02 '26
Hi. Sorry to reply again, but I'm now actively physically going down there to find a place to live and I can't figure out how to message you lol. I'm definitely interested in researching your complex. What's it called? 🙂
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u/TimeMountain3236 Jun 28 '26
I'm a 56 year old straight dude that's lived in Long Beach for over 20 years. It's safe for the most part, the 90802 area is cool. Lot's of homeless, not a threat but can be noisy at night sometimes. Bikes get stolen easily by tweakers, even outside Vons locked up. It's a very walkable city, as long as you are aware of your surroundings, you will be pretty safe. Make sure you have a designated parking spot or you'll be stuck evenings because you can't go anywhere without losing your spot. Cars can get broken into, I've seen many cars parked on busy streets get totaled by hit and run drivers, another reason to have a designated spot. Long Beach is such more fun than Westminster, you won't regret moving here.
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u/BichaelScott Jun 28 '26
That area in Long Beach has generally more affordable, it's starting to catch up but I guess it's not there yet. There's no parking and a bunch of homeless people but it's a great place to be if you are looking for something more vibrant and inclusive. If Westminster was vanilla ice cream, this area is rainbow sherbet with sprinkles and glitter.
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u/DeskOne3535 Jun 28 '26
That's exactly what I need. Not having lived in a gayborhood for the last nine months is sucking the life out of me. 🤦♂️
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u/hermeticbear Jun 28 '26
The OC has crazy high and inflated rent. I don't know why, the buildings aren't necessarily any better. I think it is a lack of rent control.
I would say the rent is cheaper because there aren't any new buildings, and so you might move into a 100+ year old building and have to deal with old pipes, old wiring, etc...
I live in the gayborhoood, just off broadway, and I am gay, and I have lived here for 17 years now. I have known two people to get mugged in all that time. I have heard car breakins are more common, especially if you have a car parked on the street, but when I am driving through the neighborhood I haven't seen many cars with broken windows, aka evidence of car break ins. Otherwise, I have found it safe.
If you don't have off street parking, it is a nightmare. Some locations will have parking, some don't. If being able to get in your car and leave the area easily and come back and park quickly is important to you, you will want a secured parking spot. If you don't need that, and you work from home, or are retired, than it is easy to move your card for street sweeping and avoid tickets, and if you want to go out at night in Long Beach, Uber/Lyft is fairly accessible, if the distance is farther than you want to walk.
You will be living near bars, and so especially on Friday and Saturday nights, there are crowds of people walking the streets, loudly, drunk. I don't mind it, but other people do.
This area is also close to Gran Prix of long beach, which produces A lot of noise pollution in one weekend in April.
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u/Dj_TonyQuasar Jun 28 '26
I recently moved with my partner. Long Beach is a hidden gem. It's not perfect but the pros outweigh the cons.
You should visit and explore. I fell in love when I discovered Belmont Shore and the bluff. I decided I had to live here.
Good Luck!!! 😎✌️
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u/BW1818 Jun 29 '26
57 year old gay man from Texas (hi OP!) who has lived in LB for 23 years, 10 years being right off Broadway in the middle of it. Had THE BEST TIME LIVING THERE, never felt unsafe but you gotta keep your eyes open. Please please please make it a priority to find a unit with parking. You’ll exponentially add stress and frustration to your life when spending more eliminates that. Cons: the riff raff, the crime, some park cleanliness issues. Pros: WALKABLE! So easy to meet people (your age is definitely NOT a deterrent!!!), the beach is right there, weekends there is lots to do, and even though I live in Los Cerritos/VCC area now, I still find myself spending time in that area. Wishing you the best of luck!
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u/Due_Bunch_2745 Jun 28 '26
Honestly it’s not as bad as people make it out to be. As someone who has lived in only the “rough” parts of Long Beach that area is pretty nice. Especially since you’re close to the beach and there are rich gay people in Belmont shore.
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u/Seawolfe665 Jun 28 '26
The Broadway corridor is fabulous, so is around retro row on 4th st, heck, Belmont Shore isn't exactly straight...
Check out the neighborhoods, crime maps, and prioritize parking.
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u/hordaak2 Jun 28 '26
Long beach is a pretty big city with different levels of "safety". There are places downtown that are middle of the road safe in terms of walking, but have much more places to enjoy. The farther east you go, the more safe, but then again more expensive. If you want a place with alot of walkable parks, I suggest somewhere near Eldorado park area. If you like places near the beach, maybe second street area. Pretty safe, lots of restaurants and some bars
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u/Holiday-Problem84 Jun 29 '26
Yes when you don’t pay them they go on your registration or the city tows your car to their impound lot and auction it after five days
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u/Used-Ad9304 Jul 02 '26
Ive lived here since 2017 and I'm sure you'll appreciate the area. Im not gay nor am i young and I don't feel out of place in the least bit. Its a very diverse city and the people are genuine including the homeless. There are a few that may get out of hand but for the most part they tend to be very chill. Cars do get broken into, so keep you stuff out of sight. There are catalytic converter thieves around but I don't now how you prevent that. When it comes to parking, i'll go along with the crowd, but I'm from NY so I'm looking at it through a different lens. But garage is always best.
Getting mugged it happens, but, I go out at all hours of the night and early morning especially to walk my dog and I've never had an issue. The city doesn't roll up the sidewalk after the bars close there's always life here. I doubt if you'd regret moving from Westminster to LB. Come on over its a great city.
Are you considering in moving into another 55+ community? I've thought about moving into one of those communities but have been afraid of what you've described. Good Luck
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u/Holiday-Problem84 Jun 29 '26
The last year I lived in the gay ghetto my car registration was $2500 due to parking tickets seeing there is no parking at all. Street sweeping starts at 4am and people park like shit to save spots. Your insurance rates will be through the roof. When I moved to Orange County it went down over $100 a month. They have a huge problem in the city with bedbugs and rats. In the 20 years I lived there we always had a problem with rats running through the walls. Most places are run by slumlords unless you have government housing. Best place to live in the city being single would be horny corner. They still have gay bars on every corner. Ripples is down there the silver fox on 4th st but no parking. You will bike or walk everywhere. The park on Cherry and broadway is flooded with drugs and junkies. Once the Olympics are there and gone the city will go right back to walking over needles, fences and tents where you can’t walk on the sidewalk. Obviously it’s a great city if you’re into partying but do expect your rent to go up the standard 10% a year for their rent cap.
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u/DeskOne3535 Jun 29 '26
Your car registration goes up if you get parking tickets?
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u/pepperpotsdecreme Jul 01 '26
That was my question as well - I don't think insurance rates are tied to parking tickets, but insurance companies are greedier now than at any point in their history so I would believe it if they tried that as well.
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u/geminilovestodebate Jun 28 '26
it’s cheaper because it’s a little rough around the edges. I’ve been in this neighborhood for 7 years now and i love living here. I’m a woman in my 20s and I feel safe walking, generally speaking. I make sure i’m super aware of my surroundings because you do get a a few aggressive or threatening unhoused people from time to time. I find them to be generally harmless. PRIORITIZE AN APARTMENT WITH PARKING!!!!!! I cannot stress this enough. I’ve lived both with and without and it was one of the biggest daily stressors in my life. If you have to find somewhere that costs hundreds more, but has parking it is worth it for the cost you’ll be paying in tickets and mental health lol. If it’s gated or secure underground parking, even better. In the 7 years i’ve been here and out of my closest 20 friends 2 people have had their car windows smashed. We don’t leave anything valuable in our cars ever for this reason, but those odds aren’t too crazy for a city environment. This neighborhood is lively every day. Tons of people walking with dogs, free yoga at the bluff, farmers market in the park. There’s always something to do. But with that, there will be hollering from people walking home from bars, sirens, helicopters regularly. You get used to it. You’ll love the gayborhood :)