Neighborhoods to Live in Long Beach
If you’re thinking of moving to California, and Long Beach is at the top of your list, check out these Top 5 neighborhoods located across the city that are most popular based on recent census data. Considering Long Beach is such a large city, it's good to familiarize yourself with the different neighborhoods and what they have to offer so you decide which is the best fit for you.
Park Estates:
The Park Estates is rated the best neighborhood to live in in Long Beach with its lush, upscale, landscaped estates giving it a unique country feel. It has a population of 2,918. This pleasant neighborhood consists of beautiful custom-built homes that are large, as well as the lot size, and come in two or three different size categories.
This is a great location that has a combination of an urban and suburban feel. It is central to parks, Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, CSULB, shopping at the Traffic Circle, and not far from the recently-opened 2nd & PCH outdoor shopping mall. The beach is only 5 minutes south and at night, 2nd street bars and restaurants come to life.
The Plaza:
This friendly neighborhood is located adjacent to El Dorado Park and El Dorado Golf Course. It is north of the 405 freeway and is part of the greater "East Long Beach" area but was originally part of Lakewood's Lakewood Plaza neighborhood.
Many of the homes are one-level bungalow and ranch style homes that were built in the mid 1950's. There are a number of schools within the span of The Plaza including Prisk Elementary School, Marshall Academy of The Arts, and California State University of Long Beach. Ideal for a family with kids. It’s a great area near local churches, the Long Beach airport, and many newly- added shopping areas.
City College Area:
Previously called Old Lakewood City, City College Area, located next to Heartwell Park, is close to the Long Beach airport and Long Beach City College LAC campus, which is how it got its name. If you like to golf, well, you have your choice of three golf courses. It is a short drive to the Long Beach Exchange where there are endless options of restaurants and shopping.
This area consists of many midsize single-family homes that are high value. Much of the community is constantly developing, giving rise to varied home styles. Some of the best schools for this area are Carver Elementary School, Millikan High School, and Lakewood High School.
Alamitos Heights:
Positioned in the south-east portion of the city, this is a safe, quiet neighborhood next to Alamitos Bay. It's located south of the Recreation Park Public Golf Course and right next to 7th street. Alamitos Heights has The Colorado Lagoon to the west and Alamitos Bay to the south. It mainly consists of single-family homes that are colonial, ranch, Mediterranean, and Spanish style.
This area offers residents an urban suburban feel with its many parks, small coffee shops, and serene neighborhood. Some of the schools in this area are California Academy of Math and Science, Gant Elementary School, and Wilson High School.
Lakewood Village:
This diverse community has a population of 9,154. It's located in the center of the Lakewood/Long Beach area, and is close to the 91, 710, 605 and 405 Freeways. Many of the original homes were built as single level ranch style homes, but now there is a greater variety of styles such as Mediterranean, Tudor, Country, Spanish Colonial, and Contemporary. The streets are lined with trees and the whole neighborhood has great curb appeal.
The Village offers easy access to the Lakewood Mall as well as many other shopping and restaurants in this area such as The Long Beach Exchange right down the street and Village Restaurants and shops. The public schools in Lakewood Village are above average and include Mark Twain Elementary and Bancroft Middle school, both California Distinguished Elementary Schools.
