Long Beach Apartments and Rentals

Apartments and rentals in Long Beach, CA, run the gamut from quiet residential neighborhoods to beautiful coastal seascapes. Part of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, Long Beach is a vibrant city with a major port, diversified industries and many unique neighborhoods.

The city of Long Beach has undergone a number of transitions to become the world-class coastal destination it is today. Indigenous peoples lived in the area for an estimated 10,000 years before being pushed out by the Spanish in the 1700s. Several ranchos were established in the area around 1785. In the mid-1800s, cattle and sheep ranching dominated the area. The railroad brought visitors to the coastal area beginning in 1885 and a real estate boom quickly followed. The city of Long Beach, named for the long, wide beaches, was incorporated in 1888. For the first 10 years of the 20th century, it was the fastest growing city in the country. The Port of Long Beach was opened in 1911, and in 1921 oil was discovered in the city, flooding it with money.

Today, Long Beach is a thriving commercial, industrial and residential center that is vital not only to California, but to the country as well. The Port of Long Beach is one of the world's largest shipping ports, and the second busiest container port in the U.S.

Although a thriving city of nearly 500,000, Long Beach manages to maintain the atmosphere of a smaller town. You can't beat is coastal location and related mild weather, or the variety of attractions and diversions.

Some of the popular neighborhoods in Long Beach include: Downtown, Bixby Knolls, Bixby Hill, Eastside and University Park Estates.

Long Beach is ripe with jobs in diversified industries, and it's freeway close to many more throughout the Los Angeles region. The port supports more than 30,000 jobs in Long Beach and more than 300,000 throughout Southern California. Oil was first discovered in Long Beach in 1921, and the industry still plays an important role. The economy of Long Beach, however, is diversified with jobs in manufacturing, high-tech and aerospace. A number of corporations make their home here as well.

The largest campus of the California State University system can be found in Long Beach with an estimated enrollment of nearly 35,000. CSULB has been repeatedly recognized by Princeton Review as one America's Best Value Colleges; the only university in the CSU system to earn such an honor. U.S. News and World Report has also repeatedly named the school as one of the top five public institutions in the West granting Master's Degrees in its annual America's Best Colleges Guide. Long Beach City College also maintains two campuses in the city.

Like most cities in Southern California, the cost of living in Long Beach is significantly above the average for the country. Not surprisingly, the rents are higher than average as well. Locations close to the beach and ocean, also command higher rents in general. You can expect about to pay about $1,250 for a typical one-bedroom apartment and up to $1,800 a month for a two bedroom. The city has a nice selection of low-rise apartment complexes as well as a number of luxury buildings, lofts, condos and homes.

The main attraction in Long Beach is the beautiful Pacific Ocean and the miles of white sandy beaches. People are drawn to its sunny shores throughout the year for sunning, sailing, biking along the coast, sightseeing and more. A popular convention destination, the city is overflowing with restaurants from major chains to local eateries, and representing cuisines from many countries.

Some of the city's more popular destinations for visitors and residents alike include the the RMS Queen Mary, the art deco luxury liner than sailed between England and the U.S. from 1936 until her retirement in Long Beach in 1967. You can tour the ship or stay aboard the Queen Mary Hotel. The Aquarium of the Pacific is another popular attraction with a collection of more than 12,000 animals from 500 different species. With a focus on the Pacific Ocean, it includes an interactive Shark Lagoon, and permanent and changing exhibits on marine animals and environments. If you're looking for art, the city offers the Long Beach Museum of Art featuring educational programs for children and adults, musical programs, festivals, and other special events and the Museum of Latin American Art, which is the only such museum in the western U.S. Long Beach Special Events

The annual events in Long Beach offer something for everyone. The Long Beach Grand Prix held every April on the city streets since 1975. More than 200,000 people attend the longest running "street" race held in North America. It includes multiple events including a Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. The Dragon Boat Festival is one of the largest dragon boat competitions in California. The event includes Chinese traditional art demonstrations, Chinese Acrobats, traditional dance, hip hop, music and martial arts performances. The Tiki Beach Festival features Polynesian performers, a Taste of Aloha food court with various foods of the islands, a kids zone and play areas, canoe rides, live music, and a island market place with arts and crafts inspired by the Tiki Culture.

Other special events include the Catalina Ski Race features about 70 water ski teams who ski from the Queen Marry to Avalon on Catalina Island and back. Skiers from around the world participate in the two-hour race. And the city features numerous music festivals like the Cajun & Zydeco Festival, the Bob Marley Reggae Festival, the Long Beach Jazz Festival and the Long Beach Blues Festival are just a few.

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