Long Beach Relocation Guide 2026 for Dual-Career Families

by Rick Lee

Updated: December 7, 2025 – Numbers and commute times based on data available as of late 2025 and subject to change.

For dual-career parents relocating for work, this guide provides the intelligence you need to make a confident decision—not just about where to live, but how to build a stable family life that works for everyone.

5-Question Quick Sort: Find Your Best Neighborhood
Long Beach vs. Nearby Cities
The Decision Framework
Commute Optimization for Dual-Career Families
Where Will You Actually Work? (Remote Tech)
School Intelligence: Boundaries & The High School "Choice" System
After-School Care & Childcare
Air Quality, Weather & Environmental Factors
Healthcare Access
Neighborhood Deep-Dives
Budget Reality Check
The "Insider" Logistics (Grand Prix, Earthquakes & Utilities)
Spouse & Partner Considerations
Extended Family & Grandparents
Safety Analysis
Final Recommendations
Next Steps

5-Question Quick Sort: Find Your Best Long Beach Neighborhood in 60 Seconds

Answer these five questions to skip to your top 1–2 neighborhood matches. All neighborhood and price examples below are illustrative, not guarantees; always verify current listings and costs.

Video: How to Choose the Right Long Beach Neighborhood

1. What's your household gross income?

Under $150K → Bixby Knolls
$150K–$190K → Bixby Knolls or Belmont Shore
$190K+ → Los Altos or Naples

2. Where's the primary work location?

Downtown LA (DTLA) → Los Altos or Bixby Knolls
Irvine/South Orange County → Belmont Shore or Naples
Long Beach proper → Any neighborhood
Split (one DTLA, one Irvine) → Los Altos

3. How many kids and what ages?

1–2 kids under 10 → Belmont Shore works
2+ kids, any with teens → Los Altos or Bixby Knolls (need space)
3+ kids → Los Altos only (need yard + space)

4. School stance?

Public only, must be top-tier → Los Altos (Gant boundary) or Naples (Naples Elementary)^[2][3]
Public preferred, private if needed → Bixby Knolls with private backup
Private from day one → Bixby Knolls (most affordable + St. Joseph nearby)

5. Lifestyle priority?

Suburban yard, kids bike to school → Los Altos
Suburban yard + huge regional park → El Dorado Park area
Walkable beach, urban vibe → Belmont Shore
Maximum safety, insular community → Naples
Value + community → Bixby Knolls

Long Beach vs. Nearby Cities: The Comparative Context

Before diving deep into Long Beach neighborhoods, understand how Long Beach stacks up against your alternatives in the greater Los Angeles and Orange County area.

The Regional Comparison Matrix

All rents below are typical example numbers for 2025, not official medians. Actual pricing will vary by condition, exact location, and market timing.^[4][5][6][7]

City/Area	Commute to DTLA*	Commute to Irvine*	3BR Rent (Typical)	School Quality (Typical)	Airport Access (LAX/SNA)	Vibe	Best For
Long Beach (Los Altos)	50 min	45 min	~$4,200 (3BR SFH)	Strong public (Gant A-rated)	LGB ~15 min; LAX ~35–50; SNA ~30–45	Suburban/diverse	Balanced dual-career couples^[5][2]
Long Beach (Belmont Shore)	65 min	40 min	~$2,900 (2BR apt)	Excellent (Naples A-rated)	LGB ~20 min; LAX ~40–55; SNA ~30–40	Urban coastal	OC-heavy, beach lifestyle^[2]
Lakewood	45 min	50 min	~$3,200	Good public (several A/B schools)	LGB ~20 min; LAX ~35–50; SNA ~30–40	Suburban/traditional	DTLA commuters, traditional families^[2]
Seal Beach	70 min	30 min	~$4,500	Excellent (top OC schools)	LGB ~25 min; LAX ~40–60; SNA ~20–30	Beach town/quiet	Pure OC commuters, retirees^[2]
Irvine	75 min	10–15 min	~$4,800	Elite public (multiple 9–10 rated)	LAX ~45–70; SNA ~10–20	Master-planned	OC workers, school prestige focus^[2]
Central LA (Silver Lake)	20 min	90 min	~$5,200	Mixed (gentrifying)	LAX ~25–45; SNA ~40–70	Urban/hip	DTLA workers, cultural amenities

*Commute times are typical peak-hour ranges under normal conditions. Always double-check live navigation at your actual departure time.

Airport strategy: If one partner regularly flies from LAX and the other uses SNA or LGB, East Long Beach neighborhoods like Los Altos and the El Dorado Park area offer relatively balanced drive times to all three, without committing fully to LA or OC.

Long Beach's Unique Value Proposition

When Long Beach wins:

Cost advantage: Often 15–30% cheaper than comparable Irvine or coastal Orange County for similar space and access.^[5][6]
Dual-commute optimization: One of the only coastal options where a DTLA/Irvine split is physically tolerable for both partners.
Urban + suburban options: Choose walkable beach (Belmont Shore) or suburban yards (Los Altos/El Dorado Park area) within the same city.

When Long Beach loses:

Pure school prestige: Irvine’s highest-rated schools edge out even the best LBUSD schools on standardized metrics.^[2]
Master-planned perfection: Irvine offers newer construction and strict HOA-level aesthetics; Long Beach is older and more organic.

The Decision Framework: Start With Your Constraints

Before exploring neighborhoods, map your non-negotiables:

Work location(s) – DTLA, Long Beach proper, or Orange County/Irvine. This alone eliminates a large chunk of options.
School quality threshold – Public boundaries vs. private-school budget.
Budget reality – Total monthly burn rate, not just rent.
Housing type – Yard vs. walkability vs. square footage.

The Two-Career Commute Optimization Matrix

Peak-Hour Reality: Long Beach Commute Time Comparison

These are typical peak-hour ranges; specific days can run faster or slower. Always verify with Waze/Google Maps using your actual departure time.

From Neighborhood	To DTLA (Peak)*	To Irvine (Peak)*	To Downtown LB	Best For
Los Altos	50–65 min	45–60 min	~10 min	Balanced dual-career (DTLA + Irvine)
Bixby Knolls	55–70 min	50–65 min	~15 min	DTLA primary, Irvine secondary
Belmont Shore	65–80 min	40–55 min	~20 min	Irvine primary, DTLA rare
Naples	75–90 min	40–55 min	~25 min	Irvine primary, DTLA almost never

*Under normal weekday peak conditions; accidents and weather can extend times significantly.

Critical Insight: The 710 Freeway southbound from downtown Long Beach to the 405 junction is a major bottleneck. Living north of 7th Street (Los Altos/Bixby) can save 15–20 minutes a day compared with living in Downtown LB if you’re connecting to the 405/605.^[8]

Non-Driving Option: Metro A Line (Blue Line)

For families who want one partner to avoid a daily freeway grind into Downtown LA, the Metro A Line (formerly the Blue Line) runs from Long Beach up to DTLA.

Stations to watch: Wardlow and Willow Stations are the most common park-and-ride options from Los Altos and Bixby Knolls; plan on a 10–15 minute drive or rideshare from many East Long Beach addresses.
Train time: Typical travel time from Wardlow Station to the Historic Broadway/7th St/Metro Center area downtown is roughly 45–55 minutes, depending on the specific train and transfers.
Door-to-door reality: Once you add driving/parking on the Long Beach end and a short walk or transfer on the DTLA end, most families should plan on 75–90 minutes total door-to-door from East Long Beach to a DTLA office.
When it works best: For the partner with a predictable DTLA schedule who doesn’t mind working, reading, or decompressing on the train, while the other partner keeps the car at home for school runs and errands.

Always confirm current schedules, travel times, and fares using Metro’s official trip planner before committing to a transit-based commute.

Where Will You Actually Work? The Modern Work Reality

Internet Infrastructure

Frontier Fiber: Fiber-to-the-home service is available at many addresses in Los Altos, Bixby Knolls, and parts of Belmont Shore; service is address-specific, so availability can vary even within the same block.^[9]
Spectrum: The standard cable option in Long Beach, with higher download than upload speeds.
Recommendation: If you work from home, check for fiber availability by specific address before signing a lease or purchase.

Coworking & Remote Work Hubs

Downtown Long Beach: The Coop, Commongrounds – best for professional meeting space and networking.
Bixby Knolls: Recreational Coffee, Portfolio – great for casual laptop work with a community vibe.
Belmont Shore: Rose Park Roasters, Berlin Bistro – best for creative/remote workers who value walkability.

School Intelligence: The 40% Decision Factor

LBUSD Boundary Realities (Elementary & Middle)

Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) boundaries follow precise geographic zones; do not rely on listing descriptions alone.^[3][2]

Naples Elementary (Naples Bayside Academy): Serves Naples & parts of South Belmont Shore; consistently rated as one of LBUSD’s top elementary schools.^[10][11]
Gant Elementary: Serves much of Los Altos (west of Palo Verde); highly regarded for academics and community.
Newcomb Academy (K–8): El Dorado Park area; popular because it avoids a middle-school transition.
Resources: Verify every address using the Official LBUSD School Finder.

High School Reality: The "Pathway" System & The 8th Grade Cliff

If you are moving with children aged 11+, this is critical.

Unlike elementary, Long Beach high schools operate on a “School of Choice” pathway system. You do not just apply to a high school; you apply to a specific pathway (like a major) within that school.^[2]

Key points:

Priority: Your home address generally guarantees a spot in your neighborhood high school (for example, most Los Altos addresses feed Millikan), but not in the most competitive magnet pathways.
Highly competitive programs include:
- Poly High – PACE (selective academic magnet)
- CAMS at CSU Dominguez Hills (STEM magnet)
- Millikan – COMPASS / QUEST and other specialized tracks
- Wilson – specialized academies like WAVE

The 8th Grade Timing Window

The high school choice/pathway application window typically opens in January and closes in early spring of 8th grade; exact dates vary by year.^[2]
If you move with a student after this window (for example, mid-9th through 11th grade), many elite pathways will already be full, and placement is usually into the resident track.
Strategy: If you have an 8th grader, aim to have a Long Beach address by December/early January so you can participate on equal footing. Always confirm the current year’s dates on LBUSD’s site.

Diversity, Equity & Special Education Considerations

Many dual-career families care as much about diversity, inclusion, and support for different learners as they do about raw test scores.

Diverse student body: LBUSD is one of the more diverse large districts in California, with a student population that includes significant Hispanic/Latino, African American, White, Asian, and multiracial communities, plus a high share of multilingual learners and socioeconomically diverse families.
Test scores vs. lived experience: Rating sites that lean heavily on standardized test scores will often rank Irvine Unified higher than LBUSD. Those scores tend to track family income and parental education. Sites that weigh student/teacher experience, climate, and equity often show a narrower gap between Long Beach and Irvine, particularly at strong LBUSD campuses.
Neighborhood variation: Elementary schools serving Los Altos and Naples often show higher test scores, while campuses around Bixby Knolls and central Long Beach may reflect more socioeconomic and racial/ethnic diversity. The right fit depends on whether you prioritize raw scores, diversity, or a balance of both.
Special needs & IEP support: LBUSD offers a continuum of special education services and related supports (speech, OT, PT, etc.) with an explicit focus on inclusion and least restrictive environment. Nearby districts such as Irvine Unified also provide robust special education services; the real differences are often at the individual campus level rather than the district name.

If you have a child with an IEP or emerging learning needs, your best move is to speak directly with school and district special education teams in both locations, review recent state dashboards, and connect with other parents who have navigated services in those specific schools.

Private School Escape Hatch

If your boundary school or pathway outcome is not a fit:

St. Joseph (Catholic, K–8): Roughly mid-four figures per year for tuition; considered affordable relative to independent schools.
Westerly (K–8): Independent, progressive; tuition is in the low- to mid-$20,000s per year range.
St. Anthony (High School): Catholic high school with tuition in the low-five-figures per year.

Treat all private-school tuition numbers as approximate 2025 ballparks and confirm current rates directly with each school.

After-School Care: The Survival Tool

LBUSD elementary dismissal is often around 2:30 PM (and earlier on some days), which is challenging for full-time working parents.

YMCA (Los Altos/Lakewood): Plan on roughly $650–$750 per month per child for full AM+PM care, based on recent YMCA rate sheets; exact prices vary by year and site.^[12][13]
LBUSD CDC: On-campus programs with sliding-scale pricing; spaces can be limited and enrollment competitive.
The Waitlist Reality: Many YMCA programs fill by late winter for the following fall. If you move in summer, get on the waitlist immediately.

Air Quality, Weather & Environmental Factors

The "June Gloom" Weather Pattern

If you arrive in May and rarely see the sun before lunch, nothing is broken.

Phenomenon: A marine layer (“May Gray” and “June Gloom”) blankets the Southern California coast in late spring, driven by cool ocean water and temperature inversions.^[14][15]
Impact: Coastal neighborhoods are often overcast and cool (mid-60s °F) until late morning or early afternoon.
Neighborhood Variance: Inland neighborhoods like Los Altos and El Dorado Park usually see the marine layer burn off 60–90 minutes earlier than beach-adjacent areas like Belmont Shore and Naples. By July, most days are sunny across the city.^[15]

Air Quality & Port Pollution

West Long Beach / 710 Corridor: Higher exposure to diesel particulates and port-related emissions.
Los Altos / El Dorado Park / Belmont Shore / Naples: Generally better air quality than the port-adjacent west side, helped by distance and onshore breezes.^[16]
Recommendation: Consider HEPA air purifiers for bedrooms regardless of neighborhood, especially if anyone has asthma or allergies.

Healthcare Access

Major Hospital: MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center on Atlantic Ave is the primary acute-care hospital for much of Long Beach.
Pediatrics: Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital shares the same campus and is regularly recognized for pediatric specialties.
Urgent Care: Multiple urgent care options are accessible from Los Altos (Los Coyotes Diagonal area) and Belmont Shore (2nd St corridor).

Neighborhood Deep-Dives

Los Altos: The Suburban Compromise

Vibe: 1950s ranch homes, wide streets, and real backyards; feels like classic suburbia.
Best For: Families who want the “kids playing in the cul-de-sac” life with relatively straightforward freeway access.
Schools: Gant Elementary, Stanford Middle, and Millikan High pathways are key draws for many families.^[2]
Property taxes: Most Los Altos homes pay the standard LA County property tax rate (Prop 13 base plus smaller local assessments) without Mello-Roos. Compared with many newer Irvine tracts that add a separate Mello-Roos line item, your true monthly cost here can be meaningfully lower even at a similar purchase price.
Trade-off: Not especially walkable to dining/coffee; you will drive for most errands.

El Dorado Park Area: Park Access & Quiet Streets

Vibe: Tree-lined streets, cul-de-sacs, and immediate access to El Dorado Regional Park and the Nature Center; feels like a slightly quieter, more tucked-away extension of East Long Beach.
Best For: Families who prioritize parks, green space, and weekend bike rides over walkable nightlife or restaurant density.
Schools: Many homes here feed into Newcomb Academy (K–8), which is popular with parents who want to avoid a separate middle-school transition. As always, verify each address with the LBUSD School Finder.
Commute: Adds a few extra minutes to both DTLA and Irvine drives compared with central Los Altos, but still within the “doable” range for many dual-career couples.
Property taxes: Like Los Altos, most homes in the El Dorado Park area carry standard property taxes without Mello-Roos, which can make total monthly costs competitive with newer Orange County suburbs once you factor in special taxes and HOAs there.

Bixby Knolls: The Value & Community Play

Vibe: “Small town within a city” with historic homes and an indie retail strip on Atlantic Ave.
Best For: Families priced out of Los Altos who still want community, character, and strong neighborhood identity.
Schools: Mixed; Longfellow Elementary and certain middle/high school combinations are sought after, but boundaries are block-specific—verify every address.^[2]
Property taxes: Most Bixby Knolls properties also avoid Mello-Roos, sticking to the standard LA County base tax plus local assessments. Versus newer OC master-planned communities with Mello-Roos, your tax bill here may be simpler and lower, even if home prices look similar.
Trade-off: Air quality is slightly lower than coastal neighborhoods, and Irvine commutes run a bit longer.

Belmont Shore: Urban Coastal Living

Vibe: Beach bungalows, small lots, and dense, walkable streets lined with restaurants and shops.
Best For: Families with one child or older teens who value independence, beach access, and nightlife energy.
Schools: Naples Elementary or Lowell Elementary depending on exact address; both are well-regarded.^[11][2]
Property taxes: Belmont Shore housing is often older and on smaller lots, but like most of Long Beach it typically lacks Mello-Roos special taxes. Your effective monthly cost is driven more by purchase price and insurance than by layered tax districts.
Trade-off: Parking is tight, lots are small, and private outdoor space is limited.

Naples Island: The Luxury Enclave

Vibe: Venetian-style canals, custom homes, and a strong sense of exclusivity.
Best For: High-net-worth families prioritizing safety, aesthetics, and waterfront living.
Schools: Naples Bayside Academy is a major draw at the elementary level.^[10][11]
Property taxes: Naples pricing is high, but most properties still pay standard LA County taxes without Mello-Roos. Compared with luxury Orange County master-planned communities with special taxes, more of your payment here is going toward principal and interest rather than extra tax lines.
Trade-off: Very expensive and can feel somewhat insular or isolated.

Video: Living in Naples Long Beach – Waterfront Lifestyle Explained

Retro Row / Bluff Heights: The Hipster Family Choice

Vibe: Craftsman bungalows, vintage shops, and a strong LGBTQ+ and arts community around 4th St.
Best For: Creative professionals who want character and urban energy rather than suburban quiet.
Schools: Families frequently piece together solutions via dual-immersion programs, permits, or charters.
Property taxes: Like most central Long Beach neighborhoods, properties here generally follow the standard property tax pattern without Mello-Roos. Monthly costs can still be high because many homes are charming but older, which means ongoing maintenance.
Trade-off: Parking can be difficult, and there is more visible urban grit, including occasional encampments.

Budget Reality Check (Family of 4)

The numbers below are sample 2025 budgets, not guarantees. Use them as a planning tool and then adjust based on real quotes and listings.^[7][1][5]

Expense	Los Altos (3BR SFH)*	Bixby Knolls (3BR SFH)*	Belmont Shore (2BR Apt)*
Rent/Mortgage	~$4,200	~$3,500	~$2,900
Utilities (all-in)	~$350	~$300	~$200
Childcare (2 kids YMCA)	~$1,200	~$1,200	~$1,200
Estimated Maintenance/HOA (older SFH)*	Plan to average roughly $300–$500/mo over time for a 1950s–1960s home (roof, plumbing/sewer line, HVAC, exterior paint, etc.).	Similar age profile to Los Altos; slightly lower purchase prices, but the same mid-century systems that will eventually need upgrades.	Varies widely: small beach buildings may have modest HOAs but more surprise assessments; larger complexes may have higher monthly dues but more predictable upkeep. Build in a buffer either way.
Recommended Net Income	$9,500+/mo	$8,500+/mo	$8,100+/mo

*Examples assume reasonably updated properties in safe pockets of each neighborhood. Maintenance numbers are long-run averages, not fixed monthly bills; real costs will be lumpy as big-ticket items come due.

The "Insider" Logistics: What Catches You Off Guard

1. The April Nightmare: Grand Prix of Long Beach

For roughly 3–4 weeks every April, Shoreline Drive and surrounding streets are partially converted into a racetrack for the Grand Prix of Long Beach.^{[17][18][19][8]}

Impact: Road closures, detours, and race noise affect downtown and the immediate waterfront for several days, with setup and teardown extending the disruption.
Pro Move: If you typically commute via Shoreline/Ocean, budget at least 20 extra minutes or reroute during race week. Many locals plan weekend trips during race days to skip the chaos.

2. The Old Home "Skeleton" Check (Earthquake Bolting)

Long Beach has many beautiful older homes, but a lot of pre-1970 houses were built before current seismic standards.

Risk: In a major quake, unbolted houses can shift or slide off their foundations.
Check: Ask explicitly: “Has this home been seismically retrofitted or bolted to the foundation?” and request documentation.
Cost: For a typical single-story single-family home, plan roughly $5,000–$10,000 for a basic retrofit, depending on size and complexity. Get multiple quotes.

3. Flight Path Noise (LGB)

Long Beach Airport (LGB) is convenient but has flight paths over parts of East Long Beach, including sections of Los Altos, El Dorado Park area, and Bixby.

Reality Check: Aircraft noise is highly address-specific; some streets get frequent overflights, others very little.
Test: Visit any potential home around 3:00 PM on a weekday, one of the busier departure windows, and stand outside for 20–30 minutes to gauge noise.

4. Utility Confusion

Electricity: Provided by Southern California Edison (SCE).^[20][21]
Gas/Water/Trash/Sewer: Provided by City of Long Beach utilities (Energy Resources & Utilities Department), on a separate account and bill.^{[22][23][9][20]}
Annoyance Factor: You will have to set up and manage at least two separate utility relationships when you move in.

5. Street Sweeping & Parking

Parking enforcement is proactive, especially in denser areas.

Rule: Most residential streets have weekly sweeping windows (for example, Thursday 8 AM–12 PM) during which your car must be moved.
Fine: Expect a ticket in the ~$70 range if you forget.
Strategy: Put sweeping windows into your calendar or use an app like SpotAngels to avoid monthly “donations” to the city.

Safety Analysis

Safety is block-by-block and changes over time; use this as a directional overview and then check recent crime maps and walk the area.

Los Altos: Generally perceived as one of the safer pockets of Long Beach, with active neighborhood groups and lots of families.
El Dorado Park area: Similar to Los Altos in feel, with many long-term homeowners and strong park-centered community life.
Naples: Among the safest-feeling areas in the city, with a quasi-gated vibe due to canals and limited entry points.
Bixby Knolls: Feels safe and neighborly in most areas, but intensity of activity near Atlantic and certain boundary blocks means more variation—verify specific streets.
Belmont Shore: Violent crime is relatively low; the main issues are property crime (bike and package theft) and late-night bar-related noise.
Retro Row / Bluff Heights: Generally fine for many families comfortable with urban living, but you will see more visible homelessness and occasional encampments than in Los Altos or El Dorado Park.

Final Recommendations

The "Safe Bet" Strategy

Rent in Los Altos (90815) for 12 months in a good Gant/Stanford/Millikan feeder area.
Use that year to understand LBUSD pathways and the local commute/school rhythm.
After 12 months, decide if you want more beach/urban energy (Belmont/Retro Row) or more school prestige/newer-build suburbia (Irvine/OC).

The "Urban/Value" Strategy

Rent in Bixby Knolls (90807) north of Wardlow and in your target school boundaries.
Bank the ~$500–$800/month rent difference (vs. Los Altos or Irvine) toward a down payment or private-school fund.
Plug into the community via First Fridays, local parents’ groups, and neighborhood events.

The One-Minute Decision Cheat Sheet

Need a fast gut-check before you dive back into spreadsheets and school ratings? Use this table as a quick sanity check:

If your #1 priority is...	Choose...	The trade-off is...
Best public schools	Los Altos (Gant/Stanford/Millikan) or Naples	You will drive almost everywhere; limited walkable nightlife.
Walkability and beach life	Belmont Shore or Retro Row / Bluff Heights	Smaller yards, tighter parking, and more urban grit/noise.
Budget & community feel	Bixby Knolls	Longer Irvine commute and more variation block-by-block.
Park access & quiet streets	El Dorado Park area	Slightly longer freeway drives and fewer walkable restaurants/coffee shops.

Next Steps

Check Your Commute: Use Waze/Google Maps with “Depart at 7:30 AM” and “Arrive by 5:30 PM” for each potential address to see realistic drive times.
Verify Schools: Put every listing address into the LBUSD School Finder and then cross-check ratings and reviews on third-party sites.^[3][2]
Confirm Costs: Call utilities, child-care providers, and any private schools you are considering to get current 2025 pricing before signing a lease.
Book a Strategy Call: Speak with a relocation specialist or local agent who understands dual-career family constraints and LBUSD’s choice system.

This guide is provided for informational purposes only. Real estate markets, school boundaries, and program rules change. Verify all information with local authorities and service providers before making decisions.

About Rick J. Lee — Long Beach & Coastal OC Real Estate Expert CA DRE #02130981, Real Broker

Rick J. Lee is a Southern California real estate professional with deep expertise in Long Beach, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, and surrounding coastal communities. As a lifelong Orange County resident with years of hyper-local market knowledge, Rick provides data-driven guidance to help buyers and sellers make confident decisions.

With nearly two decades of experience in television and multimedia production, Rick brings a uniquely skilled marketing approach—using high-quality visuals and strategic storytelling to maximize a home's value in today's competitive market.

Clients trust Rick for his clear communication, hassle-free process, and commitment to treating every buyer and seller like the MVP they are. Whether you're exploring Long Beach neighborhoods or preparing for your next move, Rick delivers proven expertise backed by local insight and professional integrity.

We just bought our first multifamily property in Long Beach, thanks to Rick Lee. His deep market knowledge, exceptional communication, and local connections, were key in us successfully purchasing this duplex. Whether you're looking to buy a single-family home, multifamily property, condo, or investment property, I highly recommend working with Rick. Our experience was outstanding and I truly can't recommend him enough! – Daniel Bogonovich – Read more reviews on Zillow

Search all Long Beach homes: Long Beach Home Search
Get your free home valuation: Free Home Valuation

The Long Beach Relocation Guide

How This Guide Was Created

This guide was built to give dual-career families a realistic, numbers-backed view of what it actually feels like to live in Long Beach, not just a brochure summary.

To create it, we combined three layers of information:

On-the-ground experience: Insights from years of helping families relocate to Long Beach, Lakewood, Seal Beach, and nearby Orange County communities, including real-world commute patterns, neighborhood “feel,” and day-to-day lifestyle tradeoffs.
Current local data: Rental ranges, budget examples, and childcare estimates drawn from multiple 2025 rental data providers, YMCA rate sheets, and utility information, then simplified into easy-to-scan tables and ballpark budgets so you can plan your monthly numbers.
Official school and city resources: School boundaries, program structures, and pathways verified using LBUSD tools and cross-checked with third-party school-rating sites, plus logistics details (utilities, events, traffic impacts) drawn from City of Long Beach and regional transportation resources.

All commute times are based on typical peak-hour routing using navigation apps and are meant as realistic ranges, not guarantees. All rents, tuition figures, and cost examples are 2025 ballparks and will change over time.

This guide is updated periodically to reflect new data and policies, but you should always verify key details—such as current rental prices, school boundaries, program deadlines, and childcare or utility costs—directly with official sources before making a final decision.