Cozy homes in a convenient, culturally rich location make College Square an appealing choice for prospective homebuyers looking to settle down in Long Beach. A tight-knit urban community, College Square is only 8 miles from Long Beach and 18 miles from Downtown Los Angeles. The quaint urban community is also a perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts and commuters to settle or those wanting to live near big-city amenities.
The streets of the small, walkable neighborhood are decorated with small to mid-size single-family homes, primarily ranch-style houses and Spanish-influenced abodes. Most single-family housing was built during the late 1940s and ranges from $650,000 to $740,000. A collection of manufactured homes provides an alternative option. Prices range from $55,000 for an 850-square-foot model to $160,000 for a renovated 920-square-foot three-bedroom model. “It’s a transitional neighborhood with a lot of older, post-war housing that you see all over California,” says Alan Fasnacht, Realtor for Team Fasnacht Realty. “It’s attractive for first-time homebuyers.” The typical single-family home is between 1,000 and 1,200 square feet with garages, pools and beautifully landscaped lawns dotted with cacti, towering palms and fruit trees.
Latin American and soul foul mom and pops define College Square and are beloved by its residents. Zamora Bros Restaurant is a staple known for its carne asada burritos, homemade salsas and birria tacos. Miss C’s Gumbo & Soul Food is also a popular, no-frills spot for comfort food, serving up heaping portions of gumbo with shrimp, chicken and sausage and peach cobbler. For more comfort food, Robert Earl’s BBQ is the go-to joint. A cozy, laid-back restaurant, locals rave about its ribs, smoked BBQ chicken sandwiches and southern sides. Latin American markets are also prevalent, from La Bodega Ranch Market to El Nuevo Guadalajara Market, providing specialized goods and spices The nearby Donuts Queen is a popular stop for sweet treats and food on the go. Gateway Towne Center is under 2 miles from College Square in neighboring Compton, which offers over 25 stores, including big-box retailers, national chains and Aldi for groceries. For entertainment, head next door to Compton to Crystal Casino, which boasts over 35 table games, including poker and Texas Hold ‘Em.
While there are no parks directly in College Square, there are several in the nearby neighborhoods and other opportunities for residents to explore the outdoors. The neighborhood is just west of the LA River, where residents can kayak, bike the LA River Bikeway and hike the 10-mile portion of the LA River Trail. Just over the eastern boundary is Coolidge Park, a 6-acre green space with a baseball field, spray pool, basketball court, playground and a community center. On the other side of the river is the picturesque 50-acre DeForest Park. Here, residents can hop on the nature trail, play pickleball, sand volleyball or explore its wetlands preserve and wildlife habitat. Surfers and beach bums appreciate College Square’s proximity to Long Beach shores – a short drive and perfect for a day trip filled with surfing, swimming and sun.
Long Beach Unified School District serves the area, and local students attend Starr King Elementary, Hamilton Middle School and Jordan High School, all earning a B-minus on Niche. Starr King provides a Head Start Program, a summer camp and social-emotional learning support. Jordan High offers tennis and basketball teams, a running club and a talent show. The neighborhood is within walking distance of Compton College, which offers 43 degree programs and is ranked the 26th-best community college in California by Niche. The 88-acre campus is home to the MLB Youth Academy, which partners with urban communities to teach youth baseball and softball. The first Urban Youth Academy was founded in nearby Compton in 2006.
An active community organization serves the neighborhood. The College Square Association regularly sponsors monthly cleanups, back-to-school gatherings, resource fairs, neighborhood safety campaigns and candidate forums.
Major roadways surround College Square. Bus stops dot Long Beach Boulevard and Artesia Avenue, which is just a short ride away from the A-Line light rail train station. Adjacent to Artesia Avenue is the Gardena Freeway, which connects directly west to State Road 47 and directly east to Interstate 710. SR 47 provides easy access to the Wilmington Oil Refinery and the Port of Long Beach, the area’s two biggest employers. The 710, also known as the Long Beach Freeway, connects to the 405 and further south to the city’s downtown waterfront. “People who live in that area really love the proximity to all the freeways and how quickly they can get to other areas of Los Angeles,” says Fasnacht. The nearest airport is Long Beach, an 8-mile drive from the neighborhood.
Gerry Nicks
Keller Williams South Bay
(424) 370-0766
168 Total Sales
1 in College Square
$780,000 Price
Cody Charnell
Sage Real Estate Group, Inc.
(424) 788-0870
52 Total Sales
2 in College Square
$895,000 Price Range
Celex Buenrostro
CARDONA REALTY
(626) 298-8341
26 Total Sales
2 in College Square
$109K - $131K Price Range
Ian Michael Thompson
Nationwide Real Estate Execs
(562) 685-8728
78 Total Sales
2 in College Square
$500K - $750K Price Range
Lorena Gama
Century 21 Allstars
(562) 526-1583
40 Total Sales
2 in College Square
$585K - $760K Price Range
Autumn Anderson
WGroup Realtors
(424) 417-2439
52 Total Sales
1 in College Square
$755,000 Price
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this area.
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this area.
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This small slice of Long Beach offers big-time community engagement
Midcentury architecture and walkable convenience in north Long Beach
Comparative affordability and walkability in north Long Beach
Established home in a laid-back, north Long Beach neighborhood
A laidback community hidden in north Long Beach