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Downtown

Downtown

$636,358 Average Value
$648 Average Price per Sq Ft
43 Homes For Sale

Downtown Long Beach mixes waterfront living and urban buzz

In the heart of a major port city, Downtown Long Beach blends urban energy with coastal charm. Ocean-view condos rise above some of the city’s best restaurants and bars, and major events like the Acura Grand Prix happen right outside your door. Plus, living here means being steps from the waterfront’s parks, marinas and shopping centers, with views of the iconic Queen Mary ship just across the bay. It’s lively, sometimes noisy, and parking can be tight. But if you want a walkable, oceanfront neighborhood with something going on all the time, downtown is where the action is.

Condo living comes with amenities and HOA fees

Downtown Long Beach is densely packed with high-rise apartment buildings and condos. “It’s attractive to people who want to live in a full amenities area who don’t want to manage a house or a backyard,” says Nancy Deprez, a Long Beach resident and Realtor with Vista Sotheby's International Realty. “You’re moving there for the lifestyle.”

The median sale price is around $660,000, but you can find small one-bedroom condos starting in the low $300,000s, and luxury penthouses with ocean views up to $1.2 million. Many of these residential towers offer concierge service, pools and security, but make sure to keep an eye on HOA fees. “Consider the amenities and what you really want to use, because HOA dues can get very high,” says Dave Shorter, a broker with Dave Shorter Real Estate who has experience selling here. Monthly fees can range from $500 to over $1,000.

Downtown's housing options are primarily apartments and condos, making for a dense, walkable neighborhood.
Downtown's housing options are primarily apartments and condos, making for a dense, walkable neighborhood.
You'll find plenty of high-rise condos in Downtown Long Beach.
You'll find plenty of high-rise condos in Downtown Long Beach.
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What to know about parking in downtown

One amenity you’re probably going to want to look for is on-site parking. “Downtown has very vibrant city life, but it’s very parking-challenged,” says Shorter, explaining that while most condos have designated parking spots, the older buildings might not. If your building doesn't have a spot, expect to pay for garage or metered parking. The city center is usually busy with tourist traffic, so finding a spot isn’t always easy.

Some of Long Beach’s best restaurants and nightlife

Living downtown means front-row seats to Long Beach’s dining scene. “You have tons of restaurants and bars there. I mean, I could go on for hours,” Shorter says. While it’s hard to narrow down a list, here are some of the most popular places for dining out:

  • Parkers’ Lighthouse, a Long Beach classic right on the water, known for its harbor views and fresh seafood
  • BO-beau kitchen + roof tap, a lively French-inspired spot with a rooftop bar, craft cocktails and upscale takes on comfort food
  • The Ordinarie, a cozy gastropub with an extensive whiskey selection that goes all out with holiday decorations
  • L’Opera Ristorante, an elegant, old-school Italian restaurant with handmade pastas, fine wine and live singers
  • Ammatolí, a go-to spot for Levantine cuisine, including hummus, homemade pita and kebabs
You’ll also find plenty of places for a late night out, from the drag shows at Hamburger Mary’s to the pub atmosphere at The Auld Dubliner. “Pine Avenue attracts a lot of party-goers,” Shorter says. “You’ll be in the heart of the action there.”

Enjoy dining with ocean views at the Parker's Lighthouse in Downtown Long Beach.
Enjoy dining with ocean views at the Parker's Lighthouse in Downtown Long Beach.
Shoreline Village is a fun strip of shopping and dining on the edge of the water in Downtown.
Shoreline Village is a fun strip of shopping and dining on the edge of the water in Downtown.
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Walkable to Shoreline Village and grocery stores

Two of the city’s most visited shopping districts are right along downtown’s waterfront. The Pike Outlets has retailers like Nike and Levi’s, as well as a movie theater, comedy club and Ferris wheel. Over at Shoreline Village, you can enjoy a charming boardwalk feel with sunset views, ice cream shops and an arcade. Grocery runs are easy with both El Super and Vons, and you’ll also find corner stores, pharmacies and a regular farmers market. “You’re walkable to everything you’d need,” says Deprez.

Downtown’s events include Long Beach Pride and the Acura Grand Prix

In addition to shopping and dining, downtown is the city’s hub for social events. Some of the biggest celebrations are:

  • Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, a massive event where INDYCAR drivers speed through downtown streets lined by packed grandstands
  • Long Beach Pride, the third-largest pride festival and parade in California
  • Love Long Beach Festival, a two-day waterfront festival with live music, DJs, yoga, meditation and live art displays
  • Taste of Downtown, a food festival with samples from local restaurants and live music

Waterfront parks and the Aquarium of the Pacific

Downtown borders Queensway Bay, so water is a big part of daily life here. You can walk over to Alamitos Beach, less than a mile away, or store your boat at the Long Beach Shoreline Marina. Trails and biking paths connect a ring of waterfront parks, including the sweeping views at Shoreline Aquatic Park and the swan-shaped paddleboats at Rainbow Lagoon. You'll also find the Aquarium of the Pacific along the waterfront, the largest aquarium in Southern California. Nearby, the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center hosts year-round concerts, conventions and events.

Shoreline Aquatic Park in Downtown Long Beach has a lighthouse on a small hill.
Shoreline Aquatic Park in Downtown Long Beach has a lighthouse on a small hill.
Enjoy a walk along the water at Rainbow Lagoon Park.
Enjoy a walk along the water at Rainbow Lagoon Park.
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Several Metro stops make it easy to commute to downtown LA

Commuters are drawn to downtown because it is home to four Los Angeles Metro stations. The Metro connects through Long Beach and heads 25 miles north to Los Angeles in just over an hour. By car, commuters can easily hop on Interstate 710. The drive to LA takes 30 to 75 minutes, depending on traffic.

The metro can take you from Downtown Long Beach to Downtown LA.
The metro can take you from Downtown Long Beach to Downtown LA.
Downtown Long Beach commuters can find bus stops in various parts of the neighborhood.
Downtown Long Beach commuters can find bus stops in various parts of the neighborhood.
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Catherine Lashley
Written By
Catherine Lashley
Marcus Yzaguirre
Photography Contributed By
Marcus Yzaguirre
Rebecca Askin
Video By
Rebecca Askin

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Long Beach (Daugherty Field)

13 min drive

Subway

Long Beach Transit Mall

Subway

Pacific Station

Bus

Ocean & Atlantic SE

Bus

Ocean & Golden SE

Bus

Long Beach Blvd & 6th SW

Bus

Pine & Convention Ctr SW

Bus

Pacific & 3rd NE

Bus

Long Beach Blvd & 3rd SW

Bus

Pacific & Ocean NW

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown US
Homicide 6 4
Sexual Assault 9 4
Assault with Weapon 7 4
Robbery 6 4
Burglary 9 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 9 4
Larceny 10 4
Crime Score 7 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
1,636
Number of Homes for Sale
43
Median Year Built
2004
Months of Supply
8.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,349
Significantly below the national average
1,934
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,434
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,181
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
788
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
868
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
20,908

Open Houses

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Condo Buildings

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
32
Median Rent
$3,150
Median Single Family Home Rent
$3,295
Median Townhouse Rent
$4,995
Median 2 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$4,995
Median Condo Rent
$3,095
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$3,600

Demographics

Total Population
6,885
Median Age
42
Population Density
16 ppl/acre
Population under 18
12%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$100,033
Above the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$119,069

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.6%
College Graduates
59.5%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
27.6%
% Population in Labor Force
80.5%
Above the national average
64.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
12''
Average Winter Low Temperature
46°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Exceptionally bikeable

Bikeability®

90 / 100

Moderately walkable

Walkability®

70 / 100

Strong public transit

Transit®

80 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown
Mike Dunfee
Dunfee Real Estate Services
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