Los Alamitos

With a tucked-away feel east of Long Beach, Rossmoor is a small neighborhood just 5 miles north of Seal Beach Pier and the Pacific Ocean. Though not a gated community, the area is surrounded by a red brick partition to reduce highway noise and create a secluded atmosphere. “Rossmoor is where you go if you want to buy your forever home,” says Matt Tilley, ‘The British Bloke’ and a Hall of Fame Realtor at First Team Real Estate in Long Beach. He also hosts a YouTube channel about living in Los Angeles and Orange County. “People don’t move here with the intention of leaving in five to seven years like in other areas. When you come to Rossmoor, you’re here to stay.” The homes here sell in the millions and often have two-car garages and private pools. Nearby, The Shops at Rossmoor shopping center has several retail and dining spots. Rossmoor students attend schools within the Los Alamitos Unified School District, the No. 3 best school district in Orange County. Three of its elementary schools are within walking distance of most neighborhood homes. A mix of mid-century modern and ranch-style homes line the streets of Rossmoor, with varying designs ranging from Spanish to Mediterranean, minimalist, modern and traditional brick residences. “The homes here are everything,” Tilley says. “The lots are much larger than the ones in most surrounding neighborhoods. If you’ve got five kids or want a five-bedroom home, you move to Rossmoor.” Well-kept backyards and gardens include private pools. Two-car garages and large driveways lead to clean streets and manicured sidewalks. Houses on the neighborhood's edge may back up to the brick partition surrounding it. Most of the homes in Rossmoor range between $1 million and $3 million. “It’s not often you see a listing here because Rossmoor is the endgame. People move here in their 40s and stick around,” Tilley says. “So, when someone does put a house on the market here it doesn’t last long.” Just nearby are The Shops at Rossmoor and the Old Ranch Town Center, with several familiar stores like Kohl’s, HomeGoods and Marshalls. The Center is also the location of Hof’s Hut Restaurant and Bakery, a long-time staple with homemade pies, cakes and homestyle American meals. Locals can run errands at the Ralph’s Fresh Fare grocery store or Sprouts Farmers Market. Enjoy artisanal chocolates at See’s Candies or frozen yogurt at Yogurtland Seal Beach. For an elegant northern Italian meal, locals go to Spaghettini Restaurant and Bar. Up the road on Los Alamitos Boulevard is the iconic Original Fish Co., a longtime seafood restaurant and fish market with patio seating. Within the neighborhood of Rossmoor are a few green spaces to explore. Rossmoor Park is a community hub for sports and gatherings with three ballfields, a set of tennis courts and a playground. Visitors can also spend warm days playing beach volleyball and basketball or picnicking next to the playground. Rush Park is the location of the Rossmoor Farmers Market, which is open on Thursday evenings. The park also has a playground surrounded by tall trees for playing during warm California days. Residents can cross the highway via East Willow Street to take advantage of El Dorado Park West, a massive green space with baseball fields, several tennis courts and a disc golf course. El Dorado Park is also the location of the neighborhood library and is across the street from the El Dorado Park Golf Course. Rossmoor students may attend schools within the highly-rated Los Alamitos Unified School District. All schools within the district are supported by the Los Alamitos Education Foundation (LAEF), which offers after-school programs like a Lego Academy, drawing and painting, soccer, tennis or musical theater. “You’re not getting a home here unless you want your kids to go to the schools,” Tilley says. “Everyone knows everyone through their kids and the community that the schools create.” Francis Hopkins Elementary School also offers its Huskies Read program to help students develop a love of reading and share their favorite books. Oak Middle School’s class electives include advanced art, journalism, yearbook and choir for different skill levels. Los Alamitos High School has dozens of clubs and after-school activities such as a creative writing club, Girls Who Code, a Japanese club and Junior Class Council. All four schools are graded an A-plus on Niche. Locals in Rossmoor are close to several attractions and neighboring cities. “You may not have everything on your doorstep, but if you don’t mind a 10-minute drive to Seal Beach, or over to Long Beach or even down to Huntington, Rossmoor is an amazing spot.” The city of Long Beach is about 9 miles away via East 7th Street, or locals can drive 5 miles south to Seal Beach Pier via Seal Beach Boulevard. The Long Beach Airport is 7 miles north via Interstate 405, and California State University Long Beach is just 4 miles west via Route 22.