Main Content
Long Beach From My POV
Long Beach has always had its own thing going on, and I respect that about it. It doesn’t try to be LA—it’s very much its own city, with a waterfront, its own skyline, its own neighborhoods, and a local pride you feel immediately when you spend time there. I’ve worked with clients who chose Long Beach specifically because it wasn’t like everywhere else on the map, and they’ve never looked back. The diversity here—in people, in architecture, in food—is genuinely one of its greatest assets.
What I Love About Long Beach
Belmont Shore is one of the most charming walkable neighborhoods in Southern California—good restaurants, local shops, and a beach town feel without the Santa Monica price tag. Naples Island, with its canals and bridges, surprises almost every client I take there for the first time. The arts scene downtown is real and growing. The port gives the city an industrial edge that actually adds character rather than detracting from it. And the price points across most Long Beach neighborhoods offer real value compared to the rest of coastal LA.
Life in Long Beach
Living in Long Beach means having access to a complete city—not just a neighborhood. You’ve got the waterfront, major hospitals, a big university, cultural institutions, diverse dining, and solid transit options including the Metro A Line. The 710, 405, and 605 freeways connect you to the broader region, though commuting north toward DTLA or the Westside takes commitment. For clients who work locally or remotely, Long Beach offers a lifestyle that’s coastal, affordable (relatively speaking), and full of character.
Featured Neighborhoods
Long Beach Stats
-
~$950KSingle-Family Median
-
~$530K2BR Condo Median
-
~59Average Days on Market
Featured Listings
View All Listings
My Top Picks
After 20 years of living and selling homes in LA, I’ve built a pretty solid rotation of go-to spots in West LA. These are the places I actually send clients to—and where you’ll probably run into me when I’m not showing houses.
Stereoscope
One of the best specialty coffee operations in the entire South Bay, with their original home in Belmont Shore. Serious about sourcing and craft, but never snobby about it. Worth a drive from anywhere on the east side of the 405.
Aroma di Roma
An Italian-style coffeehouse on 2nd Street with real espresso, pastries, panini, gelato, and a patio that works any time of year. Exactly the vibe you want in Belmont Shore.
Belmont Brewing Company
Right on the water in Belmont Shore with a deck that looks straight out at the ocean. Their house beers are solid and the food is exactly right for a post-beach afternoon. Clients who visit always come back.
Nick’s on 2nd
A Belmont Shore staple with a great patio, reliable food, and the comfortable energy of a neighborhood restaurant that’s been well-run for years. Always busy, always worth it.
Roe Seafood
Chef-driven coastal cuisine with a strong commitment to sustainable sourcing. Creative seasonal menu, excellent execution. One of those places that makes Long Beach feel like a real dining destination.
Sheldrake Coffee Roasting
A neighborhood gem on 2nd Street with a patio and prices that feel refreshingly fair for the quality. The kind of low-key local spot that Belmont Shore residents treat like a well-kept secret.