Apartments for Rent in Long Beach, CA under $700 – 13 Rentals available

Renter's Guide to Long Beach

Long Beach, CA is Los Angeles County’s second largest city (after Los Angeles) and also one of the busiest ports in the world. It is located 22 miles of Downtown Los Angeles, along the southwestern edge of Los Angeles County. Long Beach is 32.3 miles from Santa Monica and 29.9 miles to Hollywood. San Francisco to Long Beach is 353 miles, close enough for a long weekend getaway.

Weather in Long Beach California is uniformly pleasant for most of the year - after all, it is a coastal Los Angeles city with a Mediterranean climate. The average high for August is 84°F and the average lows for winter are around 46°F. Because it’s located east of the Palos Verdes peninsula, it has a unique weather pattern that makes it have less moisture. Fog in the morning, however, is a common occurrence.

Cost of Living in Long Beach, CA

Long Beach is served by Long Beach Transit, which include buses, water taxis, and a ride sharing program called Dial-A-Lyft. Bus fares are $1.25 one way. For commuters going to Los Angeles there’s the Metro Blue Line and those traveling to and from Catalina Island can take the Catalina Express. The red Passport bus links all the major attractions (like the Queen Mary and the Long Beach Convention Center) for free.

Restaurants in Long Beach, California are often overlooked and underrated, with an eclectic variety of ethnic foods abundant. A meal for two in a mid-priced restaurant will cost around $47.50, substantially lower than Los Angeles City’s average. You can of course always get by with a meal at any number of fast food restaurants for around $7, but why would you?

Thanks to the relatively mild weather, utilities for an average 915 sq ft apartment run just $105 per month, which includes heat and trash.

Living in Long Beach

If you like a big city feel while still living near the beach, Long Beach may be the perfect mix. There is an eclectic community of artists and musicians who call the area their home. Long Beach has an excellent inexpensive transportation system and also has been voted one of the U.S.’s most walkable cities.

However, The LBC (as it is referred to by locals) also has its downside, particularly its high crime rate. Pollution from the industrial areas are also a problem. For better or for worse, you can feel very separated from the rest of L.A. particularly because of the commute.

Long Beach is considered one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the United States. It is largely Hispanic, with many people of Mexican heritage. There is a significant Asian population (around 13%) particularly from Cambodia, and an equal number of African Americans.

Things to do in Long Beach

There are many things to do in Long Beach, especially if you love the ocean. For families there’s the Aquarium of the Pacific, which has 1.5 million visitors per year. The lush iconic ocean liner Queen Mary is perfect for tourists, particularly around Halloween.

Los Compadres Long Beach is an inexpensive Mexican restaurant, very popular with locals. Those out for more exotic fare can try flavorful Trinidadian food at Callaloo Caribbean Kitchen. For a romantic night out, the Sky Room is considered one of the most elegant restaurants in the area. If you like stand-up, the Laugh Factory is sure to hit the spot.

Free things to do in Long Beach, California include the ocean waterfront and El Dorado East Regional Park; the first Friday of every month, the Long Beach Museum of Art is also free. And much to the joy of teenagers - and the worry of their parents - there are two free skate parks in the area. Dog lovers have Rosie’s Dog Beach, the only off-leash beach in all of LA County. (Pet friendly hotels in Long Beach are also nearby.) For a relatively small fee, you can take the whole family out whale watching on one of the area’s popular cruise lines.

If you are looking for the ultimate shopping experience, visit Shoreline Village, which has great views of the harbor and lighthouse. Or, visit the Pike Outlets, which is located near the Aquarium and also has Cinemark on the Pike, a great place to see first-run movies.

There are no major sporting franchises in Long Beach, but there are still college sports at CSU Long Beach, including the 49rs baseball team who have been playing ball there since 1954. Every year, Long Beach hosts the Long Beach Grand Prix, a legal auto race that is the city’s biggest annual event. The Long Beach Marathon in October is internationally known and respected, and many runners use it to qualify for Boston.

Other unique and fun annual events include the Long Beach Funk Fest (various), the Pirate Invasion (July), and the ZombieFest (October).

Employment and Economy in Long Beach

Long Beach is a port city, and its docks serve an essential economic factor in the region. Because of the boom in imports and exports, it continues to attract job seekers. Health and education are also important sectors with Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and CSU Long Beach being amongst the top employers.

Education in Long Beach

Long Beach, California is served by the Long Beach Unified School District, also the area’s largest employer; LAUSD, Paramount, and ABC Unified also have schools in Long Beach. Cal State Long Beach has over 35,000 students and is home to the largest Physics Department in the state.

Long Beach City College (aka LBCC) is a popular community college that offers a Commercial Music Program with many alumni going on to work in the industry.

Tips for Renting in Long Beach

Long Beach, California does not have rent control, so a landlord can raise the rent 10% or less with just a 30-day notice. Housing Long Beach, a non-profit, is a vocal advocate for renters in the area, and are trying to make renting more affordable.

Because of its relatively lower cost to Los Angeles City as well as being its own art and music hub, Long Beach is a very competitive rental market. When you make an appointment to see an apartment or house for rent in Long Beach, be sure to make a good first impression – don’t be late and fill out your rental form beforehand if possible. But don’t get your leads from Long Beach Craigslist, stay right here on RENTCafé.com to find the best apartments in the hottest neighborhoods.