Long Beach, CA
Long Beach is a truly beautiful large city in Southern California with a small-town feel. It is the seventh largest city in the state, and with a variety of settings from the beach to downtown to suburbs to the college campus—there is a place for everybody! One of the greatest attractions to this area is the climate. With an average of only 21 rainy days per year, this sunny city feels like the Mediterranean!
It is located between Los Angeles and Orange County which makes it a great commuter location—only 30 minutes to Los Angeles by car! There are also various public transportation systems, offering easy access to Downtown Los Angeles, Cal State Long Beach, Belmont Shore, and more. Long Beach stretches 5.5 miles on the beach with beautiful shores and accessible parking lots. The city is also incredibly bicycle friendly, with more than 100 miles of bike routes and nearly 200 parks!
Throughout Long Beach, there are about 30 different neighborhoods, so finding the right fit is essential. As with most of California, Long Beach has a higher cost of living than the US average but can be made worth it due to everything this city offers. Being one of the most diverse places in California, there is something for absolutely everyone. Nearly every weekend there are new things to do and see!
Long Beach is filled with many attractions such as Cal State Long Beach, The Naples Canals, and The Queen Mary, a beautiful and famous ship from the early 1900s that doubles as a museum and event center. This beautiful city is not only an artistic hub, but also a tremendous food hub! There is a gigantic taco scene with some of the best, most authentic Mexican food in the US! There are plenty of museums, restaurants, and cafes to keep you occupied and full for years to come.
It is easy to see why Long Beach is such a booming place, this city certainly has it all! Moving to Southern California offers you a very sunny life, filled with good food and unique people. It is only 30 minutes away from all of the action in Los Angeles, which gives you space to breathe but still close enough to be inspired. As always, it is important to establish what you are comfortable spending on housing as well as where you want to work. The attractions and locations sell themselves—it is all around a great place to live. If you are moving within California, it is a fairly easy adjustment; if you are moving from out of state, get rid of your winter clothing and pack enough sunscreen!