What Makes a Neighborhood one you want to live in and call home?
Let me introduce you to just some of the Long Beach communities that YOU may want to call home: Belmont Shore, Naples, The Peninsula, Belmont Heights, Alamitos Heights and Belmont Park and Bluff Park. There are many more Long Beach neighborhoods that meet much of this criteria, but we are starting here at the Beach.
There are core principles to making any neighborhood super desirable and we have them all. What are these core principles?
1. Mixed functions
Shops, offices and homes sit side-by-side in perfect harmony. This encourages a thriving environment and a true neighborhood feel.
Belmont Shore, the neighborhood, surrounds 2nd Street. One mile of 2nd Street is made up of amazing restaurants and shops: we have so much to choose from. The Shore offers a lifestyle unlike any other from fine dining cuisines to enjoy or a number of quick and easy taco joints or burger stands. We enjoy leisurely shopping in the number of gift stores from Long Beach local treasures to eclectic finds from all over the world. We also offer office spaces. Set up your business here and save the commute. The Shore, as the Locals call it, has Alamitos Bay at one end and runs up to the beach and Pacific Ocean where you can ride down the bike path leading from one end of town to the other. It also sits adjacent to a number of surrounding neighborhoods each with their own unique personalities: These are made up of Naples, The Peninsula, Belmont Heights or Alamitos Heights and even Bluff Park.
2. Walkability
Almost everything is accessible within 10-15 minutes. The neighborhoods that surround our mixed function areas are welcoming and favorites among both the residents, visitors and people looking to move to Long Beach. Walk to dinner. Walk your kids to school or to the parks. Walk to the beach. Walk to the grocery store or the Farmers Markets. I like to think of it as a “Stay-ca-tion” kind of lifestyle. Park your car on Friday when you come home from work and you really don’t need to get back in it until you return on Monday morning.
3. Lifestyle
This seems to be what we are most known for. Come for the beaches only to discover so much more. Want to try a Yoga class while you take in the smells of the ocean? There is one offered in the park overlooking the Pacific. Want to ride your bike from one end of our beach to our downtown Shoreline Village? No problem. Watch sailboat races coming from one of our two world class yacht clubs. Running, fitness, a dog beach… we have it. Have you ever tried kitesurfing? Or you can just sit and enjoy a sunset as you look out at the Pacific ocean. We offer parks. Alamitos Bay is a water park in itself inviting sailing, paddle boarding, swimming, Gondola rides, and so much more. And, did we mention the “foodie” culture here? OMG, the cuisine has been taken to a whole new level.
All of this being said, the best part of the lifestyle is the people. The vibe is relaxed. People are engaging. There is a fun factor. Why wouldn’t there be when the sun is shining more often than not while the residence and the guests are enjoying the lifestyle and the weather supports it. We have it all for you!
4. Architecture
Attractive local architecture, not a generic style that could be anywhere, using local materials and craftsmanship, with appealing landscaping and diversity, in addition to architecture that has a worldly influence.
May it be a Craftsman from the 1920s, a Spanish style home, something Modern or anything in between, Long Beach has so much character to its architecture. Famous Architects have chosen to design and build right here in our great City. With so many communities in our big City, each having their own unique personality, we seem to have a place for everyone.
And my final core value for today is Point # 5.
5. Affordability
For a Southern California Beach community, the housing is affordable. If you went north to the South Bay or South to Orange County, the prices for the same style of properties would far exceed the prices we have here in Long Beach.
For all of these reasons and more, we not only make for a great place to call home, but also a reason why so many have chosen to have a second beach retreat here. This was true for my own family. My grandparents had their primary residence close to Los Angeles and would come to Alamitos Bay on the weekends. At one point they decided to call the Bay their year round home. The lifestyle and the great people lured them in and there was no turning back. We are now a 4th generation family here and still loving it.
Live the Long Beach Lifestyle!