Renting in Long Beach?

DH and I are planning on moving out of NYC this February when our lease is up. We're about another year away from buying a house in terms of savings, and want to get out of the city, buy a car, and live by the beach. Does anyone rent in Long Beach? Do you like living there? Do you commute into NYC and can you tell me how it is? Any buildings you can reccommend us looking into? I'd like an apartment building with laundry and parking, but am open to anything at this point.

Any info is greatly appreciated!

TIA!

Re: Renting in Long Beach?

hey there,

FH and I rented in Long beach for 2 years. It was a great experience, we had an oceanfront 1 bedroom 1.5 bath apartment that overlooked the boardwalk. The view was spectacular and my Dad said it was like being on vacation everyday. We had 1 garage spot, plus unlimted parking in the parking lot. There were 2 pools and a hot tub with a private gated entrance onto the boardwalk. Also a 24/7 doorman and they installed new video surveillance too. The building was mostly older people who own, but some owners sublet their units to renters. If you want more info let me know!!!

The train to manhattan is an hour. long beach is the last stop. I took it a few times. our apartment had a piggy back washer/dryer in it, wich is very rare i have heard when you are renting, we also had a dishwasher and nice size kitchen. Our bedroom was very large, with 3 closets and a large bathroom attached to the bedroom. Plus by the entrance way there was a half bath for guests wich i really loved.

Re: Renting in Long Beach?

We have been renting the ground floor of a house in LB for almost 6 years. Hopefully by this time next year, we'll be moving out and into our own house!

A few things we like about LB:

The community feel, the restaurants, our deli, proximity to the water & beach, boardwalk, that it's not someplace you go through to get somewhere else, garbage pickup takes EVERYTHING, even furniture!, being surrounded by water, great summer feel.

A few things we don't like about LB:

The amount of time it takes to drive back and forth to work, the pavement on the side roads are terrible, parking in summer is atrocious (thank God we have a driveway), traffic in summer is bad too, rents & house prices are inflated, planes constantly flying overhead.

That said, we love it there.

I'm afraid I don't know which buildings are good, bad or indifferent. I refused to live in an apt building, had to have a house. We have a washer/dryer at our disposal too, which is great. We found our place through Ellie Hannon Realty - she's in the west end. That's another thing - the West End is much different than where we are. Houses are very close together, parking is impossible, but it's a really young, fun area with a lot of restaurants and bars.

DH commuted to the city for many years, and he's spoiled only having an hour commute. When we move out east, unless we can get an express, that will change!

Ask or FM me for anything else I might have forgotten, I'd be glad to help.

Message edited 11/7/2006 12:36:06 PM.

Re: Renting in Long Beach?

I just moved from Long beach

I had an ocean front Junior 4 - 3 blocks from the boardwalk with pool, private beach and doorman

we loved living there- but we had no parking spot- we felt like prisoners

I wouldn't live there with out a parking spot

and it was 20 minutes just to get on the southern state which starts to wear on you after a while

I had moved from the city - so it was a nice transition

I lived in executive towers- you can get 1 parking spot in the garage there- for $300 a month- which is why I didn't have one

Message edited 11/7/2006 1:14:49 PM.

Re: Renting in Long Beach?

Re: Renting in Long Beach?

i rent in LB and have for the past 5 years. I rent an apt in a house... I love Long Beach- the beach is a half a block away, the boardwalk, the walks, the atmosphere... its awesome..


I absolutely HATE the parking sometimes, the commute out of LB- takes at least 20 min from West ENd to East End with lights....

but overall love it...


I dont commute to city but my sister does and she hates it.. LONG AZZ commute in train... it is the last stop....

Re: Renting in Long Beach?

Thanks for all the info ladies. I think the best thing for DH and I to do is to head out there and see what's up.

KDelace, the trains to NYC from Long Beach look like they're only an hour, a commute I'm used to doing since I used to live in Babylon. Does your sister mention a lot of service delays on that branch?

Also, which do you all like better, the East End or the West End?