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Long Beach Moving Information
Quick Facts
Founded in: 1888
Population: Approx. 493,000 people
Long Beach, California may be located only 20 miles away from Los Angeles, but unlike Mesa, AZ which is a large city that serves a suburb of Phoenix, Long Beach is anything but a suburb. With one of the world’s largest shipping ports, a developed oil industry and an abundance of manufacturing plants, there’s no question that Long Beach has carved a niche for itself in the business world. The cost of living in Long Beach is about 36% higher than the national average cost of living, but about 20% lower than living in Los Angeles. As a result, moving to Long Beach may be a good option for you if you want to enjoy city life without paying the highest city prices. (Keep in mind of course that due to an inadequate public transportation system, you will likely have to commute by car and face uncomfortable traffic patterns. Still, even people who commute from within Los Angeles itself are often forced to suffer through this congestion on a regular basis.) No matter why you’re moving to Long Beach, you’ll have a higher chance for success if you’re properly prepared for the transition. Here is some important information to make your Long Beach moving experience a good one.
Choosing Long Beach Movers
The California Moving & Storage Association is a great place to start if you want to compare several Long Beach moving companies (I recommend that you research at least three different Long Beach movers, though if you have time, it’s always a good idea to look for more). Remember to get all price quotes in writing so that you won’t end up with hidden charges or aggravating expenses. You should also be able to negotiate with all Long Beach movers by using different price quotes to ensure that you get the best deal. Remember that the cheapest price isn’t always the best option and that you’ll need to balance the quality of every Long Beach moving company with their cost. Most importantly, remember that many people are moving to Long Beach, especially during the summer months, so you should book your Long Beach movers early to ensure that you get the ones you want and that they’re available during the time that you want to move.
Living Expenses in Long Beach
If you’re moving to Long Beach from another big city, you’ll probably adapt well to the plethora of expenses that come with life in Long Beach. For starters, the cost of housing in Long Beach is extremely high as compared to cities outside of California. A 1-bedroom apartment costs an average of $1350/month, and a 3+ bedroom home costs an average of $2200/month. If you prefer to buy a home in Long Beach you can expect to pay an average price of $417,570. In addition, homeowners insurance in Long Beach costs an average of $710/month.
It goes without saying that if you move to Long Beach you’ll have to pay California taxes as well as your housing costs. California has a state sales tax of 8.25%, and Long Beach adds a local sales tax as well, for a total of 9.75%. Income tax is similarly high, with a range of 1% to 10.3% of your income. When negotiating your salary in Long Beach, make sure to take your living expenses and tax bracket into account so that you’ll make sure that you can live comfortably on your new salary.
Enjoying Long Beach’s Entertainment
In addition to having a substantial population and a diverse range of business opportunities, what gives Long Beach credibility as a large city is its multitude of entertainment venues which are unparalleled in cities of similar sizes. Although the city does not have its own professional sports teams, it does have a dizzying array of sporting opportunities, both for those who enjoy watching sporting events and for those who prefer to participate. Because of its strategic location on the waterfront, Long Beach is a godsend for those who enjoy wind surfing, parasailing, water skiing and surfing. Scuba diving and snorkeling are also available in the city. If you prefer dry-land activities, you can enjoy one of the city’s two skate parks, dozens of hiking and biking trails and public fields for team sports. Finally, the city has multiple college sports teams and is the host of the annual Long Beach Grand Prix.
Although it does not host any renowned theater or music groups on a consistent basis, Long Beach is proud of its local cultural opportunities which include regular concerts, plays and art exhibits. Small theaters abound in the city, making it a good option for up and coming performing artists who are looking for a springboard that may catapult them to the glitz of Hollywood, only a few miles away.
If you’re moving to Long Beach you can enjoy the comfort that you’ll never lack entertainment opportunities and that you’ll be able to entertain visiting family and friends in style. The city has about 300 restaurants and 44 upscale shopping centers and boutiques that may not be on your daily agenda but are certainly worth a peek if you’ve got a spare minute (or a few extra dollars).
Your Long Beach moving experience may be an expensive one, but it’ll also be extremely exciting. Keep your moving costs down by negotiating with different Long Beach movers, getting your quotes in writing and getting rid of anything that you don’t truly need before you move. With a proper understanding of what to expect upon arrival (and before as well), there’s no reason you can’t have a great life in Long Beach – I hope you get to stay there for a long, long time!