Opening Doors – Blog for home buyers and sellers.
From Homescape
written by Laurie Manny on Tuesday, July 15, 2:22PM
Downsizing your home? Thinking about retirement? Looking for a city that offers a great lifestyle? Then you should consider downtown Long Beach, CA, for your retirement destination! So many people are downsizing and looking for new digs in a more urban environment. Today’s buyer wants to be able to walk to stores, coffee shops and entertainment. Where better to live than our very own downtown Long Beach area. With such a wide variety of choices there is housing available to appeal to almost any buyer’s palate.
Historic home styles
Long Beach’s downtown area has its very own historic district complete with early century Craftsman, Victorian-style homes, California bungalows and lovely Spanish style-abodes (Willmore City Historic District).
If you prefer a duplex or perhaps a stock co-op or maybe Own Your Own (OYOs are unique to the Long Beach real estate), the downtown area has price ranges from the very affordable to the super pricey.
I’d recommend checking out the landmark historic high-rise on the ocean that is just-to-die-for gorgeous. Have you seen the Villa Riviera lately? Just imagine retiring to one of these fabulous high-rises overlooking the water and soaking in the sun and soft ocean breeze. Both downtown Long Beach and Alamitos Beach have many high rise condos to suit just about every taste.
Relocating to Long Beach
Buyers who are thinking about relocating to Long Beach are usually curious about the social scene. Our little downtown is a thriving mecca of entertainment for all types and ages, we have a lil’ sumptin’ to entertain just about everyone here.
If you are feeling like a slug, you can sit outside of one of our many coffee shops or restaurants and just people watch or bring your laptop and tap into the downtown Wireless Hotzone network. Now that may sound pretty boring to some of you, but I assure you, our downtown is anything but boring.
Residents and visitors alike around here love sitting back and listening to some incredible jazz and blues music over at the Blue Cafe. If it happens to be a Tuesday afternoon, you can walk across the street to the farmers market and pick up some fresh fruit and veggies for dinner.
The East Village Arts District in downtown also hosts the Artwalk every month, where you can enjoy an evening of art, entertainment, food and wine.
If live theater is more your cup of tea, then Long Beach is the place to be. With venues like the Terrace, Garage and the Found Theatres, you won’t have to go far for your some excellent live shows. For some wholesome family activities, check out the Aquarium of the Pacific for Shark Lagoon Night. Visitors can reach out and pet one of over 150 sharks on exhibit. Aw geez, I just never had the nerve for this one, but my little niece and nephew shamed me by reaching in and stroking jaws!
Getting hungry yet? Downtown Long Beach is home to some of the finest restaurants on the West Coast. You’ll just have to work your way through them all to decide which are your favorites, but I’d recommend starting on Pine Avenue, which is home to some great eats.
Getting around
With gasoline prices skyrocketing now, most people are tired of blowing their fortune on the liquid gold to fill up their gas guzzlers. Transportation is easily available in and around the Long Beach area.
The Metro Blue Line will take you into downtown Los Angeles if you’re heading into the city for a Lakers game. The Long Beach Passport bus will transport you easily and quickly to most of Long Beach. For more exotic trips, hop on the Catalina Express ferry and spend the day in Avalon, 25 miles off of our shore.
Alamitos Beach is the neighboring community just outside of downtown. This swanky area is home to many Long Beach luxury high-rises directly on the beach. This is a wonderful place to live, and you’re still close to the downtown area. Currently, many of these condos are being used as rentals or vacation homes and are being held by their owners to accommodate future retirement plans.
If you’re downsizing your home and seeking an urban lifestyle, downtown Long Beach is a great choice.
Laurie Manny, Prudential California Realty
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