What Sets Long Beach Property Apart From Other Beach Cities?

Dustin Edwards • January 15, 2024

Many people see beach cities as great investment opportunities for their real estate portfolio. They typically yield higher income and rarely lose their value. However, the initial cost to invest in these properties is usually higher than properties further away from the beaches. Long Beach CA is often seen as a great entry point for real estate in a beach city due to the lower costs.


In this article, we’ll go over what sets Long Beach apart from other beach cities and why investing in a rental property in Long Beach may be beneficial.


A Range of Neighborhoods

For investors, Long Beach CA has a variety of different types of properties in a number of different neighborhoods. For investors looking to begin building their portfolio, Long Beach offers many entry-level and economical options for rental properties. This includes single-family homes, duplexes, or homes with accessory dwelling units (ADUs). These are all great options for first-time landlords looking to enter the real estate business.


For
veteran investors, Long Beach offers more exclusive property options as well. Such as luxury rentals, beachfront properties, and upscale condominiums. This includes premium neighborhoods such as Belmont Shore and Rancho Estates.


Long Beach boasts a variety of neighborhoods, each with its unique character and charm. From the historic homes of Belmont Heights to the urban vibe of Downtown, there's something for everyone.


Tourism Industry

Many locations attract tourists to Long Beach, including several museums, event venues, the Queen Mary, and others. This means there is a high and diverse demand for rentals. For those investors looking for steady income, prospects looking for homes near where they work are great options for long-term rentals. 


Short-term rentals for those tourists are also a viable option for income. Short-term rentals require more input and maintenance and target a different demographic of potential tenants. While these properties may yield a higher income. You should keep a few factors in mind with short-term rentals. Tourism is often seasonal, and it's not uncommon for businesses to slow down during the colder months. In Long Beach, ADUs cannot be listed as short-term rentals, meaning there are limitations on who can take advantage of that market.

 


Centralized Location

Long Beach's vast coastline includes an amazing blend of events and beach activities. This, on its own, sets Long Beach apart from other beach cities. All of which can be used as a selling point when finding potential tenants. Although unique to Long Beach is its location in Southern California. It is located near Orange County and the heart of Los Angeles. This makes Long Beach a great location for people looking to be away from a major city like LA while still living in a vibrant city.


This location also makes Long Beach an “affordable” beach city when compared to the real estate market in other beach cities like Malibu or La Jolla.


Natural Green Spaces

While being a thriving urban city, Long Beach highly values green areas. Parks like El Dorado and Heartwell Park offer residents considerable natural greenery. El Dorado East Regional Park is a large 400-acre park with many amenities. Though it has a small fee to enter, El Dorado East is loaded with outdoor activities, including two fishing lakes and an archer range.  On the other hand, Heartwell Park is a large, over 100-acre linear park. Its length makes it a popular destination for people looking to stay healthy with a long walk or jog.


These areas give potential tenants the motivation to move to Long Beach. While providing many beautiful reasons to stay.


Owning rental properties in a beach city is often seen as a smart investment because of the opportunities it provides to investors. Long Beach is a great entry to owning beach city rentals while providing ample space to grow your portfolio. If you are looking for help managing your beach city rental properties, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our
Owner Application online.

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By Dustin Edwards June 6, 2025
With the real estate market as competitive as it is, many landlords are looking into building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or Jr. ADU to improve their bottom line with additional monthly income. While this is a great way to earn more, you need to be sure you’re investing in the right upgrade to your property. Below are some of the key differences between ADUs and Jr. ADUs; this way, you can make the right decision for your property. Differences between Junior ADUs and ADUs On the surface, the primary difference between an ADU and a Jr. ADU is the square footage. However, there are many considerations for each type of ADU , significant differences include costs and build limitations. ADUs are generally seen as a larger and more versatile build when compared to a Jr. ADU. They can be built detached from the main home, converting an existing structure, most commonly the garage. In Long Beach, an ADU can be up to 800 square feet or 50% of the gross floor area of the primary dwelling, whichever is smaller. For reference, an 800 sqft living space can be arranged as a 2-bedroom 1-bath home, though with creative use of the space, many investors have been able to fit 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms comfortably. If listing the ADU for rent is the goal, this can produce a higher yield, though at the cost of a higher initial investment. Jr. ADU, on the other hand, can only be a maximum of 500 sqft and must be built attached to the existing single-family home. While you can build an entire new addition to accommodate the Jr. ADU, it's not uncommon for homeowners whose homes are bigger than they need to convert a bedroom into a Jr. ADU in order to have additional income . A Jr. ADU does still require an efficient kitchen. Bathrooms can be shared with the main house, though this can deter some prospective tenants. Additionally, the utilities are oftentimes shared with the main house, which can simplify installation, though it can complicate utility costs with your tenant. When an ADU is Right Being able to build a full ADU provides an entirely separate and private living space, which is more desirable to prospecting tenants. This is the preferred choice for most investors, especially those who have unused space in their property. By being built apart from the main house, an ADU may cause less disturbance to those living in the main house, whether that be yourself or another tenant. In Long Beach, CA. ADUs can’t be listed as short-term rentals on apps like Airbnb; that being said, an ADU can command more in rent because of the aforementioned features. If you’re looking for a long-term investment, ADUs increase your property’s value while generating a consistent cash flow. Finally, if you ever plan on selling your rental property, the additional ADU can improve the appeal of your property to future buyers. When a Jr. ADU is Right While a Jr. ADU doesn’t have the same potential as a full-sized ADU, Jr. ADUs are far more budget-friendly. These are a great option for investors who have limited funds. Since Jr. ADUs generally require less work to be done in less time, allowing you to begin making a return sooner. Finally, if your property doesn’t qualify for a full-sized ADU permit due to the size of the property lot, a Jr. ADU can be built primarily through interior work, which may only require reconfiguring existing interior space. Whether you choose a full-sized ADU or a Jr. ADU, the decision depends on more than just the size of the structure, you’ll have to manage filling the vacancy and managing the new tenant. If you need help choosing which ADU is right for you or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
By Dustin Edwards May 30, 2025
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