Established in 1911, Long Beach, California, hit the big time during the roaring '20s, when oil found on Signal Hill sent the city into a flurry of activity, as builders constructed commercial properties at a feverish pace. Hard times followed. In 1933, an earthquake struck Long Beach. City planners had to start fresh, and they did -- electing to rebuild much of the downtown sector in an eye-catching Art Deco style. Three years later, in 1936, it appeared that the good times had officially returned to Long Beach when additional oil was discovered, and the city expanded this sector of its economy. In the 1940s, a U.S. Naval base was established here and California State University at Long Beach was founded.

It wasn't long before the city found another boost for its local economy: tourism. In 1967, the city purchased the Queen Mary, a former luxury cruise ship, and docked the vessel in Long Beach Harbor to the delight of visitors -- as well as overnight guests (the ship was converted into a floating hotel). The Queen Mary celebrated its 30th anniversary in 1997. An estimated 4.5 million visitors come to Long Beach each year, pumping some $345 million directly into the local economy.

City planners have taken a proactive role in ensuring that Long Beach retains its widespread appeal. In 1975, Long Beach launched a multibillion-dollar redevelopment initiative scheduled to be completed in the year 2000. During the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games, Long Beach was selected as the site for four different events: yachting, archery, volleyball and fencing, which generated heightened interest in the city and its natural beauty. Other newsmaking projects currently under way in Long Beach include the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific, the largest aquatic facility in Southern California, and valued at $117 million. Construction on the 120,000 square-foot aquarium began in 1995. One year later, the city began constructing Rainbow Harbor, the highlight of a $650 million waterfront development project called Queensway Bay.

In addition to its meticulously planned redevelopment, this city of approximately 435,000 residents possesses many other positives that continue to bring in new businesses by the hordes. It's not a tough sell for prospective reloactors, because the city averages 345 days of sunshine per year. The lowest temperature you're likely to experience here is in the mid-40s, which means that if you like snow, Long Beach isn't the place for you. But if you love pleasantly warm days, you're in luck. High temperatures rarely creep above the low to mid-80s.

Located just 30 minutes from Los Angeles and offering 35 miles of coastline, Long Beach represents a comparatively quieter and perhaps less expensive option for Orange County commuters. Long Beach offers a mix of older, beachfront properties and new homes, many of them located within planned developments. Condominiums and townhomes are vital sectors of the residential housing stock, as well. Home prices can run high, depending upon location and amenities. But Long Beach is considered to have some of Southern California's most affordable housing. It's quite possible to find two- and even three-bedroom single-family homes here in the modest (by California standards) price range of the lower to mid-$100s. The diversity of housing stock and prices is what will strike any Long Beach newcomer. In fact, the city has quite a few homes priced under $100,000, and, of course, many homes priced in the $400s and above. This city truly has something for everyone.

Long Beach offers all of the convenience of Orange County without the congestion, pollution, crime and soaring home prices of nearby Los Angeles. Look for this city to continue to thrive well into the next century as Long Beach's economy keeps drawing new businesses like a magnet, and as more Orange County residents begin fleeing L.A. and its harried nearby suburbs for a comparatively more peaceful existence.

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Published: October 25, 1999

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