Long Beach's relationship to LA

[mikey001]

I just got back from a day trip to Long Beach and it got me thinking about how Long Beach fits into the greater LA area. In general, is Long Beach considered to be a part of LA or do people look at it as a separate entity? Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Culver City, and Beverly Hills are all their own cities, but for the most part, seem to be thought of as being parts of Los Angeles.

Long Beach doesn't seem to be quite the same. I don't know if anyone else understands this, but it just feels different down there in my opinion. It feels like you're someplace else, in a totally different city and area other than LA.

[CarsonCaliBrotha]

Long Beach feels a bit more urban than LA. I don't know, for me, it feels like Santa Monica meets Brooklyn. And feels a hell of a lot more relaxing taking the train down there. It has a whole different vibe from LA, probably because it's closer to the beach and is a lot more urban as mentioned.

[VZN]

Long Beach is interesting because it really does have it's own identity, culture and sphere of influence that's vastly different from Los Angeles. I'm from there and whenever I wear an L.A. Dodgers cap down there a few of my family members constantly tell me to take the hat off and put on one of these:



The pride and identity down there is pretty deep. YET! At the same time everyone down there realizes that they're part of the L.A. metropolis at well, but they're not just any other area in L.A., they're Long Beach. It's similar to how Brooklyn has a strong identity in NYC, but they're still very much a part of the city. That's just IMO.

[Westsidelife]

Long Beach is the Oakland of Los Angeles.

[djm19]

Frankly the geography has always felt to me as just another extension of los angeles. Just like downtown is different from venice, which is different from northridge, which is different from south la. They all have a different feel, but are all los angeles. When you have it in your mind that all parts of los angeles can have at least a subtle change in feel, long beach being a seperate city is sort of an after thought. Dont tell anybody and they might still think its LA. But thats just my opinion.

[klamedia]

Taking the Blue Line to LB as opposed to driving really drives home the fact that you are in another city. It doesn't feel more urban at all in fact quite the opposite, I feel like I am in an lesser gritty urban but urban nonetheless beach city. Riding in along LB Blvd to downtown feels sort of European w/ the street running sections. Though I would say riding into downtown LB everything feels closer and and more well organized than LA city downtown.

[krudmonk]

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

Long Beach is the Oakland of Los Angeles.

So then Long Beach avoids association with LA at all times?

[ChrisLA]

Originally Posted by CarsonCaliBrotha

Long Beach feels a bit more urban than LA. I don't know, for me, it feels like Santa Monica meets Brooklyn. And feels a hell of a lot more relaxing taking the train down there. It has a whole different vibe from LA, probably because it's closer to the beach and is a lot more urban as mentioned.

I'm with klamedia on this one, Long Beach does not feel as urban as Los Angeles. I grew up in the city of LA and now resides in Long Beach. When I go into LA, it feels more congested, and much more fast paced than LBC.

I think because its a lot smaller that it feels more compact and denser. But overall LA has many more denser neighborhoods, and has a much more big megacity feel than Long Beach will ever have.

One thing for sure the LBC has a somewhat different vibe and feel than LA. To me its almost an east coast (but not quite) vibe, with a twist of southern california mixed in. People in Long Beach is well aware of its bigger sister, but a good number of residents also see LA as kind of foreign and not real familar, other than like the rest of the country.

[lawmann]

Originally Posted by CarsonCaliBrotha

Long Beach feels a bit more urban than LA. I don't know, for me, it feels like Santa Monica meets Brooklyn. And feels a hell of a lot more relaxing taking the train down there. It has a whole different vibe from LA, probably because it's closer to the beach and is a lot more urban as mentioned.

Only Downtown L.B. feels a little urban compared to the rest of L.B. but it feels artificial urban to me since most of the Downtown buildings are new. I call it the sterile Downtown. The rest of L.B. has that bedroom community feel.

[klamedia]

I like LBC alot actually. It still floors me that the Long Beach is as big as Austin, TX and is considered just another city in this megalopolis. People mention Glendale, Anaheim, San Bernadino and Long Beach without blinking......in any other state in any other metro area these places would have football teams and their own tv stations and quite possibly even be their own metro area+

+I do understand that SB is now considered its own metro area.

[jrs847]

I just noticed this thread and thought I would throw out an article I wrote a few months ago for Planetizen on this very topic:

Black-Tie Optional: 'Stepsister' Cities Flourish in the Shadows
http://www.planetizen.com/node/30749

[Kenny]

I just moved to Long Beach a year ago, I'm still getting used to it. I agree with Westsidelife, Long Beach is to the Greater L.A. area what Oakland is to the Bay Area.
I grew up in Hollywood, then Downey.

LB only agrees with LA on the Lakers, and absolutely nothing else.

When asked abroad, I have heard folks from Long Beach refer themselves as being from "LA", I guess it's easier, in the big picture.

I still say I'm from Los Angeles, always.

[milquetoast]

Welcome, Mr. Stephens. Nice article on intercity relations.

Statistical areas for statistical purposes have always pissed me off, because it breeds the kind of neglect that meaningful cities will suffer; that of being overlooked, replaced or having never existed at all.

Come back anytime! The crew here on SkyScraper are refulgent indeed, and cast long shadows

[ChrisLA]

Originally Posted by Kenni

When asked abroad, I have heard folks from Long Beach refer themselves as being from "LA", I guess it's easier, in the big picture.

I still say I'm from Los Angeles, always.

Yes I think most people in the LA area says that. I usually do as well, but when someone wants to know exactly what part of LA, then I usually tell them Long Beach. I also find that most people know of Long Beach, but its usually due to a few famous rap artist (btw I actually seen Snoop Dogg along with a bunch of security here at the central Library last Friday). If they only know that is such a small part of this city make up.

[Fern~Fern*]

I also need some assistance in regards to the LBC???

There's a possibility that I would be moving to this City in about a month or so. Y question is, I've been to LBC hundreds of times but now to live is a big step. What's the deal and any insiders from the locals I should know.

I haven't gone to the apartment, yes an apartment (what am I thinking) but I'm going to be a sport and make it work. The street is 35 Linden Ave LBC. 90802. Is this the hood???

[milquetoast]

OMG 35 Linden?

OMG, in the LBC?

Say hi ta Snoop for me, IS THAT THE HOOD?

No. ... haven't been there, pfff

Street level shows me what you can't afford, unless you're rich.

At least McCain middle class.

[ChrisLA]

I know where Linden is, and from what I can tell its does not look like the hood. At that address you are close to Ocean Avenue (the beach) so the closer you are the the waterfront the better. I think that maybe considered part of the East Village, and there are a lot of gays, and most likely hipsters as well. Its very much a young crowd around that area.

BTW I did see Snoop at the Long Beach central library last Friday. I guess he was there for some kind of conference with the city.

[Fern~Fern*]

Originally Posted by ChrisLA

I know where Linden is, and from what I can tell its does not look like the hood. At that address you are close to Ocean Avenue (the beach) so the closer you are the the waterfront the better. I think that maybe considered part of the East Village, and there are a lot of gays, and most likely hipsters as well. Its very much a young crowd around that area.

BTW I did see Snoop at the Long Beach central libary last Friday. I guess he was there for some kind of conference with the city.

Hey Chris...

Thanks for the info since your an LBC resident, so this is not the hood!!!! That makes me feel a lot better and safe if any. as far as picking the East Village, I am actually moving in with my buddy and his bitch. You know, cheap rent and not a lot of maintenance. Besides he's actually buying a condo in that building and he wants me to move in. (Party Time)*

BTW, I would not feel too comfortable living in an all Gay hood. My Parents and Priest (Roman Catholic) would just totally flip just for being there! Besides that's not my lifestyle...

[ChrisLA]

lol

Yeah its not my lifestyle either, but I'm also not homophobic, and I mind my own business too. Anyway not to worry its not West Hollywood or anything. Just stay away from the Broadway corridor thats more gay central, but you'll be alright. (lol).

[lawmann]

When I lived in the Bay Area I met many people from around the country as my job required it and sometimes I was asked where I was from originally and I tell them Los Angeles and they would mention the Queen Mary as if it was really in Los Angeles. Of course I was always asked about Disneyland too.