Living in Vista del Mar, Long Beach, CA: Key Benefits
An established Long Beach neighborhood balancing affordability, schools, and community character.
About Vista del Mar in Long Beach
Vista del Mar sits as a solid mid-range neighborhood in Long Beach, offering families and established professionals a foothold in one of Southern California's most livable coastal cities. Additionally, with a median home price of $600,029 and strong schools like Los Cerritos Elementary (score: 73), the neighborhood attracts buyers seeking stability without the premium prices of Long Beach's beachfront enclaves. Moreover, the community reflects Long Beach itself: diverse, working professional, and increasingly educated, with 38.8% of residents holding bachelor's degrees and a median household income of $91,525. Daily life here balances suburban calm with urban convenience, supported by a transit score of 57 and an impressive bike score of 72.
Real Estate Market in Vista del Mar
| Median home price | $600k |
|---|---|
| Year over year change | Typically +2% to +4% annually, tracking with Long Beach trends |
| Price per sq ft | $520 to $580 |
| Median rent | $1,810 |
| Typical days on market | 18 to 24 days |
| Buyer competition | Moderate |
| Walk Score | 49 |
| Transit Score | 57 |
| Bike Score | 72 |
Additionally, vista del Mar's real estate market moves in steady rhythm with Long Beach's broader patterns. The neighborhood median of $600,029 sits meaningfully below the city-wide median of $709,700, making it a value play for Long Beach entry.
Properties in Vista del Mar tend to see reasonable competition without the feeding frenzy of coastal neighborhoods. Additionally, offers at list or 1% above are typical for solid properties. School proximity and turnkey condition move homes fastest here.
Who Thrives in Vista del Mar
Vista del Mar's $600k median and 59.1% owner-occupancy rate signal a buyer-friendly market ideal for first-time home purchase.
Additionally, with Los Cerritos Elementary and Intellectual Virtues Academy nearby, plus 23.5% of residents raising children, this neighborhood delivers schools and kid-focused amenities.
Additionally, solid rental demand at $1,810 median rent and long-term price appreciation align with long-hold rental strategies in established Long Beach.
Additionally, the neighborhood's 10.6% work-from-home rate is modest, but 72.5% car dependency and reasonable broadband access support flexibility.
Additionally, median age of 41.4 and proximity to medical facilities like College Medical Center and Memorial Family Medicine provide healthcare convenience and an established peer community.
Property Types in Vista del Mar
Additionally, the primary inventory type; most have been built post-1960 with modest footprints and updated systems.
More affordable entry point; commonly found near Los Cerritos Park corridor and transit stations.
Investor-held or owner-occupied income properties, popular for house-hackers and long-term rental strategies.
Living in Vista del Mar, Long Beach
Daily life in Vista del Mar centers on steady routines: morning coffee at Bixby Joe Coffee & Tea or Angel Food Donuts, shopping at the nearby Albertsons or Trader Joe's, and weekend bike rides on the neighborhood's impressive 72-point bike score. The Los Cerritos Park and Wrigley Greenbelt anchor outdoor recreation, drawing families and active professionals. Local food leans accessible: Alberito's Mexican Fresh Food and La Chiva serve neighborhood staples, while Target and The Home Depot handle household needs efficiently.
- La Chiva · 3 min walk
- Baskin-Robbins · 20 min walk
- Jack in the Box · 21 min walk
- Alberito's Mexican Fresh Food · 21 min walk
- Arby's · 22 min walk
- Angel Food Donuts · 23 min walk
- Starbucks · 28 min walk
- Starbucks · 29 min walk
- The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf · 31 min walk
- Bixby Joe Coffee & Tea · 33 min walk
- Los Cerritos Park · 14 min walk
- Wrigley Greenbelt · 15 min walk
- Veterans Memorial Park · 19 min walk
- Bixby Knolls National Park · 22 min walk
- Silverado Park · 23 min walk
- Albertsons · 25 min walk
- The Merchant · 28 min walk
- Grocery Outlet · 30 min walk
- Trader Joe's · 34 min walk
- KUBO Theatre and Community Center · 30 min walk
Annual events: Long Beach Jazz Festival (downtown), Long Beach Bike Fest, seasonal farmers markets near commercial corridors
Schools Near Vista del Mar, Long Beach
Additionally, vista del Mar's school ecosystem is a core strength, anchored by Los Cerritos Elementary (score: 73, grades K-5) and solid middle options including Intellectual Virtues Academy (score: 68, grades 6-8). These schools consistently rank among Long Beach's better-performing campuses and feed into established high school choices citywide.
Elementary Schools
School Score 73 with 71% math and 75% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 62.5 with 59% math and 66% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 59 with 60% math and 58% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 47.5 with 48% math and 47% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026Middle Schools
School Score 68 with 59% math and 77% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 57 with 53% math and 61% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 51.5 with 50% math and 53% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 44.5 with 43% math and 46% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026High Schools
School Score 30.5 with 21% math and 40% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 17.5 with 20% math and 15% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026Private Schools Nearby
- Pacific Baptist School (PK-12) — 3-minute walk
- Parkridge Private School (KG-12) — 15-minute walk
Feeder pattern: Elementary feeders typically route to Hughes Middle or Intellectual Virtues Academy before high school transitions; private options like Pacific Baptist School and Parkridge Private School serve choice-focused families.
Source: Proximitii 2026
Commute from Vista del Mar
Additionally, vista del Mar's location within Long Beach provides straightforward commutes to most neighborhood job centers and regional destinations. The area sits roughly 3 miles from downtown Long Beach and has direct access to the Wardlow transit corridor, though car dependency at 72.5% reflects typical Southern California patterns.
Additionally, the Wardlow Station and nearby bus stops (Wardlow & Magnolia, Magnolia & 32nd) offer local transit access with a score of 57; regional rail connections require downtown transfers.
Neighborhoods Near Vista del Mar
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Frequently Asked Questions about Vista del Mar
What is the average home price in Vista del Mar, Long Beach?
The median home price in Vista del Mar is approximately $600,029, which is notably lower than Long Beach's city median of $709,700. This price advantage makes the neighborhood attractive for first-time buyers and families seeking established Long Beach character without premium coastal pricing. Single-family homes typically range from $520,000 to $750,000, while condos and townhomes offer more affordable entry points between $400,000 and $600,000.
Is Vista del Mar a good place to live?
Vista del Mar offers strong fundamentals for Long Beach: quality schools, established community character, and a median household income of $91,525 that supports stable neighborhoods. The neighborhood balances urban convenience with suburban calm, supported by a transit score of 57 and an impressive bike score of 72. However, car dependency at 72.5% and a walk score of 49 mean most errands require driving or biking, which may not suit those seeking walkable urban cores.
Which schools serve Vista del Mar, Long Beach?
Los Cerritos Elementary (score: 73, grades K-5) is the primary elementary school and represents one of the neighborhood's strongest assets. Additionally, for middle school, Intellectual Virtues Academy (score: 68, grades 6-8) and Hughes Middle (score: 57, grades 6-8) serve the area. High school options include public campuses across Long Beach as well as private choices like Pacific Baptist School and Parkridge Private School, giving families flexibility in educational approach.
Is Vista del Mar a safe neighborhood?
Vista del Mar reflects Long Beach's improving safety profile in recent years, with property crime rates generally in line with city averages and steady community policing initiatives. The neighborhood's 37.5% married-couple households and strong school presence indicate family stability. As with all Long Beach neighborhoods, property security (locks, cameras, parking awareness) remains practical; discussing specific block safety with a local agent provides neighborhood-level insight.
Who should consider moving to Vista del Mar?
Vista del Mar suits first-time buyers drawn to established Long Beach, families prioritizing strong schools like Los Cerritos Elementary, and investors seeking stable rental demand at $1,810 median rent. The 23.5% of residents raising children and 38.8% with bachelor's degrees confirm a professional, family-oriented demographic. Remote workers may find the neighborhood quieter than downtown Long Beach, though it lacks the intense walkability of beachfront areas.
What amenities and shopping are near Vista del Mar?
Everyday shopping clusters around Albertsons and Trader Joe's for groceries, with Target and The Home Depot nearby for household goods. Additionally, food options span Alberito's Mexican Fresh Food, La Chiva, and casual chains. Coffee culture is supported by Bixby Joe Coffee & Tea and Angel Food Donuts. Recreation centers on Los Cerritos Park and Wrigley Greenbelt, while the KUBO Theatre and Community Center anchors fitness and cultural activity.
Where this Vista del Mar data comes from
Numbers throughout this guide come from public, authoritative sources. Additionally, walk and transit scores come from Walk Score, neighborhood boundaries and POI data from OpenStreetMap and Proximitii, and parent-city demographics from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Find Your Home in Vista del Mar
Additionally, connect with a local agent to explore available properties and understand how Vista del Mar fits your Long Beach home-buying goals.
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