CSULB Off Campus Housing: Finding Rentals Near Cal State Long Beach

Long Beach, California offers an exciting and relatively affordable option for Southern California student housing, and CSULB off campus housing near California State University Long Beach gives students access to a dynamic coastal city at prices well below comparable LA markets. If you're ready to start your search, you can Find off-campus housing near California State University Long Beach to browse current listings.

Why Students Choose CSULB Off-Campus Housing

Cal State Long Beach is one of California's largest universities, with over 38,000 students. The campus sits at the eastern edge of Long Beach, and the surrounding neighborhoods have developed a thriving student rental market that extends from the immediate campus area through much of central and north Long Beach.

Most CSULB students live off campus—the university has limited on-campus housing capacity, and the surrounding rental market has grown specifically to serve student needs with apartment complexes, shared houses, and a range of price points to match diverse student budgets.

Long Beach's unique position—a coastal city with port industry, arts culture, and diverse neighborhoods—gives CSULB students a rich urban experience that goes well beyond what a typical campus town offers.

Best Neighborhoods for CSULB Students

The areas immediately surrounding CSULB's campus—particularly the streets north and west of campus along Clark Avenue, E. Anaheim Street, and E. 7th Street—are the most walkable to class buildings and campus services. Apartments and houses in this area fill quickly at the start of each rental season.

Bixby Knolls, north of campus, is a charming neighborhood with a strong community identity, excellent local dining along Atlantic Avenue, and a mix of apartment buildings and rental houses that attract upperclassmen and graduate students.

Belmont Shore and Belmont Heights, southwest of campus near the ocean, offer beach-adjacent living in one of Long Beach's most desirable neighborhoods. The tradeoff is higher rent and a bus or bike commute to campus.

Signal Hill, just west of campus, provides elevated views and slightly lower rents than Belmont Shore, with good access to campus via nearby bus routes. To see what's available, Find off-campus housing near California State University Long Beach and filter by your budget and move-in date.

Pricing and Budget for CSULB Off Campus Housing

Long Beach offers meaningfully better rental value than nearby markets in LA proper, making CSULB an attractive choice for budget-conscious California students. One-bedroom apartments near campus run $1,500–$2,000 per month. Shared two-bedroom units run $1,800–$2,600 total.

Shared living dramatically improves per-person affordability. CSULB students sharing three-bedroom apartments typically pay $900–$1,300 per person per month—very competitive for coastal Southern California.

Long Beach's utility costs are moderate—electricity for cooling in summer is the primary expense, as the coastal marine layer keeps temperatures from reaching Phoenix-level heat. Budget $60–$100 per person per month for utilities.

Long Beach is served by Metro and Long Beach Transit bus networks. Students who embrace transit can eliminate car-related housing costs (parking is often $75–$150/month extra in apartments that don't include it).

Types of Housing Near CSULB

Long Beach has a diverse rental stock that includes classic California courtyard apartments, newer stucco complexes, historic bungalows converted to rentals, and townhomes in several neighborhoods.

Single-family rental houses are abundant in Long Beach's residential streets. For groups of 3–5 CSULB students, sharing a house near campus can be the most cost-effective and space-efficient housing arrangement available.

Studio apartments near CSULB campus typically start at $1,400–$1,700 per month. While more expensive than sharing, studios offer complete privacy and independence that many students prioritize.

Garden apartments—the classic California apartment complex with landscaped courtyards—are especially common in Long Beach and offer a pleasant mid-century California living aesthetic that many students enjoy.

Getting Around Long Beach as a CSULB Student

CSULB is served by Long Beach Transit (LBT) and Metro buses. The university also operates a free Beachbus shuttle connecting campus to several off-campus areas and transit hubs. Students with an active CSULB ID receive discounted transit passes.

Long Beach has a growing bike infrastructure with protected lanes in several corridors. The relatively flat terrain makes biking realistic, and the Beach Cities Health District's bike-share program provides an option for students who don't own bikes.

The Metro A Line (Blue Line) runs through Long Beach, connecting to the broader LA Metro network. CSULB students with internships or activities in downtown LA or other Metro-accessible areas can reach them car-free.

Driving in Long Beach is common but comes with parking costs. On-campus permits are available through CSULB Parking and Transportation. Off-campus street parking varies by neighborhood—some areas near campus have permit-restricted parking programs.

Long Beach Off-Campus Student Life

Long Beach is one of California's most underrated cities for student quality of life. The city's 5+ miles of beaches, diverse restaurant scene, and robust arts culture (including the MOLAA, the Long Beach Museum of Art, and a thriving music venue scene) make off-campus living genuinely exciting.

The Retro Row neighborhood along 4th Street—lined with vintage shops, independent restaurants, and quirky businesses—is a favorite destination for CSULB students seeking the authentic Long Beach character that distinguishes the city from its larger LA neighbors.

Long Beach's waterfront—from Belmont Shore to Shoreline Village to Alamitos Beach—provides excellent recreation opportunities year-round. Students living near campus quickly discover that a 15-minute bike ride puts them at the beach.

The city's diversity is genuine and reflected in its food scene, neighborhoods, and community events. Long Beach's annual events, including the Grand Prix, Pride Festival, and various neighborhood street fairs, add to a vibrant calendar of off-campus activities.

Find off-campus housing near California State University Long Beach

This article is provided by an independent housing resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by California State University Long Beach.