Student Rentals Near Cal State Long Beach Guide

Long Beach is one of Southern California's most livable cities — a diverse, affordable-by-SoCal-standards, beach-adjacent city with a strong sense of neighborhood identity. Student rentals near Cal State Long Beach span everything from apartments near the campus corridor to houses in the walkable Belmont Shore neighborhood. Here's how to navigate the market. Find off-campus housing near Cal State Long Beach to browse current listings.

Neighborhoods for Student Rentals Near CSULB

The neighborhoods directly north and east of California State University, Long Beach — particularly the blocks along Bellflower Boulevard, PCH, and Anaheim Street — have the highest concentration of student rentals. These areas put you within biking distance of campus and close to the Long Beach Transit routes that serve the university.

Belmont Shore, southeast of campus along 2nd Street, is Long Beach's most charming walkable neighborhood. Two-bedroom apartments and small bungalows here run higher in price, but the walkable commercial strip, beach access, and canal walks make it a favorite for students who value lifestyle.

Bixby Knolls, north of campus, is a quieter residential neighborhood with tree-lined streets and larger homes. Student rentals here are primarily houses, often rented by groups of 3–4. Rents are more affordable than Belmont Shore but the commute to campus is 15–25 minutes by bus or bike.

What Student Rentals Near Cal State Long Beach Cost

Long Beach is more affordable than LA or the Westside cities. A room in a shared apartment near campus runs $900–$1,300/month. One-bedrooms in the campus area go for $1,300–$1,800/month. Two-bedrooms range from $1,700–$2,400/month — split with a roommate, that's $850–$1,200 per person.

Belmont Shore and beach-adjacent rentals run $200–$500/month higher for comparable units. If proximity to the beach matters to you, budget accordingly.

Commuting to CSULB

Long Beach Transit routes 21, 22, and 91 serve the campus corridor. The CSULB campus is also bikeable from most of the surrounding neighborhoods — the city has invested significantly in bike infrastructure in recent years, and a dedicated campus bike path makes cycling convenient.

Check listings near campus bus lines at Find off-campus housing near Cal State Long Beach.

The A Line (Blue Line) Metro Rail runs through downtown Long Beach and connects to the broader LA Metro system. Students commuting to internships in LA or traveling often use this line from the Downtown Long Beach station.

Lease Tips and Timing

The CSULB rental market is active year-round, but the best student rentals near Cal State Long Beach are listed in February through April for fall move-ins. Summer availability is reasonable — many students vacate for internships — but the highest-quality units are gone by May.

California tenant law provides strong protections. Long Beach has a Rent Control Ordinance that applies to multi-unit buildings built before 1978. Security deposits for unfurnished units are capped at two months' rent.

What to Prioritize When Searching

For CSULB students, commute time and transit access should be primary filters. Long Beach is not as car-dependent as some LA suburbs, but bikeability varies significantly by block. Use Google Street View to assess bike lane coverage before committing to an address.

Storage is often limited in older Long Beach apartment buildings. If you have a lot of gear — surf equipment, sports gear, bikes — look for units with parking that includes storage, or confirm there's a secure bike room in the building.

The Long Beach Lifestyle

Living in student rentals near Cal State Long Beach means access to one of SoCal's most distinctive cities. The Belmont Shore neighborhood's 2nd Street is a 2-mile stretch of independent restaurants, bars, and boutiques. Alamitos Beach and Granada Beach are accessible by bike. The Long Beach Museum of Art, the Queen Mary, and the Aquarium of the Pacific are all within easy reach.

Long Beach Pride, the Long Beach Grand Prix, and a year-round cultural calendar make this one of the most event-rich college cities in California. Living off campus here means plugging into a real city — not just a college bubble.

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