The cost of living in Long Beach, California, may be 51% higher than the national average, but you simply cannot beat the weather. Rarely will the temperature get above 91 degrees or below 42 degrees, making it a preferred destination for retirees. As such, you can find an array of senior apartment communities here to call home.
Senior apartment communities have accessible features and amenities, such as spacious living areas, wider entryways, counter-height appliances, walk-in showers, grab bars, and more. These features allow you to maintain your independence in retirement. However, other types of senior living communities are available if you need more support.
To help you or a loved one find a community that suits your specific needs, A Place for Mom has put together this guide on Long Beach senior apartment communities. Below, you’ll find listings for senior apartment communities ranked by a variety of categories as well as details on payment options, local and state regulations, transportation methods, health care options, and more.
Your referral was good & after meeting the Company administrator, LVN & new marketing rep we decided on Brookdale Central. With incentives offered and suggestion of taking a bridge loan until home was sold,...
Super friendly, caring staff with multiple years of experience, most of the residents are pretty "with it" and they have activities
Heritage Pointe is fine and it is comfortable for what I need. It is a nice and quiet place and the surroundings are very nice. If it wasn't for covid, i'm sure there would be more things going on. But...
Our loved one appreciates the staff members they are very friendly. We think that she feels safe at the community, and we would recommend Huntington Terrace North to others.
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Long Beach community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
In Long Beach, the cost of living in a senior apartment community comes in at an average of $2,516 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[03] However, costs can vary greatly depending on location, unit size, floor plan, amenities, and other additional services. At a more luxurious senior apartment community, you can expect to pay as much as $8,133 per month.
The following figures represent the average baseline costs for the immediate area and do not include additional fees for ancillary services.
It’s likely that you’ll use your own personal resources to cover the monthly costs of living at a senior apartment community since it’s considered a form of general housing. However, there is financial assistance available to help you offset certain costs.
To give you a better idea of your potential options, you’ll find additional information on a range of payment methods below, including private resources, VA benefits, Medicaid, Medicare, and public assistance.
Most seniors will use private resources to fund their stays at senior apartment communities. Typically, they’ll rely on a combination of Social Security benefits and retirement savings. Others may bankroll senior housing by way of distributions from retirement accounts, income generated by investments, pensions, and any of the following methods:
Number of veterans who live in Long Beach
About 49% of Long Beach veterans are over the age of 65
Veterans in the Long Beach area may be wondering if they can use their VA benefits to offset the costs of living in a senior apartment community. The short answer is yes. It all depends on your age, service record, and service dates. Let’s take a quick look at what’s available:
Enrolling for VA benefits can get a little complicated. It isn’t uncommon for people to require some assistance. Many seniors work with veterans services organizations (VSOs) that help them navigate federal, state, and local benefits.
Interested in working with a VSO? In Long Beach, there is an American Legion post and a Paralyzed Veterans of America chapter. There are also two other resources: the Long Beach Library Veterans Resource Center and the Long Beach Office of Veterans Support.
Seniors and their families can also look into the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. Eligibility requirements can be found online. They issue vouchers to offset housing costs for veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
For veterans with service-related disabilities, additional assistance may be available through the Paralyzed Veterans of America California chapter. The organization can help improve access to benefits and services for veterans with specific disabilities and special circumstances, as well as eligible survivors.
Resources for Long Beach veterans
Los Angeles VA Regional Office
11000 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Phone: 800-827-1000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
California Department of Veterans Affairs
1227 O St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 800-952-5626
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Phone: 800-827-1000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
American Legion Post 27
295 E. Third St.
Long Beach, CA 90802
Phone: 562-436-6182
Paralyzed Veterans of America
5901 E. Seventh St., Building 150, Room R
Long Beach, CA 90822
Phone: 562-826-5713
Email: info@pvacc.org
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Long Beach Library Veterans Resource Center
200 W. Broadway
Long Beach, CA 90802
Phone: 562-570-7500
Email: vets@lbpl.org
Long Beach Office of Veterans Support
2525 Grand Ave., Suite 183
Long Beach, CA 90815
Phone: 562-570-4000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, does not cover the monthly costs of living at a senior apartment community. However, it can still be of benefit to income-eligible seniors should they require medically necessary in-home assistance of some kind. To get a better idea of the Medi-Cal eligibility requirements, you can visit the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) website. The DHCS has also put together an informative My Medi-Cal guide, detailing eligibility requirements, covered benefits, and benefits usage. You’ll find a program comparison chart in the guide, too.
As far as the application process goes, you have a number of options available:
To receive Medi-Cal support for in-home assistance, you’ll need to go through one of its waiver programs. A full list of all California waiver programs is available on the official Medicaid website. The two waivers you’ll most likely use are the general Medi-Cal Waiver Program and the Home and Community-Based Alternatives Waiver.
If you need assistance, a Covered California certified enrollment counselor is available to answer your questions and offer post-enrollment support. The Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department and your local ombudsman program, Wise & Healthy Aging, can also offer help with the application process and answer any questions you might have about Medi-Cal benefits.
Long Beach resident Medicaid resources
California Department of Health Care Services
501 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-1248
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Department of Public Social Services
211 E. Alondra Blvd.
Compton, CA 90220
Phone: 310-258-7400
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Medi-Cal
Phone: 800-541-5555
Covered California
1601 Exposition Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95815
Phone: 800-300-1506
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Medi-Cal application mailing address
Covered California
P.O. Box 989725
West Sacramento, CA 95798-9725
Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department
510 S. Vermont Ave., 11th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90020
Phone: 213-291-0028
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wise & Healthy Aging
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
1527 Fourth St., 2nd Floor
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone: 310-394-9871
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The federal health insurance program Medicare does not cover the costs associated with renting a senior apartment. However, you can still benefit from Medicare coverage even if you live in such a community. Medicare can be used for short-term acute care as well as in-home health care services. You can apply for Medicare online or at the Long Beach Social Security office if you’re at least 65 or diagnosed with a certain illness or disability.
There are also a number of Medicare programs that can help offset medical expenses, including:
If you’re wondering what you might be eligible for, you’re not alone. Many seniors and their families need some assistance with Medicare benefits and the application process itself. The California Department of Aging, the Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department, and the City of Los Angeles Department of Aging can help you make sense of the benefits and explore your payment options. The Wise & Healthy Aging ombudsman program can also support you with long-term care advocacy.
Long Beach resident Medicare resources
Long Beach Social Security Administration Office
2005 Long Beach Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90806
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
California Department of Aging
2880 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95833
Phone: 800-434-0222
Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department
510 S. Vermont Ave., 11th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90020
Phone: 213-291-0028
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
City of Los Angeles Department of Aging
221 N. Figueroa St., Suite 500
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-482-7252
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
California Medicare Savings Program
Phone: 800-541-5555
Prescription Drug Discount Program
Phone: 916-518-3100
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program
Phone: 800-434-0222
AltaMed Program for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly
1500 Hughes Way, Suite C150
Long Beach, CA 90810
Phone: 855-252-7223
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
WelbeHealth Program for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly
1220 East Fourth St.
Long Beach, CA 90802
Phone: 888-530-4415
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Wise & Healthy Aging
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
1527 Fourth St., 2nd Floor
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone: 310-394-9871
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Need to subsidize senior housing in Long Beach through a public assistance program? The federal government and the state of California have a few options available.
Social Security in retirement benefits can be used to offset any cost of living for individuals who are 62 and older and who’ve paid Social Security taxes for 10 years or more. Social Security survivors benefits, on the other hand, are offered to surviving spouses of workers with work credits.
The other two Social Security benefits options, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), are reserved for individuals with disabilities. Basically, SSDI is for those who’ve paid Social Security taxes, while SSI is for those who have no work credits.
People on a low income may find assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher program managed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program was established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing. As with any federal- or state-run program, there are a few eligibility requirements. To start, the subsidy is paid directly to the landlord or property owner, so the senior apartment community you choose must accept this type of payment. Income limits are also a deciding factor in eligibility.
If you have questions regarding the HCV program, contact the Housing Authority of the City of Long Beach. You can also apply for the program on the Housing Authority of the City of Long Beach’s website. Note that there can be a wait for the program, but you can apply for the waiting list if you so choose.
Long Beach resident public assistance resources
Long Beach Social Security Administration Office
2005 Long Beach Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90806
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Housing Authority of the City of Long Beach
1500 Hughes Way, Suite A-150
Long Beach, CA 90810
Phone: 562-570-6985
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Field Office
300 N. Los Angeles St., Suite 4054
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-894-8000
Fax: 213-894-8107
Email: CA_Webmanager@hud.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Because senior apartment communities are considered a form of general housing, owners and landlords aren’t required to obtain a license for operation. Still, there are housing laws associated with these properties. The Fair Housing Act, for example, applies to senior rentals, prohibiting owners and landlords from discriminating against or offering less favorable terms and conditions to renters in protected classes. The Housing Authority of the City of Long Beach helps break down barriers to equal opportunity for local residents.
Apart from the Fair Housing Act, senior apartment communities must also comply with all laws associated with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For instance, a property owner would be required to make reasonable modifications (adding a bathroom grab bar, building ramp, etc.) to the inside or outside of a rental unit to ensure renters with disabilities have equal opportunity to use the property.
Long Beach Development Services has put together a Tenant/Landlord Rights and Responsibilities guide for more details. The California Department of Real Estate also has a renter’s guide available, which delves deeper into the rental process, repair requests, security deposits, lease terminations, evictions, and other valuable information.
Though owning and operating a senior apartment community requires no special license, the property is subject to regular inspections as part of the Proactive Rental Housing Inspection Program. If a property has four or more dwelling units, then the city will conduct an inspection within 60 days of November 1 each year.
In Long Beach, the only requirement for living in a senior apartment community is based on age. You must be at least 55 or older to rent a unit.
California Department of Public Health
1615 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA, 95814
Phone: 916-558-1784
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The City of Long Beach does have health orders in place to help control the spread of COVID-19. These orders are in general alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. However, senior apartment communities may have their own guidelines, so it’s always important to contact the community of interest prior to signing a rental agreement.
Vaccinations and boosters are strongly encouraged to control the spread of COVID-19.
Wearing a mask is strongly encouraged when in public. It’s also critical if someone presents symptoms, tests positive, or has been exposed to COVID-19.
Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols are strongly encouraged.
Isolate if testing positive for COVID-19.
Long Beach senior apartments are great places to retire. Without as much hustle and bustle of nearby L.A., but with plenty of access to big-city amenities and a gorgeous seaside lifestyle, it’s not hard to see why seniors enjoy leisure living in Long Beach.
Retirees who move into a senior apartment community usually want to age in place and live among peers. Properties often come equipped with age-friendly features that enable a combination of independence and accessibility. Additionally, many communities provide ways to build social connections with other residents. For instance, some schedule an array of recreational activities for seniors to enjoy while socializing.
The features found in any given unit will vary greatly from one community to the next. The senior apartments in the Long Beach area are no exception. If you’re moving into a senior apartment, you’ll likely enjoy a full kitchen, full bath, and spacious living area. You may also benefit from extra additions such as a private balcony or patio, an individual office space, a walk-in closet, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, ceiling fans, and more.
Looking for a senior apartment community in Long Beach? Your options range from affordable to luxury. Affordable communities may offer recreation rooms, gated courtyards, and laundry facilities. However, some of the luxury apartments may offer additional amenities, including clubhouses, fitness centers, on-site maintenance, and concierge services. You’ll want to have plenty of opportunities to spend time outside to enjoy the gorgeous Long Beach weather and perhaps some coastal views.
One of the more important considerations when moving to a senior apartment community will be its location. All of the partner communities listed in this guide are within a 10-mile radius of the downtown Long Beach area, so you’ll have easy access to many restaurants, shops, and sights. However, you’ll also want to consider how far away you are from family, friends, public transportation stops, and medical providers.
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Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Long Beach
Median annual income for Long Beach seniors 65 and older
MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center is a general medical and surgical facility that’s rated as high-performing in the areas of heart attack, heart failure, aortic valve surgery, colon cancer surgery, and 12 other specialties or procedures.
St. Mary Medical Center – Long Beach
St. Mary Medical Center — Long Beach is a general medical and surgical facility that’s part of the Dignity Health system. It’s recognized as an LGBTQ+ health care top performer by the Human Rights Campaign.
Lakewood Regional Medical Center, which is part of the Tenet Health Pacific Coast system, is just a short drive away from Long Beach. This general medical and surgical facility is ranked as high-performing in the areas of stroke, kidney failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
According to Walk Score, which ranks cities’ transportation methods on a scale of 0 to 100, Long Beach is both very bikeable (with a score of 70) and walkable (with a score of 73).[09] Most people can walk to an average of three restaurants, bars, or coffee shops in as little as five minutes. Overall, Long Beach transportation is rated as a 49, meaning that it has some transit options.
In terms of public transportation, Metro Blue Line, the area’s light rail system, runs through downtown Long Beach. There’s also Long Beach Transit, which has a number of routes that will get seniors around town for just $0.60 per one-way trip. You can also purchase one-day, five-day, and month-long passes. If you’re at least 62 years old, you can apply for a senior TAP card, which provides discounted fares.
If you’re looking for a rideshare company, Dial-A-Lift offers curb-to-curb services to individuals with qualifying disabilities who cannot use the bus system. Public Works of Los Angeles County also offers transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities who are unable to use fixed-route transit systems. Call 800-827-0829 for more information.
There is no shortage of things to do in Long Beach, California. Whether you like spending time outdoors, supporting the arts, or exploring history, there’s a wide array of activities and attractions perfectly suited for seniors.
The El Dorado East Regional Park features plenty of green space, picnic areas, two fishing lakes, bike trails, an archery range, and a physical fitness course. There’s also a nature center that has educational displays, an art gallery, a gift shop, and 105 acres of natural habitat filled with various plants and animals. You could spend an entire day just walking the trails. Seniors can expect to pay a vehicle fee per visit or purchase a discounted annual parking pass.
If you’d like to get up close and personal with wildlife, check out the Aquarium of the Pacific. This public aquarium sits on more than five acres of land and has more than 11,000 animals. Exhibits include a penguin habitat, a sea otter habitat, a shark lagoon, and a coral reef. Tickets cost $33.95 for seniors. Get even closer to marine life with Harbor Breeze Cruises, which offers regular whale-watching excursions. Tickets cost $35 for seniors over 62.
If history is more your game, you may want to visit The Queen Mary, a British ocean liner that now serves as both a hotel and tourist attraction. Tours are available every day, with your choice of a historical tour, mechanical tour, or even a haunted tour. There’s Rancho Los Cerritos, one of the largest adobe residences in California that offers free house and garden tours of the property. Much of the historic homes and gardens can be accessed by wheelchair. Finally, there’s the Museum of Latin American Art, which is the only museum in the U.S. dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American Art. Seniors can expect to pay $10 for tickets and can rent a wheelchair for free if need be.
Of course, no city would be complete without a senior center. Long Beach has more than a few, including the Long Beach Senior Center, Chavez Park Senior Center, and Silverado Park Senior Center. If you’re over the age of 50, you can take part in a range of activities, such as tai chi, Zumba, aerobics, chair aerobics, weight lifting, meditation, crocheting, knitting, sewing, wood carving, board games, dancing, karaoke, and more.
Last but not least, you can always plan a trip with your family to Disneyland, which is just a 30-minute drive from Long Beach. As the self-proclaimed happiest place on earth, the park has made sure to provide accommodations for people with mobility disabilities. Many of their attractions allow guests to remain in their wheelchairs.
Palos Verdes Villa, Studio Royale by Cogir and Heritage Pointe Apartments are the top-rated Senior Apartments facilities near Long Beach, CA. These Senior Apartments facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Senior Apartments in Long Beach is $1,479 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
Payscale. (2023). Cost of Living in Long Beach, California.
Weather Spark. (2023). Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Long Beach.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
Department of Health Care Services. (2023). Medicare Savings Program in California.
U.S. News & World Report. (2023). MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center.
U.S. News & World Report. (2023). Lakewood Regional Medical Center.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in Long Beach.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
Payscale. (2023). Cost of Living in Long Beach, California.
Weather Spark. (2023). Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Long Beach.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
Department of Health Care Services. (2023). Medicare Savings Program in California.
U.S. News & World Report. (2023). MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center.
U.S. News & World Report. (2023). Lakewood Regional Medical Center.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in Long Beach.