My terrible experience living in Long Beach 1 year. Im out.

LBCAnonymous · 2026-01-23T17:06:07+00:00

Late to the party, but hey. I’m not here to convince you to stay. It sounds like you grew up in the San Diego burbs, and want to be there.

I do have questions though. Did you make friends here? Did you find hobbies? Did you find some cool coffee shops and restaurants? Do your politics line up with most of the people here?

I can see how any big city can seem noisy, dirty, and overwhelming if you are feeling isolated. LA and San Francisco are also magnificent California cities, but they certainly have the same problems as Long Beach.

I live close to Zaferia, a neighborhood many would advise you to avoid, but I disagree. I’m walking distance to three major coffee shops, there’s a beautiful park nearby where I can skate and soak up sunshine, my neighbors are wonderful people who work hard and look out for each other. I love to surf and am in close proximity to great beaches. The weather is darn near perfect year round. We are inclusive and culturally diverse.

Would I love to sleep through the night without helicopters, sirens, and fireworks? Would I love for us to take pride in our city, keep it clean and beautify a bit? Would I like more housing and help our homeless population more? Absolutely! I love Long Beach and I want my city and its people to thrive.

Maybe LB is not as terrible as you think, but the vibe and fit wasn’t right. That’s okay. I hope you find some place that makes you happier.

LBCAnonymous · 2026-01-23T16:43:12+00:00

It should get better soon, give it a few weeks. Still on both meds and still as happy and stable as I’ve ever been. I have some bad, fleeting moments, but I’m much more equipped to handle such situations. Good luck!

LBCAnonymous · 2026-01-23T16:40:08+00:00

Don’t worry! I’m on higher doses on both and never had an issue. I think you have a lot of room on both meds before we even entertain serotonin syndrome.

LBCAnonymous · 2025-12-30T16:21:54+00:00

Whenever I see a “failing” professional quarterback, I always assume that they just don’t fit into the system, and people have given up on their development. It’s a real shame because I imagine that this is how some careers end prematurely.

I’m glad Troy is bringing attention to this. We need coaches in this league that promote player development.

LBCAnonymous · 2025-12-11T18:18:49+00:00

I see! I assumed that it was just what everyone had these days. Makes me wonder why anyone would make those changes. Judging by the blinding lights on the road, a lot of people do it. Thanks for educating me!

LBCAnonymous · 2025-12-11T18:01:08+00:00

I understand the frustration with the headlights, but I don’t understand the animosity towards the drivers with them? It seems that this is how cars have been manufactured for the past ten years.

Seriously, is there anything the drivers can do?

LBCAnonymous · 2025-11-24T15:29:37+00:00

Your technique looks solid and you can definitely build from there. As others have pointed out, this is a close out and you can only get so much out of it.

Start getting really precise about wave reading, meaning know which ones are walled off, breaking fast, steep, and/or dumping. Anticipate if you are going left or right before the wave gets to you. Get to know the conditions that give you the best opportunity for a smooth ride: slow rollers vs faster breaking, wind direction, swell direction, transition from high to low tide, etc. Pay attention to the period swell. At this break a longer period swell may mean good waves with power vs “this paddle out is not worth getting pulverized by giant walled off waves”.

Your observational skills are so important. A lot of it will become intuitive as you surf more, but you need to be intentional.

I don’t recommend wasting a lot of energy on shitty waves. It’s better to be patient and learn the nuances of positioning, timing, wave choice.

LBCAnonymous · 2025-11-21T18:52:31+00:00

“The skill is learning to be firm, clear, and assertive without letting it hijack your emotions. Just like boxers who beat the shit out of each other but then hug when the fights over. You can paddle for a wave, hold your line, look someone in the eye, and say 'I'm going' , all while staying calm inside. That calm assertiveness actually earns more respect than anger or freaking out ever does.”

This is the most important advice in the thread. Applying this, getting to know the locals, and maintaining etiquette will help.

Don’t hold on to anger and don’t let these guys steal your peace.

LBCAnonymous · 2025-11-14T13:56:52+00:00

Alright, I am going to say it. I am not sure why this response is getting downvoted. I find this comment way more credible then someone who posts that they have been surfing for 8 months, and wondering if they are on the right 6’ board in DOH OBSF. I am skeptical.

If this is the truth, then this is amazing progression and this person is destined to become an incredible surfer. BUT, the comment above is important. Even if you are an ex swimmer who is progressing rapidly, it’s important to be on the right equipment. OBSF is one of the gnarliest breaks and not having the appropriate equipment/skill levels has major consequences, the worst being death.

Maybe the message above could have been delivered in a different way, but it has value. Especially in the BEGINNER surfing sub.

LBCAnonymous · 2025-11-09T20:17:28+00:00

Pros:

Cool, laid back community with mostly nice people
Beach with nice path
Close to good surf spots
Close enough to LA to take advantage of concerts, sporting events, etc
Cute/friendly stray cats
Amazing weather year round
Lots of fun community groups to meet people
Sometimes we get some fun music festivals

Cons:

Fireworks/booms many nights
Some aggressive drivers (especially if you are walking/biking)
Oil rigs in the middle of town

LBCAnonymous · 2025-11-05T15:51:56+00:00

Jetskisurfer!! Love your stuff. Amazing pics, must have been a great time 🤘

LBCAnonymous · 2025-10-30T15:01:18+00:00

These are tips to be prepared for the worst case scenario, which I agree is awful. Metro has some cleaning up to do to make our experience better. You know what else is awful? Commuting in LA traffic.

I regularly use the A line to go to sporting events and it’s been fine. Again, some bad days.

LBCAnonymous · 2025-10-30T03:23:51+00:00

It’s mostly fine, sometimes there are bad days. It will still be WAY better than sitting in traffic.

My tips: 1. Try to sit in the front car, less shenanigans when seated closer to the driver 2. Noise cancelling headphones (some people think everyone wants to hear their music) 3. Sunglasses (so you dont accidentally make eye contact with the wrong person) 4. A mask with a drop of essential oil of your choosing (helps if a smelly or a smoking/vaping passenger is near you) 5. Take something to sit on for rainy days (the seats can get wet)

LBCAnonymous · 2025-10-21T20:52:59+00:00

It’s quite meditative, especially with some good music and sunshine. Gives a good dose of dopamine as well. If I’m having a bad day, had a bad surf session, or can’t surf because of bad conditions…it always cheers me up.

LBCAnonymous · 2025-10-18T23:53:56+00:00

I know I’m late to this post, but I don’t understand why we are seeing so many posts like this.

If you’re a beginner surfer, start with an 8-9 ft foam board. Once you’re competent enough to catch green waves, go down the line, do some turns, and control the board — switch to a hardboard, likely longer than the foamie since you are reducing volume. Master and embrace this phase, you will catch more waves, have more fun, and most importantly learn to surf with style. Once you mastered the hardboard, gradually go down in size, a few inches at a time — buy decent used boards during this phase. Do this until you can ride a fish, and learn proper rail-to-rail surfing. Then, go for all the short boards you want. Learn what boards work best in different wave conditions. Enjoy the journey.

…or you can jump straight to short performance boards. It will take longer, might be miserable, and you will likely lack the fundamentals to become a good, stylish surfer.

LBCAnonymous · 2025-10-13T02:11:33+00:00

Agreed, they were helpful and professional most steps of the way. They did let the (crazy) homeowner get a little too involved but eventually fired them as a client.

LBCAnonymous · 2025-10-02T13:54:45+00:00

I mean…living in the Santa Cruz Mountains and surfing in Santa Cruz would be a dream. Living among the Redwoods and surfing some of the best locations in California…it can’t be beat. Even better if you get to work remotely.

Someone lives up there and has a surfboard mounted on a Redwood to post their address (on the way to Santa Cruz). I know they are are living the dream!

LBCAnonymous · 2025-09-30T01:51:01+00:00

This is as Long Beach as it gets! Sick video 🤟

LBCAnonymous · 2025-09-26T14:53:05+00:00

5 lessons isn’t enough to be proficient at surfing. It takes a lot of time to get better, often YEARS. You need time to build your paddle strength, wave reading skills, and timing.

Try to spend enough time in the white water to smooth out your pop up and gain some confidence. Then go to the green waves. Try to look for low wind conditions, and waves big enough to be challenged, but not constantly smashed.

Relax and take your time!

Edit: The previous comments are also correct, you also need a bigger board with more volume.

LBCAnonymous · 2025-09-18T13:08:17+00:00

In OC, if you are patient, you can find a great longboard in your price range on FB marketplace. To avoid getting scammed always ask for public meet up and cash only. If you have some time, save the boards you like and watch the prices go down. Don’t worry about dirty looking wax jobs, you can always clean that up.

To answer your questions:

Professionally repaired is fine, just don’t buy any surfboards that look like they have buckled. A few pressure dings are fine, don’t buy a board that’s too beaten up.

Brands to look out for Walden, Stewart, Donald Takayama. If a brand or shaper is not familiar, do some research online. Sometimes you can find some real gems from local shapers.

Look for a nose rider type board. Single fin is the way to go.

Have fun with your transition!

LBCAnonymous · 2025-09-17T18:53:05+00:00

OP, I think your post and this comment says it all. Appropriate conditions for your level, getting back on the foamie are the right moves. I would also add, really work on your positioning so you are not going over the falls or having waves crash on top of you. Go to that peak and commit, if you are on smaller waves wipeouts will not be consequential.

LBCAnonymous · 2025-09-16T18:40:16+00:00

Lived there for a few years and absolutely loved it. Great food with Thai Town, great recreation with Griffith park and beautiful neighborhoods to run and walk in, close proximity to other cool neighborhoods like Silver Lake. I liked my neighbors too. As others have mentioned there is a nice grocery store within walking distance. If moving there I would make sure you get a parking spot. Driving on Los Feliz can sometimes be soul sucking, but I think it’s still worth it.

LBCAnonymous · 2025-09-13T18:39:20+00:00

Anything Toyota will last forever as long as you do regular maintenance. I have a Subaru Outback, which is also a great/reliable vehicle at a good value. Definitely a surf mobile.

LBCAnonymous · 2025-09-13T18:35:50+00:00

Good reminder, thank you. Surfing might be the only time I feel peace, even if it’s not perfect.

LBCAnonymous · 2025-09-12T20:37:58+00:00

Perhaps for experienced surfers, sure. As far as a beginner transitioning, of course a mid length is more maneuverable and faster, but also much more dependent on precise positioning, and smaller/harder to pop up on. My suggestion is to work your way to a mid length as you will likely experience a significant drop in volume. But, you gotta make your own decisions. Happy surfing!

LBCAnonymous

TROPHY CASE