Long Beach earns its nickname, "The City by the Sea," by sitting on a narrow barrier island off Long Island's South Shore, where the Atlantic Ocean lines one edge and Reynolds Channel wraps the other three sides. The city was incorporated in 1922 and carries a long history as a coastal retreat, drawing notable residents like Humphrey Bogart and Jack Dempsey during the 1940s. Today, its compact three square miles pack in a rebuilt 2.2-mile boardwalk, a walkable downtown along Park Avenue, and a distinct neighborhood variety that runs from the bungalow-lined West End to the quieter, bay-facing blocks of the Canals area.
Renters here find a mix of apartment communities near the boardwalk, classic beach bungalows, and single-family homes across the East End. The Long Island Rail Road terminal connects the city to Penn Station in roughly an hour, making it a genuine option for those who want coastal living without giving up access to New York City.
