If you are considering moving to Long Beach, I have organized some important items to check in advance.

The city itself is large and the character of each neighborhood varies, so the question of 'moving to Long Beach' is less important than 'which neighborhood in Long Beach to move to.'

Each area, such as Belmont Shore, Los Altos, Signal Hill, and North Long Beach, has different atmospheres, safety levels, and price ranges. It's a good idea to visit your desired neighborhood during both the day and night before moving.

Checking school districts is essential. There are schools under the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), but the academic atmosphere and safety can differ from school to school.

It is practical to first decide on your child's school and then choose housing within a reasonable commuting distance. You can check the assigned school by entering your address on the LBUSD official website. If you are considering private schools, there are local options like St. Anthony High School.

Here are some things to check before signing a lease. California has strong tenant protection laws, but it's essential to read the lease carefully. Be sure to clarify the pet policy, whether parking is included, and if utilities such as water, gas, and electricity are included to avoid disputes later. Some older apartments have obligations regarding lead paint or asbestos, which landlords in California must disclose in writing.

Make sure to familiarize yourself with transportation routes. Long Beach has inconvenient public transportation, so having a car is helpful for daily life. If you need to commute to LA, I recommend experiencing the traffic patterns on the 405 and 710 freeways during actual commuting hours. The airports accessible are Long Beach Airport (LGB), LAX, and SNA, which you can choose based on your needs. It's beneficial to drive your actual commuting route during weekday rush hours before moving.

In terms of local infrastructure, Korean markets are more abundant in Torrance or Garden Grove than in downtown Long Beach. There are no large Korean markets like H Mart in Long Beach, so you will need to travel to nearby cities for Korean ingredients regularly.

For healthcare, there are MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center and St. Mary Medical Center, so basic medical access is decent. It's convenient to handle address changes with the DMV, post office, registered banks and credit card companies, your child's school, and your workplace all at once after moving. Even if you are moving within California, you must report your new address to the DMV within 10 days.