I have been living around Long Beach for the last 12 years. I have moved away a few times, but I am always drawn back. I have lived all over the US as I have been semi-nomadic for my entire adult life. As an example, I have moved 8 times in the last 4 years. Over the decades, I’ve lived in Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Big Bear, Vermont, New Mexico, Colorado, Oregon, New Mexico and Mexico. However, time and again, I am drawn back here.
Long Beach keeps pulling me back in.
As you may already have experienced -- Long Beach -- is fantastic! This moment in Long Beach seems to me to be a special place and time. As we all know, no place is perfect, but in my experience, Long Beach stands tall among places to live.
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Every time I’ve returned here, Long Beach is cleaner and safer. In fact, I like Long Beach so much, I decided to quit my stable job and return here to start a business. My family has been in housing for 80 years, so pursuing a career in real estate is a perfect fit for me.
In getting reacquainted with Long Beach, I quickly rebooted my map of the city by driving the streets. However, what has really helped me to appreciate all this town has to offer happens when I move a little slower. I often like to Flâneur .
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“What the heck is that?” is the appropriate response for most of us who aren’t Francophiles…...I learned this term many moons ago from a great thinker at CSUDH during my time as a graduate student there.
In brief: “Flâneur in English is via French from the Old Norse verb flana "to wander with no purpose."
To Flâneur is to go for a stroll with no aim except to take a different path than last time. With the possibility of potentially experiencing new moments and places “pausing here over particular points of interest, turning back there for another look.” Actually, Flâneur seems to sit in the realm of Niksen which “literally means to do nothing, to be idle or doing something without any use.” Except that the Flâneur is the walking meditation version of Niksen -- in my mind at least.
I’ll get to the point…..
As I’ve been skateboarding around town with no real destination except a vague notion of Saturday night dinner at my sister-in-law’s house, without any set start time--I’ve noticed some subtle details that register Long Beach as a great place to make your life and your home--no matter what metric you choose to use.
Perhaps you’ve noticed these markers of small town USA that are popping up over the years? I’m talking about the free library nooks that people have spent time building and maintaining. A nice invitation to feel comfortable; a welcoming for your neighbors and the passerby. In a similar fashion, I’ve noticed people placing free lemons on a pedestal as well. These subtle, yet profound tokens are the hallmark of a great place. Vermont, Nova Scotia, and New Zealand all have a tradition of roadsides stands that operate on the honor system with very few instances of transgression. Long Beach is in good company.
I have yet to participate in the free book libraries since my reading list is always overstocked. However, I did enjoy some lovely lemons from a great neighborhood recently. I would like to say thank you to these kind, welcoming neighbors.
Have you noticed any of these simple, yet grand gestures around town?
If so, would you like to share pics?
P.S. We have had a number of pedestrian mishaps recently, so please, as you amble around bring a bright flashlight with you. I use one that has a strobe feature.
Matt Pich-Maxon is a real estate agent, investor, property manager and world traveler.
matt@duckgroup.com
909-375-1507
DRE 02100289
Quack Quack - Luxury Home Expert!
www.duckgroup.com
133 The Promenade N. Ste 109
Long Beach, Ca 90802
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