Altadena Vs. Long Beach - First House Hack purchase

[Sean Durham]

Hey everyone - posting in the LA County forum since it seems to encompass both LBC and Pasadena/Altadena (Eastside LA.) Hoping to get some insight:

This will be our first purchase, we're set on house hacking via duplex in either Pasadena/Altadena or Long Beach - we love Pasadena, but like the relative affordability/opportunity of Long Beach. That said - I'm wondering what the opinions are on the two territories - both mature markets, no real new major SFR development on the horizon.

Where they differ is (at least from what I can tell)  - Long Beach seems ripe for development and gentrification - people are moving in, it's one of the last "affordable" areas of LA county. Alta/Pasa on the other hand isn't enjoying quite as much development but it has historically been stable and affluent. And, both Altadena and Long Beach seem to be cleaning up their rougher neighborhoods day-by-day. 

We're evaluating the opportunities in each area and I'd love to hear from your experience with either area - or with similar situations in other states/markets. 

Our goals are long-term buy and hold for future wealth as well as transitioning into full time RE investing within the next 5-10 years.  

Thanks to the community, as always.