A Merced neighborhood sowing the seeds of a future college town
Bellevue, a neighborhood on the northern edge of Merced, sits in picturesque Central Valley. Vast fields lie uninterrupted, spreading toward the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. In between the open pastures, there are markers of progress. “That’s where all the growth is. A new hospital and a new high school. There’s a lot of empty fields and empty houses because that’s where the growth can happen,” says Library Resource Tech Teresa Bomersbach, who works for Merced County Library. Next to the neighborhood, the University of California Merced, also known as UC Merced, opened in 2005. Since then, a demand for student housing, as well as investors from the Bay Area, have increased the city’s property values. “A lot of people from the Bay Area are getting a second home because of UC Merced, and renting to students. It’s a renter town, but new people are buying constantly,” says Realtor Norma Lopez, who works with Keller Williams Property Team and has over a decade of experience in the area. The growing pains of development include rising rent and a housing shortage, although some Mercedians are hopeful about lower interest rates in the upcoming years. Many are optimistic that Bellevue, and by extension the city of Merced, will blossom into a college town. “It’s getting there, but the new apartments and houses feel off on their own. The connection to the rest of the city will just take time,” Bomersbach says.
Bellevue is a quiet area of Merced set against views of the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Bellevue is an area of Merced that offers country style living while close to amenities.
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Water recreation at Lake Yosemite County Park and nearby Yosemite National Park
Located on the northeast corner of the neighborhood, Lake Yosemite County Park is considered the crown jewel of Merced. “If you’re looking for something to do, this lake has been here for years. It has a lot of family history, family reunions and memories. It’s the hub of Merced for aquatic and other activities,” says Anthony Anderson, resident of Merced for over 40 years. Surrounded by open fields, the park is centered around a manmade reservoir nestled in the silhouettes of the mountains. There are piers, a swimming beach and a boardwalk on the lake’s shoreline. Many residents relax under the shade of tall gum trees, placing hammocks between the tree trunks or opting for picnic blankets. For private events, the park has reservable picnic pavilions and buildings. It's only half a mile away from UC Merced, whose students often walk to the park. And with Yosemite National Park only about 70 miles away, there's a reason Merced is called the "Gateway to Yosemite." Travelers from all over the world visit famous rock formations like El Capitan and Half Dome. “I’ve been there a couple times at different times of the year. In early fall and late spring, the hikes are really pretty in the meadows,” says UC Merced student employee Kayla McCoy. Yosemite Area Regional Transportation, better known as YARTS, has public transit to the national park from Merced.
Geese can often be found along the beach of Lake Yosemite in Merced.
Kids enjoy the playground at Lake Yosemite County Park in Merced.
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Bellevue’s ranch-style homes and newer houses at increasing costs
Bellevue is full of empty fields stretching out toward the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Single-family homes are interspersed along these roads, where it’s common to see fenced multiacre lots, ideal for a quiet, rural life within city limits. The area has a low crime rate, with a 2 out of 10 CAP Index Crime Score compared to the 4 out of 10 national average. The area has developed recently: “Out on Bellevue and by the university, that’s where the large new homes are,” Bomersbach says. The neighborhood also has midcentury ranch-style homes and land. Ranch-style homes range from $600,000 to $700,000, while newer four-bedroom houses range from $1 million to $1.3 million. Plots of land range from $200,000 to $700,000. Those interested may want to keep an eye on the climbing market. “They’ve recently completed their annexation process, so the UC is now part of the city limits. There’s a rise in prices in the city of Merced now. They’ll continue to rise, so it’ll be interesting to see how property values go up,” Anderson says.
Ranch style homes on large lots are common throughout the Bellevue area.
Homes in Bellevue often feature large yards with detailed landscaping.
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Merced City School District and the University of California Merced
Donn B. Chenoweth Elementary School has a B rating on Niche. Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle School has a B-minus, while El Capitan High School has a B-plus. The high school offers seven career pathway programs like Agriculture & Natural Resources and Health Science & Medical Technology. With a carbon neutral campus, the University of California Merced is the only university in America composed of all LEED certified buildings. It has 60 undergraduate programs, including majors like biology, psychology and computer engineering.
El Capitan High School serves grades 9-12 in Merced.
Welcome to Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle School in Merced.
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Public and private events at Vista Ranch Farming Area
Vista Ranch Farming Area hosts public and private events about 10 miles southeast of Bellevue. With 20 acres of land, the lush winery has a tasting room, outdoor picnic tables and plots brimming with grape vines and other crops. The events include a paint-and-sip once a month, pizza nights in the summertime and a pumpkin patch with a corn maze in the autumn. “We host private events like weddings, proms and birthday parties. The UC Merced students are often here for private events,” says Vista Ranch Farming Area wine server Omar Ramirez.
A 5-mile drive to downtown Merced
Bellevue is a car-dependent community. It’s around 5 miles northeast of downtown Merced via Bellevue Road. The neighborhood is also about 5 miles away from U.S. Route 99, also known as the Golden State Highway. This route is ideal for 60-mile commutes to Fresno or to the Fresno International Airport, the closest major airport. For medical services, residents can go to Dignity Health Hospital - Mercy Medical Center, about 5 miles away.
Stores and diverse restaurants in Yosemite Shopping Center
Yosemite North Shopping Center, located around 5 miles from the neighborhood, is a strip mall with a variety of restaurants. El Asadero Taco Shop is a fast-casual Mexican eatery and local favorite. At Em-Tea, patrons can order boba tea and macarons in a trendy setting, with polaroid photos and K-pop star birthday decorations. “They’re always doing fundraisers and stuff over there. They have really good taro tea,” says Alicia Hernandez, bartender at Native Son and student at the UC Merced. For groceries, the shopping center has a Raley's supermarket. Right across the street from the shopping center, there’s Yosemite Station, a laid-back diner with a subtle national park theme and a menu catering to UC Merced students.
Bao Bao is one of several popular eateries in the Bellevue area of Merced.
Residents of Bellevue can find fresh baked goods at Raley's.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Lake Yosemite County Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Bellevue
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Bellevue Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Bellevue, Merced sell after 24 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Bellevue, Merced over the last 12 months is $843,750, up 35% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Nice Rural Residential Lot. Situated next to custom built homes with mature landscaping. Secluded, yet easy access to Hwy 99 and Campus Pkwy. Established CC&R's. Possibility of building 2nd home on property. Horses permitted. Power at front of property.
New Price on this 28.1 acres on Bellevue Road between UC Merced & G Street. Future Development Property in The City of Merced General Plan. City Water, Sewer & Power are on Bellevue Road. Property Currently has access to surface water.
New Price on this 28.1 acres on Bellevue Road between UC Merced & G Street. Future Development Property in The City of Merced General Plan. City Water, Sewer & Power are on Bellevue Road. Property Currently has access to surface water.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Moe Jawad,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
445
Median Age
29
Population under 18
27.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$77,885
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$116,230
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
89.8%
College Graduates
32.9%
Advanced Degrees
15.3%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
48.3%
Below the national average
65.1%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
38/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
