$401,795Average Value$274Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes For Sale
University Heights is a caring community blocks from downtown Newark
Named for the five universities and colleges that surround it, University Heights is just a few blocks from downtown Newark, offering easy access to shopping, dining, entertainment and public transportation. Despite the academic institutions around it, University Heights — which is sometimes called Society Hill after its main condominium complex there instead — doesn’t feel like a college town. Each of the academic institutions has a campus with its own housing, so while many students and staff live in University Heights, there are also plenty of people who aren’t connected to them at all.
There is one thing that all of University Heights’ residents are connected to, though: each other. The community is known for being active and interconnected. “…I’ve always felt a deep connection to my community,” says Karen Dinkins, a Realtor at RE/MAX Select who has sold homes and lived here for over 20 years. “However, in February, my home tragically caught fire, and I was truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of support I received. My next-door neighbors graciously opened their home to me, offering a place to stay. The following morning, I was stunned to begin receiving donations via Cash App—at first, I thought it was a mistake. But my neighbor explained that she had reached out to her friends, and they responded without hesitation.” Other people organized help on Dinkins’ behalf, and she says that she received donations from people she’d never even met. “This experience has shown me just how extraordinary and caring our community is,” she says. “Society Hill is a place I’m proud to call home.”
Local restaurants, shopping in downtown Newark, nearby concerts
Fueled by the estimated 30,000 students that attend the colleges and universities around it, University Heights is ripe with activity. The walkable neighborhood is dotted with cafés like Kanela, which is known for its croissants, and restaurants like Ramen Gami. Downtown Newark is also just a few blocks away, offering even more restaurants alongside abundant shopping. While many of the restaurants are locally owned spots, the shops are a mix of big-box stores like Nike, Burlington and GameStop and independently owned stores. For groceries, residents can head to Food Depot or ShopRite or head into downtown Newark for Whole Foods.
Downtown is also full of entertainment that goes far beyond bars with live music — though there’s plenty of that, too. “It’s walking distance from NJPAC, walking distance from The Prudential Center, which hosts concerts and the like,” says N. Marie Lundi, a Realtor at eXp Realty who has been selling in the area for 20 years. NJPAC, or the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, is a nonprofit center that hosts concerts, plays or ballet performances, comedy sets and more. The Prudential Center is another major events center that hosts hockey and basketball games, wrestling matches, comedy shows by big names like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and John Mulaney and concerts by major artists like Linkin Park, Katy Perry and One Ok Rock.
Small green spaces, Branch Brook Park and condominium amenities
Veterans Memorial Park is a small green space with walking paths, and there are a few small parks scattered throughout the area with baseball or soccer fields. Less than 2 miles away, the 360-acre Branch Brook Park is famous for its cherry trees; it has one of the largest displays of the trees in the United States. The park has athletic fields and courts and an indoor roller skating rink. It’s also threaded through with walking paths, many of which circle its lake, making it a popular spot for daily walkers and joggers. “And Branch Brook Park in and of itself is such a beautiful park,” Lundi says. Society Hill also has amenities for its residents, Dinkins says, including tennis courts and an outdoor pool.
Condominiums and townhouses on walkable streets
Brownstones were common here in the 1960s, but today, University Heights is made up of townhouses, condominiums and apartments on sidewalk-lined streets. Society Hill is the biggest and most well-known collection of condos, but it’s far from the only one. Condos start as low as $190,000 for one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit and can climb as high as $400,000. Townhouses start at about $300,000 and can climb to $430,000, especially if they’re fully renovated.
Newark public schools and nearby higher education
Niche gives the Newark Public School District a C-plus. Children in University Heights can attend Camden Street Elementary School, which earns a C-minus, from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade before moving onto a high school like Philips Academy Charter School, which has a C-plus, or Science Park High School, which has an A. Science Park High is a magnet school offering a focus on science, engineering, mathematics and technology. Alternatively, Saint Vincent Academy, an all-girls private Catholic high school with an A-minus, is also in University Heights.
And then, of course, there are the neighborhood’s five higher education institutions. Rutgers University Newark, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Essex County Community College are all within walking distance, and Seaton Hall University Law is less than 4 miles away.
Nearby highways, light rail stations and commuting to NYC
University Heights offers easy access to Interstate 280, and it takes just a few minutes to hop on state Route 21. New York City is just 12 miles away, a drive that can take anywhere from 35 minutes to an hour and 10 minutes, depending on traffic. The neighborhood also has several light rail stations and bus stops that help people get around without a car. University Hospital is right in the neighborhood, and Newark International Airport is about 5 miles away.
Annual Cherry Blossom Festival, smaller community events
Every year, Branch Brook Park’s cherry trees become the center of attention when they bloom. “They have the Cherry Blossom Festival coming up in April, which draws people from all around the country, honestly — and the world,” Lundi says. Estimates say the event draws 10,000 people. Cultural events in downtown Newark are also always within reach for residents. Closer to home, residents in communities like Society Hill also have smaller events they can choose to attend. Lundi says Society Hill hosts block parties at its pool during the summer as well as events like Thanksgiving dinner.
The impacts of storms and the Newark Public Safety Collaborative
Hurricane season can impact New Jersey. First Street, a climate risk data organization, says that the neighborhood has a moderate risk of flooding and a major risk of high winds.
The CAP Index Crime Score is 7 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4. The Newark Public Safety Collaborative was formed in 2018 through collaboration between the mayor’s office and Rutgers University. It aims to help community organizations take part in public safety and get resources to the community to help do so.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Piotr Sudal,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Military Park
Trails
Events
Parking Lot
Branch Brook Park
Veterans Memorial Park
Trails
Nat Turner Park
Basketball
Football
Pool
Transit
Airport
Newark Liberty International
10 min drive
Subway
Newark-Broad Street
Subway
Orange Street
Subway
Warren Street
Subway
Norfolk Street
Train
Newark Broad Street
Bus
South Orange Ave & Hunterdon St
Bus
Central Ave & D.M.L. King Blvd
Bus
W Market St & Bergen St
Bus
South Orange Ave & Bruce St
Bus
University Ave & Orange St
Bus
Norfolk St & Warren St
Bus
Norfolk St & Central Ave
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
University Heights
US
Homicide
9
4
Sexual Assault
8
4
Assault with Weapon
8
4
Robbery
9
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
7
4
Crime Score
7
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in University Heights, Newark sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in University Heights, Newark over the last 12 months is $354,820, down 1% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautiful Townhouse in Desirable Society Hill Location! Welcome to this 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhouse located in the highly sought-after Society Hill community. Enjoy a fantastic lifestyle with access to top-notch amenities including a pool, tennis courts, and clubhouse. This home features a newer furnace and central air for added comfort. Conveniently situated near shopping, dining, and major
Beautiful Townhouse in Desirable Society Hill Location! Welcome to this 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhouse located in the highly sought-after Society Hill community. Enjoy a fantastic lifestyle with access to top-notch amenities including a pool, tennis courts, and clubhouse. This home features a newer furnace and central air for added comfort. Conveniently situated near shopping, dining, and major
Absolutely stunning and move-in ready, this fully renovated 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhouse offers the perfect blend of modern luxury and everyday comfort. As a desirable corner unit, it boasts unmatched natural light, double exposure, and serene, uninterrupted views of the beautifully maintained pool and lush landscaping. Step inside to an inviting open-concept layout, featuring newer floors,
Location, Location, Location! Fully renovated 2 bedroom and 1 bath unit has an open concept with living room and dining room combo, eat-in kitchen with balcony and laundry in the basement. Legal 3 family with separate utilities located in the heart of Newark's University Heights. Just steps to Rutgers University, Downtown Newark for shopping and entertainment, a few short blocks from the
Welcome to Hoyt Tower on the corner of luxury and sophistication!Spanning 15 stories, Hoyt Tower is located in one of Newark's most trending neighborhoods, University Heights. Offering unparalleled studio, one, and two-bedroom units, you are sure to find your urban sanctuary. Using contemporary craftsmanship, flowing floor plans, and enhanced Italian design finishes, Hoyt residences are the
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Piotr Sudal,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
11,092
Median Age
27
Population under 18
26.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
8.9%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$45,449
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$57,572
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
84.6%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
35%
Advanced Degrees
16.8%
% Population in Labor Force
48.9%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
46''
Average Winter Low Temperature
26°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
2''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
62/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
89/ 100
Excellent Transit
Transit Score®
81/ 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.
