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University Heights

University Heights

Neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey

Essex County 07102, 07103

$399,221 Average Value
$294 Average Price per Sq Ft
8 Homes 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 — 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 without a connection.

There is one thing all University Heights residents are connected to, though: one another. “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. “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." She says others also rallied around Dinkins and 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.

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 around $190,000 for one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit and can climb as high as $400,000. Townhouses range from about $300,000 to $430,000.
University Heights offers townhomes on quiet, sidewalk-lined streets in Newark.
University Heights offers townhomes on quiet, sidewalk-lined streets in Newark.
University Heights showcases a mix of historic, modern, and multi-family homes.
University Heights showcases a mix of historic, modern, and multi-family homes.
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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 in 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 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.
Veterans Memorial Park offers shaded benches for relaxing in University Heights.
Veterans Memorial Park offers shaded benches for relaxing in University Heights.
Bloomfest near University Heights fills Branch Brook Park with music and blossoms.
Bloomfest near University Heights fills Branch Brook Park with music and blossoms.
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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 to 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. Saint Vincent Academy, an all-girls private Catholic high school with an A-minus, is also in University Heights.

Four of the neighborhood’s higher education institutions are within walking distance: Rutgers University Newark, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, New Jersey Institute of Technology and Essex County Community College. Seaton Hall University Law is less than 4 miles away.
Camden Street Elementary in Newark serves PK–8 and has a C-minus on Niche.
Camden Street Elementary in Newark serves PK–8 and has a C-minus on Niche.
Philip’s Academy Charter serves PK–8 with a 19:1 student-teacher ratio in Newark.
Philip’s Academy Charter serves PK–8 with a 19:1 student-teacher ratio in Newark.
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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 reachs. 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.

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 just over an hour, 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 in the neighborhood, and Newark International Airport is about 5 miles away.

Local restaurants, shopping in downtown Newark, nearby concerts

Fueled by the estimated 30,000 students that attend the colleges and universities here, University Heights is ripe with activity. The walkable neighborhood has cafés like Kanela, known for 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, the shops are a mix of stores like Nike, Burlington and GameStop and independently owned stores. For groceries, residents can head to Food Depot or ShopRite or into downtown Newark for Whole Foods.

Downtown is also full of entertainment that goes 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 venue that hosts concerts, plays, ballet, comedy shows and more. The Prudential Center 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.
Ramen Gami in University Heights is a favorite spot for comforting noodle bowls.
Ramen Gami in University Heights is a favorite spot for comforting noodle bowls.
Fans of hockey can head to the Prudential Center in Newark, which seats over 16,000 fans.
Fans of hockey can head to the Prudential Center in Newark, which seats over 16,000 fans.
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The impacts of storms and the Newark Public Safety Collaborative

Hurricane season can impact New Jersey.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, higher than 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.
Christina Norwood
Written By
Christina Norwood
Pushparaj Aitwal
Photography Contributed By
Pushparaj Aitwal
Kyle Keyes
Video By
Kyle Keyes

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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 Robert Bailey-Lemansky, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

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

University Heights Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$360,000
Median Sale Price
$364,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$300,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$350,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$350,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
42
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
7%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$294

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
147
Number of Homes for Sale
8
Median Year Built
1990
Months of Supply
2.30
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,963
On par with the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,201
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,240
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
582
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,306

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Robert Bailey-Lemansky, 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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Reviews

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
University Heights