Why Live in Prospect Heights
Prospect Heights in Santa Cruz is a sunny residential neighborhood located just south of De Laveaga Park and 2 miles north of the city’s beaches. The area benefits from a unique microclimate, offering sunnier and warmer weather compared to the often overcast oceanfront neighborhoods. The neighborhood features lush landscaping with tall pine, oak, and palm trees. Homes here are primarily early to mid-20th century designs, including ranch homes, cottages, Craftsman homes, and custom-built houses, many with swimming pools and small gardens. Lot sizes are typically around 5,000 square feet. De Laveaga Park, bordering the neighborhood, offers hilly hiking trails, baseball fields, an archery range, and an 18-hole golf course. It also hosts Santa Cruz Shakespeare, an outdoor theater troupe. The closest beaches, including the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Seabright Beach, are about 2 miles south, while Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is nearby for those seeking mountainous trails and redwood groves. The neighborhood is served by highly rated schools: De Laveaga Elementary, Branciforte Middle, and Harbor High School, which offers various career and technical programs. Dining and grocery options are available a mile south on Soquel Avenue, with stores like Safeway, Whole Foods, and Staff of Life. Downtown Santa Cruz, with its array of eateries, bars, and shops, is a short drive away. State Route 1 and State Route 17 provide easy access to nearby towns and Silicon Valley. Dignity Health – Dominican Hospital, a well-regarded medical center, is less than a mile west.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Prospect Heights a good place to live?
Prospect Heights is a good place to live. Prospect Heights is considered car-dependent and very bikeable with some transit options. Prospect Heights has 1 park for recreational activities. It is somewhat dense in population with 8.8 people per acre and a median age of 46. The average household income is $167,167 which is above the national average. College graduates make up 50.4% of residents. A majority of residents in Prospect Heights are home owners, with 19.5% of residents renting and 80.5% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Prospect Heights can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Prospect Heights neighborhood guide.
Is Prospect Heights, CA a safe neighborhood?
Prospect Heights, CA is safer than the average neighborhood in the United States. It received a crime score of 3 out of 10.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Prospect Heights?
The median home price in Prospect Heights is $735,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $147,000 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.74%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $3,810 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $163K a year to afford the median home price in Prospect Heights. The average household income in Prospect Heights is $167K.
What are the best public schools in Prospect Heights?
The best public schools that serve Prospect Heights are:
- Santa Cruz High School has an A Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 21:1 and an average review score of 3.8.
- Harbor High School has an A Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 19:1 and an average review score of 3.6.
- Mission Hill Middle School has an A- Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 19:1 and an average review score of 4.0.
What are the best private schools in Prospect Heights?
The best private schools that serve Prospect Heights are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Prospect Heights, Santa Cruz, CA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Prospect Heights, Santa Cruz, CA?
Are home prices dropping in Prospect Heights?
Yes, home prices in Prospect Heights are down 13% in the last 12 months.
Home Trends in Prospect Heights, CA
On average, homes in Prospect Heights, Santa Cruz sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Prospect Heights, Santa Cruz over the last 12 months is $350,000, down 37% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$350,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$725,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$345,000
Median 1 Bedroom Sale Price
$543,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$224
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Last 12 months Home Sales
7
Median List Price
$735,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-37%