University Park Neighborhood Guide
Researching University Park neighborhood in Irvine California? Here is a complete guide with the most up to date information about University Park neighborhood!
Overview
ABOUT University Park
The first master-planned community village in Irvine, California, University Park is a neighborhood located in Irvine’s southern region. The 250-acre community has a population of over 16,000 and is near the University of California, Irvine and Concordia University, Irvine. The neighborhood is bounded by Interstate 405, Culver Drive and University Drive.
University Park contains detached and attached single-family homes built in the California architectural style. The homes in University Park are generally midsize homes that are of high value. The community was primarily developed in the 1960s, but some development has continued over the years. The neighborhood offers an urban feel and has many options for renters, who comprise a large portion of the population.
Residents tend to be young, highly educated professionals. University Park is considered one of the best places to live in California. The neighborhood includes multiple amenities and various options for shopping, dining and recreation. Schools in University Park are highly rated.
Most people living in University Park are younger, highly educated people with a liberal bent. The neighborhood has a strong urban feel. There are more people in the 18 to 34-year-old age group than any other age group. At least 22% of residents have an associate’s degree or some college. About 33% of residents have a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Over half of residents of the neighborhood are renters. The median household income is about $94,000 per year. There are more whites and Asian Americans than any other ethnic group. Recreational activities in University Park include biking, hiking, golfing and gardening.
TOP University Park HIGHLIGHTS
Natural Disasters
There are no significant records of any serious and recurring natural hazards specific to University Park, Irvine, CA.
Irvine, however, is prone to several natural disasters that include wildfires, earthquakes, landslides, and severe flooding.
Commute
Interstate 405 runs along the northern edge of University Park. I-405 provides a direct, ten-minute commute to Irvine Spectrum Center to the east and a 12-minute drive to John Wayne Airport to the west. I-405 connects both with I-5 and Highway 55 for commutes northward to Tustin and Santa Ana (15 minutes and 17 minutes, respectively).
It takes about 11 minutes to reach South Coast Metro via 1-405 N. Costa Mesa can be reached in about 11 minutes via I-405 and Highway 55 S. A drive to Anaheim via I-5 N takes about 27 minutes. In addition to I-5 South, other southward routes are Highway 133 and Highway 73.
Crime Rate
University Park ranks among the safest neighborhoods in Irvine, CA. Overall, the total crime rate in the neighborhood is about 729 per 100,000 residents. This rate is about 72% lower than the national average.
Violent crime rate in the area is about 42 per 100,000 residents. This rate is about 89% lower than the national average. Property crime, meanwhile, is more prevalent in the neighborhood at a rate of about 687 per 100,000 residents. This rate, however, is still 69% lower than the national average.
University Park is safer than about 95% of communities in California. One’s chances of becoming a victim of crime in the area is 1 in 138.
Education
SCHOOLS IN University Park
University Park is served by a number of public and private schools. The public schools are in the Irvine Unified School District. Elementary schools serving the neighborhood are Westpark Elementary School, Meadow Park Elementary School, University Park Elementary School, Springbrook Elementary School and Culverdale Elementary School.
Middle Schools serving University Park students are Rancho San Joaquin Middle School and South Lake Middle School. University Park high schools are University High School, Woodbridge High School and Creekside High School. The one private school within the community is Village Montessori School of Irvine.
An alternative public school that accepts Kindergarten through 12th grade students is Alternative Education-San Joaquin High School. This school is a highly rated school that serves 76 students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. With one teacher for every 20 students, 85% of students are proficient in math and 75% in reading. The school ranks at 373 of 2,534 best public elementary schools in California.
Schools
- ELEMENTARY
- MIDDLE
- HIGH
- PRIVATE
Real Estate
University Park Housing 2020
The real estate market in University Park has varied greatly over several years. For example, in March 2014, the median list price was $845,000. By July of the same year, the median list price had risen to $920,000. By June 2015, the median list price had dropped to $630,000 but by November rose again sharply to $767,500. In July of 2018, the median list price rose to $919,000, the highest since July of 2014.
As of December 2018, the median list price was down to $830,000. As of February 2019, there were 18 homes for sale in University Park, ranging from $680,000 to $1,458,000. The types of homes for sale were split fairly evenly between single-family houses and condominiums. Between August 2018 and January 2019, a total of 29 homes sold in University Park. Most of these were single-family houses, although some were condos or townhomes. Sold prices during this period ranged from $600,000 to $1,280,000.
University Park Homes for Sale
University Park, built in stages, beginning in 1965, is a varied community in terms of housing. The neighborhood includes a mixture of attached and detached single-family homes. Homes in the area generally sit on average-sized lots and have three bedrooms and two bathrooms, although some homes are larger.
The community was designed and constructed with Garden City urban planning concepts. Several attributes related to Garden City concepts distinguish the neighborhood. Zero-lot line construction was used to maximize developable and open space areas and to minimize maintenance of private lawns.
Master planning was undertaken to include a variety of housing types to attract a broad range of demographics, including single-family detached and attached homes and townhomes. Planners also reinvented the cul-de-sac design to include rectangular cul-de-sacs that allow for more parking and play areas in the middle of cul-de-sacs. This element also reduced the need for two-car driveways for most housing units.
FEATURED HOMES FOR SALE
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