Fred Salas
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
(562) 444-0841
34 Total Sales
1 in Mar Vista Heights
$920,000 Price
Mar Vista Heights
If you live in Mar Vista Heights, broad blue skies painted with wispy white clouds and grass skirts hanging from the tops of tall yellow-green fan palms span your horizon. The streets are wide and sloped with ample sidewalks, made in the postwar era of the automobile. The homes, too, evoke a midcentury spaciousness, ramblers, colonials and Spanish revivals set into the foothills like part of the scenery. Behind the houses, the arid and balmy Santa Ana Mountains rise up, an inescapable presence in this half-mile neighborhood on the east side of Los Angeles County. As Teresa Fuller, a Realtor with Compass, says, “There’s not a bad neighborhood on the Eastside of LA.” Mar Vista Heights is proof of that statement.
Homes in Mar Vista Heights are well-landscaped and kept, generally ranging from the high six figures to $1.5 million, with the occasional estate-like property listing for around $5 million. The midcentury ranch-style model is most common here. No two are alike, but all are attractive. A fruitful array of trees and shrubs grow in private and public spaces, especially behind those homes backing up to the mountains. Many of these ramblers have period details, such as exposed interior brick walls, fireplaces for the cold desert nights, and exterior tracery on windows and roof cornices. Prewar colonials remind one of the early California roots of this area. Quintessential wood siding, ornamental porticos and painted shutters mark the authenticity of these homes. Prewar Spanish revival mansions on over an acre of land also exist in these areas, preserved landmarks built for Golden Age Hollywood stars and featuring stone driveways, clay-tiled roofs, separate wings and arched terraces.
The land behind Mar Vista Heights is protected by the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority, which manages 4,000 acres of wilderness in the Santa Ana Mountains in perpetuity. Trailheads connect to dead-end streets every few blocks. Central to Mar Vista Heights is the Arroyo Pescadero Trailhead, a 2-mile loop with 400 feet of elevation gain and sublime views, especially at sunset. Those seeking a tamer outdoor experience will enjoy Penn Park on the west side of the neighborhood, which blends natural features of the landscape, such as streams and native trees, with manmade recreational opportunities for children and adults. Mar Vista Heights is part of the City of Whittier, and a dynamic restaurant and culture scene is growing just a few blocks west of Mar Vista Heights around the campus of the liberal arts school Whittier College. Eater Magazine recommends Tacos y Que for quick, delicious tacos of all kinds and Poet Gardens, a massive food hall and craft beer brewery space in a renovated prewar Beaux-Arts building once owned by Bank of America. A Trader Joe’s on nearby Whittier Boulevard serves the neighborhood alongside dozens of businesses, large and small.
Public schools in and around Mar Vista Heights are highly ranked on the school rankings website Niche. On the site, Ocean View Elementary School was given an overall A-minus, and East Whittier Middle School earned a B-plus. La Serna High School is ranked among the top 50 magnet schools in the state and received an A. Downtown Los Angeles is just 15 miles to the west, and residents can hop on the 605 Freeway just a few miles away and connect to any of the major local freeways. Those staying in Whittier can take advantage of the city’s expansive greenway system, which allows residents to get around surprisingly well on pedal power alone. The Los Angeles County Metro system runs bus lines through the neighborhood, as do the cities of Norwalk and Montebello. Mar Vista Heights is close enough to the city to feel relevant but situated just high and far enough away to be able to feel like you live in the mountains.
Written By
Abbot Street
Photography Contributed By
Tyler O'Neil
Video By
Victoria York
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Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Fred Salas
-
Ray Fernandez
Ray Fernandez
Responds QuicklyNextMove Real Estate
(424) 417-2709
215 Total Sales
1 in Mar Vista Heights
$940,000 Price
-
Ava Huang
Ava Huang
Responds QuicklyKeller Williams Realty Irvine
(657) 251-1221
58 Total Sales
1 in Mar Vista Heights
$1,150,000 Price
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Cristal Drake
Cristal Drake
Responds QuicklyCirca Properties, Inc.
(562) 553-3814
91 Total Sales
1 in Mar Vista Heights
$1,117,500 Price
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Tracey Johnson
Tracey Johnson
Responds QuicklyPrestige Coastal Real Estate, Inc.
(949) 403-6551
44 Total Sales
1 in Mar Vista Heights
$1,200,000 Price
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Angela Barela
Angela Barela
Responds QuicklyCOLDWELL BANKER LEADERS
(626) 691-3462
33 Total Sales
1 in Mar Vista Heights
$25,000 Price
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
William Penn Park
Murphy Ranch Park
- Picnic Area
- Parking Lot
- Hiking
Central Park
John Greenleaf Whittier Park
- Playground
Michigan Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Grills
- Picnic Area
Anaconda Park
- Basketball
- Grills
- Picnic Area
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Mar Vista Heights | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 2 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 2 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 2 | 4 |
| Robbery | 3 | 4 |
| Burglary | 2 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 2 | 4 |
| Larceny | 1 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 2 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Mar Vista Heights Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Mar Vista Heights, Whittier sell after 22 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Mar Vista Heights, Whittier over the last 12 months is $1,227,500, up 21% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$1,255,000
Median Sale Price
$1,227,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,230,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
26
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
21%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$571
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
686
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Median Year Built
1956
Months of Supply
1.40
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,342
Above the national average
1,930
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,327
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
13,503
Open Houses
-
Saturday, Jul 1211am - 3pm
-
Sunday, Jul 132 - 4pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
2,038
Median Age
42
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$117,447
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$137,821
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.3%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
35.8%
Advanced Degrees
15.1%
% Population in Labor Force
63.1%
On par with the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
13''
Average Winter Low Temperature
50°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
4
/ 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Whittier College
Higher education and vintage hillside homes make this area stand out
Whittier
Thriving city with restaurants, shopping and outdoor recreation
Friendly Hills
Spacious homes with nearby parks and country clubs
Michigan Park
A quiet suburban neighborhood with large lots and desirable school districts
Hadley Hills
High-end neighborhood of custom homes in and around the Puente Hills
Hacienda Heights
A safe and affordable community in San Gabriel Valley
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