Thinking about jumping into the Newbury Park, CA, real estate market as an investor or home buyer and feeling a bit lost? No sweat, I’ve got your back with this guide.
Nestled in Ventura County and cozied up right next to Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park is this sweet spot for anyone looking to nab a slice of California living. Whether you’re in the market for a place to call your own or want to smartly park your cash in real estate, there’s a whole menu of investment options here to fit different wallets. But hey, it’s not just about the four walls and a roof, right? You’re after a place where you can feel secure, find a community vibe that fits, and not have to trek miles for your daily needs.
Keep reading for more on Newbury Park, including:
- Real estate market
- Amenities
- Weather
- Dining and shopping scenes
- Leisure spots
- Cost of living
Overview of Newbury Park, CA
Looking for a sun-kissed haven with friendly faces and postcard-worthy scenery? Enter Newbury Park! Blessed with 273 annual days of that golden California sunshine (68 more than the US average), this suburb is a dream come true for those who adore the great outdoors and are fans of the finer things in life. Plus, the place barely knows what a snowflake looks like, making it a welcome escape from average winter wonderlands.
Back in the 1870s, Egbert Starr Newbury called dibs on the place, setting up a ranch that soon flourished with bountiful grasslands, cattle grazing carefree, and fields of wheat waving in the breeze. Fast forward to today, and it’s those same rolling hills that’ll have nature enthusiasts falling head over heels.
Home to about 45,000 residents, Newbury Park manages to be both upscale and down-to-earth. Fancy running errands or craving beach vibes? It’s a breezy 35 miles to LA’s buzz, a short 26-mile jaunt to Oxnard Beach, and just a 22-mile cruise to Malibu’s luxe shoreline. Hitting the road? Zip through U.S. Route 101 or fly out from the nearby Rancho Conejo Airport. In addition, the real estate menu here is as varied as the views: palatial estates for those who fancy spreading out to condos that serve up a visual feast of those famed mountains.
Newbury Park, CA, real estate market trends
Newbury Park’s housing scene is as diverse as it gets, but it leans heavily towards those cozy, lived-in single-family homes that seem to make a neighborhood feel like home. The majority of these gems were crafted between the 1970s and the late 90s, though if you have a thing for vintage vibes, there’s a sprinkling of homes from the 1940s to the 1960s too.
But here’s the thing — it’s not just about tallying up bedrooms or measuring square footage. Who doesn’t crave that indescribable feeling you get when a place just feels right for you and yours? And considering that 65% of houses for sale in Newbury Park are single-family dwellings, there’s a good chance you’ll find that special spot with enough room to stretch or maybe a backyard big enough for summer BBQs or garden.
Newbury Park, CA, real estate prices
Real estate market prices in Newbury Park have been trending upward, especially since we bounced back from the recession. As we look at the numbers from July 2024 (the latest scoop we’ve got), home prices in Newbury Park chilling at a cozy median of 1.2M (Per Realtor). That’s a sweet 14.6% jump from the year before, making this spot a bit of a hot ticket in Ventura County. Yet, when you pit it against giants like Hollywood Hills, where you’re shelling out $2.19 million for a median home, Newbury Park feels like a steal.
Source: Realtor
Newbury Park real estate is pretty much a seller’s playground, where the inventory is substantially less than the potential buyers. Yet, the fact that homes are generally selling at about 90.45% of their list price suggests buyers aren’t exactly walking away empty-handed, either. On average, it takes 55 days for houses to sell in Newbury Park.
Digging deeper, the range for single-family homes for sale in Newbury Park, CA currently hovers between $769K and $3.14M. In comparison, the same units in Hollywood Beach, Oxnard, vary from $1.8M to $8.5M.
Newbury Park rental market trends
The rental market in Newbury Park has been stable over the past few years. But, heads up — you might feel a slight pinch in your wallet. The word around Apartments.com is that rent bumped up by 11.6% over the last year. Fast forward to July 2024, and we’re talking an average rent of $2,415, meaning you’re shelling out around 281 extra bucks compared to last year and $900+ more than the national average.
Scouting for apartments for rent in Newbury Park, CA, is like flipping through a menu with loads of options. Craving some luxury? There are places with all the swanky extras — think pools and workout spots. On a tighter budget? No worries, there are still plenty of spots that’ll keep you cozy without breaking the bank, sporting essentials like a place to do your laundry and park your car. On average, apartments here stretch out to about 740 square feet.
If you’re going solo or keeping it minimal, studio apartments hover around $2,250 per month. Need more room? One-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom options are going for about $2,415, $2,727, and $3,524, respectively. And if you’re in the market for a bit more space, Newbury Park houses for rent will set you back between $3.75K and $6.5K per month. Sounds like there’s a little something for everyone here.
Things to Do in Newbury Park, CA
If nature is your thing or you just want to veer off the usual path for your next day trip, why not swing by Point Mugu State Park? This gem boasts 70 miles of trails that snake through breathtaking peaks, along with 5 miles of pristine oceanfront. It’s a haven for year-round adventure with top-notch hiking, camping, and a chance to splash around. Or if you’re up for a leisurely walk, take a stroll through Knoll Open Space, affectionately nicknamed Rabbit Hill.
Are you into bits of history tucked away in corners? The Stagecoach Inn Museum in Thousand Oaks is your go-to. It’s not only steeped in history from its 1876 roots but it’s also got one colossal California Sycamore — kind of hard to miss as Ventura County Historical Landmark #44. The place is a little historical village in its own right, with a Chumash Village, Newbury Pioneer House, and a Timber School replica on site.
If feeling a bit adventurous, horseback riding at Rancho Potrero Community Equestrian Center could be the next great afternoon out for you and your family or friends. Imagine choosing from about 100 horses sprawled over 20 acres and taking on the trails with an hour-long guided ride — all for just 65 bucks per person.
For a slice of the unexpected, drop by Lake Eleanor Dam off Westlake Boulevard. This landmark is a piece of history, being one of the earliest concrete arc dams, wrapping around an 8-acre lake amidst 529 acres of sprawling open space.
And while still kicking it in Thousand Oaks, please drop by the Hunt Olive Tree. This living piece of Conejo Valley history stands tall as the lone survivor from Richard Orville’s orchard. Plus, being over 140 years old and recognized as Thousand Oaks’s Historical Landmark #4, it’s pretty much a local celebrity.
A visit to Hillcrest Drive Civic Center is like a pleasant walk back in time. It’s where Thousand Oaks planted its roots with its very first permanent City Hall. These days, it’s a bustling hub of culture and nature, housing the National Park Service, Conejo Recreation and Park District, and Hillcrest Center for the Arts. It’s a cool blend of past and present, where history mingles with the beats of today’s community and artistic endeavors. Definitely a spot worth checking out if you’re around!
More Leisure Opportunities?
Additional places to visit near Newbury Park, CA:
- Case Study House No. 28
- Janss House
- Historic Norwegian Grade
- Pederson House and Water Tower
- Angel Vista Peak
- Mike Malamut Vintage Car Museum
- Thousand Oaks Community Gallery
Cost of Living in Newbury Park, CA
If you’re thinking about settling down in Newbury Park, CA, let’s talk numbers — they’re pretty eye-opening. According to LivingCost.org, the cost of living in Newbury Park, CA, is about $2,895 per month, which puts this cozy corner of Cali in the top 2% of the most expensive cities worldwide (per Livingcost.org). But with a post-tax median salary of $5,982 hitting your bank account monthly, you can swing the scene for nearly two months before your wallet starts feeling the pinch. When it comes to earning dough, the average hourly wage here is a sweet $35 — more than double California’s minimum limit.
Now, about the cost of groceries in Newbury Park — it’s all about the where and the how of your shopping hustle. If you stick to the homegrown markets, a family of four can expect to fork over about $1,690 per month. And when it comes to keeping your house lit and cozy, utilities are looking to nick around $171 from your wallet monthly. As for zipping around town, snag a monthly transport ticket for $52.8, and you’re sorted.
Other costs that might pique your interest:
- Daycare: $1,618
- International primary school: $18,530 (per year)
- Simple haircut: $20.4
- Cinema ticket: $13.8
- Gym membership: $83.5
Shopping and Dining
Shopping and dining in Newbury Park, CA, is a dream come true, with plenty of options from grocery to clothing stores and everything in between.
Fancy an all-under-one-roof shopping spree? Hit up malls like Kimber Plaza or Hillcrest Plaza, and you won’t leave empty-handed. If these aren’t enough, Times Square might be your next stop. Electronics, home goods, you name it, it’s all there.
Now, let’s talk about threads (clothes, that is). Whatever style you’re into, Ross Dress for Less, Kohl’s, or T.J. Max have you covered. And don’t stress about your weekly groceries, either—between the options below you’ll find everything to whip up your next meal.
- Ralphs
- Trader Joe’s
- Albertsons
- Smart & Final Extra
- Village Trade
Then there’s the food scene. Newbury Park doesn’t mess around. Some places serve up casual fare like burgers and fries, while others offer more upscale meals with an international flair. For instance, there’s this Chinese place called Sesame Inn with amazing crispy shrimp, moo shu pork, and Kung Pao chicken. You could also awaken your taste buds with mouthwatering rolls at a sushi place called Sushi Oaks. The list of other best restaurants in Newbury Park, CA, is inexhaustible, but these are worth a mention:
- The Local Table
- Stella’s Gourmet Restaurant
- Sumo Japanese Restaurant
- Baba’s Kitchen Mediterranean
- Mama’s Hummus
- Holdren’s Steaks & Seafood
Newbury Park, CA, Neighborhoods
Below are the four popular neighborhoods in Newbury Park, CA:
- Rancho Conejo: This is absolutely on the map for those who are in the know. We’re talking about a neighborhood that’s got its act together, especially when we’re gabbing about education and living options that won’t drain the bank account. The schools here are top-notch. And if you’re on the prowl for a space to call your own that’s a bit more wallet-friendly, the condos and two-bedroom apartments around here could be just your ticket. And you know what else is true? Its higher sales-to-list-price ratio means houses are flying off the market either at or above the asking price. Wondering about the digits? Well, the median list price in Rancho Conejo was $1m, as of June 2024.
- Dos Vientos: If thinking about settling in a neighborhood where safety is top-notch and schools are great, this neighborhood fits the bill. Houses for sale in Dos Viento, Newbury Park, have a median list price of $1.92M, breaking down to around $549 per square foot.
- Potrero Valley: This area shines with its lower-than-average crime rates and solid high school performances, not to mention homes often sell for more than the asking price. Expect to find median home prices around $1.05 million with costs running about $578 per square foot.
- Ventu Park: If over-the-average education, a larger yard, and low crime risk matter to you most when choosing a Newbury Park neighborhood, Ventu Park might be just what you’re after. Plus, homes sell fast here, with the median list price around $895K.
Newbury Park Schools
Sure, the prices of Newbury Park, CA homes for sale might pinch buyers’ pockets, but what’s the scoop on the schools? Are they good enough to make living in this picturesque area worth it for your kids’ education needs? Let’s find out.
Newbury Park schools are part of the Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD), which is pretty popular for its stellar academics and college readiness. Based on GreatSchools Org’s analysis, 95% of CVUSD students graduate from high school on time, and the ACT score averages 26 out of 36. Not too shabby, right? And get this: a solid 83% of these high school grads go to college or vocational training within 16 months post-graduation, beating the national average by a cool 18%.
Top-rated elementary schools in Newbury Park include:
- Sycamore Canyon School
- Cypress Elementary School
- Environmental Academy of Research Technology and Earth Sciences
- Banyan Elementary School
- Madrona Elementary School
If eyeing middle schools in Newbury Park, solid choices include Sycamore Canyon School, Redwood Middle School, and Sequoia Middle School. As for high school, the scene’s pretty impressive too, with Newbury Park High School and Thousand Oaks High School standing out as two of the top spots around.
Bottom Line
The city of Newbury Park is an absolute gem for settling down in California. Not only is it a nice place, but also nails it in the safety and family-friendliness. Plus, Newbury Park, CA, real estate seems to tick all the boxes for a wide range of folks – whether you’re an investor, fresh on the scene, getting ready to enjoy retirement, or starting a family. It’s tight-knit, which is always a plus, and schools in the area are also getting two thumbs up these days
About the outdoors, imagine just stepping out and having equestrian trails, hiking paths, and mountain bike routes calling your name. Beaches aren’t too far off either, and if retail therapy is your thing, you’re sorted with all the shopping spots around. And with travel times averaging 45 minutes to downtown Los Angeles and 38 minutes to Hollywood, Newbury Park hits the sweet spot for those craving that suburban lifestyle without losing touch with the vibrant scenes nearby.